Projects
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.
CoRe at PSU: Growing Cold Regions Research Capabilities at Penn State University
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
A team of researchers is conducting experiments to quantify and understand small-scale erosive processes in thawing permafrost, which will help to develop resilient solutions to the challenges imposed by climate change in cold regions.
Developing Water Treatment Technologies for PFAS Removal in Disadvantaged Communities
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
A team of researchers is evaluating the ability of biochar, moringa seeds, and low-energy membranes to remove PFAS chemicals from drinking water and will provide information to homeowners and Extension partners about the effectiveness and cost of these treatment options.
Exploring the Impacts of Flooding Events on Substance Use in Rural Appalachia
Awarded: 2023 | Project Type: IEE Seed Grant
Researchers are investigating the impact of flooding events on substance use outcomes and substance use service provision in rural Appalachia, where flooding events are becoming more common due to climate change.