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.
A 3D imaging technique unlocks properties of perovskite crystals
12/06/2018
12/06/2018
A team of materials scientists from Penn State, Cornell and Argonne National Laboratory have, for the first time, visualized the 3D atomic and electron density structure of the most complex perovskite crystal structure system decoded to date.
Penn State scientists among leaders in carbon cycle assessment
12/06/2018
12/06/2018
Penn State researchers were among a team of international scientists whose work on a new climate assessment of North America provides a better understanding of the carbon cycle.
3D printing eliminates undesirable trait in conventional superalloys
12/05/2018
12/05/2018
An undesirable trait found in traditionally processed superalloys does not exist in a 3D-printed, nickel-based superalloy, according to a team of materials scientists who think this could lead to new manufacturing techniques that allow for alloys with tailored properties.
Fires fueled spread of grasslands on ancient Earth
11/28/2018
11/28/2018
Ancient wildfires played a crucial role in the formation and spread of grasslands like those that now cover large parts of the Earth, according to scientists at Penn State and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Penn State researchers developing new technology to advance neuromodulation
11/28/2018
11/28/2018
Existing methods for recording and modulating neurons in the brain are either highly invasive or yield results with low spatiotemporal resolution. Mehdi Kiani, Dorothy Quiggle Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Penn State, is working to change that.
Researchers evaluate studies supporting state subsidies for nuclear plants
11/27/2018
11/27/2018
An intensive public debate is occurring in states with competitive electricity markets about the future of their existing nuclear generation plants. A team of Penn State researchers examined the set of studies that has been used in legislative discussions to provide evidence in support of subsidy programs.
Ground and stream water clues reveal shale drilling impacts
11/19/2018
11/19/2018
Chemical clues in waters near Marcellus Shale gas wells in rural Pennsylvania can identify new drilling-related sources of methane contamination, according to scientists.
DOE grant aimed at improving process to reduce nuclear fuel waste
11/15/2018
11/15/2018
An $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will allow Penn State researchers to investigate a new approach for removing rare-earth fission products from the molten salt baths where used nuclear fuel is electro-refined to recycle uranium and minimize nuclear waste.
Next-gen batteries possible with new engineering approach
11/14/2018
11/14/2018
Dramatically longer-lasting, faster-charging and safer lithium metal batteries may be possible, according to Penn State research, recently published in Nature Energy.
Re-Imagining Energy: Generating Energy
11/09/2018
11/09/2018
Penn State researchers are developing a range of innovative technologies to harvest the sustainable energy of natural processes to power our future.