Abstract: One of the biggest challenges in the field of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) is to disperse high nanofiller loadings into the polymeric matrix. The high loading and uniform dispersion are limited by the unfavored polymer/nanofiller thermodynamics and the tendency for nanofiller to aggregate. In this thesis, these are circumvented by using nanoporous gold (NPG) as […]
Abstract: The need for sustainable energy sources has intensified interest in biomass upgrading, where biomass-derived feedstocks are transformed into fuels and valuable chemicals. A major challenge in biomass upgrading is the development of highly active, selective, and stable catalysts for complex reactions. Traditional synthesis methods often result in heterogeneous catalysts with poor dispersion of active […]
As we ask our robotic systems to become more capable, with the ultimate aim of deploying robots into complex and ever-changing scenarios, the vast space of potential tasks drives the need for flexibility and generalization. For all the promise of big-data machine learning, what will happen when robots deploy to our homes and workplaces and […]
*This seminar will be held in-person in Raisler Lounge as well as virtually via Zoom. ABSTRACT Computer vision has transformed from simple edge detection in the 1980s to modern generative models that generate uncannily realistic images: objects are in sensible places, lighting seems realistic, and textures appear accurate. But how do they achieve this understanding […]
The Department of Bioengineering Fall 2024 Student Demos. Location: The Stephenson Foundation Bio-Makerspace (aka the BE Labs) in Skirkanich Hall 225. BE 3090, aka BE MAD: Human-Cockroach Machine Interface. December 4th from 1:30-2:30 PM, and December 5th from 3:15-4:15. BE 4950 Senior Design: Minimum Viable Product. December 9th, 3:30-5:00 PM.
Abstract: Cooperation through safe and trustworthy communication and interaction is fundamental to how human teams accomplish complex tasks. Yet, despite significant--and sometimes revolutionary--advances in AI, we have barely begun to unlock the potential of safe, cooperative AI. This may stem from our limited understanding of how multimodal, large-scale AI models function, the one-sided nature of […]
This will be a hybrid event with in-person attendance in Levine 307 and virtual attendance on Zoom. ABSTRACT This talk describes investigations into the nature of robot–environment interaction and "niche fit" through the lens of state (or memory) minimization. The idea is that by limiting what a robot can store, much like so-called bottleneck methods, […]
Abstract: To meet the ever-increasing global energy demands while addressing climate change, the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies is one of the critical needs. In particular, there have been significant efforts to develop innovative CO 2 capture materials and CO 2 conversion technologies to create a new circular carbon economy based […]
Fossil fuels have been overwhelmingly used in many industry sectors in past decades, causing significant CO2 and other pollutant emissions, low efficiency, and nonsustainability. Clean and efficient energy storage and conversion via electrochemical reactions associated with hydrogen, oxygen, and water have attracted substantial attention for energy and environmental sustainability. Among compelling energy technologies, hydrogen proton […]
The Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Jenny Jiang are pleased to announce the Doctoral Dissertation Defense of Yuwan Guo. Title:Â High-throughput and high-dimensional single-cell analysis of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells Advisor: Dr. Jenny Jiang Date :Thursday, Dec 5, 2024 Time: 11am - 1pm Location: Glandt Forum, 3rd floor Singh Center The […]
The human body produces magnetic fields wherever ion exchange occurs. Detecting these pico-Tesla level magnetic fields enables non-invasive monitoring of brain and heart health, but medical-grade sensing methods require large equipment with high power consumption. This talk will detail a solution using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) composed of a magnetostrictive and piezoelectric material. After an introduction […]
This will be a hybrid event with in-person attendance in Wu and Chen and virtual attendance on Zoom. ABSTRACT As robots become more and more prevalent, both in the workplace and outside it, they will have greater access to the details of our lives. Sensors used by these robots to make intelligent decisions about what […]
Quantum processors have become quite large and sophisticated machines over the last several years, with many tech companies racing to develop the first quantum computer of practical utility. While the progress has been impressive, quantum processors still face significant hurdles such as short coherence times and high error rates. They are not yet able to […]
The Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Sydney Shaffer are pleased to announce the Doctoral Dissertation Defense of Dylan Schaff. Title:"Clonal differences underlie differential responses to initial, sequential, and prolonged drug treatment" Date:December 6, 2024 Time: 1pm-3pm Location: Wu and Chen auditorium, Levine Hall The public is welcome to attend.
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 […]
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 […]
