• ESE Ph.D. Thesis Defense: “On Riccati Equations in Nonconvex Optimization”

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    Amy Gutmann Hall, Room 515 3317 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, United States

    Riccati equations are ubiquitous in systems/control theory and are frequently solved by the methods of continuous optimization. In some cases, it is known that solutions can be obtained quickly and efficiently by convex-optimization methods, but small modifications to these settings can easily destroy convexity, limiting the applicability of convex-optimization methods. This thesis considers manifold and […]

    PICS Colloquium: Macroscopic stochastic thermodynamics with Massimiliano Esposito [VIRTUAL]

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

    This speaker event is virtual, but will be screened in PICS 534 with refreshments. Equilibrium thermodynamics emerges from equilibrium statistical mechanics as the most likely behavior of a system in the macroscopic limit. Over the last two decades, significant progress has been made in formulating statistical mechanics for small systems operating far-from-equilibrium. The resulting theory […]

    ESE Guest Seminar – “Van der Waals Quantum Materials for Magnetism and Clean Energy”

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

    In recent years, numerous magnetic van der Waals layered quantum materials have been reported, including transition-metal halides, transition-metal chalcogenides, transition-metal phosphorus chalcogenides, and metal oxy- and chalco-halides. Unlike 3D counterparts, layered magnets can be easily and rapidly exfoliated to yield ultra-thin magnets, providing unique opportunities for both fundamental physics and new technologies. Furthermore, these materials […]

    ESE Ph.D. Seminar: “Nonconvex Linear System Identification”

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

    The goal of system identification (SysID) is to learn a mathematical model from a corpus of temporal observations of a system's inputs and outputs. SysID is a fundamental problem in engineering, with applications ranging from circuit design to robot control. Classical approaches to linear SysID rely on convex relaxations that offer strong theoretical guarantees. However, […]

    ESE Ph.D. Thesis Defense: “QuINT – Quantum Integrated Network Timing”

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

    This dissertation presents QuINT, a modular platform for integrating new quantum and optical science into the Internet’s IP-based optical network infrastructure. Building on a recently developed chip-powered quantum-classical hybrid networking framework, QuINT provides a detailed analysis and design for enhancing the precision of the Network Time Protocol (NTP) beyond that of existing standalone synchronization systems. […]

    CBE Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Colloidal Propulsion by a Topological Flagellum in a Nematic Liquid Crystal” (Jacky Zhang)

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

    Abstract: Swimming, self-organization, and collective behaviors of active and driven colloids have implications in nature and applications to reconfigurable materials. Here, we focus on swimming or displacement made possible by the complex topologies of defects within nematic liquid crystals (NLCs). In Newtonian fluids, colloidal swimming is challenging; broken symmetries or non-reciprocal forcing are needed to […]

    ESE Ph.D. Thesis Defense: “Design and optimization of laminated metallic cores for high-frequency transformers and inductors”

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    Room 221, Singh Center for Nanotechnology 3205 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    High-frequency power converters increasingly require magnetic components that are compact, efficient, and compatible with advanced integration. Conventional ferrites face limitations in scaling and high-frequency performance. This work introduces laminated NiFe magnetic structures fabricated through CMOS-compatible multilayer electroplating as a promising alternative. The materials and fabrication approach are demonstrated through silicon TSV inductors and transformers, PCB-integrated […]

  • ESE Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal Defense – “Layering and Task Generalization in Control Architectures”

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    Amy Gutmann Hall, Room 515 3317 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, United States

    Learning-based control architectures have unlocked remarkable capabilities in autonomous systems, from robotic manipulation to autonomous driving and traffic coordination. This progress has motivated the widespread use of layering to manage large-scale systems and multitask control to handle multiple systems and missions. The increasing integration of these architectures into society calls for a rigorous theory that […]

    MEAM Seminar: “Modeling and Analysis of Wall-bounded Turbulent Flows”

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

    Most fluid flows at human scales and at moderate speeds (> 1 m/s) reach Reynolds numbers of at least 10⁴ or higher, causing even tiny disturbances to amplify and drive the flow toward turbulence. Turbulence is a broadband, continuum phenomenon: turbulent eddies of vastly different time and length scales enhance the mixing and transport of […]

    Rigorous and Glamorous in 100 Words or Less 2.0 – An Abstract-Writing Workshop

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    It’s hard to write an abstract. It’s harder to write a glamorous one that tells your story without overselling your results. Last year, we hosted a virtual abstract-writing workshop where our P.I., Konrad Kording, reviewed and refined students’ abstracts live. Back by popular demand, the workshop returns — this time with a bonus! Participants can use […]