Pennsylvania State Univ University Park

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-07

Understanding how plant cells synthesize cellulose not only lays the scientific foundation for using genetic tools to modify plant cell walls for advances in sustainable energy but also provides insights into fundamental questions regarding how plant cells control expansion and shape. This project aims to utilize a combination of quantitative live-cell imaging, quantitative proteomics, and functional genetics to investigate how plant cells couple exocytosis and endocytosis to regulate the abundance of cellulose synthase at the plasma membrane—a process that remains largely unexplored. These findings will enhance knowledge of both cell wall biosynthesis and the mechanisms underlying plant cell growth. Furthermore, the project will create research opportunities for undergraduate students. By tailoring research projects to various undergraduate research programs, this initiative will attract talented students and prepare them for graduate education and academic careers. Additionally, the project will include a hands-on research workshop for local high school students and their teachers at Pennsylvania State University, aiming to inspire interest in the biological sciences. The ability to produce renewable energy is crucial for both the economy and the environment, with cellulosic biomass expected to be a key source for biofuel production. Cellulose microfibrils are synthesized at the plasma membrane by a protein complex known as the cellulose synthase complex (CSC), which converts sugar molecules into energy-rich crystalline cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on Earth. Since cellulose synthesis occurs exclusively at the plasma membrane, understanding how CSCs are trafficked to the cell surface is essential. The abundance of CSC at the plasma membrane is tightly regulated. Cellulose synthase proteins can remain stable for over 48 hours in vivo, and their regulation relies on exocytosis, endocytosis, and recycling, rather than protein turnover. Unlike mammalian and yeast systems, where exocytosis and endocytosis are well-studied, cellulose synthase represents a plant-specific cargo protein, making it a unique subject of investigation. The principal investigator’s pioneering work includes developing advanced in vivo imaging techniques and genetic tools tailored for analyzing cellulose synthase trafficking. This proposal employs interdisciplinary approaches—quantitative proteomics, live-cell imaging, genome editing, and machine learning—to investigate how various trafficking components coordinate with exocytosis and endocytosis machinery to maintain steady CSC levels at the plasma membrane in a microtubule-dependent manner. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-06

This I-Corps project focuses on the development of a nanosensing technology that detects molecular markers associated with crop diseases and environmental contaminants. The project initially focuses on maize production. Farmers lose millions of dollars annually due to pest outbreaks and contaminants that go undetected until crops are severely affected. Existing detection tools are often too slow, too general, or unable to identify early-stage issues when the molecular markers indicating disease infestations are not abundant. This new technology aims to provide real-time, precise detection of changes in chemical signals in the field, allowing for earlier and more targeted detection of crops disease and intervention. For farmers operating under strict pesticide regulations, especially those in organic agriculture, this early detection capability is essential as they often rely on prevention rather than treatment to ensure crop health. By addressing a critical gap in early pest, contaminant, and disease detection, the technology holds promise for reducing economic losses and increasing the efficiency of crop management across the agricultural sector. This I Corps project utilizes experiential learning, coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem, to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on the development of engineered proteins that function as highly specific receptors for molecular markers associated with crop plagues and pollutants. Unlike conventional detection methods that lack specificity for organic crop applications, this approach employs machine learning algorithms to design nanoreceptors that distinguish between structurally similar compounds commonly found in organic farming environments. The nanoreceptors are integrated into an optical sensing system that operates through Förster Resonance Energy Transfer, using graphene oxide substrates to significantly enhance signal sensitivity. This enhancement enables the quantification of trace-level targets previously undetectable outside of laboratory conditions, offering actionable insights before visible symptoms on crops emerge. The platform supports real-time monitoring, delivering results within minutes and eliminating the delay associated with sample collection and lab-based analysis. The modular design of the sensing platform permits adaptation for different crops and target molecules by exchanging the machine learning algorithms, creating a flexible and scalable tool for precision agriculture beyond the initial application in maize. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-06

This I-Corps project focuses on the development of patient-specific and cost-effective neural implants for neurological disorder treatment. These soft neural implants address the need for customizable and accessible technologies in neurological care. Conventional neural implants often suffer from high manufacturing costs, poor adaptability to individual brain anatomy, and limited compatibility with soft neural tissues, which can reduce treatment efficacy and increase the risk of complications. This project introduces an innovative solution that employs advanced design and fabrication techniques to produce implants precisely tailored to each patient’s brain structure. These implants can also enable communication between the brain and external devices, offering new approaches for treating individuals with severe motor impairments. By reducing production costs and enhancing fitness and performance, the approach has the potential to improve clinical outcomes while expanding access to cutting-edge neurological therapies. The technology supports healthcare delivery by making personalized neural treatments more affordable and scalable for all patients. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on the development of personalized neural implants tailored to the unique anatomical structures of individual brains, offering a new approach in neural interface design. Traditional implants, typically fabricated using lithographic techniques optimized for mass production, are rigid and poorly suited to the brain’s complex anatomy, resulting in inadequate electrode-tissue contact, reduced signal fidelity, and increased foreign body responses. To address these challenges, this project introduces an integrated platform that combines magnetic resonance imaging-based anatomical mapping, simulation-driven optimization for pre-implantation safety and efficacy, and direct ink writing-based three-dimensional printing to create implants customized to individual brain structures. These neural implants are fabricated from soft, biocompatible and magnetic resonance imaging-compatible materials engineered to closely match the mechanical properties of neural tissue. The personalized designs further enhance tissue integration and long-term device performance while minimizing inflammatory responses. Additionally, the additive manufacturing approach enables rapid prototyping and scalable production, reducing fabrication time and allowing faster delivery of anatomically precise implants to patients. This level of anatomical specificity improves the targeting accuracy of brain regions, enhancing the performance of brain-computer interface applications and neuromodulation therapies. By eliminating the need for traditional photolithography, the platform has the potential to reduce manufacturing costs, shorten production timelines, and enable greater design flexibility. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-06

