Converting Small Amounts of Freely Available Energy into Electricity

There are many forms of energy around us: light, heat, vibrations, wind, electromagnetic fields, fluid flow, waves, organic waste, etc. At large scale, many of these energy sources already play a significant role in powering our society and are projected to become dominant contributors by 2040. On the smaller scale, exciting scientific and engineering challenges must be overcome to harness these energy sources.

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2DCC - Synthesis

Penn State DuBois, Metaltech launch battery project with Manufacturing PA grant

Team in the lab

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.

Skin-like sensor monitors internal, external body movement, electrical signals

Graphic image of sensor on bladder

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. 

Penn State and Taipei Tech launch 2025 collaborative seed grant program

Students in the lab

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.

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