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Extending battery lifespan and capacity through self-healing materials
Electric cars in lines with batteries exposed.

Image: iStock/PhonlamaiPhoto

Extending battery lifespan and capacity through self-healing materials

Eric Detsi, associate professor in materials science and engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, has developed batteries that heal from the damage sustained by charging, extending their lifespan.

Ian Scheffler

Toward carbon-negative architecture
A rendering of the carbon-absorbing and storage system

A rendering of the carbon-absorbing and storage system developed by the Penn team and its partners suggests how minimized material use and maximized surface area are expressed in the structure's slabs, columns, and beams.

(Image: Courtesy of Weitzman News)

Toward carbon-negative architecture

A multidisciplinary team of researchers from Weitzman and Penn Engineering are working to develop a new building system that would reduce carbon in all aspects of concrete construction.

From the Weitzman School of Design

Twisted sheets yield electrifying outcomes
Artist's rendering of a quantum computing unit.

iStock/Bartlomiej Wroblewski

Twisted sheets yield electrifying outcomes

Researchers uncovered how twisting layers of a material can generate a mysterious electron-path-deflecting effect, unlocking new possibilities for controlling light and electrons in quantum materials.
Mechanics of knitting
Textures knitted through in a pattern.

Randall Kamien of the School of Arts & Sciences and long-time collaborator Geneviève Dion, a professor of design at Drexel University, are investigating the mechanics of knitting, an area of research that represents a significant shift in understanding and using fabrics.

(Image: Courtesy of Geneviève Dion)

  • Q&A

    • Mechanics of knitting

    Randall Kamien of the School of Arts & Sciences and Geneviève Dion of Drexel University share how combining traditional origami techniques with modern textile science can lead to practical applications in various industries.
    Shu Yang manipulates materials to create climate change-fighting inventions
    Shu Yang.

    Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering Today

    Shu Yang manipulates materials to create climate change-fighting inventions

    The Joseph Bordogna Professor and chair of Materials Science and Engineering has introduced simple yet effective technologies, including kirigami-inspired structures that aid in breast reconstruction, to the manipulation of knots to create stronger sutures.

    From Penn Engineering Today

    A twist on atomic sheets to create new materials
    Crystal rainbow lights effect, lens colorful diamond light. Vector bright ray or beam glowing light. 3d gem shining iridescent glare. Flare reflection from prism

    A collaborative team of researchers led by Bo Zhen of the School of Arts & Sciences have created new materials by artificially twisting and stacking two-dimensional atomic “sheets.” New materials control light-matter interaction differently from constituent 2D atomic sheets, paving the way for next-generation laser, imaging, and quantum technologies.

    (Image: istock / Sensvector)

    A twist on atomic sheets to create new materials

    A collaborative team of physicists in the School of Arts & Sciences have found that putting a twist on tungsten disulfide stacks illuminates new approaches to manipulate light.
    Scientists observe composite superstructure growth from nanocrystals in real time
    Artist's impression of spherical binary nanocrystal superlattices featuring semiconductor (emissive) and magnetic/plasmonic (non-emissive) nanocrystals.

    A collaborative team of researchers led by PIK Professor Christopher B. Murray has observed for the first time composite superstructure growth from nanocrystals in real time. The discovery could enable engineers to more reliably manufacture next-generation materials by combining different nanocrystals. Shown here is an artist's impression of spherical binary nanocrystal superlattices featuring semiconductor (emissive) and magnetic/plasmonic (non-emissive) nanocrystals.

    (Image: Courtesy of Emanuele Marino)

    Scientists observe composite superstructure growth from nanocrystals in real time

    The findings could enable engineers to more reliably manufacture next-generation materials by combining different nanocrystals.