MRI

By Jamie Oberdick

At Penn State’s Materials Research Institute (MRI), undergraduate students are gaining invaluable hands-on experience in cutting-edge scientific research. Through a variety of programs, these students are not only advancing their academic knowledge but also accessing state-of-the-art research facilities, often for the first time. 

By Jamie Oberdick

From growing perfect crystals to testing materials in real-world conditions, Penn State’s advanced lab tools are making scientific breakthroughs possible

Great ideas and brilliant researchers are essential for discovery—but so is having the right equipment. At Penn State, scientists are pushing the boundaries of materials science thanks to new, state-of-the-art tools that let them explore questions they couldn’t answer before. 

By Jamie Oberdick

When optical networking company Infinera was acquired by telecommunications giant Nokia in early 2025, it was hailed as a strategic move that would solidify Nokia’s leadership in data transport technology. But behind this $2.3 billion deal lies a story of innovation that’s been quietly unfolding in central Pennsylvania, thanks to a long-standing partnership between Infinera and Penn State’s Materials Research Institute (MRI). 

DUBOIS, PA - Penn State DuBois and Metaltech Inc., a local leader in powdered metal manufacturing, are teaming up on a new research initiative focused on next-generation energy storage. Backed by a $70,000 grant from the 2025 Manufacturing PA Innovation Program, the project aims to develop sponge iron electrodes for use in iron-air batteries by repurposing mill scale, a byproduct of steelmaking.

By Maria Lucas

By Jamie Oberdick

A new skin-like sensor developed by an international team led by researchers at Penn State could help doctors monitor vital signs more accurately, track healing after surgery and even help patients with bladder control issues. 

The sensor, which can be worn on the skin or implanted inside the body, can measure both physical movement and electrical signals. It is made from soft, stretchable materials that mimic human skin and is designed to work for long periods of time without losing performance. 

The Materials Research Institute, Penn State Global and the National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) have announced the 2025 Collaborative Seed Grant Program to support joint research projects in materials science and engineering. This initiative is designed to spark new international partnerships between faculty at both institutions, with a focus on high-risk, high-reward research in areas such as functional polymer composites, additive manufacturing, sustainable processes and recycling, materials-enabled thermal management, and quantum packaging.