Sustainability is a strategic initiative in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Below are the most current stories showcasing our college's sustainability efforts.
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New glass cuts carbon footprint by nearly half and is 10x more damage resistant
06/30/2023
06/30/2023
Worldwide, glass manufacturing produces at least 86 million tons of carbon dioxide every year. A new type of glass promises to cut this carbon footprint in half.
Fuentes brings climate science message to Brazil on Fulbright Fellowship
06/15/2023
06/15/2023
Jose D. Fuentes has spent much of his career studying the impacts of climate change on ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. This year, the professor of atmospheric science at Penn State had the chance to share that knowledge with the people of Brazil, who may be among the most impacted by a changing climate.
Mission critical: To get critical minerals and rare earth metals from coal waste
06/12/2023
06/12/2023
Critical minerals, including rare earth metals, are vital components of our consumer goods, national defense, and emerging green-energy technologies, but the U.S is heavily dependent on imports for an adequate supply.
Sustainability Institute recognized for service to State College Borough
06/01/2023
06/01/2023
The Penn State Sustainability Institute recently received the 2023 Arnold Addison Award during the annual Authorities, Boards, and Commissions (ABC) Dinner hosted by the Borough of State College.
Engineer receives NSF CAREER award to improve lithium-ion battery performance
05/31/2023
05/31/2023
Lithium-ion batteries power most electronics, from smartphones to electric vehicles, and are even used to store energy to power entire homes.
More research is needed to spread the benefits of electric vehicles equitably
05/12/2023
05/12/2023
Electric vehicles, or EVs, promise to reduce carbon emissions and serve as a tool to help mitigate climate change, but a team of Penn State researchers report there has been little research to determine how equitable the benefits of EVs are and, in fact, whether the technology may unfairly harm some areas and populations.
Energy, environmental seed grants awarded to interdisciplinary research teams
05/02/2023
05/02/2023
Nineteen interdisciplinary research teams received funding through the Institutes of Energy and the Environment’s (IEE) Seed Grant Program for 2023. This includes more than 75 researchers who are affiliated with 10 colleges and research units across seven Penn State campuses.
EMS graduate student on a mission through research, sustainability
05/02/2023
05/02/2023
Set on pursuing a career in the music industry from a young age, Carl Fredrick Aquino never could have predicted that his career would lead him to follow the path to become a climate scientist at Penn State.
Projects to advance zero-waste water research, solutions
05/02/2023
05/02/2023
A new master agreement with ENOWA, a company tasked with pioneering sustainable energy and water innovations, will support Penn State research efforts in sustainable water solutions. The agreement could see up to $6 million invested into developing much-needed zero-waste water solutions.
Breakthrough in waste heat to green energy: Materials boost record efficiency
04/28/2023
04/28/2023
Thermoelectric generators can convert waste heat to clean electricity, and a new design breakthrough may make these devices more efficient than previously possible, according to scientists at Penn State and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.