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Electrical and Computer Engineering

On a different wavelength, Nader Engheta leads a community in light
nader engheta in his lab

nocred

On a different wavelength, Nader Engheta leads a community in light

2023 Franklin Medal winner Engheta is one of the world’s biggest names in wave physics. The Penn Engineering professor is renowned for his unique approach to science, combining technical brilliance, creativity, and care.

Devorah Fischler

Lithography-free photonic chip offers speed and accuracy for AI
Gloved hand holding a photonic chip.

Image: iStock/narong sutinkham

Lithography-free photonic chip offers speed and accuracy for AI

Penn engineers have created a novel photonic device that provides programmable on-chip information processing without lithography, offering the speed, accuracy, and flexibility for AI applications.

From Penn Engineering Today

Moore than meets the eye
Photos of transistors.

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes in the mid-20th century. They were initially made of germanium and later silicon, leading to the development of integrated circuits containing millions to billions of transistors on a single chip. The Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) became the dominant type due to its smaller size, faster speed, and greater energy efficiency. Today, MOSFETs are essential components in modern electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and power electronics.

(Image: iStockphoto/vlabo)

Moore than meets the eye

Following the death of Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel and a pioneer in computer processor chips, Penn Today spoke with the School of Engineering and Applied Science’s Benjamin C. Lee about Moore’s contributions to technology and the history and rapid evolution of chips.
The next generation of tiny batteries
Multicolored used electric batteries view from above.

Photo credit: iStock Photo / Olga Shestakova

The next generation of tiny batteries

Assistant professor James Pikul speaks to the growth of interconnected devices and the robotics industry—leading to emerging designs and novel research unlocking the potential for smaller, more powerful batteries
International students offer ‘rich and diverse’ perspectives
A group of international grad students is seen from above on the ground floor of Perry World House.

International graduate students were welcomed on campus at an event at Perry World House in fall 2022. 

(Image: Eddy Marenco).

International students offer ‘rich and diverse’ perspectives

Penn’s campus community includes students from all parts of the globe, bringing their unique experiences and soaking in all the University has to offer.

Kristen de Groot

The hidden costs of AI: Impending energy and resource strain
Industrial landscape with electric power lines, hydroelectric dam and metallurgical plants with smoke in the sky.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) models like ChatGPT have seen notable improvements, with some people concerned about the societal impacts these new technologies may bring including looming concerns related to increasing energy and raw materials demands.

(Image: iStock/Alexey Tolmachov)

The hidden costs of AI: Impending energy and resource strain

AI models like ChatGPT have seen notable improvements, but some people are concerned about the societal impacts these new technologies may bring. Deep Jariwala and Benjamin C. Lee discuss energy and resource problems with AI computing.