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A topological phenomenon could light the path toward faster optical communications
Fermi Arc

A schematic drawing of the unusual topological energy landscape around a pair of exceptional points (red dots) showing the emergence of a bulk Fermi arc (middle arc) and exotic polarization contours that form a Mobius-strip-like texture (top and bottoms strips). Credit: Hengyun Zhou, Lei Chen

A topological phenomenon could light the path toward faster optical communications

A new study led by University of Pennsylvania physicist Bo Zhen investigated topological phenomena in open, or non-Hermitian, physical systems which could potentially lead to faster connection speeds in optical communications.

Ali Sundermier

Mental wellness week: Collaborating to advance well-being
wellnessphoto

Mental wellness week: Collaborating to advance well-being

Penn Wellness, a student-run organization, is hosting a series of events dedicated to increasing awareness of mental health issues and how anyone can help. It begins with a Campus Conversation and includes free yoga sessions, intervention training, discussions on mental health, Take Back the Night, and more.
Energy podcast brings esoteric, provocative topics down to earth
Former EPA administrator Gina McCarthy talks with "Energy Policy Now" producer Andy Stone.

Former EPA administrator Gina McCarthy talks with “Energy Policy Now” producer Andy Stone. (Photo: Courtesy of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy)

Energy podcast brings esoteric, provocative topics down to earth

A little more than a year into its podcast series, the Kleinman Center has hit its stride, bringing interesting and intriguing energy-related topics to a broad audience. Now, the key is to keep the momentum going.

Michele W. Berger

By river, ocean, or wind, rocks round the same way
Jerolmack.river rocks

A mathematical formula predicts the way that river rocks, ocean pebbles and dune sands acquire a rounded shape, Penn researchers found. Credit: AniVar/Wikipedia

By river, ocean, or wind, rocks round the same way

Observations from Puerto Rican river rocks, New Mexican sand grains, Italian ocean pebbles, and the lab lent Douglas Jerolmack and his team insight into a general geophysical process.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Filmmaker John Waters talks art, the meaning of ‘filthy,’ and humor as ‘terrorism’
John Waters Portrait

Filmmaker, author, comedian, and visual artist John Waters will deliver a 90-minute talk on April 24 as part of an announcement program commemorating the first grant recipients from the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation. 

Filmmaker John Waters talks art, the meaning of ‘filthy,’ and humor as ‘terrorism’

In a discussion with John Waters that previews his world tour performance-talk on campus on April 24th, the legendary comedic and camp filmmaker discusses his take on humor, culture, art and aging.
New MOAS program promotes international cooperation and diplomacy
almagro

New MOAS program promotes international cooperation and diplomacy

Budding diplomats and scholars in the University of Pennsylvania’s Latin American and Latino Studies program engaged with Luis Almagro, secretary general of the Organization of American States, at the Wharton Latin America Conference. 

Jacquie Posey

A medieval confluence
Penn Professors Sarah Guérin, Mary Caldwell, Ada Maria Kuskowski

Three new assistant professors at Penn—Music’s Mary Channen Caldwell, History of Art’s Sarah Guérin, and History’s Ada Maria Kuskowski—all focus on medieval studies, specifically the 13th-century in France. Photo by Eric Sucar.

A medieval confluence

Three newly-hired Penn assistant professors, all transplants to Philadelphia, found each other soon after they arrived and discovered that, although they were in different areas of study, they all focused on the Middle Ages, specifically 13th-century France. 
Being hungry shuts off perception of chronic pain
Hunger and pain

Animals must respond to competing needs as they navigate their environment. Penn researchers found that hunger pathways selectively
suppress inflammatory pain in mice. (Art by Amber and Sam Alhadeff)

Being hungry shuts off perception of chronic pain

Finding food is a necessary survival skill, but so is avoiding pain. Research led by J. Nicholas Betley and postdoctoral researcher Amber Alhadeff showed that being hungry activates a neural pathway that inhibits the sensing and responding to chronic pain. The findings offer up new targets for treating pain.

Katherine Unger Baillie