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DTSTAMP:20250909T224954Z
DESCRIPTION:Nature is masterful at using limited components and basic drivi
 ng forces to achieve complex tasks\, such as high power movement and multi
 -structure assembly\, across a broad range of size scales. The materials t
 hat enable these achievements often rely upon the integration of phases th
 at allow for internal transport\, elastic energy storage\, system protecti
 ng dissipation\, and tunable sensitivity to interfacial interactions. Acco
 rdingly\, polymer gels\, which combine liquid phases with shear-sustaining
  macromolecular network structures\, offer a robust materials platform for
  transferring lessons from nature into synthetic engineered devices. Here\
 , we describe two examples from our research group of how to take advantag
 e of mesoscale structural asymmetry\, mechanics\, liquid transport\, and i
 nterfacial interactions to achieve new engineered capabilities. The first 
 example takes inspiration from multiple examples in nature\, including man
 tis shrimp and trap-jaw ants\, that use Latch-Mediated Spring Actuation (L
 aMSA) to achieve high power\, impulsive movements. We demonstrate how tran
 sient metastable deformations associated with swelling and deswelling of a
  polymer gel can be exploited to generate mechanical bi-stability\, giving
  rise to multiple\, self-repeating\, snap-through movements. We introduce 
 models to quantitatively describe these mechanisms and harness them to dev
 elop autonomous jumping devices. In a related manner\, the second example 
 describes the use of structural asymmetry to mediate swelling/deswelling p
 rocesses and elastic restoring forces to control the motion and assembly o
 f mesoscale polymer gel ribbons. Collectively\, both examples provide new 
 insight into how polymer gel properties\, related to elasticity\, diffusio
 n\, and interfacial forces\, can combine with purposeful structural design
  to yield complex tasks\, which can be used in the development of microsca
 le robots and new adaptable composite materials.\n\nHave questions? Write 
 to us administrator-MIAM.engineering [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Query%20on%2
 0Seminar%20Series)  (here).\n\n \n
DTSTART:20210326T153000Z
DTEND:20210326T163000Z
SUMMARY:Polymer Gels for Autonomous Motion and Mesoscale Assembly by Prof A
 l Crosby (UMASS Amherst)
URL:/miam/channels/event/polymer-gels-autonomous-motio
 n-and-mesoscale-assembly-prof-al-crosby-umass-amherst-327429
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