MRI announces director’s sabbatical and acting director
The Materials Research Institute (MRI) has announced that Zoubeida Ounaies, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Convergence Center for Living Multifunctional Material Systems (LiMC2), will serve as acting director of MRI during the upcoming sabbatical of Clive Randall, director of MRI and distinguished professor of materials science and engineering. In addition, Ounaies has been named an associate director of MRI.
Associate Vice President for Research Priya to depart Penn State
Shashank Priya, associate vice president for research and director of strategic initiatives in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (OSVPR), has been named vice president for research at the University of Minnesota and will conclude his tenure at Penn State on Sept. 29. Senior Vice President for Research Lora Weiss said the University plans to conduct a national search for Priya’s replacement.
Penn State announces academic promotions, effective July 1, 2022
Robert Hickey has been promoted to associate professor of materials science and engineering effective July 1, 2022.
Ultrahigh piezoelectric performance demonstrated in ceramic materials
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. A new design strategy for creating ultrahigh-performing piezoelectric ceramics opens the door to even more beneficial uses for these materials, according to a team of researchers from Penn State and Michigan Technological University.
Upcycling plastic waste into graphite provides possible alternative to landfills
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. Under a seed grant from the Materials Research Institute, the researchers will explore ways to take single-use plastic waste and turn it into high-quality graphite.
Novel cross phenomena theory could predict most effective materials
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.
Brantley, Terrones named Evan Pugh University Professors
Two Penn State professors have been named Evan Pugh University Professors, an elite and prestigious distinction conferred by Penn State to only 79 faculty members since the designation’s establishment in 1960.
Department of Materials Science and Engineering faculty named IEEE fellows
Qing Wang and Clive Randall, professors in the Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering, were named 2022 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) fellows.
Faculty and student excellence celebrated at EMS annual awards celebration
Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) recognized exceptional students and faculty for their academic excellence, service and leadership during its annual Wilson Awards Celebration, held on Sunday, April 24. The Wilson Awards are named in honor of Matthew and Anne Wilson, major benefactors of the college.
Van Oost and Kohlman named spring 2022 Earth and Mineral Sciences marshals
Camila Van Oost has been named the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ student marshal, the top graduate overall, and Catherine Kohlman has been named the college’s science honor marshal, the top graduate in a non-engineering discipline. They will be recognized during the college’s spring 2022 commencement ceremony, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, in the Pegula Ice Arena on Penn State's University Park campus.