CSP - Workshop on Geometry of Soft Matter
Abstract
The mechanics of solids has been revolutionized by new experimental and theoreticaladvances. The ability to print structures made of inhomogeneous materials or structureswith fine scale engineered porosity, to manipulate biological and orientable materials,and to actuate responsive materials raises many new questions and challenges.Specifically, structures made of soft materials sustain large reversible deformations andcan undergo dramatic shape transformations. In many cases, traditional linearizedtheories are not suitable for the description of such deformations, or for the design ofsuch soft complex structures.In recent years, theorists have found that geometric considerations and exact geometricformulation are useful in determining what types of structures, deformations, anddefects can form, even in cases where traditional theories fail. The same local andglobal geometric notions, and the connections between them, have been used byexperimentalists to design and build new mechanical systems, which can undergocontrolled shape changes driven by heating or other energy input.The range of systems to which these concepts are successfully applied is increasingrapidly. These include both equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems of synthetic andbiological materials from macroscopic down to nano-scales.In this framework, the organization of a Workshop dedicated to discuss these importantissues is in order. It could be crucial to join the scientific community that is interested inthe geometry of soft matter, which is quite broad. It indeed includes soft matter and solidstate physicists, biophysicists, chemists, mechanical engineers, architects, textiledesigners and even artists. This young and diverse scientific community is united byinterest in how the deep and powerful concepts of differential geometry can be used forthe design and control of soft matter. The current unusually rapid evolution of this fieldrequires frequent interactions between members of the community in order to maintainits cohesiveness.For this reason, we are planning a Workshop scheduled in such a way that its format issimilar to a Gordon Research Conference or a Lorentz Center workshop. This shouldalso be a very effective in developing new research collaborations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 26, 2018
- Source ID
- N629091812102
Entities
People
- Luiz Evangalista
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy