Inspired by nature, artificial microtubules can work against a current to transport tiny cargoes W hile free-swimming microrobots have been explored as a way to precisely deliver therapeutics within a blood vessel, they can disperse in the strong flows, failing to reach their target at high enough concentrations. In contrast, microrobots propelled along an artificial microtubule, developed by physicist Arnold Mathijssen and colleagues, can be transported precisely, even working against the current. (Image: Courtesy of Arnold Mathijssen/Nature Machine Intelligence) Inspired by nature, artificial microtubules can work against a current to transport tiny cargoes Technology developed by Arnold Mathijssen of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues could one day clear blockages in blood vessels or precisely target chemotherapy drugs to a tumor.
Making chemical separation more eco-friendly with nanotechnology Making chemical separation more eco-friendly with nanotechnology Chemical separation processes are essential to manufacturing, but also consume high levels of energy. Penn Engineers are developing new membranes for energy-efficient membrane-based separations on a nanoscale level.
A new class of materials for nanoscale patterning The researchers developed a way of alternating between “blocks” of two types of polymer with precise lengths. These “multiblock copolymers” spontaneously form layered and cylindrical structures, which could be used for nanopatterning, a way of manufacturing microscopic components. The researchers also demonstrated a “double gyroid” structure which could be used for more complicated nanopatterning templates. (Image: Penn Engineering Today) A new class of materials for nanoscale patterning Recent research demonstrates how a new class of polymers can produce small, precise patterns on the nanometer scale, with future implications for large-scale computer chip fabrication.
A new method to increase effectiveness of nanomedicines Upon injection into the blood, nanomedicines (blue spheres) are immediately attacked by proteins of the immune system called complement proteins (orange). Complement proteins cause rapid destruction of the nanomedicine, and also induce an anaphylaxis-like reaction. By attaching complement-degrading proteins (yellow ninjas made of protein) to the surface of nanomedicines, Penn researchers have largely solved this problem, potentially allowing more diseases to be safely treated by nanomedicine.(Image: Penn Medicine News) A new method to increase effectiveness of nanomedicines Penn Medicine researchers have developed a new technique that uses complement inhibitor Factor I to prevent proteins from attacking treatment-carrying nanoparticles so they can better reach targets within the body.
Penn engineers will develop on-demand, on-site mRNA manufacturing Bijels, or bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels, are structured emulsions of oil and water that are kept separated by a layer of nanoparticles. Penn Engineering researchers will develop a way of using them to manufacture mRNA-based therapeutics. (Image: Penn Engineering Today) Penn engineers will develop on-demand, on-site mRNA manufacturing With an NSF grant, Penn Engineering researchers are developing a new manufacturing technique that would be able to produce mRNA sequences in a way that removes the need for cryogenic temperatures.
New microfluidic device delivers mRNA nanoparticles a hundred times faster The researchers’ new platform technology, called Very Large Scale Microfluidic Integration, allows tens of thousands of microfluidic units to be incorporated into a single three-dimensionally etched silicon-and-glass wafer. (Image: Penn Engineering Today) New microfluidic device delivers mRNA nanoparticles a hundred times faster With a “liquid assembly line,” Penn researchers have produced mRNA-delivering-nanoparticles significantly faster than standard microfluidic technologies.
2021 cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows for Academic Diversity named The Office of the Vice Provost for Research announces the 2021 cohort of Penn’s Postdoctoral Fellows for Academic Diversity, the largest in the program’s history thus far. This fellowship program is designed to help postdocs advance their careers while enriching the community of scholars here at Penn. 2021 cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows for Academic Diversity named The competitive program, managed by Office of the Vice Provost for Research, is designed to support early career researchers and scholars while enriching the Penn community.
Researchers reach new heights with light-based levitation Working in the Bargatin Group’s lab, Mohsen Azadi wields a scalpel while preparing a photophoretic levitation experiment. Unlike the microscopic particles that have been previously levitated with this techniques, the researchers’ flyers are big enough to manipulated by hand. (Image: Eric Sucar) Researchers reach new heights with light-based levitation Penn researchers are working to engineer nanoscale features on ultra-lightweight materials, finding the ideal combination that will allow those materials to lift themselves into the air using the energy provided by light.
Researchers identify potential nanoparticles for therapeutic mRNA delivery before birth Researchers identify potential nanoparticles for therapeutic mRNA delivery before birth Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the School of Engineering and Applied Science have identified ionizable lipid nanoparticles that could be used to deliver mRNA as part of fetal therapy.
A new platform for creating material blends A new platform for creating material blends A novel way to rapidly create and characterize blends of polymers, nanoparticles, and other materials could significantly accelerate material development.