Amy Chu spends a lot of her time running chemical reactions using one of her lab’s pressurized reactors. When she’s not doing research on fundamental chemistry, she’s busy working as a scientific consultant on a project collaborating with energy policy researchers.
Championing scientifically driven energy policy
In the lab, chemist Amy Chu is aiming to make the chemical reaction that converts carbon dioxide into methanol more sustainable. Her work reflects her philosophy that scientists should have a stronger role in both public policy and education.
Cells use sugars to communicate at the molecular level
A recent study reveals the chemistry behind cellular communication using a new method that holds promise for future applications ranging from materials science to nanomedicine.
Chemist Jessica Anna and mathematician Davi Maximo are being recognized for their work that marks them as the next generation of scientific leaders.
Two Penn faculty named 2019 Sloan Research Fellows
Jessica Anna and Davi Maximo of the School of Arts and Sciences are among the 126 recipients of this year’s Sloan Research Fellowships, which recognize early-career researchers and scholars in North America. Each will receive a two-year, $70,000 Fellowship for research.
Judith Currano of Penn Libraries and Jenine Maeyer of the School of Arts and Sciences share their perspectives on how all types of chemists still use the periodic table of elements.
Four sets of pollen grains (from top left to bottom right: Alisma lanceolatum, Galium wirtgenii, Gaillardia aristata, Gomphrena globosa), showing the scanning electron microscopy image alongside the simulation of the physical model for the same geometry (Image credit: PalDat.org (SEM image) and Asja Radja (simulation)).
A physical model for forming patterns in pollen
Physicists have developed a model that describes how patterns form on pollen spores, the first physically rigorous framework that details the thermodynamic processes that lead to complex biological architectures.
A new paper provides insights into the chemistry that underlies human-made, light-driven catalytic systems and paves the way to better understand how light-induced reactions can be controlled more effectively.
Penn physicists characterize the limits of multitasking in biological networks, paving the way for future applications in fields from biology to medicine.
A Rubens’ tube, which uses pressurized propane to bring sound waves to life with fire, was one of several demonstrations from the lights and waves winter physics show.
Physics on display
Hundreds of regional junior high and high school students visited Penn’s campus in early January to beat the winter blues—and reds—by watching physics demonstrations about lights and waves.
