UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The second 2024 Richard E. Tressler Lectures in Materials will be held at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in 111 Wartik Laboratory on the Penn State University Park campus. Jennifer Lalli, president at NanoSonic Inc., will deliver the lecture “A Penn State polymer chemist’s role in the commercialization of green nanotechnology.”

A reception featuring light refreshments will precede the lecture from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. in the Steidle Building Atrium, providing an opportunity to meet the speaker and engage in informal conversations.

Lalli’s lecture will draw from her extensive career in polymer and materials science and highlight her journey from receiving her bachelor’s degree at Penn State to earning her doctorate from Virginia Tech to her contributions in developing nanomaterial products, including materials with applications for Mars and green military composites.

Lalli will discuss the commercialization of her team’s research and funding sources. She will provide insights into topics such as ultra-low glass transition temperature, high-pressure durable composites for hydrogen storage and dispensing systems, and personnel protective equipment that defend against nerve agents, Otto fuel, COVID-19 and influenza.

Also, Lalli, a self-published author who is committed to holistic well-being, will touch upon work-life balance — emphasizing the importance of managing professional and personal life.

The R.E. Tressler Award will be presented to Lalli during the lecture. Named after Richard E. Tressler, who was an international leader in the development of high temperature materials and served as head of Penn State's Department of Materials Science and Engineering from 1991 to 2001, the award honors Tressler's significant contributions to the field.

The lecture is free and open to the public.