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Shape-morphing metamaterials enable adaptive structures capable of complex functional deformations, with applications ranging from reconfigurable structures and soft robotics to medical devices. However, their design remains challenging due…
We consider a simple lattice spring model in which every spring is elastoplastic and is capable to conduct current. The elasticity bounds of spring $i$ are taken as $[-c_i,c_i]$ and the resistance of spring $i$ is taken as $1/c_i$, which…
Elastic metamaterials are often designed for a single permanent function. We explore the possibility of altering a material's function repeatedly through a self-organization, "training" process, controlled by applied strains. We show that…
Soft robots are intrinsically capable of adapting to different environments by changing their shape in response to interaction forces with the environment. However, sensing and feedback are still required for higher level decisions and…
As robotics advances toward integrating soft structures, anthropomorphic shapes, and complex tasks, soft and highly stretchable mechanotransducers are becoming essential. To reliably measure tactile and proprioceptive data while ensuring…
Mechanical non-reciprocity-manifested as asymmetric responses to opposing mechanical stimuli-has traditionally been achieved through intricate structural nonlinearities in metamaterials. However, continuum solids with inherent…
In this contribution, we present a new Materials Knowledge System framework for microstructure-sensitive predictions of effective stress--strain responses in composite materials. The model is developed for composites with a wide range of…
Variable stiffness is a key capability in biological and robotic systems, enabling adaptive interaction across tasks and environments. Mechanical metamaterials offer an alternative to conventional mechatronic solutions by encoding stiffness…
In this paper, the stability of longitudinal vibrations for transmission problems of two smart-system designs are studied: (i) a serially-connected Elastic-Piezoelectric-Elastic design with a local damping acting only on the piezoelectric…
Flexible strain sensors are critical to several potential intelligent applications, such as human-machine interfaces, soft robotics, human motion detection, and safety monitoring of components. Stretchable functional materials are important…
Flexible mechanical structures can undergo large deformations under small loads, enabling large, complex, and nonlinear wave responses under finite-frequency driving. Here, we study a dynamically driven canonical flexible mechanical…
In this work, a novel soft continuum robot-inspired antenna array is proposed, featuring tentacle-like structures with multiple antenna elements. The proposed array achieves reconfigurability through continuous deformation of its geometry,…
Recent advances in active materials and fabrication techniques have enabled the production of cyclically self-deployable metamaterials with an expanded functionality space. However, designing metamaterials that possess continuously tunable…
This research investigates dynamic response of tunable periodic structures and homogenization methods in magnetoelastic composites (MECs). The research on tunable periodic structures is focused on the design, modeling and understanding of…
Soft robots are distinguished by their flexibility and adaptability, allowing them to perform nearly impossible tasks for rigid robots. However, controlling their behavior is challenging due to their nonlinear material response and infinite…
Harnessing the rich nonlinear dynamics of highly-deformable materials has the potential to unlock the next generation of functional smart materials and devices. However, unlocking such potential requires effective strategies to spatially…
High-throughput characterization of architected materials across a wide range of length scales enables rapid screening of topologies for engineering applications. Scaled-down specimens manufactured and evaluated in laboratory environments…
Plasticity is inherent to many engineering materials such as metals. While it can degrade the load-carrying capacity of structures via material yielding, it can also protect structures through plastic energy dissipation. To fully harness…
Soft porous materials, such as biological tissues and soils, are exposed to periodic deformations in a variety of natural and industrial contexts. The detailed flow and mechanics of these deformations have not yet been systematically…
As soft robot design matures, researchers have converged to sophisticated design paradigms to enable the development of more suitable platforms. Two such paradigms are soft-rigid hybrid robots, which utilize rigid structural materials in…