A Q&A with inorganic chemist Eric Schelter about the chemical reactions that create explosive displays and how different metals are used to create bright and brilliant colors.
Protein-linked sugars are crucial for the uptake of proteins linked to Parkinson’s disease
A new study shows that glycoproteins, proteins with added sugar molecules, impact how neurons uptake alpha-synuclein, a protein that clusters together and can lead to Parkinson’s disease.
A Q&A with biomaterials engineer Shu Yang about the real-life technologies and research that could allow people to climb up walls and synthesize their own superstrong spider silk.
A new study reveals a “hidden” phase of strontium titanate. On the left, extremely fast pulses of light excites atoms within the crystal structure (red arrows), which shifts the material into a new, ferroelectric phase. Vibrations of other atoms then work to stabilize the hidden phase (right panels). (Image: Felice Macera)
Revealing ‘hidden’ phases of matter through the power of light
New research shows how materials can be imbued with new chemical properties using a solid phase transition method that relies on extremely fast pulses of light.
Younger students learned how scientists use color to study chemical solutions, such as using red cabbage to find out if something is an acid or a base.
Community outreach inspires interest in STEM for kids
Graduate students and postdocs led an afternoon of hands-on science activities and fun for students grades 3-8 in the hallways and labs of Penn Chemistry.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of his observations of the 1769 transit of Venus, a glimpse into the story of the man whose name became synonymous with astronomy and mathematics.
First-year graduate student Valerie Yoshioka collects optical measurements of atomically-thin materials in the Zhen laboratory.
The next generation of optical communication with nanophotonics
Research from the lab of Bo Zhen is pushing the boundaries of optics by using fundamental physics to address many of the real-world challenges faced by engineers.
