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.
New glass cuts carbon footprint by nearly half and is 10x more damage resistant
06/30/2023
06/30/2023
Worldwide, glass manufacturing produces at least 86 million tons of carbon dioxide every year. A new type of glass promises to cut this carbon footprint in half.
New ferroelectric material could give robots muscles
06/30/2023
06/30/2023
A new type of ferroelectric polymer that is exceptionally good at converting electrical energy into mechanical strain holds promise as a high-performance motion controller or “actuator” with great potential for applications in medical devices, advanced robotics, and precision positioning systems, according to a team of international researchers led by Penn State.
Researchers to investigate effect of perchlorate in fireworks on drinking water
06/30/2023
06/30/2023
Each year, millions of pounds of fireworks illuminate the skies across the United States, captivating audiences with their dazzling displays. What many people may not realize is that perchlorate, a significant ingredient in fireworks, may pose potential health risks to humans and animals.
NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant announces its 2023 fellowship, scholarship winners
06/29/2023
06/29/2023
Fourteen graduate students from Penn State have been awarded research fellowships and nine undergraduate students from around the commonwealth have been awarded scholarships from the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium (PSGC).
3D-printed ceramics may increase gas turbine fuel efficiency, researchers report
06/20/2023
06/20/2023
Airplane engines can reach temperatures of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The hotter they get, the more fuel efficient they become, but that efficiency is limited by how hot the metallic components inside the turbine can get without deforming.
Mission critical: To get critical minerals and rare earth metals from coal waste
06/12/2023
06/12/2023
Critical minerals, including rare earth metals, are vital components of our consumer goods, national defense, and emerging green-energy technologies, but the U.S is heavily dependent on imports for an adequate supply.
New wireless, rechargeable battery research aims to reduce surgical risks
06/05/2023
06/05/2023
Researchers at Penn State are designing a new wireless rechargeable battery for biomedical electronics, such as cardiac pacemakers, that will allow them to be charged and managed without the need for invasive surgery.
Newborn baby inspires sensor design that simulates human touch
06/01/2023
06/01/2023
As we move into a world where human-machine interactions are becoming more prominent, pressure sensors that are able to analyze and simulate human touch are likely to grow in demand.
Engineer receives NSF CAREER award to improve lithium-ion battery performance
05/31/2023
05/31/2023
Lithium-ion batteries power most electronics, from smartphones to electric vehicles, and are even used to store energy to power entire homes.
Machine learning technology boosts analog weather forecasting
05/23/2023
05/23/2023
Machine learning technology that can recognize human faces may also help to improve weather forecasts, according to a team of scientists.