This I-Corps project focuses on the development of a portable, non-invasive wound treatment technology that addresses the national need for more effective infection control and wound healing solutions. Chronic wounds, trauma wounds, and burns affect tens of millions annually in the United States alone, costing the healthcare system billions of dollars and contributing to widespread disability, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life. Existing treatments often fall short due to high costs, infrastructure requirements, or inefficacy against drug-resistant infections. The technology represents a compact, reusable device that uses only electricity to rapidly sterilize wounds and stimulate healing. It's accessibility and ease of use make the technology viable in hospitals and military field operations. By improving clinical outcomes while lowering healthcare expenditures and improving quality of life, this innovation supports national priorities in health, welfare, and defense readiness. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on the development of a wearable medical device that employs electrical surface barrier discharge to generate low-temperature plasma from ambient air. Plasma, the fourth state of matter and an ionized gas, produces reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which eradicate a wide range of pathogens — including antibiotic-resistant bacteria — and promote tissue regeneration. The device is powered by a battery-operated circuit and incorporates safety features to prevent electrical hazards. Early-stage laboratory studies demonstrate effective pathogen inactivation and safe application on mammalian cells. This innovation is unique because it combines the capabilities of controlling infections and accelerating wound healing while reducing the labor burden on healthcare workers. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-06

This award will support U.S.-based researchers to participate in the conference “Beyond Uniform Hyperbolicity” (BUH), to take place at the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, from June 2 to June 13, 2025. This conference, the eleventh in a long-standing series held every 2–3 years since 2001, has been hosted in various locations worldwide, including twice in the United States. The main theme of the event is dynamics, a subfield of pure mathematics that models complex phenomena -- such as the motion of gas molecules in confined spaces, weather patterns, and planetary motion -- and provides critical theoretical insights into a range of scientific fields. Building on its successful history of advancing knowledge, BUH 2025 will offer a valuable opportunity for emerging researchers to engage with leading experts, explore current research topics, and forge new collaborations. The conference format, featuring six mini-courses and a selection of stand-alone talks, has proven highly effective for advanced learning. Moreover, the welcoming environment of ICTP will foster meaningful interactions between researchers of all backgrounds and experience levels. The conference websites are: https://indico.ictp.it/event/10841 (first week), https://indico.ictp.it/event/10935 (second week). This conference focuses on the most significant advancements in the study of dynamical systems exhibiting various forms of hyperbolicity. The topics covered by BUH 2025 will include: weak hyperbolicity (partial hyperbolicity, nonuniform hyperbolicity, singular hyperbolicity, positive Lyapunov exponent); random dynamics and stationary measures; physical (Sinai-Ruelle-Bowen and u-Gibbs) measures; statistical properties (decay of correlations, limit theorems, speed of mixing); entropy theory and coding for dynamics with hyperbolicity; holomorphic dynamics and hyperbolicity; group actions and smooth rigidity. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-06

This project explores how scientific messages about environmental adaptation shape people’s decisions, especially when their beliefs about the environment, politics, and other issues are closely connected. By examining why some individuals embrace adaptation measures—such as flood-proofing homes or relocating from high-risk areas—while others do not, the project seeks to clarify how these choices can unintentionally deepen social and economic inequalities. In doing so, the project addresses the national interest by improving public understanding of climate risks, fostering more informed decision-making, and promoting inclusive, effective adaptation strategies. The project also advances broader societal goals by training undergraduate researchers, partnering with nonprofit organizations to develop practical outreach methods, and creating software tools that can be used to study belief systems in various contexts. This project develops a new conceptual framework, new methodological tools, and survey-based measurement approach for “belief networks,” capturing how an individual’s attitudes about topics such as climate, people migration, and social fairness simultaneously influence one another. Large-scale surveys in the United States and a case study in Virginia will map how these networks vary across partisan, demographic, and socioeconomic groups. The researchers will then design and implement scientific communication experiments to examine how information targeting specific attitudes—and the links among them—affects people’s adaptive capacity and motivation. Alongside these empirical studies, the project supports new network science methods to analyze individual-level belief systems at scale, providing computational and statistical tools for extracting, modeling, and comparing complex attitude linkages. By integrating these methodological advances with science communication research, the project offers insights into how scientific information can most effectively encourage robust, evidence-based adaptation decisions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-05

This I-Corps project focuses on the development of a non-invasive digital health solution that uses voice and biometric signals collected from smart devices to pre-screen for respiratory illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19. The technology addresses a growing national health concern: the delayed detection and spread of airborne diseases, which strain healthcare systems, reduce workplace productivity, and threaten public health—particularly in crowded or high-risk environments like schools, airports, and hospitals. The solution aims to empower individuals with early warning tools, allowing them to take preventative action before symptoms worsen or spread to others. By minimizing unnecessary clinic visits, enabling quicker triage, and supporting population-level monitoring, this technology promotes national health and welfare while contributing to more resilient and responsive healthcare infrastructures. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on the development of a voice-enabled biometric monitoring system powered by machine learning algorithms that analyze deviations from a user's baseline in real time. The system integrates voice modulations, heart rate, and temperature data, and correlates them with clinically observed patterns of respiratory illness. Recent advances in mobile computing, edge artificial intelligence (AI), and signal processing enable the secure and scalable deployment of this solution across smartphones, wearables, and smart speakers. Unlike traditional diagnostics, this technology offers a passive and continuous approach to health surveillance, benefiting users through earlier detection, reduced costs, and improved public health coordination. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-05

