Read the latest news about research conducted by investigators in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Our faculty and students are continually advancing technology, creating solutions and expanding knowledge with new and innovative research.
Machine learning to monitor stored CO2 saves cost and time, researchers report
02/19/2024
02/19/2024
Incorporating field data for the first time, researchers at Penn State demonstrated machine learning can be a powerful and cost-effective tool for monitoring sequestered carbon dioxide (CO2), overcoming a hurdle for the burgeoning technology aimed at combating climate change. New work from researchers at Penn State demonstrates that machine learning could greatly reduce the long-term costs of monitoring carbon sequestration site
Stable profits, land preservation matter to farmers debating solar leases
02/12/2024
02/12/2024
To solar or not to solar? While a stable and predictable profit is an important factor to Pennsylvania farmers considering leasing out their land for solar energy development, it’s not enough on its own, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers
Research to better understand early Earth diversity supported by Ford Foundation
02/06/2024
02/06/2024
Kayla Irizarry, doctoral candidate in geosciences at Penn State, is using her Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship to better understand what controlled diversity in Earth’s earliest complex ecosystems.
Ancient rocks improve understanding of tectonic activity between earthquakes
02/01/2024
02/01/2024
Rocks once buried deep in ancient subduction zones — where tectonic plates collide — could help scientists make better predictions of how these zones behave during the years between major earthquakes, according to a research team from Penn State and Brown University.
Trees struggle to ‘breathe’ as climate warms, researchers find
01/31/2024
01/31/2024
Trees are struggling to sequester heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) in warmer, drier climates, meaning that they may no longer serve as a solution for offsetting humanity’s carbon footprint as the planet continues to warm, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.
Journey in glass takes EMS doctoral student to Japan
01/30/2024
01/30/2024
When Katelyn Kirchner arrived at Penn State seven years ago as an undergraduate studying materials science and engineering, glass was for windows.
Integrating dimensions to get more out of Moore’s Law and advance electronics
01/10/2024
01/10/2024
Moore's Law, a fundamental scaling principle for electronic devices, forecasts that the number of transistors on a chip will double every two years, ensuring more computing power — but a limit exists.
Drones capture new clues about how water shapes mountain ranges over time
12/14/2023
12/14/2023
Drones flying along miles of rivers in the steep, mountainous terrain of central Taiwan and mapping the rock properties have revealed new clues about how water helps shape mountains over geological time, according to a team led by Penn State scientists.
Sister climate cities, utility data predict future water, electricity demands
12/07/2023
12/07/2023
Modern-day Ciudad Mante, Mexico, could help Tampa, Florida, plan for shifting water and electricity demands due to climate change, according to an international team of researchers.
Materials Research Institute names 2023 Roy Award winners
12/06/2023
12/06/2023
Six Penn State materials researchers have received the 2023 Rustum and Della Roy Innovation in Materials Research Award, covering a wide range of research with societal impact.