Projects
Addressing the Energy Transition Puzzle Through Combined Experimental and Computational Efforts
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: Inter-Institutional Program for Diversifying Research
Over the years, over reliance on fossil fuels has been identified as one of the main issues leading to global warming. Thus, recent research efforts seek to decarbonize every sector of human activities, especially transportation, industries, domestic use, etc. The developments of new materials through computational and laboratory-based experimental novel designs are pushing the boundaries of energy harvesting and storage technologies. However, this race to avert climate change also means a race for critical minerals. The question remains, can these two events happen sustainably?
Advancing and Operationalizing Transformative Climate Justice Pathways in the US and Africa Tracks
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: Inter-Institutional Program for Diversifying Research
This proposal aims to build equitable, long-term, cross-regional, and cross-continental partnerships between Penn State, Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S., and other national and international partner institutions in the Caribbean and West Africa through the development of working groups to advance transformative climate justice pathways.
MidAtlantic Meteorology, Air Quality and Health: Communities, Challenges and Opportunities
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: Inter-Institutional Program for Diversifying Research
The MidAtlantic region includes diverse urban and rural populations, challenging air quality, complex boundary layer meteorology and complex political forces. The area is also increasingly rich in atmospheric observations and models capable of revealing the complex interactions between air quality and meteorology. New partnerships are emerging among regional universities and federal research laboratories.
Integrating Low-Cost Sensors and Human Mobility into Air Pollution Exposure Modeling
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: Climate Seed Grant
A researcher aims to improve air pollution early warning systems and make them widely available online.
Optimizing Sorbent Properties for Aqueous Electrochemical CO2 Capture
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: Climate Seed Grant
A research team is identifying what kinds of changes will make electrochemical approaches to carbon capture more efficient and effective.
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach To Mitigating Climate Impacts Of Aviation Contrails
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
An interdisciplinary team is studying contrails and other emissions from aircraft to develop new technologies for more sustainable aviation as air travel’s impact on climate change is anticipated to increase.
Additive Manufacturing of Elastocaloric Cooling Shape Memory Alloy: From Materials and Device Fabrication to System-Level Analysis for High-Performance Buildings
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
Researchers are developing a more efficient and sustainable cooling solution towards future urban high-performance building systems using shape memory alloys fabricated by additive manufacturing.
Assessing the Energy Impacts of Electric Lighting Using Alternative Spectral Sensitivities
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
Researchers are developing new lighting efficacy metrics based on human visual response to light to improve the design and evaluation of lighting systems.
Binderless Low Temperature Densification Process for Production of Graphite Based Bipolar Plates for Fuel Cells
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
This project is developing a low-temperature, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective process to produce graphite-based bipolar plates for fuel cells.
Biorenewable Multifunctional Composites for Structural/Dielectric Applications
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
This project is developing a bio-based dielectric composite from epoxidized soybean oil, epoxy resin, and ceramic nanofillers for potential applications in dielectric storage energy devices.
Community Science-Driven Data Collection of Pennsylvania Urban Stormwater Control Measures Augmented by Machine Learning
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
A team of researchers is creating a comprehensive inventory of existing urban stormwater control measures through community volunteer participation and machine learning to improve urban stormwater management.
Constraining Olivine Carbonation Rates in Igneous Mafic Formations
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
A team of researchers is investigating the carbonation rates of mafic rocks as a function of temperature, pressure, mineralogy, and solution chemistry to develop more efficient methods for carbon capture and sequestration.