Penn State researchers, including Joseph Najem, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; Dor Tillinger, doctoral candidate of mechanical engineering; and Wonbae Lee, doctoral candidate of engineering science and mechanics, developed a state-of-the-art fabrication method to mimic the processes electric eels use to generate electrical bursts. Their approach produces power sources with higher power densities than other hydrogel-based designs, while remaining flexible, support-free, environmentally stable and biologically compatible.

Electric eel biology inspires powerful gel battery | Penn State University

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Penn State researchers, including Joseph Najem, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; Dor Tillinger, doctoral candidate of mechanical engineering; and Wonbae Lee, doctoral candidate of engineering science and mechanics, developed a state-of-the-art fabrication method to mimic the processes electric eels use to generate electrical bursts. Their approach produces power sources with higher power densities than other hydrogel-based designs, while remaining flexible, support-free, environmentally stable and biologically compatible.

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Research

Electric eel biology inspires powerful gel battery

According to Hui Yang, Gary and Sheila Bello Chair in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Penn State, and Kevin Mekulu, an industrial engineering and operations research doctoral candidate, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to better understand and detect neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's.

Q&A: Can AI understand the human brain better than humans? | Penn State University

According to Hui Yang, Gary and Sheila Bello Chair in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Penn State, and Kevin Mekulu, an industrial engineering and operations research doctoral candidate, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to better understand and detect neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's.

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Q&A: Can AI understand the human brain better than humans?

World Campus

Penn State’s online programs, offered through Penn State World Campus, are featured throughout the 2026 U.S. News "Best Online Programs" rankings of undergraduate and graduate programs offered by higher education institutions nationwide, as well as rankings of specialized programs and also for student veterans.

Penn State featured in U.S. News’ 2026 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings | Penn State University

Penn State’s online programs, offered through Penn State World Campus, are featured throughout the 2026 U.S. News "Best Online Programs" rankings of undergraduate and graduate programs offered by higher education institutions nationwide, as well as rankings of specialized programs and also for student veterans.

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Campus Life

Penn State featured in U.S. News’ 2026 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings

Four Penn Staters set to participate in Winter Olympics

School of Music to celebrate Lunar New Year with family friendly concert 

Save the Date: Bring Our Children to Work Day to return to Penn State  

Penn State campuses commemorate 2026 National Black History Month with events

Artistry meets agility in Cirque Kalabanté ‘Afrique en Cirque’ on Feb. 11

Penn State launches campus master planning effort for University Park 

Penn State Researchers Answer Volcano Questions from Elementary School Students

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Ask a scientist: What happens to animals during a volcanic eruption?

The Medical Minute: Why am I so dizzy?

Annual Substance Use and Addiction Conference to be held on May 4

Parking information for Penn State Athletics Winter Sports Weekend

Report: Targeted support, belonging initiatives key for financially insecure students

Benefits Asked and Answered: How do Penn State’s health care plans work? 

University Park classes, activities and work canceled from 5 a.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday

Women's ice hockey clinches title, historic milestone in weekend action

Precaution, preparation urged ahead of winter storm hitting University Park this weekend

'Midnight Clear' for snow removal in effect this weekend, Jan. 24-26

Photo contest: Share your best picture of winter at Penn State

Sustainable Food Systems Network to host action-focused Food Justice Summit

Things to Do at Penn State: Jan. 22-29

COACHE committee announces University-wide priorities developed from faculty survey results

51st annual MLK Jr. Banquet brings communities together in ‘Undaunted Hope’

Penn State western campuses open new degree programs to meet workforce demand

Events to commemorate 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Penn State campuses

Ten Penn State alumni to receive Distinguished Alumni Awards in 2026

University Park campus and community transportation options during winter months

$55 million estate gift will support scholarships for Pennsylvania students

Danielle M. Conway elected president of Association of American Law Schools

Penn State HR announces 2026 holiday schedule

Staying safe at Penn State: A guide for new, returning students for spring 2026

Jay E. Davenport named vice president for development and alumni relations

Organizational changes to create new external affairs division, move enrollment management into provost’s office 

Penn State mourns the passing of Altoona philanthropist and alumnus Steve Sheetz

Two Penn State professors named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

