Andrew Schulz (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems): Bioinspired functional gradients for biomechanics, sensing, and robotics applications

Humans and animals are equipped with unique biological metamaterials that allow them to interact, sense, and manipulate the world around them. This versatility is built with three primary building blocks: proteins, sugars, and minerals that can be arranged to provide multiple functional advantages, such as high stretchability and high strength, which are commonly material trade-offs in human-made materials. In this seminar, I will discuss how integrating methods across engineering, physics, and materials science disciplines to analyze biological composites can provide bio-inspiration for biomechanics, sensing, and robotics applications. I will primarily share two explorations of biological functional gradients and mimicking their properties including: (1) stiffness gradient whiskers for vibration and acoustic sensing, and (2) functional knitted mimics for combining strength and flexibility using geometry. In the discussion of these gradients, I will share how utilizing the material intelligence of biological materials can provide functional benefits in sensing and control applications.

Zoom Information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2022111100

(Meeting code: 2022111100 Password: skcm2)