MRI

Large single crystals with precise stoichiometry control are the cornerstones of modern-day microelectronics, global positioning systems, optical communications, energy harvesting, etc. In addition, fundamental research also relies heavily on ideal single crystals to access intrinsic properties. One central challenge in crystal growth by conventional techniques such as Czochralski and Bridgman is that large, high-quality crystals can be grown only for congruent melting compositions where the solid and liquid compositions are the same.

Frank Peiris, professor of physics at Kenyon College, is leveraging the capabilities of the 2D Crystal Consortium–Materials Innovation Platform (2DCC-MIP) at Penn State to engage undergraduates in cutting-edge studies of thin-film growth and electronic structure. Since 2018, Peiris and his undergraduate researchers—many of whom present at national conferences and pursue graduate study—have collaborated closely with 2DCC-MIP scientists.

We are reviewing the future of mechanical testing at MCL, and your response is critical to making informed decisions. If you anticipate any future need for these capabilities, we need to hear from you now.

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Modulated TGA can be used to determine kinetic information for decomposition and volatilization reactions, including activation energies and predictive plots such as lifetime plots.

The main benefit of modulated TGA is the ability to obtain kinetic information for decomposition or volatilization reaction with a single experiment. 
This method uses sinusoidal temperature oscillation to directly obtain activation energy for the decomposition reaction, while several experiments with varying heating rates have to be run when using standard TGA to produce an Arrhenius plot.

The Penn State Board of Trustees approved an expansion of the Materials Research Institute’s (MRI) Nanofabrication Laboratory in the Millennium Science Complex, advancing Penn State’s efforts in next-generation electronics and microsystems integration with a goal of speeding their transition from lab to real-world use.  

Managing research core expenses is easy with LEO’s simplified billing system. By consolidating charges into a single monthly invoice, LEO reduces administrative overhead and improves financial transparency across all research cores.

Invoices are emailed to Principal Investigators (PIs) and designated Billing Contacts around the 25th of each month. Charges are limited to pre-authorized cost collectors, ensuring proper oversight and accountability.

MaterialsTube is an AI-enhanced video sharing platform developed by the 2DCC.  It was built for materials science education and research video content enabling scientists and educators to share and discover specialized content through an intuitive, free-to-use interface.

Kate Plass, Professor of Chemistry at Franklin & Marshall Col

We’ve partnered with Fabublox, a design and data management platform for micro- and nanofabrication, to streamline process documentation and enhance knowledge sharing. Developed at MIT, Fabublox now serves 1,500 users at 100 facilities worldwide. Its integrated system lets researchers record multi-step semiconductor processes and manage shared or private repositories using open data standards—advancing consistency and interoperability in research.

Create an account at Fabublox to get started. Nanofab users can get a customized invitation link in the knowledge base.

At a recent meeting, the Penn State Board of Trustees approved an expansion of the Materials Research Institute’s (MRI) Nanofabrication Laboratory in the Millennium Science Complex, for advancing Penn State’s efforts to lead innovation in next-generation electronics and microsystems integration with a goal of speeding their transition from lab to real-world use. The investment comes from a variety of sources, including Penn State central strategic funds, the College of Engineering, and the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research.