Adaptive and Active Robotic Metamaterials

Guest Speaker：Ass.Prof. Yifan Wang，Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Inviter: Assoc.Prof. Bo Mao

Date&Time: Tuesday, 15 July, 15:00-16:00

Venue:  Meeting Room 308，Xu Zuyao Building

Biography:

 Prof. Wang Yifan is the Nanyang Assistant Professor at School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, where he leads the “Robotic Materials” Group. Prof. Wang received his Ph.D. in Soft Matter Physics from The University of Chicago, USA (2016), and B.S. in Physics from Peking University, China (2011). Prior to joining Nanyang Technological University in 2020, Dr. Wang worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at California Institute of Technology, USA. Prof. Wang is an innovative applied physicist and mechanical engineer with extensive experience on soft robotics, human-machine interfaces, and advanced manufacturing. He has published papers in top international journals, including Nature, Science Robotics, Science Advances, Advanced Materials, Physical Review Letters, Matter, Advanced Functional Materials, etc. He is the associate editor of Mechanics of Materials journal, and have won numerous awards including the Healthy Longevity Global Grand Challenge Catalyst Award, Nanyang Assistant Professorship Award, Grainger Foundation Graduate Fellowship in Experimental Physics, etc.

 Abstract:

The tight coupling of shape transformation, stiffness tuning, self-sensing, and closed-loop feedback that biological organisms exhibit (e.g., octopus’ arms) is an inspiration for next-generation robotic systems. Today, however, robots rely on the assembly of separate actuators, sensors, and computing units connected by wires to achieve functions, resulting in bulk volume and poor manufacturing scalability. In this talk, I will introduce the bio-inspired design and manufacturing of a new class of robotic materials with hierarchical architectures which can realize multifunctionality by achieving shape-morphing, stiffness-variation, and feedback in highly-integrated compact bodies. We further demonstrate the versatility of our robotic materials by developing soft robots that are amphibious and adaptive, as well as robots that can assemble and dis-assemble upon external stimuli. With these examples, we aim to create opportunities for future soft robots that are highly-integrated and mimic multifunctional biological organisms.