Connecting soft material structure to its nonlinear mechanical response.
The capacity for large deformations makes the study of soft solid mechanics a complex and seemingly never ending endeavor. Soft solids range from polymer networks like elastomers and gels to cellular solids such as foams, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes, and plant tissues to hierarchical composites like skin or other integument. Through our length scale spanning approach, from the super-molecular (> 100 nm) to the macroscopic (cm-m), we provide insight into both biological tissues and their synthetic analogs.
Research Projects
Physico-chemo-mechanics
We aim to apply lessons learned from observing simplified soft-solid fluid composite systems to the development of phyto-inspired actuators and active structures.
Funding: National Science Foundation CAREER Award, CMMI MOMS
Soft fracture via localized loading
We are exploring a suite of puncture and cutting-based test methods for the evaluation of ultrasoft failure behavior. The aim is rapid, high-throughput, and in vivo characterization of soft solids including biological tissue.
Funding: National Science Foundation, CMMI MOMS
Supporting Funding Agencies
