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.
Sintering atomically thin materials with ceramics now possible
06/29/2018
06/29/2018
For the first time, researchers have created a nanocomposite of ceramics and a two-dimensional material, opening the door for new designs of nanocomposites with such applications as solid-state batteries, thermoelectrics, varistors, catalysts, chemical sensors and much more.
Self-heating, fast-charging battery makes electric vehicles climate-immune
06/28/2018
06/28/2018
Californians do not purchase electric vehicles because they are cool, they buy EVs because they live in a warm climate. Conventional lithium-ion batteries cannot be rapidly charged at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but now a team of Penn State engineers has created a battery that can self-heat, allowing rapid charging regardless of the outside chill.
Carbon dioxide-to-methanol process improved by catalyst
06/28/2018
06/28/2018
Dramatic improvements have been made to the process of converting carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, to methanol, a fuel and building block for a wide range of everyday materials, according to Penn State researchers.
Nuclear power shutdowns won't spike power prices
06/19/2018
06/19/2018
Despite economic woes that could shutter two of Pennsylvania's nuclear power plants -- which generate 6 percent of the state's power -- power prices will remain steady due to low natural gas prices, according to Seth Blumsack, associate professor of energy policy and economics, Penn State.
Penn State to lead $1.4M grant to probe flaws in metal additive manufacturing
06/14/2018
06/14/2018
A team led by Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory, in collaboration with the Center for Innovative Processing thru Direct Digital Deposition, has received a $1.4 million grant by the Air Force Research Laboratory to examine the random flaws that arise during the process of powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.
Bradford Co. water quality improves; impacts rare near shale gas wells
06/12/2018
06/12/2018
A new study of groundwater in a rural Pennsylvania county shows only rare instances of possible gas contamination amid an overall trend of improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale development.
Researchers receive grant to manufacture metal parts for naval applications
06/08/2018
06/08/2018
Penn State researchers have received approximately $535,000 to install a state-of-the-art, "super-finishing lab" for 3D-printed metal parts.
Retrofitting roofs in Pennsylvania's 'Rust Belt'
06/05/2018
06/05/2018
Clive Randall is part of a team designing and testing new roofing material to stop leakage and produce energy in New Kensington.
Childhood dream to reality: ICS co-hire and volcanologist researches her passion
06/04/2018
06/04/2018
Some children fantasize about growing up and being a doctor, police officer, dancer or a big Hollywood star, but Christelle Wauthier had a different career in mind.
Rapid charging of electric vehicles aided by $1 million from DoE
05/31/2018
05/31/2018
Revolutionizing the way electric vehicle batteries charge and spurring the technology as an environmental and economic growth driver will be possible thanks to a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to Penn State engineers.