The Behavior of Advanced Materials and Structures (BAMS) Laboratory’s research interests lie at the intersection of mechanics, materials, and computational modeling.  The BAMS Lab uses the principles of continuum mechanics together with carefully-conducted experiments and novel computational approaches to develop innovative multi-physics predictive models for understanding the deformation and failure of a variety of advanced materials, from dielectric elastomers to additively manufactured soft materials.  In so doing, we aim to develop robust predictive models – grounded in sound experimental data – that facilitate the design and optimization of novel materials and structures, and artfully link processing to performance.