Complex in description, important for life and other interesting phenomena, the hydrogen bond also serves as a probe to understanding reactions at surfaces. I will describe our modelling of water-surface interactions using density functional theory. Our tools allow the connection of atomic-level descriptions with measurements such as sum-frequency generation. The curious case of a protonated surface of alumina will be used as example.
Pete Allison | Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Given the escalating cost of a university education and the diversity of skills demanded of the 21st century workforce, it seems preposterous to ask a 17-year-old to make an informed decision on the direction of their life at a young age. Looking “across the pond” there are systems in place which recognize the value of learning in a vocational context, where key skills, useful in many careers, can be nurtured. Increasingly students are choosing gap years to seek out these experiences. I will provide examples of transferable skills in the context of snowsports and the impact of this work at different levels within and beyond the snowsports world.
A multipurpose x-ray diffractometer installed last semester now enables analyses that were previously challenging or impossible. Examples to be discussed include: steel, stainless steel, and Inconel alloys; manganese-containing materials; microscopic polymers embedded within electronic devices; and tiny fragments of ancient art. This talk will also highlight the new capabilities, which include multiple radiation sources, a variety of optics for analyzing spot sizes from micron to tens of millimeter, and a 2D area detector.
I will introduce my research at the interface of image analysis and statistical machine learning. In particular, I will demonstrate AI systems for general purpose photographs and fine art paintings, for instance, to tag pictures by words and to date paintings. The underlying statistical and computational methods and their broad applicability will be explained.
Tom Richard and Justin Schwartz
Over the last few years Project Drawdown has used peer-reviewed research to assess the costs and impact of over 80 solutions to reverse global warming. This research has demonstrated that solutions exist, they are here today, and they have positive impacts beyond their climate benefits – a positive and hopeful message that has attracted attention worldwide. The portfolio of solutions is broad and sometimes surprising, including not just energy, buildings and transportation and energy but also chemicals and materials, food systems and land use, empowering women and educating girls. This summer Penn State will be hosting about 50 undergraduates from across the U.S. as Drawdown Scholars to advance the research and extend it education and outreach, and September 16-18 we will be hosting the first Drawdown international scientific conference. We will discuss how the Drawdown framework can help connect the broader impacts of your research to new funding opportunities, develop new collaborations, and attract the best of the next generation of extraordinary and highly motivated students.
This presentation will draw on >10 years of reviewing NIH grant applications and provide a personal perspective on tips and secrets to prepare grant applications that engage the reviewer and turn them into your study section advocate.
Timothy Mosher | Radiology, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, and Pediatrics | College of Medicine