Research Spotlight
Georgia Tech’s David Hu, professor of mechanical engineering and biology, and his team have been studying a surprisingly sticky subject: earwax. Their study in Soft Matter shows that earwax is both slippery and sticky, and that this combination can stop ants without chemicals. Smooth earwax gave ants nothing to grip, and the wax clung to ants in the tunnel tests. They groomed furiously to get it off. The porous, shear-thinning material also absorbs about twice its weight in water. The team, including Ph.D. student David Ancalle, Yuhang Hu, Donjing He and Rafeen Rahaman, built an artificial earwax that mimics its physical structure. Read more: Earwax Is Both Slippery and Sticky.
Events Around Campus
Today, Nov. 10: VIP Rush is a poster session from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Klaus Advanced Computing Building atrium. VIP teams present their projects and recruit students, who can earn 1-2 credits per semester. Details.
Nov. 11: Venture Network and the Graduate Entrepreneurship Club host Founder & Operator Matching Night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tech Square Clubhouse. Fifteen early-stage startups will pitch to students, alumni and professionals. Operator registration is still open. Details.
Nov. 11: The School of City and Regional Planning welcomes visitors to class sessions for mid-semester presentations by CP 6053 Capstone Studio, an MCRP urban design course taught by Prof. Aaron Fortner. Details.
Nov. 17: Campus Services hosts Wreck the Halls at Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech from noon to 4 p.m., with Santa photos and reindeer games. Details.
Nov. 18: The School of Modern Languages’ 3rd Annual Global Traditions: Language & Cultures Exhibition runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Price Gilbert Library, Room 1280. Expect cultural talks, heritage foods and a hot chocolate and cider bar. Details.
Looking Ahead to December and Beyond
- Writing the Book (Dec. 1): Ivan Allen College faculty share lessons on book publishing and tenure timelines. RSVP by Nov. 18.
- City and Regional Planning Student Panel (Dec. 1, online): current students talk about the program.
- Future Airport and Aerotropolis Urban Design by Digital Twins symposium (Dec. 4): the CP 8873/AE 8803 workshop uses Hartsfield-Jackson as a living laboratory.
- City and Regional Planning funding info sessions: Dec. 18 and Jan. 29, both online.
Heading to one of these events? Tell us what you thought in the comments, and keep the Tech pride going.
Checkout these Picks
Browse the best-selling Why Earwax Could Inspire Safer Insect Repellents Plus Campus Events to Know picks on Amazon.
Gift ideas built around Why Earwax Could Inspire Safer Insect Repellents Plus Campus Events to Know.
Party supplies and decor for Why Earwax Could Inspire Safer Insect Repellents Plus Campus Events to Know.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Discover more from GT Jackets
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.