Read the latest news about research conducted by investigators in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Our faculty and students are continually advancing technology, creating solutions and expanding knowledge with new and innovative research.
News
‘Growing Impact’ podcast: How tidal marshes trap microplastics
Penn State researchers have found that tidal freshwater marshes along the Delaware River may act as major traps for microplastics, capturing large amounts of plastic particles before they reach the ocean.
Bouncy balls and beyond: Collaborative project connects science with community
Through “Mission: Materials Science,” graduate students from across disciplines have partnered with museum educators and media professionals to transform materials science research into free, hands-on learning activities.
New species emerged faster than thought after dinosaur extinction, study finds
New research has implications for understanding ongoing extinctions, revealing that new species emerged within several thousand years of the mass extinction.
Conservation may not be enough to sustain water supplies, researchers find
As temperatures rise and water supplies drop, public policy could bolster municipal water provisions under pressure. But one policy prescription — pushing conservation — will likely be insufficient as a standalone fix to sustain some reservoirs.
Center for CO2 storage begins 2026 with interdisciplinary momentum
The Center for CO2 Storage Modeling, Analytics, and Risk Reduction Technologies (CO2-SMART) has grown to involve faculty researchers across Penn State, with plans taking shape for a workshop in 2026.
$1.6M to fund international study on built environment, malaria
Ida Djenontin is part of a team awarded a $1.6 million grant to explore how building design, infrastructure and development decisions can help reduce malaria risk worldwide.
From brain scans to alloys: Teaching AI to make sense of complex research data
Penn State researchers have developed a new AI framework with potential implications for fields ranging from Alzheimer’s disease research to advanced materials design. The approach teaches AI models to recognize and adapt to hidden differences in data quality rather than ignoring them.
Q&A: Growing novel ultra-pure materials for tomorrow’s electronics
Q&A on materials called chalcogenides with postdoc Qihua “David” Zhang’ in the 2DCC laboratory of Stephanie Law. Zhang recently earned the 2025 American Vacuum Society’s Thin Film Division Distinguished Technologist Award for his contributions to growing these materials with extreme purity and precision.
$1.74M grant to fund Eastern Fire Network
Penn State is leading a new network — the Eastern Fire Network (EFNet) — through a $1.74 million, three-year grant.
LionGlass windows, windshields in development with Vitro Architectural Glass
Vitro Architectural Glass has signed a multi-year research agreement to scale up LionGlass, a new, patent-pending glass technology invented at Penn State, for use in flat glass applications across architectural and automotive markets.