Robert W. Carpick joins Science Friday host Ira Flatow to explain why ice is slippery, drawing on his research in tribology, the study of friction and surface interactions. Carpick describes how the structure of ice and the behavior of water molecules at its surface reduce friction, and how temperature influences these effects.
Penn Engineers have proposed a scalable, solar-powered orbital data center design that passively maintains orientation using tethers and sunlight, offering a feasible path to meet growing AI computing demands while reducing the environmental impact of terrestrial data centers.
The honor recognizes his pioneering work in micro- and nano-scale diagnostic technologies that are advancing accessible, low-cost health monitoring and disease detection worldwide.
