Imagine 2024 Fall/Winter

DOE announces $14.5 million award to Energy Frontier Research Center 3DFeM

The funding continues four years of support for the multi-institutional center, led by Penn State researchers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will continue to support Penn State’s Center for Three-Dimensional Ferroelectric Microelectronics Manufacturing (3DFeM) as an Energy Frontier Research Center.

The DOE-funded center, led by Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Penn State Evan Pugh University Professor and Flaschen Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering, maintains the best and most complete set of facilities in the world for the deposition, characterization, and integration of ferroelectric materials—materials that are useful in applications such as memory storage devices, capacitors, and sensors because of their ability to maintain polarization even after an external field is removed. Read more

One area where the Friends of MatSE program provides funding is for departmental events such as the annual MatSE Picnic that promotes engagement and a strong sense of belonging for students, faculty, researchers, staff, and families.

Friends of MatSE program supports department success

The Friends of MatSE (FOM) program has proven to be a valuable partnership for both industry and MatSE. Through FOM, connections between companies and the department are deepened, enriching educational experiences while introducing students to industry priorities, capabilities, and goals.

Over the past year, contributions from FOM members—Arkema, EXpressLO LLC, and Product Evaluation Systems (PES)—have funded educational initiatives, technology upgrades, and research advancements. These resources ensure MatSE’s continued leadership in materials science education and research, fostering an environment where creativity and experimentation can thrive. Read more

New MatSE Safety Fund to support safety training for students, labs

In the vast and varied research that comes out of MatSE at Penn State, there’s one thing that’s even more important than discovery: lab safety.

Making the department a leader in laboratory safety has been a focus since the mid-2000s with the creation of the MatSE Safety Awareness Organization. Since then, the group has been working with faculty, staff, students and industry partners to keep labs safe while ensuring students enter the workforce with stellar safety practices. Read more

Clark Atlanta University students participate in a summer research experience for undergraduates at Penn State

Through a partnership between Clark Atlanta University (CAU) and Penn State, CAU students for the second year had the opportunity to participate in a summer research experience for undergraduate (REU) in materials science and engineering on the Penn State, University Park campus. Read more

Ecofriendly glass invented at Penn State secures partner for product development

LionGlass, a new family of glass engineered by researchers at Penn State, has secured its first corporate partner, a move toward bringing the ecofriendly alternative to standard soda lime silicate glass to market. 

Bormioli Luigi, an Italian glassmaker that specializes in producing high-end packaging for fragrance, cosmetics and tableware, is the first company to enter an official partnership with Penn State to perform research and development with the goal of scaling up, manufacturing and ultimately commercializing LionGlass. Read more

Waste heat to green energy: Approach boosts thermoelectric generator efficiency

Thermoelectric generators that can convert waste heat to clean energy could soon be as efficient as other renewable energy sources, like solar, according to a team led by Penn State scientists. Using high-entropy materials, the researchers created more efficient thermoelectric materials than previously possible, an advancement that they said could even help make long-distance space exploration possible. Read more

Water-free manufacturing approach could help advance 2D electronics integration

The future of technology has an age-old problem: rust. When iron-containing metal reacts with oxygen and moisture, the resulting corrosion greatly impedes the longevity and use of parts in the automotive industry. While it’s not called “rust” in the semiconductor industry, oxidation is especially problematic in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials, which control the flow of electricity in electronic devices, because any corrosion can render the atomic-thin material useless. Now, a team of academic and enterprise researchers has developed a synthesis process to produce a “rust-resistant” coating with additional properties ideal for creating faster, more durable electronics. Read more

Advanced Materials Research Poised to Revolutionize Technology and Society

Transition metal carbides (TMCs) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are emerging as key players with transformative potential across various industries. Originally recognized for their industrial applications like solid-state lubrication, these materials are now the focus of cutting-edge research aimed at revolutionizing electronic devices and catalytic processes. Read more

Students participate in MS&T24

The Chapter of Material Advantage at Penn State attended the Materials Science and Technology (MS&T) technical meeting and exhibition in Pittsburgh. The event exposes students to networking, learning, and fun. Students had the opportunity to interact with professionals from all areas of materials science. 

The Student Speaking Contest is a national competition held at the annual MS&T conference and sponsored by Material Advantage. The contest encourages undergraduate students to present technical papers and to improve their skills in the techniques of presentation. 

This year David Flores, MatSE undergraduate student, was awarded first place for his presentation “Machine learning model explainability for the development of high-entropy,” and Julia Chen, MatSE undergraduate student, was awarded second place for her presentation “Growth and doping of α-Ga2O3 with suboxide molecular-beam epitaxy (S-MBE).”

 Julia Chen, MatSE undergraduate student, Nathan Smith, assistant teaching professor of materials science and engineering and adviser to Material Advantage, and David Flores, MatSE undergraduate student.

