college of sciences

Apr 7, 2014

Organic Solar Cells More Efficient With Molecules Face-to-Face

New research from North Carolina State University and UNC-Chapel Hill reveals that energy is transferred more efficiently inside of complex, three-dimensional organic solar cells when the donor molecules align face-on, rather than edge-on, relative to the acceptor. This finding may aid in the design and manufacture of more efficient and economically viable organic solar cell… 

Mar 28, 2014

Finding the Mix: Solar Cell Efficiency a Delicate Balance

Research from North Carolina State University reveals that solar cell efficiency is based upon a delicate balance between the size and purity of the interior layers, or domains. These findings may lead to better designs and improved performance in organic solar cells. Polymer-based solar cells are intended to have two domains, consisting of an electron… 

Mar 26, 2014

Nobel-Winning Physicist to Speak

Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist John Mather will deliver the physics department's 2014 L.H. Thomas Lecture on April 10. 

Mar 13, 2014

Researchers Describe Oxygen’s Different Shapes

Oxygen-16, one of the key elements of life on earth, is produced by a series of reactions inside of red giant stars. Now a team of physicists, including one from North Carolina State University, has revealed how the element’s nuclear shape changes depending on its state, even though other attributes such as spin and parity… 

Mar 12, 2014

Three Elected to Inventors Academy

Three NC State faculty members have been elected fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, a nonprofit organization that encourages academic innovation. 

Mar 11, 2014

CED, Jenkins Soar in Rankings

Graduate programs in business and education post huge gains in reputation on the U.S. News list of top graduate schools. See where they rank. 

Mar 6, 2014

Crowd Funding for Better LEDs

A chemistry professor taps crowd funding to pay for research in LED technology. Find out how you can help underwrite the next generation TV screen. 

Mar 5, 2014

Pigment or Bacteria? Researchers Re-examine the Idea of ‘Color’ in Fossil Feathers

Paleontologists studying fossilized feathers have proposed that the shapes of certain microscopic structures inside the feathers can tell us the color of ancient birds. But new research from North Carolina State University demonstrates that it is not yet possible to tell if these structures – thought to be melanosomes – are what they seem, or… 

Feb 19, 2014

New Satellite Images Reveal More About Interior Structure of Supernova

A new and powerful satellite has given researchers a way to see into the dark interiors of supernovae. Their observations of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A shed more light on the mechanics of these explosions. “The new Cas A images give us new information about not only the elements that are created in a supernova,… 

Feb 19, 2014

Math Prof Named Sloan Research Fellow

NC State mathematician Jonathan Hauenstein joins an elite group of young scientists honored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The early-career award cites his work with complex algorithms. 

Feb 4, 2014

NC State Ants Boldly Go Into Space

NC State is helping to colonize space. A group of pavement ants collected by postdoc Clint Penick in Western North Carolina is now orbiting the earth on the International Space Station. Find out about the final frontier of science. 

Jan 29, 2014

Q&A With Freeman Hrabowski

Influential educator Freeman Hrabowski led his university to prize chess over football. In an exclusive interview, he discusses his philosophy for sparking a culture change in higher education. Don't miss his lecture on campus Thursday afternoon. 

Jan 23, 2014

Officials Praise Climate Center at Opening

NC State celebrated the opening of the Southeast Climate Science Center this week at an event drawing an enthusiastic mix of university leaders, federal officials and students. 

Jan 9, 2014

In Memoriam: Wes Doggett

Retired physics professor and nuclear pioneer Wes Doggett died in December of lymphoma at 82. 

Nov 26, 2013

Iron Preserves, Hides Ancient Tissues in Fossilized Remains

New research from North Carolina State University shows that iron may play a role in preserving ancient tissues within dinosaur fossils, but also may hide them from detection. The finding could open the door to the recovery of more ancient tissues from within fossils. Mary Schweitzer, an NC State paleontologist with a joint appointment at the…