Center for Nanoscale Science | A Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)

Welcome to the Center for Nanoscale Science

The Center for Nanoscale Science is a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) supported by the National Science Foundation under grant DMR-2011839 (2020 - 2026). The Center supports collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts in the area of nanoscale materials.

IRG1 - 2D Polar Metals and Heterostructures

IRG 2 - Crystalline Oxides with High Entropy

MRSEC Outreach Teams

MRSEC grads and Upward Bound students bond at Arts Fest Kids Day.

Research Opportunities for Undergrads

Research Opportunities for NCCU & Cal State LA Undergrads and Masters Students through PREM

Interdisciplinary Research Groups

Currently the Center is composed of two (2) Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRG). Common themes of complex materials synthesis and length scale dependent physical phenomena permeate both IRGs. These research themes are integrated with major efforts in educational and industrial outreach.

News at MRSEC

Jon-Paul Maria receives 2023 Faculty Scholar Medal for Outstanding Achievement

Dr. Jon-Paul Maria, IRG-2 co-lead, has received the 2023 Faculty Scholar Medal. The award recognizes scholarly or creative excellence represented by a single contribution or series of contributions around a coherent theme.

Congratulations to Rui Zu for winning the Alumni Association Dissertation Award!

Rui Zu, a MRSEC-funded doctoral candidate in Dr. Venkat Gopalan's lab recently received the Alumni Association Dissertation Award, one of the most prestigious awards given to doctoral candidates at the University. More details here: https://www.psu.edu/news/graduate-school/story/thirteen-graduate-student....

MRSEC Seed Call

The 2022-23 MRSEC Seed Call is now open! See how to submit at https://www.mrsec.psu.edu/research/seed-program/how-apply-seed-grant.

Unique ferroelectric microstructure revealed for the first time

MRSEC faculty Nasim Alem and graduate student Leixin Miao (department of Material Science and Engineering) were recently highlighted by Penn State News for their investigation of a novel ferroelectric material.

Susan Sinnott recognized with 2022 AVS Medard W. Welch Award

Susan Sinnott, head of the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Penn State and faculty member of IRG 2 (High Entropy Oxides), has been selected for the top research award from the American Vacuum Society (AVS). She will give the honorary lectureship "Atomistic Simulations to Advance Surface Science" at the AVS 68th International Symposium and Exhibition this November.

DynaCool PPMS 14T is launched

Penn State's DynaCool 14T is launched and it is ready for people to schedule measurements. To learn more training and using the DynaCool PPMS 14T please see their website. The DC resistivity module and ETO module (AC measurement on resistance DV/DI vs Idc and I-V) are available. If you want to use the rotator or He-3 module, please contact Cequn Li or Yifan Zhao first.

Upcoming Events 2023

May

MRSEC REU Starts

Undergraduate students from other universities will perform research with Penn State faculty during a 10 week program.

Jun

MRSEC RET starts

Research Experience for Teachers (RET) enables middle and high school science teaches to perform research with Penn State faculty during a 6 week program.

Jul

GREaT GradS Starts

The Graduate Research Experience and Transitioning to Grad School (GREaT GradS) Program provides a bridge between undergraduate and graduate studies with research experience and professional development curriculum.

Seminars

MRSEC seminar series will resume in Fall 2023, have a great summer!

Mission: Materials Science

The mission of this interactive website is to disseminate high-quality educational content about materials science, specifically to promote and increase public awareness of materials science. Read more »