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.
California’s Dixie Fire shows impact of legacy effects, prescribed burns
06/27/2022
06/27/2022
Fire history largely determined how severely the 2021 Dixie Fire burned, and low-severity fire treatments had the largest impact on reducing the worst effects of the fire, according to a Penn State-led research team.
Rubbery camouflage skin exhibits smart and stretchy behaviors
06/13/2022
06/13/2022
A Penn State-led collaboration has harnessed special properties to create an artificial skin that mimics both the elasticity and the neurologic functions of cephalopod skin, with potential applications for neurorobotics, skin prosthetics, artificial organs and more.
Promising new materials mimic muscle structure and function
06/02/2022
06/02/2022
Inspired by the structure of muscles, an innovative new strategy for creating fiber actuators could lead to advances in robotics, prosthetics, and smart clothing, according to a Penn State led team of scientists who discovered the process.
Real-time, accurate virus detection method could help fight next pandemic
06/02/2022
06/02/2022
A method of highly accurate and sensitive virus identification using Raman spectroscopy, a portable virus capture device and machine learning could enable real-time virus detection and identification to help battle future pandemics, according to a team of researchers led by Penn State.
Biodiverse 'keystone food spaces' can help meet UN’s ‘Zero Hunger’ goal
05/31/2022
05/31/2022
Small farms and home gardens where landholders raise multiple species of culturally important crops can have a significant impact when it comes to meeting the United Nations’ goal to end global hunger and malnutrition, according to an international team of researchers.
Ultrahigh piezoelectric performance demonstrated in ceramic materials
05/17/2022
05/17/2022
The ability of piezoelectric materials to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa makes them useful for various applications from robotics to communication to sensors.
Florida Keys offers foray into marine research for spring breakers
05/17/2022
05/17/2022
For several Penn State students taking a course on marine biogeochemistry, the coastal waters of the Florida Keys became an extension of their laboratory.
Decoding the leaf: scientists search for features to ID modern, fossil leaves
05/12/2022
05/12/2022
Machine learning programs that can classify leaves and place them in biological families may unlock new clues about the evolution of plant life, but only if scientists understand what the computers are seeing.
Upcycling plastic waste into graphite provides possible alternative to landfills
05/11/2022
05/11/2022
Upcycling plastic waste into graphite, used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, could positively contribute to the global economy, preserving resources, saving energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, according to Penn State researchers.
Novel cross phenomena theory could predict most effective materials
05/06/2022
05/06/2022
A novel theory of cross phenomena could be applied to predict whether a new material would be effective for use in various applications from improved medical ultrasounds to more efficient refrigerators, according to a Penn State researcher.