Why drone-planted forests can struggle to take root—and a nature-inspired solution
As deforestation accelerates, reforestation efforts face a major hurdle: most scattered seeds don’t survive. New bio-inspired research is developing natural seed coatings to help seeds withstand tough conditions and improve their chances of taking root.
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Court dismisses Pennsylvania county's lawsuit against big oil
| climateinthecourts.com
State courts have been split over whether to advance cases alleging fossil fuel companies deceived the public about climate change. A state court judge in Pennsylvania has decided to toss out a lawsuit filed by a county government last year against major oil and gas companies. This article quotes Hannah Wiseman, an IEE faculty member and professor of law at Penn State Law.
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Growing Impact: Cooling high-performance buildings (Preview)
| youtu.be
Full episode release date: June 1, 2025. Cooling is energy-intensive, with air conditioning consuming a significant portion of electricity in homes and commercial buildings, while also contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. This creates a cycle of increasing energy demand for cooling. However, innovative materials that cool when strained offer a promising, sustainable solution for various applications.
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Data centers give natural gas companies a boost
| marketplace.org
New analysis by S&P Global Commodity Insights shows U.S. natural gas companies are catching up to oil companies in their valuations amid demand growth from AI and foreign importers of liquefied natural gas. This article and radio segment quotes Seth Blumsack, professor of energy policy and economics.
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Second round of Penn State-Auckland seed grant recipients complete projects
| psu.edu
Two rounds of co-funded seed grant competitions were launched by Penn State Global, the first in 2020 and second in 2023, resulting in a total of 10 cross-university collaboration projects receiving funding. The 18-month term for the 2023-24 seed grant funded projects has recently completed and all final reports have now been submitted, however, the impact of the research efforts and relationships formed between faculty, staff and students from both institutions continues to generate global impact.
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“100-year math riddle cracked”: Penn State student solves century-old puzzle that could supercharge global wind energy
| sustainability-times.com
Divya Tyagi from Penn State revitalized a century-old aerodynamic equation, promising to improve wind turbine efficiency. Her work enhances the maximum power coefficient, addressing previously neglected forces like downwind thrust and root bending moments.
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Manufacturing PA Innovation Program funds two Stuckeman-led research projects
| psu.edu
While the effects of the housing crisis and the environmental impacts of debris generated in the construction sector persist in the United States, two projects led by Penn State Stuckeman School architecture professors have earned funding to develop new methods to address these challenges while also bolstering the manufacturing industry in Pennsylvania.
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José Duarte
Professor and Stuckeman Chair in Design Innovation, Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture -
Benay Gürsoy Toykoç
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Sven Bilén
Sven BilénHead, School of Engineering Design and Innovation -
Nathan Brown
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John A. Pecchia
First fossil evidence of endangered tropical tree discovered
| psu.edu
For the first time, scientists have discovered fossils of a living, endangered tropical tree in Borneo, revealing that Asia’s rainforests have sheltered these ancient giants for millions of years and highlighting the need for their conservation. The team was led by researchers at Penn State.
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Some water conservation programs may get more value by targeting rural farms
| psu.edu
Conservation programs aimed at boosting environmentally friendly practices by incentivizing farmers may get more bang for their buck by targeting rural farms rather than more urban ones, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State.
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Jin Wen named head of architectural engineering department
| psu.edu
Professor Jin Wen has been named head of Penn State’s Department of Architectural Engineering, effective Aug. 1. Wen follows Professor Jim Freihaut, who has served as interim head since January 2023. Wen will step down from her current position as interim vice dean for research, innovation and faculty advancement and professor of civil, architectural, and environmental engineering for the College of Engineering at Drexel University.
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How Penn State is addressing climate change—together
Faculty leaders Erica Smithwick, Jacqueline O’Connor, and Janet Swim share what the Climate Solutions Symposium means to them—and why showing up matters. From wildfires and emissions to policy and public trust, their reflections reveal how Penn State is turning interdisciplinary research into collaborative climate action.
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EnvironMentors Research Symposium celebrates student research in sustainability
| psu.edu
Penn State’s chapter of EnvironMentors held its annual research symposium on April 26 at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at Penn State University Park. The EnvironMentors program partners high school students with faculty and undergraduate student mentors in science, technology, engineering and math to plan and conduct environmental research projects.
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