2026
2026
September
Adams discusses the deadly impact of heat and data centers
Sierra Club
Data centers use diesel generators as emergency power sources, but these generators also release high amounts of pollution. CEE/EPP’s Peter Adams spoke with Sierra Club about the effects that data center generators could have on surrounding communities, sharing his findings that if data centers get their power from diesel generators instead of the grid, they could cause around 500 additional premature deaths per year in the US.
August
Jen, Presto quoted on the “worst” kinds of wildfire smoke
Heatmap
ChemE’s Coty Jen and MechE’s Albert Presto were quoted in a Heatmap article discussing whether smoke from forest fires was less toxic than smoke from fires that burned houses and buildings. They shared what causes fire emissions to be toxic as well as how the elements within smoke particles change in the atmosphere.
July
Gordon explains how climate change is increasing rainfall
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
ChemE’s Hamish Gordon was quoted in a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on how climate change is increasing rainfall in the Pittsburgh region.
Improving predictions on smoke in the sky
Chemical Engineering
As wildfires and controlled land management fires release smoke into the air, researchers from the Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies are investigating how to improve models for more consistent predictions on the heating and cooling effects of smoke on the atmosphere. ChemE’s Hamish Gordon was on board some of the flights to help evaluate the real-time data.
June
Donahue serves on international organizing committee for Nobel Symposia
Nobel Symposia 206
ChemE’s Neil Donahue served on the international organizing committee for the Nobel Symposia 206 From Molecules to Climate: A Fundamental Understanding of Chemistry in Earth’s Atmosphere. During the conference, which took place June 29 - July 2, 2026 at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Donahue spoke about the chemistry and physics that couple organic oxidation to particle formation and growth.
Jen investigates Pittsburgh’s pungent nocturnal pollution
Chemical Engineering
ChemE’s Coty Jen worked alongside other researchers at CMU’s Center for Atmospheric Particle Studies to identify the source of nighttime stenches in Southwestern PA. Findings from field campaigns in 2023 and 2024 revealed sulfuric acid concentrations that are much too high given the conditions. More research will reveal why this is happening and how it can be mitigated.