Symposium 1
Dr. H. Jerry Qi
The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Presentation Title: Multimaterial Additive Manufacturing for Shape Morphing Structures
Abstract: 3D printing (additive manufacturing, AM) where materials are deposited in a layer-by-layer manner to form a 3D solid has seen significant advances in the recent decades. 3D printing has the advantage in creating a part with complex geometry from a digit file, making them an idea candidate for making architected materials. Multimaterial 3D printing is an emerging field in recent years in additive manufacturing. It offers the advantage of placement of materials with different properties in the 3D space with high resolution. In this talk, we present our recent progress in developing multimaterial additive manufacturing methods. In the first approach, we present a new development where we integrate two AM methods, direct-ink-write (DIW) and digit light processing (DLP) into one system. In this system, the DLP can be used to print complex bulk parts while DIW can be used to print functional inks. In the second approach, we recently developed a grayscale DLP (g-DLP) 3D printing method where we can print a part with gradient material properties. Finally, we further explore on how to use machine learning approach to design shape morphing structures utilizing the capability of multimaterial additive manufacturing.
Biography: Dr. H. Jerry Qi is a professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and is the site director of NSF IUCRC on Science of Heterogeneous Additive Printing of 3D Materials (SHAP3D). He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Tsinghua University and a ScD degree from MIT. After one-year postdoc at MIT, he joined University of Colorado Boulder as an assistant professor and moved to Georgia Tech in 2014. Prof. Qi's research is in the broad field of nonlinear mechanics of polymeric materials and focuses on developing fundamental understanding of multi-field properties of soft active materials through experimentation and constitutive modeling then applying these understandings to application designs. He and his collaborators have been working on a range of soft active materials, including shape memory polymers, light activated polymers, covalent adaptable network polymers. In recent years, he has been working on integrating active materials with 3D printing, or 4D printing.
Dr. Babak Anasori
School of Materials Engineering and
School of Mechanical Engineering
Purdue University
Presentation Title:2D MXenes, Their Assemblies, and Interface Engineering For Multifunctional Structures and Composites
Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides, known as MXenes, have grown in the past decade from a newly discovered material to a large family of 2D materials. MXenes have a wide array of material properties, including solution-processability and hydrophilicity (surfactant-free nanoinks), high electrical conductivity, high 2D stiffness, functionalized surfaces, and chemical and structural tunability. MXenes have been extensively investigated for applications such as energy storage, catalysis, sensing, environmental, biomedical, electromagnetic interference shielding, and wireless communication.
In this talk, I will focus on the recent compositional and structural developments, as well as the tunability of MXenes. Next, I will discuss how MXenes can be assembled with other nanomaterials, as well as integrated into the matrices of bulk metals and ceramics. While the integration of MXenes can improve mechanical properties and electrical conductivity, it can also add more functionalities to the final products. Lastly, I will present our recent findings on the interface engineering of MXenes, focusing on controlling defects and understanding their high-temperature phase stability and transformation.
Biography: Dr. Babak Anasori is a Reilly Rising Star Associate Professor at the Schools of Materials and Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University and the Editor-in-Chief of the Graphene and 2D Materials, a Springer-Nature journal. Dr. Babak Anasori received his PhD at Drexel University in 2014 in the Materials Science and Engineering Department, the birthplace of MXenes. Dr. Anasori has more than 170 refereed publications on MXenes and their precursors, and he is among the Web of Science Highly Cited Researchers from 2019 to 2023. He is also 4th on the 2023 list of Rising Stars of Science in the USA by Research.com. In 2023, he was identified by ScholarGPS as the number #1 in Mechanical Engineering among all scholars in the USA in the past five years. He has received several international awards, including the 2016 Materials Research Society (MRS) Postdoctoral Award, the 2021 Drexel University 40-under-40, the 2021 Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) Rising Star Award in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and the 2024 Abraham Max Distinguished Professor Award at Purdue School of Engineering. Dr. Anasori's research lab works on developing novel 2D carbide and carbonitride MXenes for various applications, including energy generation, electromagnetic interference shielding, and ultra-high temperature ceramics.
Symposium 4
Dr. Salvatore Ameduri
Senior Researcher
Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA)
Capua, Italy
Presentation Title: Morphing in Aerospace: How are we doing?
Abstract: Morphing in aerospace is today under the spotlight for its potential benefits within a complex scenario. In synergy with other technologies, morphing seems in fact to offer real opportunities within a growing market facing, from one side, problems in terms of environmental warming and safety and, from the other side, an extreme economic competition. Speaking of breakthrough approaches and also of the often-relevant upheaval of the basic flight conception, it is reasonable to wonder how morphing technology can frame itself within this new scenario. The level of maturity of the subsystems involved in a morphing device, the transportability of the technology on different classes of aircrafts, the demonstration and certification are just some sizzling topics. In this sense, an overview of the achievements of some Projects the authors were involved in or they are aware of, is discussed highlighting strength and weakness points of the technology and its maturity level. The challenges faced, the issues still open and the lesson learned are presented, outlining possible effective strategies to make steps forward.
