Millennium Café

Nuris Figueroa | Aronson Group

We have found that mucus, a slimy viscous substance protecting our respiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracks, can be turned into an effective liquid crystal through mechanical stress. Bacterial penetration of mucus can be relevant in the context of respiratory, intestinal and sexually-transmitted infections. In addition, bacteria can turn common passive materials into novel active materials, with emergent properties. In this talk, I will discuss our research on bacterial transport in non-isotropic liquids, like mucus and liquid crystals. Our results provide clues in the propagation of bacteria-borne diseases, as well as insight into the design and control of new active materials.

Tom Richard / Institutes of Energy and the Environment & Clive Randall / Materials Research Institute

A new strategic partnership between Penn State and the University of Freiburg is focused on developing a new class of engineered living materials with potential applications in sustainable infrastructure, robotics technologies, and next-generation medical care. Strategic funding will be provided to enable three primary activities:  prestigious research exchange programs open to undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty; interconnected seed grants to encourage activities between research collaborators; shared access to specialized research equipment and facilities at each institution. This program will be jointly managed by MRI and IEE in partnership with the livMatS Centre of Excellence at the University of Freiburg.

Troy Sutton | Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

An influenza pandemic occurs when a virus circulating in animals evolves the ability to infect and transmit via the airborne route between people. Using animal models, key changes in a virus that contribute to airborne transmission have been identified; however, while these changes are required, they are not sufficient to support transmission. Therefore, we are taking a multipronged approach to improve existing animal models and define the key barriers that a virus must overcome to transmit through the air. 

Nickel-based superalloys are broadly used in the manufacture of single crystal turbine blades. These components are often considered the limiting components of gas turbine engines due to the harsh operating conditions. Traditionally, these components are manufactured using exotic investment casting, which limits design flexibility. The goal of this presentation is to summarize progress made so far and highlight the challenges on additive manufacturing (AM) of such components.

Chaopeng Shen | Tong Qiu / Civil & Environmental Engineering

The recent rise in deep learning (DL) is transforming the way many scientists, Geoscientists included, ask questions, formulate solutions and get answers. We are demonstrating promising hydrologic and geotechnical applications, e.g. soil moisture, streamflow, and landslide modeling (Google AI Impact Challenge), where we dedicate some mathematical effort including uncertainties and real-time model updates to the machine. We welcome a conversation regarding where this evolution will take us next.

Thousands of Penn State students graduate each year and seek jobs in academia, national labs, or large companies, but there is another path. Start-up companies create millions of jobs and bring innovative products or services to the world. I will discuss my experience founding a high-tech company that serves the electron microscopy market, discuss risks and rewards, and present “lessons learned” along the way.

John Damiano | PSU EE 93’ | Protochips