Materials Research Institute seed grants aim to spark interdisciplinary research
| psu.edu
The Materials Research Institute (MRI) offers the MRI Interdisciplinary Seed Grant to Penn State researchers that encourage high-risk, high-impact collaborative projects across multiple disciplines with great potential for societal benefit. The call for proposals is now open for 2026-27, with applications due by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 30.
Putting ideas into action: BUILD Night focuses on combating food insecurity
| psu.edu
In early November, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the College of Engineering partnered to host a BUILD Night at the Penn State Learning Center. Attendees worked in teams to map challenges, brainstorm solutions and build prototypes to combat food insecurity by reducing post-harvest waste.
Industry leaders join Penn State to shape the future of Sustainable Labs Program
| psu.edu
Penn State’s Sustainable Labs Program recently hosted its inaugural Industry Day, bringing together industry leaders, graduate researchers, campus partners and undergraduate sustainability consultants. The day strengthened connections between student learning and industry expertise and shaped a long-term vision for sustainable research spaces through hands-on opportunities that build sustainability knowledge and professional skills.
Dipanjan Pan named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
| psu.edu
Professor Dipanjan Pan, the Dorothy Foehr Huck & J. Lloyd Chair Professor in Nanomedicine at Penn State has been named a 2025 fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Being named an NAI Fellow is the highest professional distinction currently awarded to inventors in the nation.
Q&A: Environmental protection benefits the American economy and public health
| psu.edu
The impacts of environmental protection on public health and the economy outweigh the costs of implementing and enforcing environmental regulations, according to Penn State researchers who conducted a cost-benefit analysis using data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Center for Plant Excellence announces grant award recipients
| psu.edu
The Center for Plant Excellence, a new initiative supporting Pennsylvania’s plant industries, announced recipients of its 2025-26 grants, awarding $125,000 across seven projects.
$1.74M grant to fund Eastern Fire Network
| psu.edu
As large wildfires become more frequent in the eastern U.S., a new research initiative based at Penn State will develop big-picture goals for future study. Erica Smithwick, director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute at the University, will lead the effort.
LionGlass windows, windshields in development with Vitro Architectural Glass
| psu.edu
LionGlass — a stronger and more sustainable glass invented at Penn State — may soon be developed for windows and windshields, thanks to a new partnership with North America’s largest architectural glass manufacturer Vitro Architectural Glass. The company signed a multi-year research agreement to scale up the new, patent-pending glass technology for use in flat glass applications across architectural and automotive markets.
Engineering professor receives DOE Early Career Research Program Award
| psu.edu
Yang Yang, assistant professor of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State, received the 2025 U.S. Department of Energy Early Career Research Program Award for his work on how radiation affects metallic glasses. His research aims to advance safer, more resilient materials for next-generation nuclear reactors.
Genetic teamwork may be the secret to climate-resilient plants, researchers find
| psu.edu
A plant’s success may depend on how well the three sets of genetic instructions it carries in its cells cooperate, according to a new study led by plant scientists at Penn State. They found that when those genes are better matched in hybrid plants, the plant is more resilient to changing environments.
The next frontier in space is closer than you think – welcome to the world of very low Earth orbit satellites
| theconversation.com
The closer to Earth a satellite flies, the clearer a picture it can take of the surface. But low-flying satellites also have to deal with atmospheric drag.
Convening showcases Penn State’s leadership in critical minerals
| psu.edu
Led by Penn State's EMS Energy Institute, a December gathering at University Park drew about 100 scholars, industry representatives and government experts in critical minerals. They emphasized cooperation as the federal government introduces nearly $1 billion to support critical minerals and materials development.