Inventing the Future

Penn Engineering and the Philadelphia Museum of Art Join Forces to Envision the Future

Mini Autonomous Vehicles Race for Community-Driven Research

Superstrong, Reversible Adhesive That Works Like Snail Slime
Using snail slime as inspiration, Penn Engineers led by Shu Yang created a reversible superglue that is adjustable when wet but cement-like when dry. When the wet adhesive dries, it locks firmly in place and is even strong enough to hold a fully grown adult. Durable, reversible adhesion, like that demonstrated in the material developed by Yang’s team, could allow for reusable envelopes, gravity-defying boots, and revolutionized industry assembly.

‘Nanocardboard’ can Levitate Using Only the Power of Light
Through working on a problem with blood filters, Penn Engineers developed what they call “nanocardboard,” a material that’s as thin as a few strands of DNA and weighs less than a thousandth of a gram, but stiff enough to resist flopping. In testing their material, they discovered an unexpected property: the material weighs so little that, when exposed to light, it can levitate. Their discovery, although still in the initial phases, could lay the groundwork for future smart dust sensors or weather sensors.
Events
MEAM Doctoral Dissertation Defense: “Estimation, Mapping and Navigation with Micro Aerial Vehicles for Infrastructure Inspection”
REACT@Penn 2020: Global Pathways to enable Innovative Materials Solutions for Urban Challenges
PICS Seminar with Dr. Ivan Bermejo-Moreno of USC Viterbi School of Engineering
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About Penn Engineering
At Penn Engineering, we are preparing the next generation of innovative engineers, entrepreneurs and leaders. Our unique culture of cooperation and teamwork, emphasis on research, and dedicated faculty advisors who teach as well as mentor, provide the ideal environment for the intellectual growth and development of well-rounded global citizens.
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