Group meeting, 17-Nov-2021
Our research interests are focused on the interface between solid mechanics and fluid mechanics. The research is primarily concerned with analysis, which is complemented by numerical computations based on commercial codes and small-scale demonstrations. Below is an outline of the research conducted in the group, including links to more information.
Main research aims
Metafluids
A metamaterial is an artificial material that exhibits new properties incomparable to natural materials, such as “negative mass,” light dispersion, vibration isolation, and superelasticity. Achieving these properties is accomplished by using structures composed of micro-scale components, which are arranged in repeating patterns of unit cells. Our goal is to apply a similar approach to the creation of multistable metafluids. As part of our research, we seek to create artificial suspensions that are a mixture of a standard fluid and metamaterial particles that exhibit unique properties or behaviors not found in natural fluids.
Flow & elastic bi/multi-stability (see more here)
This subject broadly deals with the time-dependent dynamics of fluid flow in contact with bi/multi-stable elastic structures. The stress that the flow applied to the solid can be used to control the state of bi- and multi-stable structures. Similarly, rapid flows are created due to the release of energy during transitions between stable solid states. These interactions yield interesting physics, relevant to a variety of applications ranging from medical devices to aviation.
Playlist of several of our works on flow & elastic bi/multi-stability (see more here) |
Fluid mechanics of soft actuators and robots (see more here)
Pressurization of fluid within elastic chambers is a popular method for the actuation of soft robots, resulting in stress at the fluid-solid interface, and thus, a desired deformation of the structure. Our group studies the internal fluid mechanics of soft-robots, leveraging fluidic effects to extend the capabilities of soft robots.
Playlist of several of our works on fluid mechanics of soft actuators and robots (see more here). |
Thin fluid-films bounded by elastic membranes (see more here)
We study the dynamics and stability of thin fluidic films confined between a rigid surface and an elastic membrane. These configurations may be actuated by various mechanisms such as external forces, or electric fields, and are governed by non-linear evolution equations. The results of this aim are relevant to the implementation of reconfigurable lab-on-a-chip and micro-scale robotics.
| . Playlist of several of our works on thin fluid-films bounded by elastic membranes (see more here) |