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Mapping molecular arrangements to pave the way for better catalytic systems
Bright spots represent individual catalyst molecules captured under cryogenic conditions to prevent clustering.

Eric Stach of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues used neural networks to better identify the characteristics of catalysts that drive the creation of liquid fuels from sunlight. Shown here: The arrangement of a catalyst molecule, as observed under cryogenic conditions. The bright spots represent individual or small groups of molecules immobilized on a surface and the cryogenic temperature helps minimize clustering caused by the electron beam during imaging, allowing scientists to study the molecule’s distribution more accurately.

(Image: Sungho Jeon)

Mapping molecular arrangements to pave the way for better catalytic systems

The Stach Group in Penn Engineering led a collaborative team identifying how chemical catalysts drive the creation of liquid fuels from sunlight, paving the way for more efficient removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt
A large setup infrastructure for mining gold and other minerals in Australia.

(Image: Alfio Manciagli)

A greener, cleaner way to extract cobalt

Penn researchers led a collaborative effort pioneering safer, more sustainable technique to extract elements critical to battery-powered technologies. Findings pave the way for getting value from materials that would otherwise be considered waste.
How are companies really using AI?
Two developers working on computer screens.

Image: iStock/RossHelen

How are companies really using AI?

Wharton’s Stefano Puntoni talks about the key findings of a new report that reveals a seismic shift in firms’ attitudes and uses of AI in just a short time.

From Knowledge at Wharton

Teaching robots common sense, empathy and other forms of intelligence
A person programming a robotic arm with a laptop.

Image: iStock/gorodenkoff

Teaching robots common sense, empathy and other forms of intelligence

Antonio Loquercio, an assistant professor in electrical and systems engineering, explores the potential that robots can have in answering fundamental questions on decision-making.

Melissa Pappas

Penn fourth-year Om Gandhi is a 2025 Rhodes Scholar
Om Gandhi.

Penn fourth-year Om Gandhi has been awarded a 2025 Rhodes Scholarship. 

(Image: Courtesy of Om Gandhi)

Penn fourth-year Om Gandhi is a 2025 Rhodes Scholar

Penn fourth-year Om Gandhi, from Barrington, Illinois, has been awarded a 2025 Rhodes Scholarship, which funds tuition and a living stipend for graduate study at the University of Oxford in England. He is among 32 American Rhodes Scholars, and an expected 100 worldwide.

Louisa Shepard

Easing patient fears of radiation treatment, via virtual reality
People holding VR headsets at a display table.

Peter Decherney (far left), professor of cinema and media studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, is the instructor of the undergraduate Virtual Reality Lab spring course.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine News)

Easing patient fears of radiation treatment, via virtual reality

Before their first dose of radiation, cancer patients can shadow another patient’s treatment and get a private behind-the-scenes tour with the team members via virtual reality.

From Penn Medicine News

Developing kidneys from scratch
Rendering of kidneys.

Image: iStock/Vladyslav Severyn

Developing kidneys from scratch

Bioengineering professor Alex Hughes tackles the burden of chronic kidney disease by creating kidney tissue from scratch, which could reduce the need for both dialysis and transplantation.

Ian Scheffler

Studying Wikipedia browsing habits to learn how people learn
Network schematic of peoples' browsing activity on Wikipedia.

Shown here: A hyperlink network from English Wikipedia, with only 0.1% of articles (nodes) and their connections (edges) visualized. Seven different reader journeys through this network are highlighted in various colors. The network is organized by topic and displayed using a layout that groups related articles together.

(Image: Dale Zhou)

Studying Wikipedia browsing habits to learn how people learn

A collaborative team of researchers analyzed the information-seeking styles of more than 480,000 people from 50 countries and found that gender and education inequality track different types of knowledge exploration. Their findings suggest potential cultural drivers of curiosity and learning.
Nathan Wei on renewable energy, fluid mechanics and the shaping of humble engineers
Nathan Wei.

Image: Courtesy of Penn Engineering

Nathan Wei on renewable energy, fluid mechanics and the shaping of humble engineers

The assistant professor in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics at Penn Engineering aims to make an impact on energy and sustainability, and is committed to mentoring the next generation of problem solvers.

Pioneering robotic triage
remote controlled robotic vehicle

nocred

Pioneering robotic triage

By combining the power of autonomous systems and medical expertise, a team of engineers and physician scientists from Penn are tackling the challenge of mass casualty triage.