University community invited to participate in energy forum
| news.psu.edu
The first in a series of energy forums on Dec. 11 will discuss how Penn State can continue to strengthen its position as an energy leader. Penn State faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in the forum.
Seven Penn State faculty named AAAS Fellows
| psu.edu
Seven Penn State faculty members in areas ranging from atmospheric science and engineering to medicine and computer science have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society. This year a total of 489 individuals are being recognized with this lifetime honor, bestowed by their peers, for their extraordinary achievements in advancing science.
Chasing science, catching collaborators
| chemistrycommunity.nature.com
Oil droplets in surfactant solutions can chase each other like predators chase prey. How fast the droplets move and whether the predator will catch up can be controlled by varying the droplet's composition. This is the story of how we learned that.
Architectural engineer on mission to enable zero-carbon buildings
| news.psu.edu
An assistant professor in architectural engineering, Pavlak and his team have focused in recent months on how design and control optimization can lead to benefits both for buildings and the environment in one cohesive process, known as co-design.
Seminar to examine Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative amid state energy policy
| news.psu.edu
Daniel Mallinson, assistant professor of public policy and administration at Penn State Harrisburg, and graduate student Andrew Bell will discuss how the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative might interact with Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard and Act 129 at noon on Friday, Dec. 4. The seminar, which is free and open to the public, will be held through Zoom. Registration is required.
MRI grants to seed exploration of transformative materials research
| psu.edu
The Penn State Materials Research Institute (MRI) is offering a variety of seed grants to enable University faculty to establish new collaborations with partners outside their own units for exploration of transformative ideas for high-impact research.
Spring symposium, seed grants to promote transdisciplinary biodiversity research
| news.psu.edu
The Sustainability Institute at Penn State is hosting transdisciplinary symposia on biodiversity throughout the spring 2021 semester. The virtual series, "Mainstreaming Biodiversity in the Decade of Action," aims to expand collaborative networks and to inspire creative strategies to promote biodiversity in urban, agricultural and natural areas in order to improve human and ecological health and well-being.
Virtual seminar offers inside view of challenges to diversifying geoscience
| news.psu.edu
Vernon Morris, professor of chemistry and environmental sciences at Arizona State University and a leading proponent of the #notimeforsilence call to action, will discuss challenges to achieving equitable representation in the geosciences at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23. The talk will be broadcast via Zoom: https://psu.zoom.us/s/767635597.
Biochar from agricultural waste products can adsorb contaminants in wastewater
| news.psu.edu
Biochar — a charcoal-like substance made primarily from agricultural waste products — holds promise for removing emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals from treated wastewater. That’s the conclusion of a team of researchers that conducted a novel study.
Air quality data during COVID-19 may help improve models, guide interventions
| news.psu.edu
The measures instituted in April to help curb the spread of COVID-19 across the United States may hold clues for improving air quality. Researchers examining the effects of the pandemic on two key pollutants found that as individuals limited their travel, levels of nitrogen dioxide fell significantly while levels of fine particulate matter rose in certain parts of the country.
Virtual reality forests could help understanding of climate change
| news.psu.edu
The effects of climate change are sometimes difficult to grasp, but now a virtual reality forest, created by geographers, can let people walk through a simulated forest of today and see what various futures may hold for the trees.
University center advances energy, environmental knowledge via virtual reality
| news.psu.edu
The Center for Immersive Experiences provides energy and environment researchers virtual platforms to better communicate their science.
Flooding is the world's most devastating natural disaster, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Millions of Americans live in high-risk flood zones, with the threat amplified by climate change and aging infrastructure. This episode explores how innovative computer modeling and visualizations can help communities plan for future flood risks and develop effective response strategies. Listen to the podcast.
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