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.
Nanoparticles can turn off genes in bone marrow Nanoparticles delivering messenger RNA to specific organs. (Image: Penn Engineering Today) 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.
Engineers develop laser-controlled, cell-sized robots One of the researchers’ robot next to a paramecium. (Image: Penn Engineering) 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.
Penn Engineering and Nursing partner with Hillrom on Internet-of-Things Technology Penn Engineering and Nursing partner with Hillrom on Internet-of-Things Technology A collaboration with nursing, engineering, and the medical device provider will develop new technologies to assist clinicians via “safe AI.”
High school students lead ‘Maskathon’ during remote summer program One student’s “Smile Mask” used a combination of sensors and LED lights to promote social distancing. Get too close and the green smile switches to a red frown. (Image: Penn Engineering) High school students lead ‘Maskathon’ during remote summer program A virtual Maskathon showcased high school students’ problem solving, product development, and creativity with their tech-integrated face masks.
The Detkin Clinic promotes justice with innovation The Detkin Clinic promotes justice with innovation At Penn Law School’s Detkin Intellectual Property and Technology Legal Clinic, students assist creative thinkers with patents, trademarks, and copyright-related ventures.
Pennovation Accelerator moves online Pennovation Accelerator moves online In its third summer, the six-week program for startup companies went entirely virtual, but that didn’t stop the cohort of entrepreneurs from learning, networking, and innovating.
Engineering’s Firooz Aflatouni’s electronic-photonic innovations Aflatouni’s (left) lab works to make the electronic and photonic components of our modern information delivery infrastructure work together. (Pre-pandemic image: Penn Engineering) Engineering’s Firooz Aflatouni’s electronic-photonic innovations Firooz Aflatouni has built his career on designing clever combinations of electronic and photonic technology with applications from laser-based 3D imaging, to microwave “cameras.”
Additional challenges in bringing research online The Devlin lab are working on creating an extremely cold environment (nearly -460 degrees Fahrenheit) so that the new Simons Observatory can detect cosmic microwave background (CMB), the residual radiation left behind by the Big Bang. Work done at the High Bay is essential for keeping the project from falling further behind after shutdown delays. nocred Additional challenges in bringing research online As research on campus slowly restarts, those whose work requires field surveys, large-scale collaborations, or travel face additional challenges in bringing their research back online.
A year of growth A year of growth Penn Today reflects on the 2019-2020 academic year with its new Year in Review video.