This three-year proposal entitled REU Site: Integration of Biology and Materials in Chemical Engineering focuses on research projects at the biology-chemistry interface and their applications to healthcare, energy, environmental remediation, and homeland security. Ten REU students each year will engage in a 10-week program featuring research projects and student activities/workshops. Recruitment will target a diverse group of students, including students who do not have prior research experience or that are from institutions where research opportunities are limited. Professional development workshops will focus on research ethics, scientific communication, graduate school, and careers, and are designed to enhance belonging and connection and to build students’ confidence in handling open-ended questions associated with scientific research. At the completion of the program, students will present oral and poster presentations at a cross-disciplinary undergraduate research symposium on campus and the possibility of presenting their research findings at national conferences. Biomolecular materials and processes hold great promise for confronting critical challenges facing the world, including producing food, clean water and other resources, designing and manufacturing innovative medicines and materials for biomedical applications, and developing sustainable, renewable and clean energy. Addressing these global concerns requires broadening participation in the engineering workforce to bring new perspectives and to maximize the potential for impact. The objectives include recruiting a highly diverse group of students; providing professional development on analytical and research skills, and collaborative and communication skills; offering an overview of career opportunities and future careers; and evaluating the effects and outcome of the research experience on students. Overall, the program will promote scientific and professional growth of participants and will educate the next generation of undergraduate students to be leaders and contributors to the field of biomolecular materials and to the nation’s scientific output in areas including healthcare, environmental remediation, and energy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-05

The project supports a workshop addressing the rigor and reproducibility of research conducted in the area of electrocatalysis. Electrocatalysis research has ramped up significantly in recent years as related to energy-efficient manufacture of fuels and chemicals. The workshop is led by Dr. Eric Stuve of the University of Washington, with co-organizers Ezra Clark (Pennsylvania State University) and Liney Arnadottir (Oregon State University). More than 50 experts from the academic community will convene at the University of Washington campus in Seattle on July 8-10, 2025 to determine how research in electrocatalysis can meet the highest standards of scientific inquiry. The participants will include senior, junior, and student researchers from both large and small research groups. Workshop outcomes will be widely disseminated within the research community via a report to NSF and an article in a high-impact catalysis journal. Electrocatalysis is a broad research area of fundamental importance in developing new technologies in clean energy and electrosynthesis. Two key examples are production of green hydrogen by using renewable electricity for electrolysis of water, and electroreduction of CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels. To support researchers in these critical areas, there is a need for better standards for water oxidation and oxygen evolution, CO2 reduction, hydrogen oxidation, general electrochemical experimental procedures,and analysis of results. The Workshop on Rigor and Reproducibility in Electrocatalysis will examine how research in electrocatalysis can meet the highest standards of scientific inquiry. The primary goals of the Workshop are: 1. Identify, evaluate, and codify practices and expectations for conducting and reporting rigorous and reproducible research in electrocatalysis, 2. Strengthen the caliber of electrocatalysis research through exchange of scientific ideas among researchers, and 3. Foster relationships that promote professional development of current researchers and recruiting of new students to the field. The planned topics of discussion are: (1) electrocatalyst preparation and characterization; (2) electrochemical kinetics; (3) best practices, education, and professional development, (4) spectroscopies and operando analysis; and (5) microkinetics, theory, and benchmarking. The workshop will be conducted over two and one-half days, consisting of four half-day sessions devoted to each topic and a final half-day session to prepare recommendations related to technical challenges and workforce development. The Workshop promises to make a substantial impact on electrocatalysis research, both in strengthening the findings of current and near-future research efforts and by laying the groundwork for coordinated longer-term research to address the concomitant needs of science and technology. The final report will provide guidelines for experiment design, measurements, and benchmarks, recommendations for comprehensive data analysis, and standards for preparing and reviewing publications. Well-defined concepts in electrocatalysis rigor and reproducibility will also inform preparation of research proposals and their review by funding agencies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-05

William Noid of the Pennsylvania State University is supported by an award from the Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods program in the Division of Chemistry to develop improved methods for coarse-grained (CG) models of polymers and peptides. By averaging over unnecessary details, CG models provide the necessary computational efficiency for investigating polymeric properties and biological processes on length- and time-scales that are not accessible to atomistic models. However, existing CG models generally provide limited accuracy and also unpredictable transferability, i.e., they may require re-parameterization for each system of interest. This unpredictable transferability significantly reduces the computational advantages of CG models. Accordingly, William Noid and his research group will develop theory and computational methods for improving the accuracy and transferability of CG models. These advances will enhance the national research infrastructure for studying biological processes and for developing improved polymeric materials. Additionally, William Noid will continue developing an intergenerational science club that bridges the academic and civic communities. William Noid and his research group will initially investigate metrics for identifying optimal CG representations for polymers and peptides. Noid and his group will then leverage rigorous analysis of the exact many-body potential of mean force (PMF) to develop methods for accurately describing structural, thermodynamic, and dynamic properties. In particular, Noid and his group will develop a data-efficient local energy-matching variational principle to optimally approximate the energetic contribution to the PMF. Noid and his group will develop global density potentials for describing the pressure equation of state, as well as local density potentials for describing many-body hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, Noid and his group will employ the generalized-Yvon-Born-Green framework and rigorous variational principles to accurately model the free energy surface for complex systems that transition between multiple conformation states. Additionally, Noid and his group will explore an exact decomposition of the time evolution operator for modeling dynamical properties. Finally, Noid will provide students with rigorous, interdisciplinary training in modern statistical mechanics and will continue developing an outreach program that promotes scientific literacy and a healthy lifestyle of lifelong learning among local seniors. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-04

