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School of Engineering & Applied Science
How the Africana Studies Summer Institute went virtual
How the Africana Studies Summer Institute went virtual
The 2020 Africana Summer Institute adopted a new vision, working to prepare freshmen for a virtual life at Penn.
The role of data in a world reshaped by COVID-19
The role of data in a world reshaped by COVID-19
Experts across Penn share their insights on how data and data science affect their fields in the context of an ongoing pandemic.
Penn Clubs online platform helps students find extracurricular groups and activities
Penn Clubs online platform helps students find extracurricular groups and activities
Discovering and joining extracurricular groups and activities is now easier with the new Penn Clubs online platform, developed and managed by students for students.
Penn Engineering and Steppingstone Scholars launch a STEM equity and innovation lab
Penn Engineering and Steppingstone Scholars launch a STEM equity and innovation lab
Penn Engineering and Steppingstone will begin developing a new blended AP Computer Science course for the fall 2021 semester, in which engineering students will create online content modules to supplement high school classroom instruction.
An ecosystem of innovation fosters tech-based solutions to COVID-19 challenges
An ecosystem of innovation fosters tech-based solutions to COVID-19 challenges
Clinicians, engineers, and IT specialists work together at Penn on innovations that help doctors provide the best care for patients amid continued social distancing and coronavirus restrictions.
One step closer to new devices for quantum computing
One step closer to new devices for quantum computing
New research from Penn Engineering describes a new type of ‘quasiparticle’ and topological insulator, opening up new opportunities and future applications into new photonic devices.
Nanoparticles can turn off genes in bone marrow
Nanoparticles can turn off genes in bone marrow
Using specialized nanoparticles, researchers from Penn Engineering and MIT have developed a way to turn off specific genes in cells of bone marrow, which play an important role in producing blood cells.
Treeswift’s autonomous robots take flight to save forests
Treeswift’s autonomous robots take flight to save forests
From Penn Engineering’s GRASP Lab, Treeswift uses swarms of autonomous, flying robots equipped with LiDAR sensors to monitor, inventory, and map timberland.
Engineers develop laser-controlled, cell-sized robots
Engineers develop laser-controlled, cell-sized robots
Researchers at Penn Engineering are creating microscopic robots with semiconductor processing that can be controlled, and made to walk, as small as biological cells.
Introducing the Year of Civic Engagement
Introducing the Year of Civic Engagement
The latest theme year was ushered in last week with the Penn Reading Project. In a time of great distance, the University asks the community to think about how it can enact great engagement.
In the News
The Washington Post
Drone maker hurt by US-China rift, opening door to US rivals
Dean Vijay Kumar of the School of Engineering and Applied Science spoke about the challenges of using drones for commercial purposes and about American perceptions of DJI, a China-based drone manufacturer.
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CNN
What you need to know about coronavirus on Wednesday, September 2
Kenneth Foster of the School of Engineering and Applied Science debunked conspiracy theories that link 5G networks and radio frequencies to the spread of COVID-19. "There's nothing different in terms of exposure," he said.
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BBC News
Elon Musk to show off working brain-hacking device
Ari Benjamin, a doctoral student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, said the biggest stumbling block for brain-to-machine interface technology is the complexity of the human brain. "Once they have the recordings, Neuralink will need to decode them and will someday hit the barrier that is our lack of basic understanding of how the brain works, no matter how many neurons they record from,” he said. "Decoding goals and movement plans is hard when you don't understand the neural code in which those things are communicated."
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The Washington Post
Can dogs detect the novel coronavirus? The nose knows, scientists hope
Cynthia Otto of the School of Veterinary Medicine and A.T. Charlie Johnson of the School of Engineering and Applied Science spoke about how trained dogs and electronic sensors can use scent to detect illness.
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Wired
A radical new model of the brain illuminates its wiring
Danielle Bassett of the School of Engineering and Applied Science spoke about how neuroscience has led to a greater understanding of the brain’s networks and how to treat a variety of conditions. “Hopefully, with an understanding of the individual differences in the brain, we will have a better lever on how to predict human responses to a particular intervention,” she says, “and then not have to have people go for a year through different kinds of medication before we find one that works for them.”
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