Through teaching, leadership and research, Hellmann planted his legacy
For as long as he can remember, John Hellmann was interested in science. He excelled in chemistry, physics and other fields but he was most drawn to fields that could be applied to solving real-world problems.
Laureates create mentoring environment for fellow students
Laureates in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Academy for Global Experience (EMSAGE) program meet with faculty and University leaders to discuss ways to help students get the most out of their student experience. The program highlights elite students who are successful in three of the following areas: scholarship, experiential learning and global literacy, and service.
Transistors built from ultra-thin 2D materials take a step forward
Two-dimensional materials can be used to create smaller, high-performance transistors traditionally made of silicon, according to Saptarshi Das, assistant professor of engineering science and mechanics (ESM) in Penn State’s College of Engineering.
New piezoelectric material remains effective to high temperatures
Piezoelectric materials hold great promise as sensors and as energy harvesters but are normally much less effective at high temperatures, limiting their use in environments such as engines or space exploration. However, a new piezoelectric device developed by a team of researchers from Penn State and QorTek remains highly effective at elevated temperatures.
Workshop focuses on the rise in MSE undergraduates
In September 2019, a US National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported workshop, “The Enrollment Floodgates Are Open—Best Practices in Materials Science and Engineering Undergraduate Education for Rising Enrollments,” was held at The Pennsylvania State University. In attendance were representatives in leadership positions from universities, a variety of companies, national laboratories, and government organizations. This group (Figure 1) met over three days to discuss the steady and significant rise in undergraduate students graduating with degrees in materials science and engineering (MSE) over the last decade as a result of rising enrollments in many existing MSE programs and the creation of new undergraduate programs. The workshop attendees discussed the impact of these changes on the educational mission and opportunities for employment and the establishment of best practices for the future.
Inexpensive battery charges rapidly for electric vehicles, reduces range anxiety
Range anxiety, the fear of running out of power before being able to recharge an electric vehicle, may be a thing of the past, according to a team of Penn State engineers who are looking at lithium iron phosphate batteries that have a range of 250 miles with the ability to charge in 10 minutes.
Meeting the Materials Needs of Industry 4.0
A research team at Penn State aims to develop ultrahigh temperature materials for gas turbine use in the aviation and power generation industries, through computational design, advanced manufacturing techniques and systematic characterization.
From Leaves to Solar Cells
Shashank Priya sees a future where instead of throwing away broken electronics, those devices heal themselves, and where machines evolve, even changing their form and function, to adapt to the task at hand.
NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium accepting undergraduate applications
The NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium is accepting applications for the 2021-22 Undergraduate Scholarship Program. The statewide program awards a limited number of one-year scholarships to rising juniors and seniors who are enrolled full-time at an accredited Pennsylvania college or university.
NASA Pa. Space Grant accepting graduate research fellowship applications
The NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium (PSGC) is currently accepting applications to its graduate research fellowship program.