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks that can hold large amounts of water. Thermogels are solutions at room temperature that become hydrogels at body temperature. This temperature triggered gelation is advantageous in biomedical applications since the hydrogel can be introduced in the human body by simple injection without the need for surgery. However, currently available thermogels lack design flexibility that enables the control over hydrogel properties, such as stiffness, degradability and biofunctionality. This challenge with current thermogels stems from the formation of poorly-defined network structures after injection. To overcome this problem, this project explores a novel thermogel design using polymeric nanoparticles that form “sticky” patches on their outside surface due to the change in temperature from room temperature to body temperature, which allows them to stick together to form well-defined hydrogel networks. The developed thermogels are expected to be applied for a wide range of human healthcare applications such as localized drug delivery, soft tissue fillers, chronic wound dressings and tissue engineering scaffolds to repair damaged tissue. The project also integrates educational activities with the research efforts by offering hands-on experience and research opportunities to first and second year undergraduate students in order to close the gap between science/engineering education and interdisciplinary biomaterials research and train the next generation of researchers. TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Despite the unique gelling behavior of thermogels, in which body heat is used to induce a sol-gel transition, the limited control over hydrogel properties such as mechanical properties, degradability and biological functionality remains a challenge, hampering their medical applications. This project aims to establish a modular design approach for thermogels that show controllable gelation/dissolution behaviors and biological functionalities. The central hypothesis is that fine-tuning of material properties can be achieved by developing polymeric micelles with well-defined multiple binding domains (patchy domains) that can modulate intermicellar interactions in response to temperature and biological stimuli as well as provide binding sites for bioactive motifs. This hypothesis has been formulated based on the PI’s recent reports on polymeric micelles with a shell containing phase-separated thermosensitive domains, which served as “patches” to induce percolated 3D network formation resulting in gelation at 37oC. The rationale that underlies the proposed research is that the developed technology will provide a new material design for functional in-situ gelling systems that will be broadly applicable in biomedical technologies, such as controlled drug delivery systems and scaffolds for tissue engineering. The hypothesis will be tested by pursuing three aims: 1) Establish design criteria for polymeric micelles with thermosensitive patchy domains that assemble into hydrogels with controlled mechanical properties, 2) Control dissolution of patchy micelle-based thermogels by biologically relevant stimuli, and 3) Develop a facile approach to introduce bioactive motifs in the patchy micelle-based thermogels. Upon the completion of the proposed research, we will have successfully established a novel avenue to design thermogelling systems with fine-tuned material properties, which meet the requirement for clinical translations. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-04

Nontechnical Abstract: Modern semiconductor and quantum technologies rely on devices that operate out of equilibrium—that is, their state changes over time. This research aims to develop innovative quantum devices that take advantage of nonequilibrium behavior using graphene Josephson junctions. Traditionally, Josephson junctions consist of two superconductors separated by a non-superconducting region, enabling them to conduct electricity without resistance or energy loss. This project explores a new type of Josephson junctions by leveraging the extraordinary properties of graphene—a single layer of carbon atoms—as the non-superconducting region. By integrating multiple superconducting terminals, these devices are predicted to display remarkable electrical properties under nonequilibrium conditions. This project enriches our understanding of these emergent properties and has the potential to pave the way for developing devices that are highly efficient and resilient to noise—addressing a key challenge in quantum technology. Beyond technical innovations, this project also contributes to workforce development by training students at all levels. Additionally, it features a strong focus on education and outreach, including course development and engaging the local STEM community through summer camps. Technical Abstract: This research builds upon recent advances in graphene Josephson junctions to explore the nonequilibrium properties of emergent Andreev bound states in these systems. The project aims to develop ballistic, dual-gated Josephson junctions on graphene heterostructures to minimize disorder and enable independent control over carrier density and contact transparency. A central focus is on manipulating and probing the energy-phase relationship of Andreev modes under nonequilibrium conditions, achieved by applying microwave radiation and/or voltage bias. The project also aims to identify topological properties of these nonequilibrium states by directly examining the Andreev band structure using tunneling spectroscopy. This research intends to deepen our understanding of Andreev modes, topological phases, and superconductivity, paving the way for their use in superconducting spintronics and quantum information processing. Finally, the project aims to train the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers by equipping them with expertise in nanolithography and low-temperature measurement techniques—key skills for the future quantum workforce. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-03

Space infrastructure plays a critical role in socio-economic development-enabling scientific discoveries and advancing communications, remote sensing, geophysical and astrophysical applications. The exponential growth in the launch of space objects in orbits around the Earth has made space more congested and has contributed to increased space debris. Additionally, the increased government and commercial interest in lunar and Mars missions pose both potential benefits and risks to safe and sustainable space operations. The primary goal of the Center for Research in Emerging Sustainable Space Technologies (CRES2T), a partnership between the Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M University, and Purdue University, is to research novel concepts and associated technologies that enable safe and responsible use of space for humanity. CRES2T researchers will investigate the intricate relationship between hardware and software design, autonomy, artificial intelligence, and modeling and simulation to enable safe in-space assembly, service and manufacturing (ISAM) while addressing the unique challenges posed by the harsh space environment. The secondary goal of this center is to stimulate the next-generation workforce by training the next-generation workforce in this critical area of national need. CRES2T activities have the potential to impact the new global space economy, create new jobs, and advance our nation’s economic, scientific, technological, and national security interests. The CRES2T activities will focus on fostering an ecosystem where researchers not only conduct research and development of individual technologies related to sustainable space operations but also focus on integrating different technological advances in a seamless manner to accelerate transitioning of these advances to commercial entities. The research thrusts and the operation of CRES2T are formulated to address the complex and rapid commercial pulls involved in developing space technology. The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) has made significant investments to incubate programs in research, learning, and engagement in the space sector. The Astrodynamics Research Group of Penn State (ARGoPS), Center for Artificial Intelligence Foundations and Engineered Systems (CAFÉ), Student Space Program Lab, and the Penn State Consortium for Planetary and Exoplanetary Science and Technology (CPEST) are examples of these investments. The PSU site will exploit its existing expertise in astrodynamics and artificial intelligence to study technologies to research technologies for space object tracking, the recovery and recycling of space objects, and human-machine interactions to build trust for autonomous space operations. It will work closely with other sites (Purdue and Texas A&M) to test these technologies in a seamless manner and developing the US operational workforce through student internships, annual workshops, short courses, and virtual tutorials. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-03

This award will support 15 students and faculty from US institutions to participate in the 28th International European Scientific Association for Material FORMing (ESAFORM 2025) Conference in Paestum, Italy, 7-9 May 2025. ESAFORM is a world-leading conference that stimulates applied and fundamental research in the broad field of material forming. The event acts as a global bridge between industries and academic institutions as it brings together researchers in the field to encourage discussion, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. The conference includes keynote speeches, technical presentations, industry tours, and a benchmark competition. A wide variety of forming processes are employed in the manufacturing economy, directly impacting economic welfare and national security. The support provides an opportunity for outstanding student and faculty researchers to attend the conference, present their work, learn from leading experts in the field, and interact with researchers from other institutions and countries, fostering a sense of worldwide community of scientific inquiry. The supported attendees will present research research results, among other activities. Interactions with conference attendees will help the students and faculty determine their specific areas of interest in this broad field and meet colleagues for future interactions and potential collaboration. This will stimulate learning in, provide training on, and expose the participants to new research concepts in material forming. The availability of support will encourage the participation of researchers who otherwise would be unable to afford attending highly specialized advanced manufacturing conferences. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-03

Video is a uniquely powerful source of information about human behavior. Video provides data about what people do, documentation about how research is carried out, and provides demonstrations that inform scientists and the public about research results. Researchers across the sciences routinely use video as data, documentation, and demonstration. One such resource is 'Databrary,' the world’s only known large-scale repository specializing in storing and sharing research videos in behavioral sciences. Housed at New York University, Databrary was launched with NSF support. Databrary has removed the most significant barriers to video reuse while reinforcing core ethical principles of informed consent and restricted access to sensitive or identifiable data. Databrary now supports the research and teaching of thousands of scientists across the globe. This project updates and enhances Databrary’s software to make it an even more powerful and useful platform for research and teaching about human behavior. This updated version accelerates the reuse of shared data by making it easier to find target video clips or specific videos. The updates include tools for users to create their own custom collections for research or teaching. Upgraded software make it easier for scientists to organize their data before it is shared widely. Expert staff provide professional curation assistance to make shared data maximally useful to the widest possible audience. Researchers also create software libraries in R and Python that empower users to write their own code to access Databrary. Through substantial improvements to Databrary, the project enables novel, innovative, and data-intensive research about the characteristics and consequences of human behavior using powerful, flexible, affordable tools available in a web browser. The enhancements enrich datasets already shared on Databrary—many funded by taxpayers—thereby increasing the value of prior public investments in research. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-02

This research responds to the unanticipated shift in political rhetoric during presidential campaigns. In prior elections, campaigns tended to highlight either the electoral dimension of democracy or the liberal dimension of democracy. The electoral dimension emphasizes political equality, government accountability to majority opinion, and expanding opportunities for meaningful participation. In contrast, the liberal dimension of democracy prioritizes individual freedom and liberty. Given the recent shift from one dimension to another in partisan rhetoric in 2024, this project supports the development of a survey that measures respondents’ attitudes toward democracy, how these attitudes have changed, and their consequences for political polarization. This allows us to more accurately measure and understand changes in public opinion in support for democracy. This project leverages five prior cross-sectional surveys of public opinion that were conducted by the investigators as part of a longstanding poll. Each included extensive sets of questions concerning support for democracy, the meaning of democracy and the meaning of freedom and liberty (both via open ended questions). By recontacting respondents from prior surveys and re-interviewing them, we create a unique data set of five different two-wave panel studies. This allows us to (1) precisely measure opinion change among a representative sample of over 4,000 respondents (both in direction and in terms of test-retest reliability), (2) determine whether changes in candidate and party rhetoric has consequences for support for democracy as a system of government, and (3) whether the adoption of an opponent party’s symbolic rhetoric has consequences for political polarization. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-02

