Variable Topology Trusses (VTTs) are a new type of modular, self-reconfigurable robot (MSRR). Like other self-reconfigurable robot systems, a VTT can change its shape to adapt to a variety of tasks, offering a wider range of capabilities than a single robot configuration. While most MSRRs consist of robot modules that are connected in a chain […]
Surface force-mediated adhesion, i.e. via van der Waals forces, is critical for the direct bonding of bulk solids in the absence of an adhesive layer. However, no two surfaces are perfectly flat nor conformal and some have intentional patterns, which leads to imperfect adhesion, i.e. interface adhesion strength that is below its ideal strength. In […]
Molecular dynamics simulations allow for the visualization and analysis of atoms and molecules. The choice of boundary conditions in these simulations can impact the overall system, and is an important design decision. In particular, open boundary molecular dynamics simulations is one type of methodology that allows for the treatment of atomistic models with non equilibrium […]
Non-equilibrium phenomena are ubiquitous across material systems and of great technological relevance. Examples of such phenomena include diffusion processes in liquid and gases, viscoelasticity and plasticity in solids, and rheological behavior of colloidal and granular media. Despite their ubiquity and importance, the understanding of non-equilibrium phenomena remains in its infancy compared with classical equilibrium thermodynamics […]
With the advent of more capable and cheaper legged robots, robotic legged locomotion is becoming an increasingly attractive solution for locomotion and embodiment. Legs offer expanded capability over wheeled robots, albeit at the cost of complexity and efficiency. For example, walking robots explore rubble-filled caves, inspect industrial sites, move around human spaces (e.g., stairs), and […]
Unlike diseases with strong genetic predisposition, such as cancer, there exist no accurate personalized diagnostic tools for disorders such as Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders (HPD) and its mechanism remain understudied. For the purpose of performing diagnostics, we require disease indicators (biomarkers) that are strongly correlated with the underlying condition, i.e. absolute vascular pressure for hypertension. Measuring […]
Materials with electroprogrammable stiffness and adhesion can enhance the performance of robotic systems but achieving large changes in stiffness and adhesive forces in real time is an ongoing challenge. Electroadhesive clutches can rapidly adhere high stiffness elements, although their low force capacities, high activation voltages, and inability to separate and turn off stiffness changes reliably […]
The ever-growing world population demands material consumption and drives material discovery. The progress of modern society accompanies the advent of advanced materials to enable new performance and functionalities, as epitomized by the invention of two most representative man-made materials: steels (4000 years ago) and petroleum-derived plastics (~80 years ago). The widespread use of steels (and […]
Magnetic materials are critically important in a wide range of application areas including data storage, medicine, energy harvesting, and refrigeration. Atomistic numerical simulations of magnetic materials can provide important insight in these applications because they offer the ability to track phenomena such as magnon-phonon interactions, ultrafast demagnetization processes, and magnetization and energy at time and […]
Please join us on Tuesday, September 13 for a series of short research talks by MEAM faculty. Five MEAM faculty will give "flash talks" to introduce their research activities and recent work. This is an excellent opportunity for current graduate students to learn about ongoing research in the Department.
