The latest episode of the "Growing Impact" podcast explores how researchers are using advanced computation to design catalysts that can accelerate the process of converting carbon dioxide into useful products. Nelson Yaw Dzade, an assistant professor in the John and Willie Leone Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Penn State, is leading the project that is also looking to nature for inspiration on materials to use as catalysts. 

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $600,000 to Penn State’s Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) to develop a series of educational courses, workshops, and paid academic and industrial internships focused on workforce development in Pennsylvania for the growing semiconductor industry.

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Clean Energy Center and Pittsburgh Gateways Corp. will co-develop a state-of-the-art workforce training and career exploration center at Pittsburgh’s 7800 Susquehanna Street, a hub for manufacturing, makers, small businesses, nonprofits and job training. The new facility will be one of two Penn College satellite weatherization and building performance workforce development centers in western Pennsylvania; the college’s Latrobe location opened in 2021.