Penn Engineering forges powerful collaborations across the University of Pennsylvania and beyond to push boundaries, transform ideas into action and make a meaningful difference in our world through bold, innovative thinking. In uniting engineering expertise with insights from medicine, business, design and more, Penn Engineering tackles complex challenges to bring research to life — turning path-breaking ideas into real-world impact for everyone.
The work of our researchers touches everyday lives in ways you might not even realize: wearable medical tech that monitors health in real time, aerial robots that support disaster relief, and ethical AI that protects your data. Penn Engineers are redesigning traffic systems to reduce congestion and pollution; in hospitals, they are helping doctors deliver personalized treatments through health technology advances. Penn Engineering is driving advancements that make society safer, healthier and more connected. This kind of innovation matters: it defines the future for all of us.
We face urgent challenges in climate change, public health and disruptive technologies. Penn Engineering teaches students to turn challenges into opportunities by producing graduates who can think critically, act ethically and innovate boldly. With access to world-class faculty, advanced labs and a collaborative campus, students dive into hands-on, interdisciplinary learning from day one. Penn Engineering graduates don’t just fill jobs — they shape the technologies, systems and policies that will determine our shared future.
Penn Engineering is committed to making STEM education accessible to students from all backgrounds. This commitment matters because when determined, creative minds gain access to top-tier engineering educational opportunities, the ripple effects benefit us all. By supporting outreach and access, Penn Engineering is opening doors for more voices to have a seat at the table of innovation, producing solutions that are smarter, stronger and more impactful.
Undergraduates participate in research
Active patents stemming from faculty innovations
Interdisciplinary research centers and labs
Penn Engineering is producing the groundbreaking innovations that will shape our world. From health technologies to sustainable solutions, the stories below highlight how Penn Engineers are solving global challenges and improving lives, demonstrating the transformative power of interdisciplinary research.
In the 1940s, Penn Engineers changed the world with ENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer. This breakthrough launched the digital age and set the tone for decades of transformative, world-wide innovation.
Penn Engineering’s GRASP Lab pioneered aerial vehicle swarming technology, enabling small drones to fly in coordinated groups for purposes such as search-and-rescue and disaster relief.
Penn Engineering has developed flexible sensors and smart textiles that can monitor vital signs in real time, paving the way for wearable health tech like medical monitors and fitness trackers.
Penn Engineering advancements in AI safety and data ethics are making algorithms more transparent, fair and secure, directly impacting how social media platforms and financial systems treat users.
Impact is at the core of what we do. Our students and faculty are dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing problems, whether that’s by using AI to accelerate antibiotic discovery or manipulating materials to fight climate change. At Penn Engineering, we foster an environment where curiosity thrives and collaboration leads to groundbreaking solutions.
