Reaching for the Stars: Using Light to Sail through Space News / August 27, 2026 Multiple projects trace mechanical engineer Igor Bargatin’s decade-long commitment to space exploration as they climb from the edge of the atmosphere to the stars—powered, almost every time, by light itself. Read More
Saheli Patel Defends Dissertation on Modeling and Controlling Flow in Compliant Structures News / August 27, 2026 Saheli Patel developed experimentally validated models to better understand and control fluid flow in compliant structures. Her research spans soft actuators, architected materials and valveless pumps while reflecting a Ph.D. journey that taught her to approach unfamiliar problems with confidence and independence. Read More
Scientists Use Force to ‘Write’ Atomically Thin Superconductors News / August 24, 2026 Penn Engineers and researchers at Princeton develop new mechanochemical technique that transforms an atomic force microscope into a nanoscale manufacturing tool for next-generation electronics. Read More
Francis Sowande Defends Dissertation on Physics- and Data-Informed Modeling of Infant Postural Control News / August 5, 2026 Francis Sowande developed physics- and data-informed models to improve how clinicians assess infant postural control, advancing more objective and accessible tools for the early detection of neuromotor impairments. Read More
Sumit Kumar Receives 2026 STLE Scholarship News / August 4, 2026 Sumit Kumar received an STLE scholarship to advance research on mucus-inspired biomaterials that could improve lubrication and reduce wear in healthcare applications, including treatments for cystic fibrosis and dry eye disease. Read More
Geomimicry Offers a New Framework for Engineering Sustainable Materials News / August 3, 2026 A new framework called geomimicry draws inspiration from the way soils evolve over time, offering engineers a roadmap for designing resilient, sustainable materials with applications in agriculture, manufacturing and climate adaptation. Read More
A New Kind of Light Sail Brings Interstellar Travel One Step Closer News / July 30, 2026 What if spacecraft could travel to nearby stars not with rockets, but by riding beams of light? Penn Engineers have developed an ultralight, highly reflective "light sail" that overcomes major engineering hurdles, bringing laser-powered interstellar travel one step closer to reality. Read More
Julia Radzio Defends Dissertation on Microfluidic Platforms for High-Throughput Biomolecular Screening News / July 28, 2026 Julia Radzio developed microfluidic technologies that improve high-throughput biomolecular screening, combining fluid dynamics and interdisciplinary collaboration to advance research tools for biotechnology and medicine. Read More
Vivek Sharma Defends Dissertation on the Multiscale Mechanical Regulation of Tumor Progression News / July 21, 2026 Sharma explored how mechanical forces influence cancer progression across multiple biological scales, combining mechanics, computational modeling, cancer biology and artificial intelligence to better understand disease. Read More
Dongsheng Chen Defends Dissertation on Jet-Propelled Soft Robotics News / July 20, 2026 Beginning his Ph.D. during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chen developed new motion control strategies for jet-propelled soft robots, advancing underwater robotics while discovering the value of pursuing research driven by passion. Read More
