The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics recognized Francis Halzen for his work on the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Naoko Kurahashi Neilson, PhD, a professor in Drexel University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been an integral […]
Category: Science & Technology
“New” Family Tree for Neotropical Knifefishes
A great deal goes into not only finding a new fish species, but in confirming that it is, in fact, unknown to science and then placing it on the “tree of life”. The scientific names and classifications of fishes – and all living things – are based on specimens that are collected in the field and preserved in natural history collections like the Academy of Natural Sciences here in Philadelphia. Published literature creates a verifiable chain of custody that ties taxonomic names to their authors, dates, usage and museum specimens.
Q+A: Why are Volcanoes so Misunderstood and What can Scientists do to Change That?
Volcanoes are one of the great wonders of nature. Their power and reputation precede them, and the fact that no one really knows exactly when they will erupt adds to their mystery. The curiosity, and sometimes misinformation, about volcanoes is only increased with social media and the internet.
Q+A: How Can We Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer?
Summer is one of the most anticipated seasons of the year. With kids out of school, many families use this time to go on vacation to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. However, people aren’t […]
Q+A: Where Do Thoughts That Seem to Appear Out of Nowhere Actually Come From?
During the course of a day, our attention can easily wander from time to time. Our brain can go from focusing on something around us to involuntary, random thoughts for no apparent reason. This “mind-wandering” describes a common phenomenon in which a wide range of self-generated thoughts emerge spontaneously. Neuroscientists have been studying the brain for years as they try to understand where these spontaneous thoughts come from.
Q+A: Understanding the Unsung Technology Helping to Absorb Data Centers’ Power Shocks
To ease impending demand spikes from the proliferation of data centers, energy utilities are turning to supercapacitors. Drexel Professor Yury Gogotsi, PhD, explains why the technology could play a key role in the future of our energy grid.
Q+A: Can AI Save the U.S. Energy Grid From AI Data Centers?
College of Engineering expert Ali Hasan, PhD, discusses the strain AI data centers will put on the energy grid and how the technology could also be the key to fortifying it for the surge in demand.
Q&A: What’s Next for IceCube’s Hunt for ‘Ghost Particles?’
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, or IceCube, is a massive cubic-kilometer detector embedded deep in the Antarctic ice at the South Pole that explores fundamental questions in physics and astronomy. For the first time since its inception in 2010, IceCube has just completed an upgrade consisting of adding over 600 new detectors to the existing 5,160 which were installed more than 15 years ago. This upgrade, along with the continued collaboration of Physics faculty and students from Drexel University, should lead to more information on neutrinos, or “ghost particles” as they are sometimes referred to, and pave the way for more cosmic discoveries.
Q+A: When Interactions with AI cause harm, who is responsible?
Artificial Intelligence has become a regular part of our daily life, with millions of people using the technology for everything from preparing grocery lists to seeking medical advice or therapy. It is something that people […]
Q+A: Making Sure the AI Guiding Transportation Planning Doesn’t Leave Some Riders Stranded
In the aftermath of the pandemic, changes in people’s travel patterns and public transportation use have led regional transit organizations to reexamine their resource allocation. Many have turned to artificial intelligence and machine learning programs […]