NSF Awards Penn State $17.8 Million for Next-Generation Electronic Research

The National Science Foundation has awarded $17.8 million over five years to Penn State to fund one of only two Materials Innovation Platform national user facilities in the nation. The grant will be dedicated to the growth of efficiencies and materials for next-generation electronic devices.

‘I am proud to see such groundbreaking research being done at Penn State,’ said U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-5) in announcing the award. ‘In some cases these materials are only a few atoms thick, which will eventually play an important role in commercializing faster, more energy efficient devices that can be built on flexible surfaces. This truly is the future.’

The funding will be used to acquire or build special equipment, staff the facility with experts and support use of the platform by researchers from Penn State and nationwide. The new facility will develop a national community to develop new materials for next-generation electronics devices that are faster, use less energy, and can be built on flexible substrates.

‘This major award provides further proof of Penn State’s national leadership in materials scientific research and speaks to the innovative skills of our faculty,’ said Penn State Vice President for Research Dr. Neil Sharkey. ‘That our Materials Research Institute was chosen to house one of only two national MIP platforms speaks to the innovative skills of our faculty and the robust infrastructure for materials research at Penn State.

‘On behalf of the University’s scientific research enterprise, we would like to thank Congressman Thompson for his steadfast support of Penn State scientific research and the National Science Foundation.’

Joan Redwing, professor of materials science and engineering, chemical engineering and electrical engineering will lead the new facility, called the Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium (2DCC).

‘At Penn State, our focus will be on two-dimensional materials that are only a few atoms thick, and specifically on materials called chalcogenides, which are layered compounds that contain elements such as sulfur, selenium and tellurium,’ Redwing said. ‘By controlling the growth of these materials on an atomic scale, we will create materials with unique properties and exotic quantum states that offer the potential to revolutionize future electronic technologies. Once we solve the science problems of learning how to deposit these materials over large areas, we will work with industry to commercialize the technology and spark innovation.’