Decoding a material’s ‘memory’ A suspension of particles of different sizes during shearing experiments conducted in the lab of Paulo Arratia, with arrows indicating particle “flow” and trajectories. In a new study published in Nature Physics, researchers detail the relationship between a disordered material’s individual particle arrangement and how it reacts to external stressors. The study also found that these materials have “memory” that can be used to predict how and when they will flow. (Image: Arratia lab) Decoding a material’s ‘memory’ A new study details the relationship between particle structure and flow in disordered materials, insights that can be used to understand systems ranging from mudslides to biofilms.
Sophie Bowe: Engineering undergrad and future ‘imagineer’ A day in the life of engineering undergrad Sophie Bowe takes her all around Penn’s campus. (Image: Penn Engineering Today) Sophie Bowe: Engineering undergrad and future ‘imagineer’ The senior in the School of Engineering and Applied Science took a natural curiosity in the mechanics of a Disney ride as a child and applies it to her current work as a teaching assistant in mechanical design and lab assistant in Penn’s Precision Machining Laboratory.
A charter bus to Chinatown The iconic “Frienship Gate” at 10th and Arch St. marks the entrance to Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown. A charter bus to Chinatown Launched in 2021 by a student-led initiative, the biweekly bus service connects students with local businesses in Philadelphia’s Chinatown.
How to design a sail that won’t tear or melt on an interstellar voyage Artist rendering of the Starshot Lightsail spacecraft during acceleration by a ground-based laser array. Previous conceptions of lightsails have imagined them being passively pushed by light from the sun, but Starshot’s laser-based approach requires rethinking the sail’s shape and composition so it won’t melt or tear during acceleration. (Image: Masumi Shibata, courtesy of Breakthrough Initiatives) How to design a sail that won’t tear or melt on an interstellar voyage The Breakthrough Starshot Initiative’s laser-based approach requires rethinking a sail’s shape and composition so it won’t melt or tear during acceleration and pushed by wind, not light.
Uncovering unexpected properties in a complex quantum material A new study describes previously unexpected properties in a complex quantum material. Using a novel technique developed at Penn, these findings have implications for developing future quantum devices and applications. Uncovering unexpected properties in a complex quantum material Using a novel technique developed at Penn, researchers gained new insights into the properties of a proposed excitonic insulator known as Ta2NiSe5, with implications for future quantum devices.
Two Penn faculty named 2022 Sloan Research Fellows Yuxin Chen (left) from the Wharton School and Deep Jariwala from the School of Engineering and Applied Science have been selected to receive 2022 Sloan Research Fellowships. This prestigious award recognizes extraordinary early-career researchers for their creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments. Two Penn faculty named 2022 Sloan Research Fellows Yuxin Chen and Deep Jariwala have been recognized for their creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments as members of the next generation of scientific leaders.
Newly discovered ‘encrypted peptides’ with antibiotic properties Newly discovered ‘encrypted peptides’ with antibiotic properties A new study reports three distinct proteins in human plasma that have naturally occurring antibiotic properties.
A new makerspace for materials passion projects (Left to right) Michelle Paolicelli, David Nemeth, Michael Adjedj, Bryce Gunderman, and Sebastian Miralles break a composite material on the MSE Departmental Laboratory’s mechanical tester. (Image: Penn Engineering Today) A new makerspace for materials passion projects MatSci Makerspace is a space for students to work with the synthesis, processing, structure, properties and application of materials, with open hours for materials-centric passion projects.
Incentivizing an underused, more environmentally friendly method for carbon capture Incentivizing an underused, more environmentally friendly method for carbon capture A study by three 2021 graduates describes how a method for sequestering carbon from natural gas can be made more cost-effective with increased tax credits.
Ten from Penn elected 2021 AAAS Fellows Penn’s new AAAS Fellows for 2021, clockwise from top left: Sara Cherry, Susan Davidson, Douglas Durian, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Katalin Karikó, I. Joseph Kroll, Mingyao Li, Hongjun Song, Duncan Watts, and E. John Wherry Ten from Penn elected 2021 AAAS Fellows Ten scholars representing five schools across the University of Pennsylvania have been named to the 2021 class of American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows, recognized for their “scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.”