Research
Mission
Intelligence through Design: embedding intelligence in the physical structure of soft machines
Soft Robotics
Robotic systems made from physically soft materials are important due to their inherently safe human interactions and non-linear characteristics. We develop soft robots and actuators with soft polymers and responsive materials to develop new actuation systems, improve performance, and achieve new capabilities.
Related publications:
Magnetic putty as a reconfigurable, recyclable, and accessible soft robotic material. (2023). Advanced Materials.
Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Polymeric Coatings for Colorful Artificial Muscles and Motile Humidity Sensor Skin Integrated with Magnetic Composites. (2023). Advanced Functional Materials.
Soft Actuators for Real-World Applications. (2022). Nature Reviews Materials.
Elastic energy storage enables rapid and programmable motion in soft machines. (2020). Advanced Functional Materials.
Mechanical Instabilities
A mechanical instability is when a system experiences a rapid transition from a stable state because of a drastic reduction of its stiffness, leading to large deformations. Soft materials can accommodate these large deformations, enabling the use of mechanical instabilities as a programmable robotic actuation method.
Related publications:
Programmable mechanical devices through magnetically tunable bistable elements. (2023). PNAS
Exploiting mechanical instabilities in soft robotics: control, sensing, and actuation. (2021). Advanced Materials.
Mechanical Metamaterials
Mechanical metamaterials are rationally designed structures of geometrical architecture leading to unusual physical and mechanical properties. We utilize a careful selection of both (local) design and materials to achieve new properties and programmed function, otherwise inaccessible with natural materials.
Related publications:
Hydrogel muscles powering reconfigurable micro-metastructures with wide-spectrum programmability. (2023). Nature Materials.
Optimal turbine blade design enabled by auxetic honeycomb. (2020). Smart Materials and Structures.
3D architected soft machines with topologically encoded motion. (2019). Advanced Functional Material.
Roll-to-roll nanoforming of metals using laser-induced superplasticity. (2018). Nano Letters.
Soft Biosensors
We develop biosensors on soft, flexible substrates to enable wearable applications for monitoring various human health conditions.
Related Publications:
Conformal, waterproof electronic decals for wireless monitoring of sweat and vaginal pH at the point-of-care. (2020).
Biosensor & Bioelectronics.Early detection and monitoring of chronic wounds using low-cost, omniphobic paper-based smart bandages. (2018).
Biosensors & Bioelectronics.Wearable and implantable epidermal paper-based electronics. (2018). ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
Self-powered, paper-based electrochemical devices for sensitive point-of-care testing. (2017). Advanced Materials Technology.
Related patents: