2020 Multifunction Materials & Structures Gordon Research Conference
Abstract
The 2020 Gordon Research Conference on Multifunctional Materials and Structures aims to extend and accelerate interdisciplinary research activities in this emerging field, which incorporates mechanics, materials science, engineering science, physics, chemistry, biology and now neuromorphic computing. The ability to compute and handle large amounts of data quickly has hindered progress, encouraging research in bio inspired novel nanocomposite materials and nanoscale devices that emulate neurons and neurobiological synapses and are capable of integrated signal processing, memory, and learning functions. Incorporating these emerging materials and devices into neuromorphic networks that mimic the critical architecture of neurobiological systems with parallel signal processing and learning capabilities enables the development of multifunctional intelligent systems for state perception, real-time learning, autonomous control and self-navigation, and self-optimization in aerospace vehicles operated in dynamically changing environments. This enables robot design from highly compliant materials (soft robotics), similar to those found in living organisms.Multifunctional design encompasses materials, structures and/or material systems that have the ability to perform multiple functions through judicious combinations of structural properties and at least one additional functional capability as dictated by the system application requirements. Examples include research in electronic materials, mechanics, systems, robotic materials and metastructures. Bio-systems are synthesized at a molecular level with a limited palate of material ingredients resulting in multiscale hierarchical material architectures with active, coupled chemical, electrical, mechanical processes and signaling. However, there is a large gap in our current understanding of how to incorporate the required computing into structural and material systems enabling integrating the functions of sensing, actuation, morphing, computation, remote communication, remediation, reconfiguration, power, etc., and recently started futuristic trends of neuromorphic network, intelligent systems, micro- and soft robotics. The meeting will bring together a cross-section of academic researchers and graduate students, government researchers and planners, and industry practitioners, thus catalyzing new efforts and worldwide collaborations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912498
Entities
People
- Daniel J Inman
Organizations
- Gordon Research Conferences
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy