Administrator
Power sources used in devices found in or around biological tissue must be flexible and non-toxic, while still powerful enough to support demanding technologies such as medical devices or soft robotics. To achieve this balance, researchers at Penn State are taking inspiration from a “shocking” place: electric eels.
Despite the prevalence of synthetic materials across different industries and scientific fields, most are developed to serve a limited set of functions. To address this inflexibility, researchers at Penn State, led by Hongtao Sun, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering (IME), have developed a fabrication method that can print multifunctional “smart synthetic skin” — configurable materials that can be used to encrypt or decrypt information, enable adaptive camouflage, power soft robotics and more.
A bouncy ball may seem like a simple toy, but for a group of Penn State graduate students, it has become a powerful way to help children and families understand how materials behave — and how science connects to everyday life.
Join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and community with graduate students from across EMS!
This interdepartmental social is a great chance to meet fellow grads, swap stories about your research, and learn what’s happening across the college. The night will feature short, low-pressure “speed networking” rounds where you’ll be paired up to chat about your research. Plus, free food will be provided.
The Earth, Environment, and Sustainability Career Fair connects students and employers with a shared goal of making an impact in areas like environmental science, sustainability, materials synthesis, conservation, geosciences, geography, meteorology, and agriculture.
With employers from Chesapeake Conservancy, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, CoorsTek, Geosyntec Consultants, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, HRG, Penn Terra Engineering, Inc., LDG, Montrose Environmental, and more!
The 18th annual Materials Visualization Competition (MVC18), an annual scientific and artistic visual competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute, is now accepting submissions through March 1.
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) is fortunate to be able to offer merit-based scholarships to its undergraduate students.
First-year students are eligible for merit-based department scholarships after successful completion of their first fall semester. These students are automatically considered for scholarships in January of their first year and do not have to apply.
All other MatSE students must apply for department scholarships online each spring semester by April 15. Awardees will be selected and notified in the summer. In order to retain scholarships granted by the department, students must be enrolled in the major and on a full-time basis. In the event that a student withdraws from the University or changes majors, his or her scholarship will terminate immediately.
The Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) State College Chapter Empower Committee is happy to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Empower Conference, a one-day professional and personal development event for individuals in STEM at all career stages.
Innovate, Influence, Inspire
Formed in 2009, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) Academy for Global Experience, or EMSAGE, is the college’s signature undergraduate program for fostering experiential and global competence and promoting a spirit of integrity, service, and leadership. By comprehensively embracing these principles, students develop into leaders in their chosen discipline who possess the breadth and maturity to extend their knowledge to address society’s most pressing problems.
