alumni News

As demand for solar energy rises around the world, scientists are working to improve the performance of solar devices — important if the technology is to compete with traditional fuels. But researchers face theoretical limits on how efficient they can make solar cells.

Nickolas Sotiropoulos Jr. has been selected to represent the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences as the student marshal for Penn State's summer commencement, which will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, in the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.

Penn State’s Institute for Computational and Data Sciences awarded this year’s seed grant program, offering funds to Penn State scientists to help them start research projects.

Digital information is everywhere in the era of smart technology, where data is continuously generated by and communicated among cell phones, smart watches, cameras, smart speakers and other devices. Securing digital data on handheld devices requires massive amounts of energy, according to an interdisciplinary group of Penn State researchers, who warn that securing these devices from bad actors is becoming a greater concern than ever before.  

John Mauro, professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He was selected for “developing and applying data-driven models and machine learning that enable high-strength, damage-resistant glasses," according to the NAE.

Penn State's Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs has named 21 distinguished professors for 2022. Joan Redwing, professor of materials science and engineering, was named distinguished professor.

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected 111 new members and 22 international members, announced NAE President John L. Anderson today. This brings the total U.S. membership to 2,388 and the number of international members to 310.

John C. Mauro, professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State, was elected for developing and applying data-driven models and machine learning that enable high-strength, damage-resistant glasses.

Penn State alumni of the national professional chemistry fraternity Alpha Chi Sigma have committed $1.5 million to endow scholarships in the three colleges where most of their members earned their degrees: the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Eberly College of Science. Each $500,000 fund will generate scholarships for undergraduates who demonstrate financial need and academic achievement or promise.

Penn State's research expenditures reached a total of $993.1 million in fiscal year 2020-21, an overall 1.5% decrease from the previous year, according to Senior Vice President for Research Lora Weiss. “Despite this slight decrease, we were able to maintain a solid research portfolio during the pandemic, even while we curtailed hiring, limited purchasing of equipment, and severely restricted all travel,” Weiss said. “Our federal expenditures remained healthy and our industry partners continued investing in our research.”

If you look at the back of a credit card, a driver’s license, or even a dollar bill, you will likely notice a hologram, or iridescent feature, that appears to change color when viewed at different angles. These color-shifting security features have been around for decades, allowing ample time for people to find ways of counterfeiting the effects. Even so, these types of highly visible and easily recognized color-shifting features are still among the most commonly used optical security element – and Penn State-affiliated startup Chromatir may have discovered a more secure and customizable way to implement this effect.