Penn State Energy and Environment News

'Growing Impact' discusses communicating inland flooding through visualizations

| psu.edu

The latest episode of "Growing Impact" explores how a research team is using computer modeling and animations to visualize future flood and levee failure scenarios.

Growing Impact: Visualizing flood risk

| Featuring Kaleigh Yost

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.

Russ Messier, pioneer in thin films research, remembered

| psu.edu

Faculty, staff and students from across Penn State and especially in the College of Engineering and Materials Research Institute are mourning the loss of Russ Messier, graduate alumnus and professor emeritus of engineering science and mechanics, who died on Oct. 11 at age 80 in Nashua, New Hampshire.      

Penn State Master Watershed Steward Jane Cook leads by example in Lehigh Valley

| psu.edu

In 2014, Jane Cook joined the second-ever training class of Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteers. She was already active in the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association, but since then, she has logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours educating the public and restoring local watersheds.

Local Climate Action Program and World Campus alum honored in Orange County

| psu.edu

Penn State’s Local Climate Action Program is making a valuable impact beyond Pennsylvania’s borders, thanks in part to Joe Thompson, a World Campus Energy and Sustainability Policy graduate. Thompson was recently honored at a ceremony hosted by the San Diego chapter of the Climate Action Campaign, for his help in creating the City of Orange climate action plan.

Institute for Computational and Data Sciences announces two new co-hires 

| psu.edu

The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences announced two new co-hires: Dana Calacci, assistant professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, and Enrico Casella, assistant professor of data science for animal systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences. 

'EMS Reads' speaker to discuss influence of politics, racism on climate change

| psu.edu

Laura Pulido, Collins Chair and professor of Indigenous, race, and ethnic studies and geography at the University of Oregon, is the featured speaker for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ 2024 EMS Reads program. She will give the keynote lecture at 6 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 13, in Paterno Library's Foster Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus.

Penn State mining expert testifies before Congress on critical minerals needs

| psu.edu

Mining expert Barbara Arnold, professor of practice in mining engineering, joined a panel of experts to discuss how the United States will need to make dramatic advances to increase its technical- and skilled-labor workforce to power its green energy future and to become less reliant on foreign nations for securing materials used in both everyday devices and critical national security applications.

‘Partnership-based center’ to reduce health disparities launches in Hershey

| psu.edu

With a mission to bridge the gap in health equity in rural communities, Penn State College of Medicine has launched the Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities.

Stem cell-like approach in plants sheds light on specialized cell wall formation

| psu.edu

Using a new method to turn stripped-down plant cells into other types of cells, Penn State biologists explored how structural banding patterns increase the stability of cell walls. They also explored how their assembly goes astray in mutant plant cells, which could inform methods to break down plant cells for biofuels.

Eco-friendly 'LionGlass' developed at Penn State to be showcased at Nov. 8 event

| psu.edu

A new type of eco-friendly glass developed by researchers at Penn State offers higher crack resistance, potentially allowing for thinner, lighter and more sustainable products. “LionGlass” will be the subject of PSAA Presents: EMS Showcase, an event on Nov. 8 hosted by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in partnership with the Penn State Alumni Association.

Penn State Tailgate Ambassadors help make game days less trashy

| psu.edu

A group of students called Tailgate Ambassadors, supported by Penn State Sustainability, the Office of Physical Plant, and Pepsi, are working reduce the amount of waste generated on game days. This partnership is incentivizing fans to learn about game-day recycling — and offering prizes to those who do.