Supercrystal: A Hidden Phase of Matter Created by a Burst of Light
Materials Research Institute
Our integrated research laboratories turn concepts into prototypes
A new type of light-emitting diode lightbulb could one day light homes and reduce power bills, according to Penn State researchers who suggest that LEDs made with firefly-mimicking structures could improve efficiency.
While the polyester leisure suit was a 1970s mistake, polyester and other synthetic fibers like nylon are still around and are a major contributor to the microplastics load in the environment, according to a Penn State materials scientist, who suggests switching to biosynthetic fibers to solve this problem.
Dramatically longer-lasting, faster-charging and safer lithium metal batteries may be possible, according to Penn State research, recently published in Nature Energy.
The researchers developed a three-dimensional, cross-linked polymer sponge that attaches to the metal plating of a battery anode.
A multipurpose x-ray diffractometer installed last semester now enables analyses that were previously challenging or impossible. Examples to be discussed include: steel, stainless steel, and Inconel alloys; manganese-containing materials; microscopic polymers embedded within electronic devices; and tiny fragments of ancient art. This talk will also highlight the new capabilities, which include multiple radiation sources, a variety of optics for analyzing spot sizes from micron to tens of millimeter, and a 2D area detector.
“Image Analysis, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence”
I will introduce my research at the interface of image analysis and statistical machine learning. In particular, I will demonstrate AI systems for general purpose photographs and fine art paintings, for instance, to tag pictures by words and to date paintings. The underlying statistical and computational methods and their broad applicability will be explained.
Penn State’s investment in its interdisciplinary research institutes, including the Materials Research Institute (MRI), has created a culture of strong collaborations across disciplines. At Penn State, many researchers have the support of both their academic departments and the university-wide institutes, such as MRI. By encouraging crosscutting research, MRI and its sister institutes open up traditional silos of knowledge to the stimulus of other viewpoints and new ideas. This mingling of disciplines, often called “convergence,” brings together the physical and life sciences with engineering and computation to solve the most complex problems facing society today and in the future.
In the latest issue of Focus on Materials, the boundaries between materials science, engineering, and the life sciences are blurring. We offer a glimpse into the fascinating world of “convergence,” where the future of healthcare lies.
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