Access to the genetic information encoded in DNA must be both rapid and under tight control so that a cell can readily adapt to its environment, or rapidly respond to growth signals. One regulatory mechanism that is used in nature is to poise the protein machines that access genetic information at the start of genes, waiting to initiate the process of converting the encoded information into molecules that execute cellular functions. Chemical modifications of these ready-to-go proteins exert timely control over cellular responses to stimuli by dictating the efficiency with which genes are activated. For this project, the investigator will push the boundaries of current technologies to explore the structural responses to chemical modifications that trigger release from pausing and entry into efficient decoding of genetic information. This program addresses a significant gap in our knowledge of how gene expression is regulated. This program will train junior scientists at multiple education levels to seek fundamental insight into the systems and processes from biochemistry, using the principles and quantitative laws from the physical sciences. Among other outreach efforts, the investigator will bring undergraduate students from different schools to Penn State for research opportunities that will enhance their career potential in science and engineering fields. To achieve this project’s objectives, new experimental methodology will be implemented for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of highly flexible proteins. While protons are relatively easy to observe by NMR, the PI has shown that the comparatively more challenging direct-detection of carbon yields more quantitative and complete information for intrinsically disordered polypeptides. Recently, the PI used this technique to demonstrate how serine phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II provides a structural switch that plays a role in regulating the critically important enzyme. RNA Polymerase II pauses at the start of genes before entering into productive elongation and these phosphorylation events are associated with release from the paused state. The PI will now broaden the characterization of pause release by investigating threonine phosphorylation on a required co-regulator of RNA polymerase II, named the DSIF complex, which is a second necessary step for pause release. The phosphorylation patterns on RNA Polymerase II change throughout the process of RNA elongation, so this project will extend characterization of serine phosphorylation to model each of the relevant states in an RNA production cycle. Finally, lysine amino acids in a specific region of RNA polymerase II also acquire methyl groups while the enzyme is active on a subset of genes. These modifications can exert combinatorial control with the previously characterized phosphorylation. Therefore, experiments will be performed to test the hypothesis that addition of methyl groups to the amino acid lysine also induces structural transitions, akin to those the PI has observed in association with phosphate incorporation. As a result, this research and associated training activities will yield fundamental, molecular level insights that provide critical molecular insights into gene regulation. This project is funded by the Molecular Biophysics Cluster in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-02

Grapevines are among the most economically important berries in the world. As a long-lived (perennial) crop, grapevines are typically cultivated as a clonally propagated stem (the scion) which is mechanically grafted to a genetically distinct, clonally propagated root (the rootstock). Because grapevines are cultivated as clones, individual plants of the same variety are essentially genetic twins. Thousands of clonal stem varieties are planted across the globe and exhibit large variation in growth, berry chemistry, and wine volatiles based on vineyard environmental conditions and management. This variation in growth and performance is known as phenotypic plasticity and impacts both fruit and wine characteristics, a phenomenon known culturally and commercially as ‘terroir’, the signature of the local environment on the vine. Because of their clonal nature, one potential mechanism contributing to phenotypic plasticity in grapevines is changes to the epigenome, a collective term for non-genetic DNA modifications that can change how specific genes and gene pathways are activated or deactivated. The goal of this project is to understand which portions of the grapevine genome are impacted by epigenetic changes, how epigenetic change in the root and the stem interact in grafted plants, and how these changes contribute to optimal plant resilience in response to environmental stress. These results will be used to help plant breeders identify the next generation of elite grapevine varieties and grape growers improve grapevine production across diverse growing regions. Integrated education and outreach include providing research training for project personnel in collaboration with industry partners across six states. In addition, project participants will be involved in outreach and hands-on research training activities that leverage existing programs and partnerships to maximize STEM participation of high school and undergraduate students. How do long-lived plants (perennials) acclimate to different environments and what is the extent of phenotypic plasticity possible from a single genome? Grapevines are grown as a composite of a clonally propagated stem (the scion) mechanically grafted to a clonally propagated root (the rootstock). These unique combinations of shoot and root are planted across diverse geographic regions around the world; consequently, grapevines offer a powerful system for investigating the molecular basis of whole-plant, multi-year phenotypic plasticity and enables the experiment disentanglement of the shoot genotype x root genotype x environment interactions across diverse climatic conditions. The goal of this collaborative project is to develop an integrated understanding of how the genome of clonally propagated perennial plants produces “adapted” phenotypes, from roots to shoots, over time and under different environmental conditions, and to identify the molecular basis of this phenotypic plasticity. This study will use experimental vineyards planted with a single scion cultivar ‘Marquette’ grafted to three commercial rootstock cultivars, replicated in three different environments (New York, Missouri, South Dakota). The project will use an integrative systems biology approach combining measures of plant physiology, leaf ionomics and metabolomics, fruit ionomics and metabolomics, wine chemistry analysis, and connections between sRNA, mRNA, and cytosine methylation signatures in shoots and roots across sites and their interaction with the spatial and temporal changes that occur in the epigenome in clonal shoots and roots. All data will be made accessible to the public through long-term repositories. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-02

This project tracks citizens’ attitudes toward a judicial reform effort and the judiciary as these reforms are implemented, as citizens elect their judges, and as the directly elected judges are seated. The reforms call for the direct election of more than 7,000 of the most important judicial positions in the country. Because judicial independence is associated with salutary governmental and economic outcomes, and public support for judicial institutions is a key determinant of judicial independence and influence, this project has implications for understanding how the direct election of judges might bolster or undermine institutional separation of powers, economic development, and broader international relations. Most of the accumulated knowledge about the public's support for the judiciary has relied upon surveys asking citizens for their evaluations of hypothetical proposals to reform the country's high Court. The reforms that prompt this study provide an opportunity to test theories about the correlates and consequences of public support for courts in an environment where the stakes are real and cross-national comparisons are feasible. Tracking public opinion over a four-wave panel survey and analyzing unique survey experiments, this research will address three debates. First, each wave of the survey will reach respondents at a point in the reform implementation that enables researchers to disentangle longstanding theories regarding the determinants of public support for judicial institutions. Second, relying on within-respondent, cross-wave comparisons, the PIs will evaluate the extent to which the electoral connection affects citizens’ legal attitudes about courts and judicial authorities, and their willingness to engage them as a result. Third, the PIs will assess how the reform---and citizens' responses to it---affect their willingness to obey decisions they do not agree with and to tolerate noncompliance with constitutional authorities' decisions. These outcomes have direct relations to the country's ability to attract international investment and to ensure that the separation of powers balances power across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-01