Photo gallery: Nittany Lions claim Pinstripe Bowl victory

Celebrating Winter's Glow at the Arboretum at Penn State

Penn Staters rally for GivingTuesday, raising more than $1.5 million

Alumni Association to engage thousands of alumni, fans in NYC for bowl festivities

2025 fall commencement parking information announced for Dec. 21

Backyard insect inspires large-scale invisibility particles production

Dear Old State: Taking the train 'home for the holidays'

Changes to parking and transit services at University Park during winter break 

110 Penn State student-athletes earn fall 2025 Academic All-Big Ten honors

Penn State leaders outline progress and priorities during Commonwealth Campuses town hall

New report outlines science priorities for human Mars exploration

Penn State to bring hands-on learning to 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Penn State launches quantum theory center

Forest and wildlife technology programs to open at Penn State Altoona

Matt Campbell named 17th Penn State head football coach 

$3.2M NIH grant to test and refine a heart pump for long-term use in children

Penn State to face Clemson in Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

Penn State Extension survey reveals strengths, growth areas for farmers markets

Latest News

POTD 013126 men's hockey vs. Michigan State at Beaver Stadium

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Womens gymnastics vs Maryland 012426

2026 MLK Day of Service_Magic Yarn Project

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POTD student studying Pattee Library 12122025

Neil DeGrasse Tyson at Eisenhower Auditorium

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2025 military appreciation football game

Around Campus

More research news

Earth and Mineral Sciences

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Nature's recovery after an asteroid struck Earth illustrates how quickly species can evolve after extreme events, said Penn State Professor Timothy Bralower, co-author of a new paper in the journal Geology.&nbsp;

New species emerged faster than thought after dinosaur extinction, study finds | Penn State University

Nature's recovery after an asteroid struck Earth illustrates how quickly species can evolve after extreme events, said Penn State Professor Timothy Bralower, co-author of a new paper in the journal Geology. 

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New species emerged faster than thought after dinosaur extinction, study finds

A new report from Penn State’s Center for Collegiate Mental Health highlights the role colleges and universities can play in improving student outcomes by identifying financial insecurity early, and building coordinated support systems across counseling centers, academic units and community partners.

Report: Targeted support, belonging initiatives key for financially insecure students | Penn State University

A new report from Penn State’s Center for Collegiate Mental Health highlights the role colleges and universities can play in improving student outcomes by identifying financial insecurity early, and building coordinated support systems across counseling centers, academic units and community partners.

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Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that an immune cell usually involved in fighting infections and promoting wound healing become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. They published their findings in the&nbsp;Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.

Inflammation and autoimmune-like dysfunction may play a role in heart failure | Penn State University

Penn State College of Medicine researchers found that an immune cell usually involved in fighting infections and promoting wound healing become overly activated in failing human hearts, causing damage. They published their findings in the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.

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Inflammation and autoimmune-like dysfunction may play a role in heart failure

Featured Research

How a new father behaves toward his baby can change family dynamics in a way that affects the child’s heart and metabolic health years later, according to a new study by researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development.

Early dad's involvement linked to lasting child health, study finds

About half of older men suffer from sleep problems, back&nbsp;pain&nbsp;or both, according to&nbsp;Soomi&nbsp;Lee, associate professor of&nbsp;human development and family studies&nbsp;at Penn State. Lee recently led a study to investigate whether one precedes the other and found that back problems can predict sleep problems years later in men over 65 years old.

Study: Back pain might predict future sleep problems among men

Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi was featured in a CEO Magazine interview highlighting her belief in the transformative power of higher education and her efforts to expand access, advance ethical innovation, and strengthen the university’s educational, research, and economic impact.

President of PSU is redefining the power of education to transform lives

A new study led by researchers at Penn State found melanoma case rates tracking higher in counties with higher areas of cultivated land, where the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides can be higher.

Penn State study finds higher incidence of skin cancers in Pa.’s Farm Belt

In a significant advancement for materials science, scientists have successfully created niobium sulfide metallic nanotubes with stable, predictable properties for the first time. An international team, including Penn State researchers, achieved the long-sought feat using an unexpected ingredient—common table salt. According to researchers, the discovery could pave the way for faster electronics, efficient superconducting wires, and future quantum technologies.

