In a world first, a team led by researchers at Penn State used two-dimensional materials, which are only an atom thick and retain their properties at that scale, unlike silicon, to develop a computer capable of simple operations. The advancement, published in Nature, represents a major leap toward the realization of thinner, faster and more energy-efficient electronics, the researchers said.

World’s first 2D, non-silicon computer developed | Penn State University

title

In a world first, a team led by researchers at Penn State used two-dimensional materials, which are only an atom thick and retain their properties at that scale, unlike silicon, to develop a computer capable of simple operations. The advancement, published in Nature, represents a major leap toward the realization of thinner, faster and more energy-efficient electronics, the researchers said.

description

abstract

robots

https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/16_9_1000w/public/2025/06/cmosillustration_4x3_0.png?h=4abc1614&itok=uVbWQGbm

Research

World’s first 2D, non-silicon computer developed

Penn State is a driver of economic growth and opportunity in Pennsylvania, delivering $15.8 billion to the commonwealth’s economy and supporting nearly 110,000 jobs, according to a newly released report. The report also found that one out of every 10 jobs in Pennsylvania is supported by Penn State and Penn State alumni.

Penn State powers Pennsylvania’s economy with $15.8B impact | Penn State University

Penn State is a driver of economic growth and opportunity in Pennsylvania, delivering $15.8 billion to the commonwealth’s economy and supporting nearly 110,000 jobs, according to a newly released report. The report also found that one out of every 10 jobs in Pennsylvania is supported by Penn State and Penn State alumni.

https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/16_9_1000w/public/hero-aerial-4.jpg?h=25de80c4&itok=dVXHnpZE

Impact

Penn State powers Pennsylvania’s economy with $15.8B impact

Bellisario College of Communications

Journalism major Amanda Vogt earned a scholarship and an opportunity to shadow media members and work during the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.

Journalism major tees up career preparation with shadowing effort at U.S. Open | Penn State University

Journalism major Amanda Vogt earned a scholarship and an opportunity to shadow media members and work during the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. 

https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/16_9_1000w/public/2025/05/amandavogt-headshot.jpg?h=b8aae163&itok=aUbYfjkk

Journalism major tees up career preparation with shadowing effort at U.S. Open

The Medical Minute: Prostate cancer screening can be a lifesaver

Undergraduate Admissions gearing up for 'Spend a Summer Day'

Bellisario College Dean Marie Hardin named Scripps Howard Administrator of the Year

Juneteenth 2025 to be celebrated at Penn State with community events June 13-14

Gift from Smeal graduate supports students via Lion's Pantry, Ross Student Farm

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center performs 600th heart transplant

Penn State urges borrowers to take action as student loan enforcement resumes

2025 Children’s Miracle Network Telethon raises $343,954

State Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. honored with 2025 Friend of Penn State Legislative Award

Andrew Read leads conversation on executive actions and their impact on research

The Medical Minute: The ABCs of diabetes

Penn State announces non-tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2025

Penn State announces tenure-line faculty promotions, effective July 1, 2025

Kupferman named Penn State Health CEO

Three Penn State staff members honored with USAC awards

Trustees ratify plan to reshape Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses for long-term success

Andrew Read to host conversation focused on executive action affecting research 

Presidential livestream on Commonwealth Campuses planned for May 22

Special Olympics seeking volunteers for 2025 Summer Games at Penn State

Klahr named vice provost for Global

Two students, eight degrees: Penn State graduates complete quadruple majors

Penn State Board of Trustees meeting set for May 22

Engel named interim vice president for Commonwealth Campuses

Penn State releases preliminary Commonwealth Campuses recommendation

University statement on Commonwealth Campus plans

Timber expo to shine spotlight on Pennsylvania forest products industry

Penn State Board of Trustees election results announced 

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates opening of Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building

State council adopts recommendation for performance-based funding model

Biological physicist Réka Albert elected to National Academy of Sciences

The Medical Minute: Stroke, the women’s condition no one talks about

Elm trees at University Park to be sprayed at sunrise on May 12

‘New One Night on Broadway' takes Centre Stage with Penn State Theatre alumni

Climate Solutions Symposium registration open until May 12

$2.7M NIH grant to fund first comprehensive syphilis test

Parking and transit changes for summer 2025 at University Park

The Medical Minute: What does it mean to have dense breasts?

