SHARON, Pa. — Students in the class "Experimental Chemistry" are exploring how washing masks impacts the fabric's fiber structure. 

The class utilized Penn State Shenango's scanning electron microscope (SEM) that produces high resolution images for comparison as they review samples that have endured varying numbers of washing and drying cycles. 

SEMs aim a beam of electrons at metal-coated samples to create a detailed view of the mask structure. Most students don't have the opportunity to work with a SEM until graduate studies, but Shenango students have the opportunity to utilize the $1 million machine as soon as their first semester to conduct research. 

Students August Mendoza, Chelsea Spatara, Jake Dyll and Alyssa Kelly will present their findings at the Penn State  Shenango Undergraduate Research Fair in April.