Biography: Salvatore Ameduri graduated in Aeronautic Engineering at the Univ. of Naples "Federico II" in 1998. In 2002, he defended a Ph.D. thesis in Aerospace Engineering, funded by EREA Organization, developing a smart system for normal shock wave mitigation in transonic. Hired in 2002 at CIRA, he is now senior researcher and responsible for the "Sensors and Actuators for Adaptive Structures" research unit. Author and co-author of 2 patents at European and worldwide level and of more than 100 indexed publications on scientific journals edited by AIAA, ASME, Elsevier, MDPI, SAGE, SPIE, Techno-Press, reviewer for these associations, winner of awards for project competitions, as invited speaker and best presentations, scientific reviewer for financing proposals, S. Ameduri has an H-index of 15 and plays the role of manager, technical coordinator and concept developer in National and International programs focusing on morphing, noise and vibration control, structural health monitoring.
Dr. Parikshith Kumar
Metallurgical Associate
W L Gore & Associates
Flagstaff, AZ
Presentation Title: Existing Challenges and Factors to Consider in the Development of Sma Implantable Medical Devices
Abstract: Shape memory alloy implantable medical devices have significantly changed the landscape of medical treatment by enabling minimally invasive surgery to treat various disease states. The quest to reach a broader patient population or use of these devices in complex disease states/procedures has brought about new technical challenges that need to be addressed. Within the realm of material properties, device design and boundary conditions, we will discuss current challenges the industry faces and how experimental, modeling and imaging tools are utilized to address these challenges. We will then explore opportunities available for next generation SMA implantable devices.
Biography: Parikshith Kumar got his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 2009 and has worked extensively with shape memory alloys for the actuator industry from 2001-2012. Since 2012 he transitioned to the medical products division at W. L Gore and Associates as a Metallurgical associate on the Metals platform. His work involves front end research to develop new material and processes and has been recognized by new product development teams for his effort in the launch of several life saving devices in the company's portfolio. His areas of focus include, microstructure-mechanical property relationship, fatigue and corrosion behavior of SMAs. He has also been serving as an SMST board member for the past 7 years and is the conference chair for SMST 2024.
Symposium 5
Dr. Wen Shen
Assistant Professor
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Presentation Title: Additive Manufactured Smart Materials for Structural Health Monitoring
Abstract: Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has a wide range of applications in the automotive, aerospace, energy, and defense sectors. For example, additive manufacturing has been increasingly used to fabricate complex, lightweight composite materials. However, the design and additive manufacturing of smart composite materials or structures that excel in both mechanical performance and the capability to monitor structural health in response to external simulations remains a challenge. In this talk, we will present additively manufactured smart polymer composites with high mechanical strength and the ability to measure local stress within the material wirelessly. Both static and cyclic mechanical test results will be presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the additively manufactured smart composites in monitoring structural health.
Biography: Dr. Wen Shen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Nanoscience and Technology Center at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She received a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering and a B.S. in Biological Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She earned her Ph.D. degree in Materials Engineering from Auburn University. She was a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining UCF, she was an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Shen's research is focused on the development of functional materials-based microelectronics.
Yang Wang
Georgia Institute of Technology
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Atlanta, GA
Presentation Title: Structures, Sensing, and Computing – the Pursuit of Digital Twins through Model Updating
Abstract: Computer modeling and numerical simulation have become common practice in most engineering disciplines, including structural engineering. Despite the success of computer simulation, in-situ sensor measurements from an as-built structure often considerably differ from the behavior simulated by a computer model. This discrepancy between model and reality poses substantial difficulty for the development of digital twins, which refer to computer models that rely on real-time sensor measurements to constantly update themselves in order to mirror the changes in an as-built structure. To this end, recent advances in sensor technologies have enabled growingly large amount of field measurements from as-built structures, providing us highly detailed and quantified recording of in-situ structural behaviors. To ensure the fidelity of a digital twin to the as-built structure, model updating is usually performed based on dynamic properties that are experimentally observed in-situ and considered the ground truth. Mathematical optimization problems are solved with the objective of minimizing the difference between the in-situ measured dynamic properties and these provided by the computer simulation model. This talk will discuss a few latest developments in exploiting global optimization algorithms that can either guarantee global optimality or provide a solution certificate on how optimal the final results are.
Symposium 6
Dr. Christina Harvey
Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
UC Davis
Davis, CA
Presentation Title: Avian Morphing for Flight Stability and Control
Abstract: Birds regularly accomplish an impressive array of in-flight transitions, from maneuvering through cities, evading predators or gliding in gusty conditions. The ability to adapt and maneuver in these variable flight conditions is allowed by in-flight active and passive wing and tail shape adjustments, known as morphing. In this talk, I will discuss how avian wing morphing enhances maneuverability and adaptability through a perspective of flight dynamics, control, and aerodynamics. These results will shed light on which biological characteristics may be specifically useful for incorporation into novel designs. Furthermore, I will highlight how a fundamental understanding of biological principles supports the expansion of UAV concepts’ operational capabilities.
