Chemistry | Penn Today

a lego set of a microscope on a table with a green vial next to it

A better building block for creating new materials

Researchers describe a new way to synthesize organic “Legos,” a chemical framework that can be easily modified and controlled to create new materials with unique properties.

Microscopic image of ice with hexagonal linked shapes

A close look at thin ice

A pairing of theory and experiment led to discovering atomic-scale details of the growth of ice on surfaces, which can inform the design of materials that make ice removal simple and cheaper.

A mountain foregrounds the Los Angeles skyline, shrouded in haze

A missing link in haze formation

Hazy days don’t just block the view; they mean the air contains particulate matter that can compromise human health. Chemists have discovered a way that alcohols can balance out the formation of new particles, a finding that could improve the accuracy of air-quality forecasts.

Rare earth minerals could be sourced through outdated smartphones, batteries, wind turbines

Eric Schelter and colleagues from the School of Arts and Sciences developed a method to extract rare earth minerals used in high-tech gadgets using common lab equipment.

long chains of blue and green molecules, depicted as randomly spaced dots along the chain. a close-up view of one of the chains in the foreground shows an aromatic chemical, depicted in yellow, linked to the structure

Customizable ‘bundlemers’ poised to become new material building blocks

New research describes a novel type of synthetic polymer subunits that form rigid structures that could be used in applications ranging from high-performance fibers to superstrong materials.

microscopic image of small gold cylinders

Microscale rockets can travel through cellular landscapes

A new study from the lab of Thomas Mallouk shows how microscale “rockets,” powered by acoustic waves and an on-board bubble motor, can be maneuvered through 3D landscapes of cells and particles using magnets.

the back of an open phone showing chips and circuits

Magnets sustainably separate mixtures of rare earth metals

Chemists at Penn have identified a new approach for purifying rare earth metals, crucial components of technology that require environmentally-damaging mining procedures.

an x-ray scattering system made out of a long white tube connected to a sample box at one end. lee is shown in two separate images placing a sample inside of the box, partially obscured behind darkened panel glass

Researchers think small to make progress toward better fuel cells

A collaborative study describes how fuel cells, which use chemical energy to power cars and devices, can be developed to be more cost-effective and efficient in the long term.

Cartoon drawing of Edgar Fahs Smith in a lab circa 1927

Stories of Penn scientists: Edgar Fahs Smith

The story of the professor and provost whose affinity for science and history led him to amass a collection that stands as a testament to his passion for chemistry.

Training the next generation of globally minded researchers

As part of the Research and Education in Active Coatings Technologies for the Human Habitat program, students conduct fundamental research on materials that can improve lives while engaging in international collaborations and educational activities.

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