The Materials Visualization Competition (MVC) is an annual scientific and artistic visual competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) and the Materials Research Institute (MRI). Created to celebrate the quality of research in materials at Penn State, this competition increases awareness of materials science through the creativity and visualization of our researchers.
Entry is open to all Penn State undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty and staff working on materials-related topics.
Judges will award the following:
All entries will be available online for the public to view and vote on electronically. The image that receives the most votes will receive the very People’s Choice Award and $100 prize.
All MCV winners will also be published online. All images will be judged by a panel defined by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute.
Images in this category are meant to convey the passion for the work and the intention of showing the significance of visual art in materials. The image should have a visual power that draws the audience to it, as well as scientific integrity. Image may be submitted to only this category or entered in multiple categories.
Images in the Best of Show category are judged on:
Images in this category are meant to convey the power of simulation and modeling software to demonstrate materials and materials systems. The image should be computer generated and visually appealing with a message for the viewer.
Images in the Computational/Modeling category are judged on:
Images in this category should be submitted in their purest form. Images may be cropped and adjusted for exposure/contrast - but should otherwise not be altered/retouched.
Images in the Scientific category are judged on:
Images in this category should be visually compelling and may be altered to enhance the work. Examples of acceptable enhancements include altering color, cropping, adjusting saturation or contrast, and adding color to black and white images. The final work should maintain the scientific integrity of the original image.
Images in the Visual category are judged on:
Images must be submitted at required size of:
Image resolution must be 300 pixels/inch. File types accepted and can be uploaded to application: tif, eps, jpg, png, gif, pdf, ai, psd
Tips: Below are links on file formats for reference.
If you have questions regarding the above requirements please contact Heather Dehnel, hbj100@psu.edu.
Entries for MVC13 are closed for 2021.
Tips: Entries must include the following:
For more information on writing an artist's statement visit:
If you have questions regarding the above requirements please comntact Heather Dehnel, hbj100@psu.edu.
By selecting 'agree' on the MVC Entry Form, the participant acknowledge that all contributors are acknowledged within the designated area of the entry form, and that the entry sole belongs to those individuals. While the participant retains copyright of his or her work, entry in this competition constitutes agreement that the Penn State University, Materials Research Institute (MRI) and Materials Science and Engineering department (MatSE) may use any work submitted for promotional purposes. For example, these images may be used in graphic material such as posters, brochures, newsletters, etc., and may be posted on the Penn State, MatSE, and MRI websites.
View all winners from the 13th Annual Materials Visualization Compatation in five categories best of show, visual, scientific, computation, and the Poeple's Choice Award.
