On Monday, February 17, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, hosted Professor Paul Chaikin, Silver Professor of Physics at New York University, for the annual Birnbaum Lecture.
A distinguished member of both the American Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the Sloan and Guggenheim Fellowships, Chaikin has garnered widespread recognition for his groundbreaking contributions to materials research.
The Birnbaum Lecture was established in memory of Howard Birnbaum, a Brooklyn native who went on to become a professor of metallurgical engineering at Illinois. In a delightful nod to their shared heritage, Chaikin remarked, “Howard and I crossed the Brooklyn Bridge and never looked back.”
During his seminar, attended by materials students and Department Head Nancy Sottos, Chaikin presented his research on DNA nanostructures and their capabilities of self-replication, nanorobotics and assembly. Through the use of colorful diagrams and animations, he vividly illustrated the underlying principles of materials engineering, captivating the audience with both clarity and enthusiasm.
In closing, the event celebrated Chaikin’s remarkable scientific achievements as he inspires the next generation of materials scientists to push the boundaries of research and transform their own visionary ideas.
llinois Grainger Engineering Affiliations
Nancy Sottos is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor of materials science and engineering and serves as department head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. She also serves as a Center for Advanced Study professor and holds a Swanlund Endowed Chair appointment.