Study: Common salt helps create nanomaterial for high-speed electronics

Researchers at Penn State have proposed a novel design for a lithium-ion (Li) battery.&nbsp;It could address the long-standing performance and stability issues of standard Li batteries in extreme temperatures. The design, dubbed the All-Climate Battery (ACB), was developed to fix a core flaw in standard Li batteries.

‘All-Climate Battery’ developed at Penn State could keep EVs running in extreme heat, cold

The discovery of a possible “super-Earth” less than 20 light-years from our own planet is offering scientists new hope in the hunt for other worlds that could harbor life, according to an international team including researchers from Penn State. They dubbed the exoplanet, named GJ 251 c, a “super-Earth” as data suggest it is almost four times as massive as the Earth and likely to be rocky planet.

Newly discovered ‘super-Earth’ offers prime target in search for alien life

A "super-Earth" exoplanet in the habitable zone of its star has been detected by an international team, including Penn State researchers, less than 20 light-years away, putting it near the top of the list for best places to look for life beyond our solar system.

'Super-Earth' less than 20 light-years away is an exciting lead in the search for life

Organic beekeeping can support healthy and productive honey bee colonies, and a new study led by researchers at Penn State found that adopting organic honey bee colony management is not only profitable, but in some cases, it can be even more profitable than conventional management.&nbsp;The research couldn't come at a more opportune time, as a separate study&nbsp;found that 2025 marked the largest-ever&nbsp;honey bee colony losses&nbsp;in the United States, citing viruses spread by parasitic mites as the culprit.&nbsp;

Researchers discover solution to major issue in beekeeping

Electric vehicles (EVs) can have&nbsp;lower fuel costs and reduce emissions&nbsp;relative to cars that use gasoline, but they are only a practical option if drivers have convenient ways to charge them. For people who live in multi-unit dwellings or in urban areas, access to charging infrastructure may be particularly limited, which in turn limits EV adoption. To address this issue, a team of researchers at Penn State created a scalable framework to develop, analyze and evaluate using streetlights as a low-cost, equitable EV charging option.&nbsp;

Streetlights could power the future of EV charging, researchers find

An ancient society near the southern shores of Lake Titicaca in modern-day Bolivia was once one of the continent’s most powerful civilizations. Known as Tiwanaku, the ancient society is widely considered by archaeologists to be one of the earliest examples of civilization in the Andes and a precursor of the Inca empire, but it mysteriously disappeared about a thousand years ago. Now, a team led by scientists at Penn State and in Bolivia have discovered a Tiwanaku temple, shedding new light on what the society looked like in its prime.

Hidden temple discovered that could rewrite the history of an ancient empire

Electric space heating systems and appliances like water heaters can help American homeowners reduce their energy use, and possibly their utility bills, according to a team led by researchers at Penn State.

Want lower utility bills? Study reveals how to cut back energy consumption

The violent collision and merger of two black holes emits gravitational waves — ripples in spacetime — that can cause the resulting newborn black hole to recoil and rapidly move, sometimes escaping its own galaxy. Now, an international team that includes a Penn State researcher has measured the direction of this recoil for the first time, as well as its speed.&nbsp;

 Scientists detect strange signal in gravitational waves

Tiny red objects spotted by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope are offering an international team of scientists, including researchers at Penn State, new insights into the origins of galaxies in the universe — and may represent an entirely new class of celestial object: a black hole swallowing massive amounts of matter and spitting out light.

Study: Strange red dots in the early universe may be new kind of space object

Broken bones often heal naturally with time, a cast, or a brace. But when fractures are complex or severe, doctors rely on implants or surgical devices. Now, researchers at Penn State say they have created a biodegradable scaffold that could speed recovery while reducing complications.

Study: Broken bones regrow quickly with help of biodegradable implant

Floods are some of the most devastating natural disasters communities in the United States face, causing billions of dollars of damage annually, according to the&nbsp;National Weather Service. A group, including several researchers at Penn State, recently developed a computational model to streamline flood prediction in the continental United States.