News Highlights

Researchers at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have discovered a new material, MnBi₆Te₁₀, which can be used to create quantum highways along which electrons can move. These electron thoroughfares are potentially useful in connecting the internal components of powerful, energy-efficient quantum computers. Read more

A new way to combine two materials with special electrical properties — a monolayer superconductor and a topological insulator — provides the best platform to date to explore an unusual form of superconductivity called topological superconductivity. The combination could provide the basis for topological quantum computers that are more stable than their traditional counterparts. Read more

A team of researchers have observed and reported for the first time the unique microstructure of a novel ferroelectric material, enabling the development of lead-free piezoelectric materials for electronics, sensors, and energy storage that are safer for human use. This work was led by the Alem Group at Penn State and in collaboration with research teams at Rutgers University and the University of California, Merced. Read more

The development of multiferroic materials aims to realize direct electric-field controlled switching of magnetization at room temperature. However, identifying stable and single-phase multiferroic materials to achieve this objective has been challenging because electrical polarization and magnetization must be strongly coupled together in such systems. Recently, a new class of materials, called hybrid improper ferroelectrics, was theoretically proposed as a potential room-temperature multiferroic system. Read more

Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) recognized exceptional students and faculty for their academic excellence, service and leadership during its annual Wilson Awards Celebration, held on Sunday, April 24. The Wilson Awards are named in honor of Matthew and Anne Wilson, major benefactors of the college. Read more

Two-dimensional materials are essential for developing new ultra-compact electronic devices, but producing defect-free 2D materials is a challenge. However, discovery of new types of defects in these 2D materials may give insight into how to create materials without such imperfections, according to a group of Penn State researchers. Read more

Penn State will receive more than $10 million from the U.S. Department of Energy as an Energy Frontier Research Center Award. This is one of 10 awards announced in 2020, and the second EFRC awarded to Penn State researchers. Read more

Parivash Moradifar works under the direction of Nasim Alem, associate professor of MatSE and member of the Center for Nanoscale Science, which is a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center supported by the National Science Foundation. Moradifar said the center connects her with cutting-edge resources and talented researchers. She also said Alem’s mentorship allows her to excel. Read more

Six faculty members have been promoted to the rank of associate professor. To be promoted to associate professor, the faculty member must have demonstrated, through scholarly achievements and evaluations by both students and peers, the potential to become an outstanding scholar of national repute and an accomplished, inspiring teacher. Read more

A new, lightweight composite material for energy storage in flexible electronics, electric vehicles and aerospace applications has been experimentally shown to store energy at operating temperatures well above current commercial polymers, according to a team of Penn State scientists. This polymer-based, ultrathin material can be produced using techniques already used in industry. Read more