Community groups partner to create ‘988’ coins to support suicide prevention

Penn State to present premiere of 'True Crime Frankenstein'

Penn State campuses to hold spring 2025 commencement ceremonies May 9-11

Tickets go on sale starting April 30 to see astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson

Spring 2025 commencement parking information for University Park

Filmmaker and professor Pearl Gluck named 2025–26 Penn State Laureate

Five Nittany Lions taken in 2025 NFL Draft

$8.5 million estate pledge crowns legacy of chemical engineering alumnus

Penn State joins Age-Friendly University Global Network

Things to Do at Penn State: April 24-May 15

University Libraries summer 2025 hours begin Sunday, May 11

How safe is the air to breathe? 50 million people in the US don't know

High-tech sticker can identify real human emotions

Can hormone therapy improve heart health in menopausal women?

Latest News

POTD-25 6 6-Special Olympics PA- 800m

25-5-9-POTD-graduates hug-101.jpg

photo-contest-spring-2025_bethany-stitzer.jpeg

25-4-26-blue-white-0010.jpg

25-4-15-staff_arboretum-dan-frechen.jpg

lambing-banner.jpg

POTD-25 3 26_Bike Den-Fritz Kessler 

25 4 25-POTD-Sustainable Project Tree-0001

25-4-2-pscs_alice-in-wonderland-banner-2.jpg

25 3 22-NCAA Wrestling Champ-Carter Starocci

Nittany Lion 25-2-21-thon-25pm-banner-lion.jpg

Around Campus

More research news

For the first time, a team led by researchers at Penn State has developed a method of “fingerprinting” plant compounds called procyanidins, introducing a more sophisticated and accurate way to analyze the perceptual variation in many foods and drinks, including wine and chocolate.

‘Fingerprinting’ plant compounds helps explain food, drink tastes | Penn State University

For the first time, a team led by researchers at Penn State has developed a method of “fingerprinting” plant compounds called procyanidins, introducing a more sophisticated and accurate way to analyze the perceptual variation in many foods and drinks, including wine and chocolate.        

https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/16_9_1000w/public/2025/06/yanxin-and-misha-with-molecules-low-rez.jpg?h=93e581da&itok=ddvyyIRH

‘Fingerprinting’ plant compounds helps explain food, drink tastes

Health and Human Development

College of Health and Human Development

Environmental educators can improve teaching and leadership skills by acquiring knowledge from their students through youth-to-adult intergenerational learning, according to a new study from researchers in the Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management.

How youth teach environmental educators through intergenerational learning | Penn State University

Environmental educators can improve teaching and leadership skills by acquiring knowledge from their students through youth-to-adult intergenerational learning, according to a new study from researchers in the Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management.

https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/16_9_1000w/public/2025/06/dsc_5160.jpg?h=0eb59ca3&itok=n6RzXFqK

How youth teach environmental educators through intergenerational learning

The eco-weird, an emerging genre pioneered by Penn State philosopher Brian Onishi, focuses on the strange feelings familiar places in nature can cause. In this Q&amp;A, Onishi discussed the concept, which is detailed in his recently published book on the topic.

Q&A: Has nature always been strange? The ‘eco-weird’ unmakes the familiar | Penn State University

The eco-weird, an emerging genre pioneered by Penn State philosopher Brian Onishi, focuses on the strange feelings familiar places in nature can cause. In this Q&A, Onishi discussed the concept, which is detailed in his recently published book on the topic.

https://psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/16_9_1000w/public/2025/06/gettyimages-2154555634.jpg?h=271aaa1c&itok=Ejm4i3KV

Q&A: Has nature always been strange? The ‘eco-weird’ unmakes the familiar

Featured Research

Fragrances and lotions don't just change the way people smell, they actively alter the indoor air chemistry around the wearer, disrupting a critical natural process the body uses to protect itself from pollution, according to an international research team that includes scientists from Penn State.

