Professor Valentine presents to the Soft Matter Group at the University of Amsterdam

Abstract: Micro-structured materials are ubiquitous in biological systems, where they impart superior mechanical properties including high toughness and strength, and many biomaterials are naturally stimuli responsive.  Yet understanding how to controllably formulate and optimize such multiphase, hierarchical and adaptive materials remains challenging.  In this talk, I will present my group’s recent work on developing new methods for the design, manufacture, and mechanical analysis of photoresponsive material systems, ranging from the on-demand manufacture of lightweight polymer composites to self-regulating actuators for use in soft robotics.