News

Penn State's advanced lab tools, including a unique double-crucible vertical Bridgman furnace and in situ testing capabilities, are enabling breakthroughs in materials science. These innovations allow researchers to grow ultra-pure crystals and study material behaviors in real-world conditions, paving the way for future technologies like advanced computing and flexible electronics.

Researchers at Penn State have developed a CMOS computer using two-dimensional materials, marking a significant advancement in semiconductor technology. Unlike silicon, these materials maintain performance at atomic thickness. This innovation could lead to faster, energy-efficient electronics, emphasizing the potential of 2D materials over traditional silicon in future computing.

UCLA Professor Heather Maynard has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, recognizing her significant contributions to polymer chemistry and biomaterials. This honor highlights her impact on the scientific community and her dedication to innovation, aligning with BioPACIFIC MIP's mission.

Rachel Segalman of UC Santa Barbara has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, recognizing her contributions to materials science and polymer engineering. She is one of 46 UC researchers honored, showcasing the university's leadership in scientific advancement.

Researchers from Penn State and Université Paris-Saclay have developed precise control over light emitted from nanodots embedded in two-dimensional materials. This breakthrough could enhance high-resolution screens and advance quantum computing by manipulating light frequency and wavelength via quantum confinement. Their work involves combining different 2D materials to optimize light emission.

BioPACIFIC MIP congratulates Elizabeth Murphy on winning the 2025 Henkel Award for Outstanding Graduate Research in Polymer Science. Her innovative research on block copolymers and contributions to the MIP community were pivotal. Murphy, set to graduate from UCSB in March 2025, will join Dow Chemical as a Senior Research Specialist.

M. Scott Shell, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, has been elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for his pioneering work in multiscale modeling and computational techniques. This prestigious title recognizes significant professional accomplishments in the field of chemical engineering.

BioPACIFIC MIP has selected eight projects for the CAPS Fellowships, which utilize high-throughput automation for advancements in polymer science. The awarded researchers will optimize materials and processes through training and access to cutting-edge technology. Each fellowship provides up to $10,000 for research at UC Santa Barbara and UCLA.

Professor Craig Hawker from BioPACIFIC MIP has been awarded the 2025 Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award, recognizing his leadership in polymer science. The award is given biennially at the ACS meeting, and a symposium in his honor will take place at the Fall 2025 ACS National Meeting.

The scientific focus of the MIP program is subject to change from competition to competition. Information about the existing MIPs, from two previous competitions in 2015 and 2019, can be found at mip.org. The third MIP competition, in 2025, will accept proposals on alloys, amorphous, and composite materials.