Climate Change and Environmental Dynamics Team: Studies complex interactions and dynamics of the climate change and environment.
Research Areas: Data assimilation, weather prediction, natural hazards communication.
Low-cost Weather Stations: Develops affordable solutions for improved monitoring.
Governance of Agro-forests: Focuses on sustainable landscapes and livelihoods.
Climate Change Policy: Works on adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Experts from meteorology, ecology, geology, geography, sociology, etc.
Analyzes Data, Models, and Fieldwork: Understands environmental processes and patterns.
Informs Decision-making and Policy: Supports sustainable environmental management.
Energy-Materials Nexus
Energy-Materials Nexus Research Group: Drives sustainable clean energy solutions and supports the energy transition in Africa.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Experts from materials science, engineering, and energy systems work together to address Africa’s unique challenges.
Research Focus: Develops low-cost processing techniques for photovoltaic devices, enabling affordable clean energy solutions.
Sustainable Energy Solutions: Advances materials for renewable energy generation, storage, and conversion in Africa.
Energy Transition in Africa: Analyzes barriers and proposes strategies for successful adoption of clean energy technologies.
Material Optimization: Enhances performance and durability of photovoltaic materials for cost-effective deployment in Africa.
Resource Efficiency: Promotes material usage optimization and circular economy approaches in African clean energy technologies.
Technology Transfer and Collaboration: Partners with industries, policymakers, and communities to foster clean energy adoption and local capacity building.
Education and Outreach: Disseminates knowledge and raises awareness for clean energy benefits and low-cost photovoltaic devices in Africa.
Mineral and Energy Systems
Mineral and Energy Systems Research Group: Studies mineral resources, energy systems, and related sustainability aspects.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborates across geology, engineering, economics, environmental science, and Afri-centric engineering.
Sustainable Mining Processing: Develops resource-saving techniques for environmentally friendly mineral extraction and processing.
Small-scale Mining: Addresses challenges and opportunities of small-scale mining operations, considering social, environmental, and economic factors.
Energy Transition: Integrates renewable energy sources into existing energy systems, emphasizing sustainability and clean technologies.
Resource Efficiency: Optimizes resource use, minimizes waste, and promotes recycling in mineral and energy sectors.
Socioeconomic Impacts: Assesses social and economic effects of mineral and energy developments, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Policy and Governance: Analyzes regulatory frameworks and governance structures for effective and equitable resource management.
Technological Advancements: Explores emerging technologies and Africentric engineering for enhanced resource exploration and energy production.
Sustainability Challenges: Examines long-term sustainability of mineral and energy systems, encompassing environmental, social, and economic factors.
Policy and Design Integration
Policy and Design Integration Research Group: Collaborative team exploring the intersection of policy and design disciplines to address environmental and societal challenges.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrates expertise from policy studies, urban planning, architecture, and environmental science.
Designing for Sustainability: Develops innovative design policies for e-waste recycling, focusing on Africa and marginalized communities.
Environmental Data Instruments: Designs measurement instruments to generate environmental and weather data in Africa.
Air Pollution and Health: Investigates air pollution risks and health impacts in Africa and marginalized communities in the US.
Natural Resource Governance: Examines management and governance strategies for sustainable utilization of natural resources.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborates with policymakers, architects, community organizations, and environmental agencies.
Knowledge Dissemination: Shares research findings, policy recommendations, and design guidelines through publications and workshops.
Penn State University 2020. The Alliance for Education, Science, Engineering, and Design with Africa.