Humans are exceptionally skilled at manipulating a diverse range of objects, apparent from the order of magnitude difference in sizes, weight distributions, stiffnesses, and geometries of items we use on a daily basis. For robots to seamlessly integrate into a world centered around human dexterity, they must also possess comparable manipulation abilities. My research aims […]
Two dimensional (2D) materials with atomic-scale thickness like graphene exhibit substantial in-plane stiffness and strength while maintaining significant out-of-plane flexibility. This enables the assembly of graphene into complex multilayer and even three-dimensional (3D) structures through a unique combination of self-folding, self-tearing, and nearly frictionless self-propagation, all driven by interfacial energy. We call this phenomenon ‘graphene […]
The Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Jennifer Cremins are pleased to announce the Doctoral Dissertation Defense of Harshini Chandrashekar. Title: Addressing the genome structure-function relationship in neural activation and neurological disorders Date: Friday, August 16, 2024 Time: 1-3pm Location: Clinical Research Building (CRB) Austrian Auditorium Zoom link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/3641987868 The public is welcome […]
Mechanical metamaterials are artificially designed structures that offer unique properties like negative Poisson’s ratio, tunable stiffness, and advanced thermal characteristics. While the static properties of mechanical metamaterials have been widely studied, their nonlinear dynamics stemming from the structural and geometric designs remain largely unexplored, which could pave ways for innovative design and optimization for novel […]
Biopolymer hydrogel materials typically exhibit relatively low range of programmable modulus less than 100 kPa, which limits their biomedical applications, such as in articular cartilage and synthetic joints, where tissues are cyclically loaded with high magnitudes of peak stress on the order of 10MPa, and applications in soft robotics require moduli across orders of magnitude […]
The Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Andrew Tsourkas proudly announce the Doctoral Dissertation Defense of Bian Jang. Title: Engineering Magnetic Devices and Nanoparticle Platforms to Improve Drug Accumulation and Penetration in Tumors for Enhanced Cancer Treatment Advisor: Andrew Tsourkas Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Time: 1:00PM EST Location: 337 Towne […]
Current propulsion and flight mechanisms limit atmospheric observations. The mesosphere is too dense for satellites and too thin for typical planes and balloons, with similar conditions found in the Martian atmosphere, especially at Olympus Mons. Photophoresis, the movement of gas molecules due to light, has been studied for microscale objects like aerosols and operates optimally […]
The Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Walter Witschey proudly announce the Doctoral Dissertation Defense of Beth Thompson. Title: Right ventricular remodeling in tetralogy of Fallot Advisor: Walter Witschey Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024 Time: 10:00AM EST Location: Class of '62 Auditorium, John Morgan Building Zoom: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/99590672633?pwd=0kNQLS3kz65nZgab4WJrAWAyOB0UEN.1 Meeting ID: 995 9067 […]
Abstract: SBA-15, a type of mesoporous silica, is an attractive support for heterogeneous catalysts due to its high surface area, one-dimensional uniform pore structure, and high thermal stability. However, modifying SBA-15 with metal and metal oxide using conventional wetness incipient impregnation is challenging. In this thesis, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) was used to prepare catalysts […]
Abstract: How can we make new materials and better understand how their underlying structures form? The direct observation of crystal growth and transitions remains supremely challenging, but gaining insight into these fundamental processes is central to our quest of creating materials in a rational and targeted way, connecting structure to functionality. We build self-assembly models, […]
