Plant-based material offers sustainable method of recovering rare earth element

Amir Sheikhi in the lab

By Ty Tkacik

Despite rare earth elements’ importance in manufacturing cell phones, magnets and a host of other consumer and commercial electronics, the lack of a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to obtaining these metals has led to a global shortage, according to Amir Sheikhi, associate professor of chemical engineering.

Stretchy plastics conduct electricity via tiny, whisker-like fibers

Enrique Gomez in the Materials Characterization Lab

Advanced imaging reveals a detailed understanding of the mechanisms driving a previously misunderstood material, researchers say

By Ty Tkacik

A stretchy, conductive type of plastic could help power the next generation of implantable biomedical devices, like longer-lasting pacemakers or glucose monitors, according to Enrique Gomez, professor of chemical engineering at Penn State.

Phillip Savage

Phillip Savage

Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering

(e) pes15@psu.edu
208 Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Building

https://sites.psu.edu/savageresearchgroup/
Ram Narayanan

Ram Narayanan

Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering

(e) rmn12@psu.edu
(o) 814-863-2602
202 Electrical Engineering East

Fan Liu

Fan Liu

Assistant Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering

(e) fpl5168@psu.edu
224 Hosler Building