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    • PICS Colloquium: Lipid Membrane Remodeling by Proteins and Peptides: Mechanistic insights from multi-scale analysis

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

    We will discuss the analysis of membrane remodeling by proteins and peptides using multi-scale computational methods; these include mainly molecular dynamics simulations at atomistic and coarse-grained levels, although we will also touch upon analyses using lattice models and a mean- field theory. The discussions will cover several systems that we have analyzed in recent studies, […]

    MEAM Seminar: “Leveraging Impedance Properties for Free Self-Sensing in Actuators for Compact Robots”

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    Towne 319 220 S. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, United States

    Self-sensing actuators provide a compelling approach to designing compact robotic systems by integrating sensing capabilities directly into the actuator, eliminating the need for external sensors. This presentation, titled "Leveraging Impedance Properties for Free Self-Sensing in Actuators for Compact Robots," highlights how the intrinsic impedance properties of actuators—resistance, inductance, and induced EMF—can be harnessed to achieve […]

    CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Engineering Biomolecular Condensates: Insights Into Catalytic Activities and Structural Design” (Muyang Guan)

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    https://upenn.zoom.us/j/96301746733

    Abstract: Eukaryotic cells orchestrate cellular processes through spatiotemporal organization achieved by compartmentalization. Biomolecular condensates, formed via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), serve as vital hubs for enzymatic reactions and mediate cellular functions. To investigate catalytic activities within biomolecular condensates, a light-emitting enzyme (NanoLuc) was incorporated into LAF-1 RGG model condensates. Incorporation into condensates led to a […]

    • ESE Ph.D. Thesis Defense: “Wave Interaction with Nonreciprocal Swift-Electron Platforms and Reconfigurable Metasurfaces”

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

    The study of electromagnetic wave interactions with various media is of fundamental significance in both theoretical and applied sciences. Understanding how electromagnetic waves propagate, reflect, refract, and scatter when encountering different materials is essential for the design of advanced technologies in telecommunications, imaging, sensing, and computation. Furthermore, the ability to manipulate wave behavior within diverse […]

    MSE Ph.D. Thesis Defense: “Controlling Assembly of Polymer-grafted Nanoparticles to Enhance Mechanical Properties in Polymer Nanocomposite Films”

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    LRSM Reading Room 3231 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Polymer nanocomposite (PNC) films are of interest for many applications including electronics, energy storage, and advanced coatings. In phase-separating PNCs, the interplay between thermodynamic and kinetic factors governs the assembly of polymer-grafted nanoparticles (NPs), which directly influences material properties. Understanding how processing parameters affect the structure-property relationship of PNCs is important for designing advanced materials. […]

    ASSET Seminar: “Poison and Cure: Non-Convex Optimization Techniques for Private Synthetic Data and Reconstruction Attacks”

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

    Abstract: I will survey recent results describing the application of modern non-convex optimization methods to the problems of reconstruction attacks on private datasets (the “poison”), and the algorithmic generation of synthetic versions of private datasets that provably provide strong privacy guarantees (the “cure”). Zoom Link (if unable to attend in-person): https://upenn.zoom.us/j/97716959173

    MSE Grace Hopper Lecture: “Bioelectronics to Probe Brain-Body Physiology” (Polina Anikeeva – Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

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

    Biological signaling in the mammalian nervous system spans a dizzying range of spatial and temporal scales. To understand how cellular and molecular signals contribute to physiology and behavior and to treat the neurological and psychiatric conditions our group designs tools that mimic biological complexity yet match the materials properties of tissues. By combining polymer engineering, […]

    MEAM Seminar: “Modeling the Unique Behaviors of Liquid Crystal Elastomers”

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

    Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) exhibit complex thermomechanical behaviors that can be harnessed for a wide variety of applications in soft robotics, biomedical devices, and impact protection. The material comprises stiff mesogens bound in an elastomeric network of flexible polymer chains. The mesogens can order and disorder in response to temperature and mechanical deformation. This allows […]

    ASSET Seminar: “Towards Improving the Reliability of AI: Perspectives from Uncertainty Quantification and Fairness”

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

    Abstract: Artificial intelligence holds enormous promise to automate our life. At the same time, AI systems can be incredibly brittle, unreliable, and biased. In this talk, I will present a few approaches towards making AI more reliable, trustworthy, and fair, drawing on recent work on uncertainty quantification and algorithmic fairness. Specifically, I will discuss how to […]

    CBE Seminar: “Unlocking New Therapeutic Strategies by Reconstructing Cell Signaling Networks from the Ground Up” (Mohamad Abedi, University of Washington, Seattle)

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

    Abstract: Immunotherapies have achieved remarkable success in treating hematological cancers, yet the solid tumor microenvironment remains a significant barrier to therapeutic breakthroughs. Machine learning (ML)-driven computational protein design offers a powerful approach to creating novel protein components tailored for specific functions. By combining ML-driven design with synthetic biology and immuno-engineering, we have developed innovative tools […]

    ESE Seminar – “A changing grid powered by the new generations of power conversion, control, and energy management”

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

    The electric grid is undergoing a transformative paradigm shift, driven by sweeping changes in generation, demand, and energy storage. By 2035, solar PV alone is expected to supply 40% of U.S. electricity, with substantial additional contributions from wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric sources—creating a renewable-dominant energy landscape. Meanwhile, electricity demand is accelerating due to rapid growth […]

    BE Seminar – “The Neurobiology of Mistakes” (Becket Ebitz, Université de Montréal)

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    Berger Auditorium (Room 13), Skirkanich Hall 210 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Humans and other animals do not always choose the most rewarding course of action, even when we have ample time and computational resources. Why do we make mistakes? The noiseLab uses a combination of theoretical, behavioral, and neurobiological techniques to address this question. In this talk, Dr. Becket Ebitz will discuss converging evidence that mistakes are the product of representational and temporal nonlinearities in neural activity that constrain our ability to make good decisions. The talk will argue that some of these nonlinearities have long-term adaptive benefits, even when they fail to produce the best decision in the moment.