CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “A molecular understanding of the structure-property relationships of model end-linked polymer networks” (Han Zhang)

Room 35, Singh Center for Nanotechnology 3205 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Polymer networks, including thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers and gels, are among the most versatile and widely utilized polymeric materials, with applications spanning drug delivery systems, membranes and implantable devices. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between the macroscopic properties and the structure and topology of polymer networks is crucial for advancing their utilization and […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Computational Materials Design for Exerting Control over Ice Formation” (Zachariah Vicars)

Room 313, Singh Center for Nanotechnology 3205 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Ice formation plays an important role in a wide range of contexts, from serving as nuclei for clouds in the upper atmosphere to forming on the surfaces of aircraft and ships, reducing their performance. Controlling the formation of ice using additives or novel coatings has, consequently, been a long-standing pursuit in materials science. Here, […]

Celebration of Community

Wu and Chen Auditorium (Room 101), Levine Hall 3330 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

The Cora Ingrum Center for Community and Outreach is planning its annual Celebration of Community gala to showcase Penn Engineering students, staff, and faculty in their multi-talented richness. The event will consist of guest speakers, performances, presentations from student groups, and a variety of cuisines. Do not hesitate to contact Dr. Ocek Eke (ocek@seas.upenn.edu) and […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Tailoring MXene Chemistry through Composition and Undercoordination for Applications in Hydrogen Chemistries” (Yamilée Morency)

Amy Gutmann Hall, Room 414 3333 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, United States

Abstract: Global transition to clean energy relies on the development of efficient hydrogen storage materials and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts—two primary chemistries investigated in this thesis. MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, have emerged as promising candidates for hydrogen technologies due to their high electrical conductivity, chemical tunability, and structural […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Understanding and Modulating Interactions between Polymers and Nanoparticles for Effective Catalyst Design in Polymer Upcycling” (Anirban Majumder)

Raisler Lounge (Room 225), Towne Building 220 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Despite recent advances in catalytic conversion of plastic waste into high-value chemicals, the interactions between the polymers and catalysts, which are highly porous nanomaterials, are not well understood. Fundamental understanding of these interactions and the ability to modulate them would allow us to design effective catalysts for polymer upcycling reactions. To study the interactions […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Context-Dependent Protein Surface Hydrophilicity” (Lilia F. Escobedo)

Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology, Room 121 231 S 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Proteins perform many important biological functions while also avoiding fouling in an aqueous and crowded cellular environment. Their surfaces have evolved to be both chemically heterogeneous (containing nonpolar, polar, and charged groups) as well as hydrophilic. While nonpolar groups are known to induce hydrophobicity, surface heterogeneity has been found to enhance hydrophilicity and the […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Structure and transport properties of nanoporous polymers derived from lyotropic mesophases” (Christopher Johnson)

Raisler Lounge (Room 225), Towne Building 220 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Burgeoning energy and water scarcity challenges motivate the development of new membrane materials for charge transport as well as chemical and water separations. This in turn requires an improved understanding of the physics that govern charged and uncharged solute transport in membranes, and particularly the motion of such species in nm-scale confinement in polymeric […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Designing Solvent-Based Order Parameters for Characterizing Binding of Surfaces with Different Hydrophobicity Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations” (Jun Lu)

Greenberg Lounge (Room 114), Skirkanich Hall 210 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Life is dependent on water: most self-assembly and binding processes of biomolecules take place in water. Water-mediated interactions are an essential driving force behind these processes, which is largely affected by the hydrophobicity of the binding surfaces. As many biomolecular binding interfaces are amphiphilic, the hydrophobic interactions are largely affected by polar and charged […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Leveraging confinement and surface effects to control polymer phase behavior and transport phenomena in polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle films” (Trevor Devine)

Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology, Room 121 231 S 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Highly loaded, polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle films (PINFs) enable the synergistic combination of polymers with the functionality of nanoscale fillers. Extensive studies have found that their behavior deviates markedly from bulk polymers due to extreme confinement and high interfacial area within the interstitial pore network. However, incorporating polymer blends in these PINFs (blend-PINFs) is unexplored. Confinement […]

CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Reconfigurable Metasurfaces Based on Multistable Elastic Pixels” (Jed-Joan S. Edziah)

Glandt Forum, Singh Center for Nanotechnology 3205 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Metamaterials are engineered materials designed to manipulate and tailor electromagnetic (EM) waves. Metasurfaces are planar metamaterials that rely on inclusions whose optical properties and spatial arrangements are designed to interact with incident EM waves to yield desired reflected or transmitted waveforms. A reconfigurable metasurface in which the relative positions of inclusions can be controlled […]