The new Center for Glass Research: revitalizing innovation in glass science
Building on a legacy of excellence in glass science and engineering, the new Center for Glass Research (CGR) brings together the expertise of researchers from Penn State, Alfred University, and Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in a strategic collaborative initiative.
“United by a shared commitment to innovation, the Center for Glass Research plans to integrate fundamental research with cutting-edge experimental and computational methods to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the glass industry today,” said Maziar Montazerian, managing director of the CGR and assistant research professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State. Read more
Join fellow industry leaders, researchers, students, and faculty for a dynamic day of discovery, collaboration, and innovation on Tuesday, October 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Millennium Science Complex at the University Park campus. This year’s refreshed format is designed to spark new ideas and connections through engaging, hands-on experiences.
What's in store:
- Interactive poster sessions happening throughout the day—meet graduate students and faculty members representing many research groups from across Penn State and dive into emerging materials science breakthroughs.
- Guided and self-guided tours of the MSC—see our cutting-edge facilities up close with live demonstrations!
- Plenty of networking opportunities—reconnect with colleagues and meet new potential collaborators from across disciplines, like in past Materials Day events, with a few new twists.
For more information, agenda, and to register, visit Materials Day.
Materials Day reception to celebrate Carlo Pantano's contributions to MRI
Materials Day 2025 will conclude with a reception starting at 4 p.m. on October 28, which will include a recognition and celebration of Carlo Pantano's contributions to Materials Research institute (MRI).
Pantano was a distinguished professor emeritus of materials science and engineering, who died in May. His influence spanned over four decades at Penn State and his work transformed the landscape of materials science at the University. Pantano left an enduring impact on students, colleagues, and the international scientific community. Pantano was instrumental in the conception and construction of the Millennium Science Complex building, which has become a notable campus landmark at University Park and a statement of action for Penn State’s vision of interdisciplinary research.
The lab as the classroom: How MRI research facilities powers education at Penn State and beyond
When most people think of cutting-edge scientific research, they imagine white-coated scientists, gleaming labs, and futuristic technologies. But at Penn State’s Materials Research Institute (MRI), the work goes deeper and reaches further. Here, research is not just a pipeline for innovation. It’s a dynamic engine of education, preparing students with hands-on experience, cultivating a future-ready workforce, and fulfilling the university’s land-grant mission.
MRI is often recognized for its world-class research in semiconductors, advanced materials, and nanotechnology. But behind the scenes, its core facilities including the Materials Characterization Lab (MCL), the Nanofabrication Lab, the Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium- Materials Innovation Platform (2DCC-MIP) and others are constantly buzzing with student activity. Graduate students, undergrads, and postdocs don’t just observe experiments; they plan and execute them. Read more
Opening doors to discovery: Penn State’s MRI offers undergraduates hands-on research opportunities
At Penn State’s Materials Research Institute (MRI), undergraduate students are gaining invaluable hands-on experience in cutting-edge scientific research. Through a variety of programs, these students are not only advancing their academic knowledge but also accessing state-of-the-art research facilities, often for the first time. Read more
Transformative Research Facilities: Powering Industry Innovations and Career Readiness at Penn State
Step inside the Materials Research Institute at Penn State’s Millennium Science Complex—where world-class research facilities are accelerating innovation and shaping the future workforce.
From the Department Head
Dear MatSE friends and alumni,
Materials science and engineering at Penn State is much broader than just our department. Indeed, the interdisciplinary nature of materials science and engineering is a large part of what makes this field compelling to so many people, combining physics, chemistry, and mathematics. The field also sits at the intersection of science and engineering, both advancing fundamental composition-structure-property relationships while also inventing new products that can address global challenges in healthcare, energy, information technology, transportation, architecture, and more. The periodic table is our playground in the new ceramics, glasses, metals, polymers, and composites. From experimental synthesis, characterization, and process science to theoretical and computational investigations, there is also a broad range of methods for approaching materials research. Read more
