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Math

Designing cleaner, greener concrete that absorbs carbon dioxide
Masoud Akbarzadeh holding up one of the fabricated materials.

The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.

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Designing cleaner, greener concrete that absorbs carbon dioxide

Penn engineers, materials scientists, and designers have developed a 3D-printed concrete solution based on diatomaceous earth that has enhanced carbon capture, is stronger, and uses fewer materials like cement.

6 min. read

Penn GSE launches Algebra 1 fellowship to strengthen math teaching in Philadelphia schools
A teacher pointing ot a whiteboard in a high school classroom.

Penn GSE alum Brad Latimer teaches algebra at Science Leadership Academy High School.

(Image: Joe McFetridge for Penn GSE)

Penn GSE launches Algebra 1 fellowship to strengthen math teaching in Philadelphia schools

With funding from the Neubauer Family Foundation, the program’s creation is in direct response to the School District of Philadelphia’s call for targeted support in Algebra 1 instruction.

From Penn GSE

2 min. read

Decoding ancient immunity networks
Hand holding a blood vial that reads "complement (C3 + C4)"

A collaborative team from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Perelman School of Medicine have unraveled the mathematics of a 500-million-year-old protein network that acts like the body’s bouncer, “deciding” which foreign materials get degraded by immune cells and which are allowed entry.

(Image / iStock Md Saiful Islam Khan)

Decoding ancient immunity networks

A collaborative team from Penn Medicine and Penn Engineering have  unraveled the mathematics of a 500-million-year-old protein network that “decides” which foreign materials are friend or foe.

Nathi Magubane , Ian Scheffler , Holly Wojcik , Matt Toal

5 min. read

The soul of an artist, the mind of a mathematician
A rainbow-colored swirl.

Image: Courtesy of Robert Ghrist

The soul of an artist, the mind of a mathematician

An artist, author, engineer, mathematician, and mentor, PIK Professor in the School of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science Robert Ghrist embraces innovation to enrich each of these roles.

8 min. read

Nurturing a love for math
A young student writing a math equation on a white board.

Image: iStock/gorodenkoff

Nurturing a love for math

A new book by Penn mathematics professor Robin Pemantle and longtime math teacher Henri Picciotto offers middle and high school educators actionable materials and invites reflection and connection across disciplines.

Lauren Rebecca Thacker