1/23
Science & Technology
Three from Penn elected to the American Philosophical Society
Dawn Bonnell, Katalin Karikó, and Drew Weissman have been recognized for extraordinary achievements in their fields.
A mission to supercharge scientific research
Jacob Gardner, an assistant professor in computer and information science, wants to leverage AI to accelerate scientific research across disciplines.
Pushing the limits of scientific discovery with machine learning
Penn Engineering’s Nat Trask is combining applied mathematics and traditional physics modeling with the powers of machine learning to design some of his first machine-learning-powered, self-driving labs at Penn.
What’s That? The Rittenhouse Orrery
The Rittenhouse Orrery is a nearly intact 18th-century mechanical model of the solar system, demonstrating the motions of the planets and their satellites around the sun, built by astronomer David Rittenhouse.
Embracing the power of deep learning in safety-critical systems
Pengyuan Eric Lu, a Ph.D. candidate at the Penn Research in Embedded Computing and Integrated Systems Engineering Center, focuses his research on enhancing the reliability and safety of cyber-physical systems, in which “smart” technology interacts with the physical world.
Racing to the future
Rahul Mangharam’s scaled-down, self-driving race cars are revamping engineering education at Penn.
Building solutions for brain disorders
Penn Engineering’s Flavia Vitale’s work developing devices that help people living with brain disorders has earned her a CAREER award, which will support her lab’s research in materials and devices that interface with different chemical and electrical signals inside the brain.
Sound research as a lens to understanding the world
Researchers across Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences are turning to sound for new answers to questions on subjects from birdsong to the benefits of music exposure.
Shedding light on cellular metabolism to fight disease
In Yihui Shen’s lab, the assistant professor of innovation in bioengineering, aims to advance the understanding of metabolism and open doors to new cancer treatments and therapies.
Does heat travel differently in tight spaces?
New research led by Penn scientists offers insights into fundamental problems in fluid mechanics, findings that pave the way for more efficient heat transfer in myriad systems.
In the News
Cancer breakthrough as ‘speckles’ may reveal best treatment
A paper co-authored by PIK Professor Shelley Berger finds that patterns of “speckles” in the heart of tumor cells could help predict how patients with a common form of kidney cancer will respond to treatment options.
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When does your brain think something is worth the wait?
Research by Joe Kable of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues finds that subjects with damage to certain regions of the prefrontal cortex are less likely to wait things out.
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What officials are doing—and suggesting—to learn more about the possible drone sightings
Dean Vijay Kumar of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that the main difficulties in detecting and tracking drones stem from their small size, agility, and potential for autonomous operation.
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Guernica is always with us
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that the U.S. election results will likely make stabilizing global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius impossible.
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Why you shouldn’t try to shoot down a suspected drone
Dean Vijay Kumar of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that shooting at potential drones could lead to missed shots, stray bullets, or accidents that result in hazardous outcomes far beyond the intended action.
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In mouse studies, new hope against a dangerous complication of pregnancy
Doctoral student Kelsey Swingle in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using mRNA molecules to treat pre-eclampsia, a common pregnancy complication.
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What New Jersey’s mystery drones could actually be, according to experts
Dean Vijay Kumar of the School of Engineering and Applied believes that mystery drones in New Jersey are part a U.S. government operation rather than being sent by a foreign state actor.
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Pre-eclampsia could be treated with mRNA technology
Michael Mitchell and Ph.D. student Kelsey Swingle of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using mRNA molecules to treat pre-eclampsia, a common pregnancy complication.
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The universities already offering AI degrees, from Penn to Carnegie Mellon
In February, Penn became the first Ivy League school to announce an undergraduate degree in AI, featuring remarks from Robert Ghrist of the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
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Real vs. fake Christmas trees: The great debate, explained
Lorena Grundy of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that the debate between real and fake Christmas trees isn’t as black and white as it’s being portrayed.
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