MEAM Seminar: “Exergy-based Methods as a Promising Modern Thermodynamic Evaluation and Optimization Tool”

Zoom - Email MEAM for Link peterlit@seas.upenn.edu

Exergy-based methods are powerful tools for developing, evaluating, understanding, and improving energy conversion systems. In addition to conventional methods, advanced exergy-based analyses consider (a) the interactions among components of the overall system, and (b) the real potential for improving each important system component. The main role of an advanced analysis is to provide energy conversion […]

PICS Colloquium: “Computation of Flow-Induced Sound at Low Mach Numbers”

PICS Conference Room 534 - A Wing , 5th Floor 3401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract: Flow-induced noise is a significant problem for air, road and marine vehicles as well as many other engineering applications.  At low Mach numbers, large disparities in energy levels and length scales between the flow and the concomitant sound present unique challenges for acoustic predictions.  This talk will start with a brief overview of computational […]

MEAM Seminar: “Predicting and Reducing High-Speed Jet Noise”

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

The intense noise radiated by supersonic jets leads to sound-induced structural vibration, fatigue and personnel-related operational difficulties. Experimental, theoretical, and computational investigations into the physics and control of jet noise have identified several important sound sources, including wavepackets, screech, Mach wave radiation, and broadband shock associated noise. Reducing the loudest sources of jet noise, without […]

MEAM Seminar: “Mechanical Behavior of Self-healing Hydrogels with Chemical and Physical Cross-links: Theory and Experiments”

Zoom - Email MEAM for Link peterlit@seas.upenn.edu

In recent years polymer chemists have made tremendous strides in the synthesis of biocompatible, tough, self-healing hydrogels. However, there are not many comprehensive mechanical models that capture the observed time dependent mechanical behavior of these gels (especially fracture) to the underlying, rate dependent bond breaking and reformation processes. In this talk I will summarize some […]

PICS Colloquium: “Group-Theoretic Approach for Nonlinear Problems in Mechanics with High Symmetry Avoids Use of Imperfections”

PICS Conference Room 534 - A Wing , 5th Floor 3401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Many interesting problems in nonlinear mechanics, from classical to more recent, pertain to applications with high initial symmetry: from the buckling of thin walled structures to the morphing in architected materials – the list is long! A common feature of these problems, in addition to their importance for engineering applications, is their great theoretical interest […]

Tedori-Callinan Lecture: “Mixing of Granular Materials, Inertial Suspensions, and Cement”

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

Flows of particulate materials are ubiquitous in nature and industry. Predictions of flow rates and mixing times rely on an understanding of the rheological properties of the materials, which can differ considerably from that associated with a single-phase fluid. This presentation highlights some unique features of granular materials and inertial suspensions and includes recent experimental […]

MEAM Ph.D. Thesis Defense: “Enabling Ultra-Low Viscosity Lubricants Through Fundamental Understanding of ZDDPs Anti-Wear Additives and their Tribofilm Growth Mechanisms: An In-Situ Study”

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

Lubricants with low viscosity have the potential to improve fuel efficiency in engines due to friction reduction. However, a reduction in viscosity increases the likelihood of wear. Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), the most widely used antiwear additive in engine oils, has been extensively studied over the last few decades. ZDDP forms surface-bound tribofilms at sliding contacts […]

MEAM Seminar: “Cell Packings and Tissue Flows in Developing Embryos”

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

During embryonic development, groups of cells reorganize into functional tissues with complex form and structure. Tissue reorganization can be rapid and dramatic, often occurring through striking embryo-scale flows that are mediated by the coordinated actions of hundreds or thousands of cells. In Drosophila, cell rearrangements in the embryonic epithelium rapidly narrow and elongate the tissue, […]

A Celebration of the Life of Dr. Max Mintz

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

The CIS Department and GRASP Lab invite you to please join us on Thursday, November 17th, at 3:30pm as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Max Mintz, Professor of Computer and Information Science. Max joined Penn as an assistant professor of Systems Engineering (now part of ESE) in 1974. He changed his primary […]

MEAM Seminar: “The Challenges and Opportunities of Battery-Powered Flight”

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

Sustainable transportation and aviation are critical to address climate change and renewable energy powered battery electric vehicles represent a promising path towards this goal. I will discuss the performance metrics needed of batteries for electric land and air vehicles, and assess the energy-efficiency of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft compared to ground vehicles. […]