Study: Perfume and lotion disrupt body's natural air cleaning system

Looking to cut calories? Scientists at Penn State believe that spices trick the body into wanting less food and cause people to eat a fifth less than if they have a milder meal.

Spicy foods can slow down eating and cut calorie intake, study suggests

People often cheat to win money, get prizes, or beat others. But what if there’s nothing to gain except feeling good about yourself? Would people still bend the rules just to feel a bit smarter, more accomplished, or healthier? New research led by Penn State University says yes—and shows exactly how and why they do it.

The hidden way you might be cheating yourself, according to research

Lithium-ion batteries have become the norm for electric vehicles and electronics, but their liquid electrolyte design pales in comparison to solid-state electrolyte versions. However, manufacturing hurdles and high production costs have limited the adoption of solid-state batteries, a challenge Penn State researchers are working to solve.

PSU researchers discover process that could unleash futuristic batteries

Controlling sound has long been a staple of science fiction and fantasy. In Dune, the cone of silence allows characters to converse privately, even in open spaces. The eerie billboards of Blade Runner 2049 whisper advertisements into the ears of those passing by. Now, a new study led by Penn State has precisely narrowed where sound is perceived by creating localized pockets of sound zones, called audible enclaves.

New audio tech could let you listen privately without headphones, PSU study finds

Microscopic particles are useful in many areas of technology. These tiny helpers are often smaller than a grain of pollen, yet they promise many possibilities. Researchers at Penn State have developed new models to predict and control the motion of these particles in confined spaces, enhancing their potential for precise medical applications and environmental remediation.

Study: Tiny particles may help cure disease and clean up pollution

For years, lithium-ion batteries have powered everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. But their reliance on liquid electrolytes has raised significant safety concerns due to their instability, which can lead to fire hazards. Researchers at Penn State are now working on a safer and more reliable alternative: solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) for use in batteries that could revolutionize consumer electronics and electric vehicles.

Penn State scientists boost EV battery efficiency with ‘cold’ manufacturing method

Scientists, including researchers at Penn State, have discovered the perfect vacation spot: it's sun-soaked, has sandy beaches, sports gentle waves lapping rhythmically on the shore. But hold off on grabbing the sun lotion, because there's a catch—it's on ancient Mars.

Ancient mars once boasted 'vacation-style' beaches, study finds

Dairy isn’t the only food that’s good for bone health. Prunes may also protect bone structure and strength in postmenopausal women, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers

Penn State researchers find prunes may protect your bones

Vaccine refrigeration — which can be expensive and logistically challenging, but still needed — could become unnecessary, thanks to research from a Penn State team.

Vaccine refrigeration could become optional, thanks to Penn State team

A research team has discovered that by using a new method of "atomic spray painting," they can tweak the atomic structure of lead-free potassium niobate in order to enhance its ferroelectric properties.The study, created by a team led by Penn State researchers, explains how molecular beam epitaxy can be employed to deposit atomic layers onto a substrate to create thin films.

Penn State scientists make breakthrough discovery after 'atomic spray painting' experiment

New insights into bee movements and life cycles have been uncovered after Penn State researchers tracked the insects using tiny QR codes glued onto their backs.

Tiny QR codes help Penn State scientists track bee movements

Geese appear to understand when and where hunting takes place but are willing to risk the danger to stay close to resources and their primary habitats, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State.

Nerves of steel: Canada geese don’t flee far from hunters, study finds

Researchers at the Penn State Extraterrestrial Intelligence (PSETI) Center have been awarded a three-year, $480,000 grant under the NASA Exoplanets Research Program to search for radio and laser signals from alien civilizations.

Penn State center awarded NASA grant to search for alien civilizations

Richard Alley, the Evan Pugh University Professor of Geosciences at Penn State, was one of 23 individuals and two organizations that received this year’s National Medal of Science award for his work studying historical climate change patterns.

Penn State professor receives National Medal of Science for climate research

State College community members and Penn State students are creating a paw-sitive impact on the lives of people with disabilities through service dog training. Roar for More, the State College chapter of Susquehanna Service Dogs, is celebrating 10 years of helping students and community members train puppies to be service dogs.