My research is focused on integrating sensing, decision-making, and actuation capabilities in soft, elastomeric mechanical material systems without the use of traditional electronic components. By incorporating electroactive responsive materials like liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) with principles of Boolean logic, compliant mechanisms, and mechanics, materials can begin to exhibit basic forms of intelligence and perform actions including computation and autonomous locomotion.
Example of Soft Elastomeric Mechanical Material System
Team Members
Lance Hyatt
Jared Butler