Episodes

  • Converting CO2 into fuel

    Converting CO2 into fuel
    Oct 1 2024
    Carbon dioxide (CO2) is abundant and stable, making it difficult to convert into something useful without a lot of energy. Researchers are using advanced computational modeling to find a catalyst that can efficiently transform CO2 into valuable products. This could turn CO2 from a climate issue into a valuable resource.
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    23 mins
  • Growing Impact: Season 5

    Growing Impact: Season 5
    Sep 1 2024
    Our planet is at a critical crossroads. In Season 5 of Growing Impact, we delve into groundbreaking research with the power to transform our world. This season offers a deep dive into the vast and varied research at Penn State, showcasing its pivotal role in advancing a healthier planet and improving the well-being of people everywhere. Growing Impact is a podcast by the Institute of Energy and the Environment at Penn State. Each episode explores cutting-edge projects of researchers and scientists who are solving some of the world's most challenging energy and environmental issues. For more information about this and other projects, along with transcripts and much more, please visit: https://iee.psu.edu/podcast
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    3 mins
  • Floating offshore wind energy

    Floating offshore wind energy
    Aug 1 2024
    Wind power has come a long way from its humble beginnings as water pumps and windmills. Today, it's a major contributor to our electricity generation. While onshore wind farms are well-established, the U.S. has yet to tap into the full potential of offshore wind. With advancements like floating turbines and improved blade designs, wind energy is poised for another significant leap forward.
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    30 mins
  • Evaluating lighting efficiency

    Evaluating lighting efficiency
    Jul 1 2024
    Before the early 20th century, light measurement lacked a standard, repeatable approach. At that time, scientists developed a spectral sensitivity curve, representing the "average human observer." This graph quantified light output and standardized lamp brightness calculations. Although experts recognized its imperfection and proposed alternatives, this graph, remarkably, remains the standard a century later. On this episode of Growing Impact, we discuss light sources, the measurement of those sources, and how updating this century-old standard could significantly improve energy efficiency.
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    22 mins
  • Underground carbon storage

    Underground carbon storage
    Jun 1 2024
    Storing carbon dioxide underground could offset the record amounts of CO2 that humans emit each year. If this technology is successful, it could be an answer to climate change impacts, such as rising temperatures and acidification of the ocean. However, the process is complex and costly. A team of researchers is exploring one way liquid CO2 could be injected into rock formations, which may efficiently convert the molecule into a solid.
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    39 mins
  • Investigating thawing permafrost

    Investigating thawing permafrost
    May 1 2024
    Once a frozen haven, climate-driven rising temperatures are rapidly thawing the Arctic permafrost, posing a major threat to communities and infrastructure. Researchers are investigating how these changes will transform rivers, with potential consequences for erosion, sediment transport, and the entire Arctic landscape. Additionally, their project incorporates art to communicate these critical findings in an engaging way.
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    29 mins
  • Youth climate leadership

    Youth climate leadership
    Apr 1 2024
    The global push to involve youth in climate action is gaining momentum, harnessing their innovative spirit, deep investment in the future, and strong collective voice to combat climate change. Getting young people involved ensures that climate policies are forward-thinking and geared towards sustainable development, while their global solidarity and use of digital platforms amplify the call for urgent action. At the forefront of this movement, Penn State's Global Youth Storytelling and Research Lab aims to become a pivotal transnational research hub, empowering young leaders to shape the future of climate and environmental justice.
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    26 mins
  • Low-cost PFAS filtration

    Low-cost PFAS filtration
    Mar 1 2024
    For decades, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been a staple in products from detergents to cosmetics, making items more durable and resistant to water and stains. However, the creation and use of these "forever chemicals" is not without consequences. They persist in the environment and are now ubiquitous, even in our drinking water. Emerging evidence links PFAS exposure to significant health risks, prompting a team of researchers to evaluate affordable filtration technology. The team's project aims to safeguard drinking water, especially in communities reliant on well water, by effectively removing PFAS, thus mitigating their impact on public health.
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    31 mins