MSE

In nature, organized arrays of elements arise spontaneously from the interactions between their component parts, e.g. reaction-diffusion problems, clustering colloidal particles and granular media, wrinkling surfaces, propagating cracks and flowing liquids. In the wake of biomimicry, I will discuss several strategies aiming to harness mechanical instabilities in flowing liquids, e.g. coiling, droplet formation, digitation, drainage, […]

Modern materials contain extraordinary levels of complexity, with components spanning a hierarchy of length scales. Designing materials with complex microstructures and demonstrating unique behaviors would be difficult solely using a reductionist approach to materials development.   A powerful utility in this endeavor is using multiple, correlative, and scaffolding computational tools.  This talk focused on using an […]

Dr. Moini’s research is focused on bio-inspired design and development of architected materials using novel additive manufacturing processes and automated robotic technologies for applications in civil and energy infrastructure. His work is motivated by the intellectual challenge of understanding the mechanics of intrinsically brittle engineering materials and the development of ductile and flaw-tolerant responses using […]

The invisibility cloak in Harry Potter and the dreams of invisibility as a superpower are no longer fiction. With the invention of metamaterials, they are theoretically and experimentally possible in real life. Metamaterials — materials that are engineered to have properties that are not found in naturally-occuring materials — allow us to overcome physical limitations. […]