Penn State Energy and Environment News

Kernels of history

| news.ucsb.edu

Genetic testing of ancient maize reveals South American varieties played major role in development of the grain.

'No Time for Silence' team honored for work on anti-racism initiative

| news.psu.edu

Penn State professor Jose D. Fuentes has received an American Geophysical Union 2020 Presidential Citation as part of the team that launched the anti-racism initiative "No Time for Silence."

'Windows of opportunity' crucial for cutting Chesapeake nutrient, sediment loads

| news.psu.edu

The vast majority of nutrients and sediment washed into streams flowing into the Chesapeake Bay are picked up by deluges from severe storms that occur on relatively few days of the year. That is the conclusion of a new study led by Penn State researchers, who say it offers clues for cleaning up the impaired estuary.

Researchers encouraged to apply for 2021-22 Seed Grant Program

| news.psu.edu

ICDS is accepting applications for its 2021-22 seed grant program aimed at funding projects that can leverage artificial intelligence — AI — to advance transformative research, as well as use the technology to enhance the process of scientific discovery itself.

Associate Professor Ben Lear Completes Fulbright Fellowship in Finland

| science.psu.edu

The ability to take a sabbatical is a unique opportunity that is open to scientists working in academia. These experiences allow faculty members to step away from their ordinary work for a time in order to pursue intellectual development and achievement. Beginning in 2019, Associate Professor of Chemistry Ben Lear traveled to Finland to complete a yearlong Fulbright Fellowship at Tampere University.

Webinar to discuss new living materials seed-grant program

| news.psu.edu

The Convergence Center for Living Multifunctional Material Systems will host an informational webinar in support of its inaugural Living Multifunctional Materials Collaborative Research Seed Grant Program. The webinar will be held 9–10:30 a.m. on Dec. 15.

Understanding agriculture’s impacts on 'the zone where rock meets life'

| news.psu.edu

Penn State researchers working at Cole Farm are studying the effects of agriculture on the critical zone, the porous boundary layer extending from bedrock to treetops where rock, water, soil, air and living organisms interact. Research at the farm is shedding light on critical zone processes, and how to manage boundary-layer resources in environmentally and economically sustainable ways.

Penn State seeks nominations for Earthshot Prize for environmental solutions

| news.psu.edu

In an effort to identify strong examples of promising solutions to environmental challenges, Penn State faculty and staff are encouraged to either self-nominate or to nominate other researchers or projects for the Earthshot Prize, by the internal deadline of Dec. 17.

University endorses climate change letter to world leaders

| news.psu.edu

Penn State was one of 37 international universities that endorsed a letter drafted by the International Universities Climate Alliance that urged world leaders to protect humankind from climate change.

Researchers aim to 'upcycle' nutrient waste on farms using duckweed

| psu.edu

With a $1.7 million grant from the National Science Foundation, Penn State researchers will investigate how duckweed could be grown on Pennsylvania farms to limit nutrient pollution into the Chesapeake Bay.

Four College of Engineering faculty named to 2020 Highly Cited Researchers list

| news.psu.edu

Four faculty members in Penn State’s College of Engineering were recently recognized as “Highly Cited Researchers” by the Web of Science Group in 2020.

New funding program to help advance living multifunctional materials

| news.psu.edu

The Convergence Center for Living Multifunctional Material Systems has announced the inaugural Living Multifunctional Materials Collaborative Research Seed Grant Program 2021, aimed at advancing the discovery of sustainable materials that are biological or inspired by biological principles.