Penn State

Research & Development

Quantum Scale Sensors used to Measure Planetary Scale Magnetic Fields

May 19, 2025 Editorial Staff Comments Off on Quantum Scale Sensors used to Measure Planetary Scale Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields are everywhere in our solar system. They originate from the Sun, planets, and moons, and are carried throughout interplanetary space by solar wind. This is precisely why magnetometers—devices used to measure magnetic fields—are flown on almost all missions in space to benefit the Earth, Planetary, and Heliophysics science communities, and ultimately enrich knowledge for all humankind. […]

Electromagnetics

Proximity Effect Used to Synthesize Ferroelectric Materials 

March 7, 2025 Editorial Staff Comments Off on Proximity Effect Used to Synthesize Ferroelectric Materials 

Ferroelectrics are special materials with polarized positive and negative charges — like a magnet has north and south poles — that can be reversed when external electricity is applied. The materials will remain in these reversed states until more power is applied, making them useful for data storage and wireless communication applications. Now, turning a non-ferroelectric material into one may be possible simply by stacking it with another ferroelectric material, according to a team led by scientists from Penn State who demonstrated the phenomenon, called proximity ferroelectricity. […]