Growing Impact

Penn State Institute of Energy and the Environment
  • 5.0 (4)
  • EARTH SCIENCES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Growing Impact explores cutting-edge projects of Penn State researchers and scientists who are solving some of the world's most challenging energy and environmental issues.

  1. Decoding wildfire smoke forecasts

    12/01/2025

    Decoding wildfire smoke forecasts

    Long-distance wildfire smoke is emerging as a serious health risk in the Northeast U.S., where many residents have little experience navigating hazardous air. Conflicting messages from apps, agencies, media, and social networks often leave people unsure what to trust or how to respond. Researchers are uncovering how people interpret these warnings, why uncertainty slows protective action, and what clearer, more reliable communication could do to better protect communities during future smoke events.

    17 min
  2. Energy Saving Smart Windows

    10/01/2025

    Energy Saving Smart Windows

    How do you keep a building comfortable without wasting energy? A Penn State team is tackling that question with an innovative smart window. Using a responsive polymer, the window can block visible light, infrared heat, or both—automatically, without sensors or electricity. The technology could dramatically reduce energy use in buildings while giving architects new freedom to design spaces that work with, rather than against, the sun.

    19 min
  3. Indigenous communities and Amazon oil

    08/01/2025

    Indigenous communities and Amazon oil

    The Amazon, home to rich biodiversity and vital carbon-storing ecosystems, is also the ancestral land of Indigenous communities who are grappling with the devastating effects of oil extraction across Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. These communities live amid widespread pollution from oil spills, toxic chemicals, and industrial infrastructure, which threaten their way of life and the health of their environment. In response, they are working alongside researchers to map the environmental destruction and strengthen their efforts to hold oil companies accountable while fighting to protect their lands and preserve their cultural heritage.

    27 min
  4. Climate change, extreme heat, and infant health

    07/01/2025

    Climate change, extreme heat, and infant health

    Heat significantly affects pregnant women and infants, increasing risks like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and developmental issues in children. Expectant mothers are more vulnerable due to physiological changes, while infants face heightened danger because of immature temperature regulation. These challenges are further intensified for families with limited resources. Researchers are investigating these impacts to provide lawmakers with the knowledge needed to create protective measures for these at-risk groups.

    19 min
  5. Cooling high-performance buildings

    06/01/2025

    Cooling high-performance buildings

    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.

    26 min
  6. Measuring nitrous oxide emissions

    04/01/2025

    Measuring nitrous oxide emissions

    Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas with nearly 300 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide, making even small emissions highly impactful. Agriculture, particularly soil management, is the largest source of nitrous oxide. To better understand and manage these emissions, researchers have developed a system for continuous monitoring on farms and other land management purposes.

    25 min
  7. PFAS and human health

    03/01/2025

    PFAS and human health

    PFAS, synthetic chemicals found in countless everyday products, have made their way into humans and animals around the globe. Although their health effects remain unclear, their widespread presence raises important questions. Scientists are now investigating whether these chemicals might disrupt the human gut microbiome, potentially impacting our health in unexpected ways.

    25 min
  8. Seismic sensing with fiber optics

    02/01/2025

    Seismic sensing with fiber optics

    The Earth can shift suddenly, with sinkholes and landslides posing serious risks to people and property. Scientists are now using existing fiber optic cables in cities to detect potential geohazards before they strike. This innovative approach is expanding to monitor flooding and even track human movement, unlocking new possibilities for data collection and understanding our world.

    23 min
See All (55)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Growing Impact explores cutting-edge projects of Penn State researchers and scientists who are solving some of the world's most challenging energy and environmental issues.

Information

  • Creator
    Penn State Institute of Energy and the Environment
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Growing Impact
  • Show Website
    Growing Impact

You Might Also Like