Green Engineering and Environmental Sustainability

Considerable research by Penn State Environmental Engineering faculty has aimed at enhancing the environmental sustainability of industrial manufacturing and residential housing. Research by Fred Cannon, in collaboration with other Penn State and MIT faculty, has addressed the environmental sustainability of cast iron foundries, so as to release less air pollution, use less materials, and use less energy. This 10-year research collaboration has appraised the use of advanced oxidants as a process modification that diminishes VOCs and clay/coal use; and hydroacoustic sonication/cavitation for reclaiming green sand. Residential housing research by Jack Matson has addressed building materials selections that diminish energy consumption and offer materials reuse.