11/15
Science & Technology
Microrobots: An emerging biomedical trend
In a Q&A with Penn Today, Hyun (Michel) Koo of the School of Dental Medicine and Edward Steager of the School of Engineering and Applied Science discuss the emerging trend of microrobots in healthcare.
Exchanging climate knowledge at COP28
More than two dozen researchers from schools and centers across the University traveled to Dubai for the UN’s annual climate change conference.
Exploring the role of science communication in democracy
Philosophy Ph.D. student Vanessa Schipani taught the SNF Paideia course Science Communication in Democracy, based on her dissertation research.
Fifth national climate assessment emphasizes mitigation
The latest National Climate Assessment highlights historic emissions reductions and outlines new guidance for achieving a net-zero emissions pathway.
Celebrating innovation and impact
Now in its tenth year of operation, the Penn Center for Innovation marked innovation achievements from fiscal year 2023 with highlights and awards.
Things to know: E-scooters and safety
Penn’s Gene Janda and Joe Romm and Andrew Baldwin of the Philadelphia Fire Department discuss lithium-ion battery fire risks.
AI and environmental challenges
The growth of artificial intelligence is impossible to ignore, but how does it intersect with climate and the environment? Law professor Cary Coglianese and engineering professor Benjamin Lee weigh in on the roles AI may play.
Penn scientists reflect on one year of ChatGPT
The Data Driven Discovery Initiative hosted an interdisciplinary panel discussion with Penn researchers in chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and political science.
Penn gathers at COP28 to share ideas and research in university pavilion
A delegation of University researchers will be providing expertise on a wide array of issues to be discussed at COP28, the annual climate conference of the United Nations.
AI security
As AI gets more adept at synthesizing information and producing humanlike responses, many are concerned that malicious actors may use this technology in dangerous ways. Ph.D. candidate Alex Robey safeguards AI systems against malicious tampering.
In the News
Climate policy under a second Trump presidency
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses how much a president can do or undo when it comes to environmental policy.
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Exxon CEO wants Trump to stay in Paris climate accord
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences voices his concern about the possibility that the U.S. could become a petrostate.
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Superhuman vision lets robots see through walls, smoke with new LiDAR-like eyes
Mingmin Zhao of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using radio signals to allow robots to “see” beyond traditional sensor limits.
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A sneak peek inside Penn Engineering’s new $137.5M mass timber building
Amy Gutmann Hall aims to be Philadelphia’s next big hub for AI and innovation while setting a new standard for architectural sustainability.
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Amid Earth’s heat records, scientists report another bump upward in annual carbon emissions
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that total carbon emissions including fossil fuel pollution and land use changes such as deforestation are basically flat because land emissions are declining.
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How can we remove carbon from the air? Here are a few ideas
Jennifer Wilcox of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that the carbon-removal potential of forestation can’t always be reliably measured in terms of how much removal and for how long.
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California air regulators approve changes to climate program that could raise gas prices
Danny Cullenward of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that many things being credited in California’s new climate program don’t help the climate.
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Self shocks turn crystal to glass at ultralow power density: Study
A collaborative study by researchers from the School of Engineering and Applied Science has shed new light on amorphization, the transition from a crystalline to a glassy state at the nanoscale.
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Climate scientists fear Trump will destroy progress in his second term – and the outcome could be ‘grim’
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 represents the end of climate action in this decade.
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U.S. achieves billion-fold power-saving semiconductor tech; could challenge China
A collaborative effort by Ritesh Agarwal of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues has made phase-change memory more energy efficient and could unlock a future revolution in data storage.
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