Soft Materials, Sensors, Electronics, Displays and Actuators: Functional Components for Soft Machines and Robots (Symposium SM01) - 2018 MRS Spring Meeting
Abstract
Major Goals: The organizers worked to create a unique symposium with the following specific objectives: To provide a forum where the materials scientists working in the diverse areas of critical importance to the emergent field of soft machines/robotics can form connections and address key challenges; To assemble a quorum of pioneering scientists from academia and industry to deliver invited presentations on their field-shaping research; and To build momentum within the community to support the inclusion of new additions of this symposium at future MRS meetings. Accomplishments: The symposium brought together a diverse set of communities (chemists, mechanical engineering, physicists, and materials scientists) and attracted a large number of attendees. It highlighted a range of cutting-edge research in the area of soft robotics and machines that will help frame the future directions of this rapidly growing area. A vital component to the success of this goal was supporting the invited speakers, the leaders of the field, with travel and registration grants. The quality and diversity of their presentations reflect the interdisciplinary nature of soft robotics and the importance of this emerging field. Perhaps more telling was the high attendance rates recorded by MRS; the average oral session was 78 with a peak attendance of 140. It should also be noted that ~75 presentations were given by graduate students who represent the future of soft robotics. Training Opportunities: Graduate students represent the future of soft robotics. Their considerably large presence at the symposium, which provided them the opportunity to share their research activity in the field with young scientists of similar interests, is a contribution of SM01 to soft robotics that will continue to give as these individuals advance past graduate research to industrial/academic positions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 27, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1078466
Entities
People
- J. A. Dillen
Organizations
- Materials Research Society