This NSF project aims to enable faster and more efficient computational methods in renewable-integrated power systems using quantum computing. The project will bring transformative changes in optimizing the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of renewable energy systems, leading to better energy management, increased integration of renewable sources, and a reduced carbon footprint. This will be achieved by designing variational quantum algorithms that address complex computational challenges, particularly leveraging the capabilities of the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) regime. The intellectual merits of the project include developing a systematic quantum computing framework tailored for the energy sector and paving the way for more autonomous and self-sufficient energy systems. The broader impacts of the project include demonstrating the practical benefits of quantum technology for solving real-world challenges and equipping the power industry to transition into advanced system analysis in the quantum era. Students will be trained in these emerging technologies with applications to the power and energy industry. This project aims to develop quantum technology to enable a seamless transition between grid-following and grid-forming controls for inverter-based resources (IBRs). It will address critical operational tasks, including intentional partitioning, islanded operation, and subsequent restoration and resynchronization, which pose significant real-time challenges due to the system’s intrinsic complexity, nonconvexity, high computational demands, increased dimensionality, and operational unpredictability. Specifically, the project will (1) develop a quantum approximate optimization algorithm, incorporating insights from the renewable energy domain, to address the non-convexity and complexity of optimally partitioning interconnected microgrids under heterogeneous disturbances and IBR operations; (2) design a variational quantum eigen-solver approach for effective coordination of IBR controllers using approximate dynamic programming and reinforcement learning techniques to enhance dynamic resilience; and (3) develop a bottom-up approach for power restoration by utilizing dispatchable IBRs and designing a quantum-augmented algorithm to achieve seamless synchronization across microgrids. It is anticipated that these outcomes will strengthen the resilience of both islanded and connected microgrids, demonstrate practical quantum computing applications, and pave the way for real-world deployment of quantum technologies in next-generation power grids. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2025 · 2025-01

This Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) grant will support the acquisition of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach activities at Pennsylvania State University Harrisburg. The instrument will significantly enhance research productivity and the educational experience for both faculty and students by providing essential hands-on training and enabling advanced research capabilities on campus. It will foster interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and interinstitutional collaborations across disciplines such as materials science, mechanical and civil engineering, medicine, chemistry, and biology. Additionally, the SEM will be integrated into the curriculum for undergraduate and graduate courses across multiple academic programs, benefiting over 1,000 students annually, who will have the opportunity to explore materials and structures at the microscopic level. This will be the only scanning electron microscope in the capital region of Pennsylvania. The SEM will also play a key role in STEM summer camps, workshops for K-12 students and teachers, and outreach programs with a major science museum in the Harrisburg region. This instrument will enhance industry collaborations, fostering innovation and economic growth in the region. The initiative aligns with NSF's mission to promote the progress of science, advance national prosperity, and enhance education and diversity in STEM fields. A scanning electron microscope uses a focused beam of electrons to create high-resolution images, enabling detailed analysis of microstructures and elemental distribution on sample surfaces. The SEM will facilitate research in areas such as biological materials, solar cells, additive manufacturing, solid-state batteries, earthquake engineering, and cellular physiology. It will support various research activities, including the characterization of materials, analysis of cellular structures, and the development of new engineering solutions. The SEM offers the capability to provide high-resolution images, compositional imaging using backscattered electrons, and elemental analysis and mapping in both high vacuum and reduced vacuum modes. This makes it possible to analyze high-vacuum incompatible specimens, hydrated and biological samples, and non-conductive materials. This equipment will be an essential tool for early-career researchers and students, promote interdisciplinary studies, and enhance research infrastructure at Penn State Harrisburg and surrounding universities and industries. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-12

This is a collaborative project examining how large-scale population history of ancient peoples corresponds to changing political-religious institutions of prehistoric Indigenous societies. Archaeological reconstructions of past population numbers rely on changes in the number of houses in a particular time period and archaeologists understand that community solidarity and institutional power was often expressed by monumental construction, specifically earthen platform mounds. Currently, the time periods used by archaeologists to constrain events such as village construction and mound building in one region have uncertainties ranging from several decades to a century. This uncertainty is broader than human timescales of years to decades in which hypotheses for institutions are framed. This is a persistent problem for archaeologists who are interested in addressing major problems associated with the origin and evolution of human institutions and political change. This project revises the timeline for population history and monumental construction by systematically redating wood and charcoal recovered from archaeological sites nearly one hundred years ago. New techniques for tree-ring dating and radiocarbon calibration enable much high-precisions than ever before, approaching annual precision in favorable cases. The scientific outcome of this project is new high-precision radiocarbon and tree-ring data, and statistical models for the pace of population change and the history of institutional development in the study area. Another objective of this project is to provide independent temporal data to direct descendants that empower their own historical narratives. Therefore, an important broader impact of the study is the inclusion of descendant communities in the research. This is accomplished by including knowledgeable descendant collaborators in project planning and creating an undergraduate research opportunity for students in STEM or humanities majors. Participants have the opportunity to assist in the research and explore an independent project compatible with their interests and career goals. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-12

