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.
Two-dimensional oxides open door for high-speed electronics
02/14/2023
02/14/2023
Advances in computing power over the decades have come thanks in part to our ability to make smaller and smaller transistors, a building block of electronic devices, but we are nearing the limit of the silicon materials typically used.
More frequent atmospheric rivers hinder seasonal recovery of Arctic sea ice
02/06/2023
02/06/2023
The Arctic is rapidly losing sea ice, even during winter months when temperatures are below freezing and ice should be recovering from the summer melt.
Study reveals new clues about how 'Earth's thermostat' controls climate
02/03/2023
02/03/2023
Rocks, rain and carbon dioxide help control Earth’s climate over thousands of years — like a thermostat — through a process called weathering.
Penn State's Center for Critical Minerals to receive $2.1M for pilot program
02/03/2023
02/03/2023
Penn State’s Center for Critical Minerals will receive $2.1 million in federal funding to design, build and test a modular pilot-scale research and development unit intended to recover vital rare earth elements and other critical minerals from Pennsylvania streams and other environmental sources.
Colorado River basin: Machine learning approach may aid water conservation push
01/26/2023
01/26/2023
The Colorado River basin, which supplies water to 40 million people in the Western United States, is threatened by historic drought, a changing climate and water demands from growing cities. One potential response involves encouraging individuals to conserve water, and a new study may help identify those most likely to change their behaviors to contribute, according to scientists.
In-place manufacturing method improves gas sensor capabilities, production time
01/19/2023
01/19/2023
When used as wearable medical devices, stretchy, flexible gas sensors can identify health conditions or issues by detecting oxygen or carbon dioxide levels in the breath or sweat.
Humidity may be the key to super-lubricity 'switch'
01/09/2023
01/09/2023
Sometimes friction is good, such as the friction between a road and a car’s tires to prevent the vehicle from skidding. But sometimes friction is bad — if you did not put oil in that very same car, there would be so much friction in the bearings of the engine that the car could not operate.
Study sheds light on how ‘forever chemicals’ travel in groundwater
01/04/2023
01/04/2023
A large family of chemicals used for decades to improve our lives — from nonstick cooking pans to waterproof clothing — are now known as "forever chemicals" because they do not easily break down in the environment and pose potential health risks as they build up in our bodies. A new study may improve our understanding of how these chemicals move in the groundwater, according to a team of scientists.
Researchers encouraged to submit proposals for Earthshot Prize
12/16/2022
12/16/2022
Penn State faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations for the Earthshot Prize 2023, an international competition aimed at identifying the most promising solutions to environmental challenges.
Changes in Earth’s orbit may have triggered ancient warming event
12/13/2022
12/13/2022
Changes in Earth’s orbit that favored hotter conditions may have helped trigger a rapid global warming event 56 million years ago that is considered an analogue for modern climate change, according to an international team of scientists.