Biography: Dr. Christina Harvey is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UC Davis, where she leads the Biologically Informed Research and Design (BIRD) lab. She holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, a M.Sc. in Zoology from the University of British Columbia and a B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University. She is a 2023 Packard Fellow and 2021 Amelia Earhart Fellow.
Saad Bhamla
Associate Professor of Biomolecular Engineering
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, GA
Presentation Title: The Blob: Topologically Entangled Living Matter
Abstract: Tangled active filaments are ubiquitous in nature, from chromosomal DNA and cilia carpets to root networks and worm collectives. How activity and elasticity facilitate collective topological transformations in living tangled matter is not well understood. In this talk, I will share our discoveries on why aquatic worms braid, tangle, and knot with their neighbors to form extraordinary mechano-functional living blobs - the stuff of science fiction. I will discuss how these soft, squishy, and 3-D blobs rapidly morph their shape, crawl, float, climb, self-assemble, and disassemble topological tangles. Using both mathematical models and robotic analogs, I will discuss how these "living polymers" solve Gordian knot problems using clever biophysics mechanisms that open a path to new classes of active topologically tunable robotic swarms.
Biography: Saad Bhamla studies biomechanics across species to engineer knowledge and tools that inspire curiosity.
A self-proclaimed "tinkerer," his lab is a trove of discoveries and inventions that span biology, physics and engineering. His current projects include studying the hydrodynamics of insect urine, worm blob locomotion and ultra-low-cost devices for global health. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Economist, CNN, Wired, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Saad is an associate professor of biomolecular engineering at Georgia Tech.
Saad is also a prolific inventor. His most notable inventions include a 20-cent paper centrifuge, a 23-cent electroporator, and the $1 hearing aid. Saad's work is recognized by numerous awards including a Moore Inventor Fellowship, a NIH R35 Outstanding Investigator Award, NSF CAREER Award, Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, and INDEX: Design to Improve Life Award. Saad is a National Geographic Explorer and TED speaker. His dedication to making science accessible has been honored with the National Academies' Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communication. In 2023,
Newsweek recognized Saad as 1 of 10 Innovators disrupting healthcare. Saad is a co-founder of Piezo Therapeutics.
Special Symposium
Michael Dickey
Noth Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
Presentation Title: Tactile Logic Using Soft Elastomers and Liquid Metals
Abstract: Most machines rely on a "sense-compute-respond" model. That is, sensors send information to a centralized processor (compute) which determines how to respond (output) appropriately to the given information (inputs). Such machines use rigid, centralized electronic components to make these "intelligent" decisions. Here, we show a way to perform simple logical functions on the "material-level" in soft materials based on the way the material is touched without relying on semiconductor-based transistors. We were inspired, in part, by an octopus, which is capable of locally processing tactile information through the use of neurons distributed in the appendages. To this end, we present a completely soft, stretchable silicone composite innervated with liquid metal as a conceptual demonstrator. When touched, the liquid metal circuits change their local resistance, thereby changing the way electrical energy distributes in the embedded circuit. That electrical energy can be used to cause Joule heating (for thermochromic responses), for powering circuit components such as LEDs, or to power electromechanical motors. The response of the material converts analog tactile "inputs" into digital "outputs", such as the "on/off" state of a motor. This concept can be implemented to perform simple logic that breaks the typical "sense-compute-respond" paradigm used in both natural and synthetic control systems by removing the need for a centralized processor. Using the material itself as the active player in the decision-making process offers possibilities for creating entirely soft devices that respond locally to environmental (here, mechanical) interactions. This talk will discuss the use of liquid metals for such "intelligent materials" in addition to giving background for their use as conductors for soft and stretchable electronics and devices. Alloys of gallium are noted for their low viscosity, low toxicity, and near-zero vapor pressure. Despite the large surface tension of the metal, it can be patterned into non-spherical 2D and 3D shapes due to the presence of an ultra-thin oxide skin that forms on its surface. Because it is a liquid, it can be patterned in ways that are truly unique for metals, such as printing, injection, and selective wetting. The metal is extremely soft and flows in response to stress to retain electrical continuity under extreme deformation. By embedding the metal into elastomeric or gel substrates, it is possible to form soft, flexible, and conformal electrical components, stretchable antennas, and ultra-stretchable wires that maintain metallic conductivity up to ~800% strain. In addition to discussing the advantages of liquid metals for intelligent materials, this talk will focus on recent work to utilize liquid metal for tactile sensors. The sensors detect touch from changes in capacitance. By using soft composites consisting of liquid metal particles dispersed in elastomer, it is possible to increase the dielectric properties while using ultra-soft materials. Thus, the sensors are very sensitive to touch.
Biography: Michael Dickey received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (1999) and a PhD from the University of Texas (2006) under the guidance of Professor Grant Willson. From 2006-2008 he was a post-doctoral fellow in the lab of Professor George Whitesides at Harvard University. He is currently the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Professor in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at NC State University. He completed a sabbatical at Microsoft in 2016 and EPFL in 2023. Michael's research interests include soft matter (liquid metals, gels, polymers) for soft and stretchable devices (electronics, energy harvesters, textiles, and soft robotics).