The Skilled Training in Administration and Institutional Research (STAIR) program addresses a critical need in the U.S. academic landscape by strengthening research administration capabilities across a diverse range of institutions. By providing tailored training, professional development, and consulting to cross-institutional teams of research administrators and early-career faculty from over 20+ institutions, especially from Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), STAIR equips them with the knowledge and tools needed to compete for and manage research projects effectively, promote collaborations, and remain compliant and financially accountable. This program aligns with NSF’s mission by promoting scientific progress, enhancing national prosperity, and strengthening the country’s overall research capabilities. STAIR democratizes access to essential research infrastructure and fosters an inclusive research ecosystem, empowering institutions with limited resources to contribute significantly to national scientific advancement and societal well-being. Technically, the STAIR program builds on Penn State’s successful ACOR Certification & Education Series (ACES), adapting it into a modular, open-access curriculum for a broader, more inclusive audience. The program’s scope encompasses comprehensive training in proposal development, compliance, and post-award management. STAIR will deliver 2,900 hours of consulting annually, assisting early-career faculty and research administrators in building competitive research teams and securing funding. The curriculum is designed to enhance institutional research capabilities, fostering collaborative and impactful research across various institutions, particularly MSIs and PUIs. Through this approach, STAIR aims to create a highly trained and capable research administration workforce supporting a broad research ecosystem that addresses national priorities in science and education. The program's goals include workforce development, improving the competitiveness of participating institutions in securing research funding, enhancing compliance and financial accountability, and promoting cross-institutional collaboration This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-12

The project will develop multiscale modeling methods to examine electrocatalytic reactions of importance to clean energy. Specific systems examined will be relevant to hydrogen fuel cells, water electrolysis to generate hydrogen, and electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and chemicals. The research team will develop new tools that integrate quantum chemistry methods with classical molecular dynamics to model this complex interface. These modeling approaches will be applied to predict how changing the metal or ions in the electrolyte alter the rates of chemical conversions, helping to guide the choice of materials for efficient processes. The computational techniques developed will be shared with the broader research community for their use. Educational modules will be developed for use in courses related to research communication skills, and multiple graduate and undergraduate students will gain training on electrochemical systems and computational simulation during participation in this project. Electrocatalyst performance depends on both surface-adsorbate binding and metal-adsorbate-electrolyte interactions within the electrochemical double-layer (EDL). The researchers will combine their specific areas of expertise to develop tools to computationally model the kinetics of elementary electrochemical steps with an integrated set of density functional theory (DFT) and classical force-field molecular dynamics (MD) methods. Constant-potential DFT, using an analytical grand-canonical approach, determines local reaction paths involved in coupled proton-electron transfer reactions. MD, run at different potentials and including a fully developed EDL with charge dynamics, describes the interaction of electrolytes with states along the reaction coordinate. This DFT/MD integrated approach will be validated against experimental activation barriers and EDL properties (capacitance, ion distributions) measured by collaborators. DFT and classical MD simulations will use insertion free energy methods to predict activation barriers for electrochemical reactions at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Additional aims of the proposal include the development of transferable simulation potentials for solvent-metal and ion-metal interactions, and the application of the DFT/MD approach to predict how reaction rates vary with electrode metal and electrolyte composition. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

NSF Awards · FY 2024 · 2024-12

Self-propelled motion leading to large-scale collective behavior occurs in living and synthetic systems across scales. Controlling the emergent collective behavior of cells and bacteria is a key step toward the design of living and biomimetic materials and advancing biomedical technologies such as tissue engineering. Pre-patterned environments, i.e., quenched disorder, can be used to control active living systems. Still, the understanding of the effect of quenched disorder in active systems remains in its infancy. The consensus in the active matter community is that in ensembles of microorganisms, the emergent order originates from local aligning interaction between neighbors and the misaligning effect of the external noise, e.g., due to thermal fluctuations or bacterial run-and-tumble motion. However, external noise is not the only and, more importantly, the foremost source of misalignment. Self-propelled particles moving on a disordered substrate - bacteria swimming in a porous environment or cancer cells crawling through heterogeneous extracellular matrix - are affected by the imperfections, roughness, and random obstacles of the medium. The goal of this award is to combine experiments and predictive theoretical modeling to conceive synthetic environments in which the microorganisms -- bacteria, amoeba, and mammal cells -- exhibit a controlled collective behavior and execute a desired function. A two-prong strategy will be executed to tackle living active matter with the quenched disorder: (1) Experimental study of bacteria Bacillus subtilis, amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, and bladder cancer cells in disordered environments; (2) Theoretical analysis of fundamental active matter models on disordered substrates. The experimental systems are chosen for the following reasons: (i) bacteria and amoeba are model microorganisms in biological research. Their behavior and genome are well-characterized. (ii) They are robust and can be grown in large quantities. (iii) Bacillus subtilis exhibit swimming motility. Dictyostelium discoideum and cancer cells demonstrate surface motility and chemotaxis. The research will enable the controlling of living active matter with long-range hydrodynamic interactions (bacteria) and short-range steric interactions (cells). The primary outcome of this award will be the fundamental insights into the motility of bacterial and eukaryotic cells in a heterogeneous environment closely resembling realistic conditions. It will benefit the broad scientific community by better understanding cell migration, which is crucial in the context of bacterial infections and cancer cell invasion. The research will also stimulate experimental techniques and predictive mathematical tools for new biological materials and innovative biomedical technologies. A unique aspect of the award is the organization of the French-American school “Living Disordered Active Matter.” Through research and organization of the school, participating students and postdocs will benefit from interdisciplinary training and education. They will be exposed to advanced methods in the physics of biological systems, applied mathematics, computations, and experimental techniques. This collaborative US/France project is supported by the Physics of Living Systems program in the Division of Physics at the US National Science Foundation and the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche, where NSF funds the US investigator and ANR funds the partners in France. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.