Caulder and Richardson recognized as EMSAGE laureates

The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) recognized two MatSE undergraduate students with the EMS Academy for Global Experience (EMSAGE) Laureate designation this fall, Ayden Caulder and Nicholas Richardson. 

EMSAGE is the college’s signature undergraduate program for fostering experiential and global competence and promoting a spirit of integrity, service, and leadership. By comprehensively embracing these principles, students develop into leaders in their chosen discipline who possess the breadth and maturity to extend their knowledge to address society’s most pressing problems. To receive the Laureate designation, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, be within 36 credits of earning their undergraduate degree, and complete at least nine significant accomplishments across the categories of scholarship, experiential learning and global literacy, and service. These achievements typically go beyond the experiences associated with earning their primary academic degree.

EMS graduate student network continues to improve experiences for peers

For graduate students, college can be a trying and difficult time. Students are often far away from their lifelong support system of families and friends. An effort that began three years ago in the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) is helping to elevate the experiences of graduate students within the college.

In 2018, EMS launched a collegewide survey to improve the living, learning and working experiences. Those results flagged the graduate student experience as an area for improvement. Read more

Huang awarded Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellowships

Nancy Huang, doctoral student, was one of seventeen Penn State graduate students awarded a Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellowships which provides a one-year fellowship of $5,000 to outstanding Penn State students pursuing graduate study leading to master's or doctoral degrees in STEM fields that promote the understanding, assessment, and utilization of space and contribute to NASAs Mission Directorates. In keeping with the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program goals, scholars agree to participate in mentoring or educational outreach activities for a minimum of ten hours per semester.

Watch video here

Materials science and engineering professor to receive 2025 John H. Dillon Medal

Robert Hickey, associate professor of materials science and engineering, received the American Physical Society’s 2025 John H. Dillon Medal.

The medal, awarded annually since 1983, recognizes the exceptional early career research accomplishments of young polymer physicists. Hickey will be presented with the medal at the APS Global Physics Summit in March 2025 in Anaheim, California. Read more

Beese received the Young Professional in Additive Manufacturing Award

Allison Beese, professor of materials science and engineering and director of the Additive Manufacturing and Design Graduate Program at Penn State, received the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) Young Professional in Additive Manufacturing Award. The award recognizes emerging young professionals who have made significant and continuous outstanding research contributions to the field of additive manufacturing, specifically in support of standardization development.

The ASTM International AM CoE is a collaborative partnership among ASTM—and its 30,000 members—and representatives from government, academia, and industry who conducts strategic R&D to advance standards across all aspects of additive manufacturing which will accelerate the development and adoption of robust, game-changing technologies.

Law elected as 2024 AVS Fellow

Stephanie Law, associate professor of materials science and engineering, has been elected as a fellow of the American Vacuum Society (AVS) for "contributions to the molecular beam epitaxy of III-V materials and topological insulators for applications in mid-infrared and THz plasmonic and metamaterial devices.” 

AVS Fellows are Platinum Members who have made sustained and outstanding technical contributions in areas of interest to AVS. Read more

Gopalan received the IEEE Robert E. Newnham Ferroelectrics Award

Venkatraman Gopalan, professor of materials science and engineering and of physics, received the IEEE Robert E. Newnham Ferroelectrics Award which recognizes investigators in the field of dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroic materials that have contributed significantly to the understanding of structure-property relations.

Gopalan was recognized for "fundamental contributions to the symmetries, materials, and optical metrology of ferroelectrics and translating this knowledge to technological applications.”

IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society is an organization that promotes the advancement of the theory, technology, materials, and applications relating to the generation, transmission, and detection of ultrasonic waves and related phenomena; medical ultrasound, and associated technologies; ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and piezomagnetic materials; frequency generation and control, timing, and time coordination and distribution.

Alumni Spotlight: Tim Hsu

Penn State Degrees:
    - Ph.D., polymer science, 1990 
    - Master of Science, mineral processing, 1987

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer 

Employer: Polymics, Ltd. 

Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania

Q & A with Tim Hsu

In a nutshell, my job today entails the development and the manufacturing of specialty polymers, focusing on application development. 

A career highlight for me is the founding of Polymics and several of its affiliated companies in the United States and Taiwan. 

What did I want to be when I was five years old? I cannot say I was ever passionate about anything until after I graduated from college, and I served in the military—that changed my life perspective. For me, coming to the United States for graduate school was a major experience for my career and personal growth.

You might be surprised to know this about me that even though I am on the road all the time for business, I really rather just stay home and do nothing. 

When I think about my time at Penn State, my fondest memory is staying up late setting up equipment for lab experiments with all the support from the old machine shop and EDS. It was a great learning experience outside of the classroom. 

Words of wisdom to current students, be persistent in pursuing one’s own goal.

This publication is available in alternative media on request. 

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. UBR EMS 24-116.