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.
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).