Adaptive Self-assembled Systems: Exploiting Multifunctionality for Bottom-up Large-scale Engineering (ASSEMBLE)
Abstract
Our objective is to forge a new interdisciplinary research effort entitled Adaptive Self- assembled Systems: Exploiting Multifunctionality for Bottom-up Large-scale Engineering (ASSEMBLE). Our vision is inspired by the unparalleled ability of biological systems to translate stimuli from the environment into meaningful actions, e.g., move toward sunlight, change appearance, or run from predators. This adaptive behavior is enabled in part by: (1) a musculoskeletal system that provides support and allows movement; (2) a nervous system that propagates information; and (3) a metabolism that transduces energy to enable functionality. To date, there are no synthetic materials systems that seamlessly integrate analogous components to perform the concerted functionality that is the hallmark of living organisms. As a path to addressing this shortcoming, we will utilize synthesis, characterization, self-assembly, and additive manufacturing to create materials systems that combine rudimentary ÒmusclesÓ, ÒbonesÓ, ÒnervesÓ, sensors, and energy to adapt to external cues via reconfiguration and optimization of thermal, optical, and physicochemical properties. Theory and simulation will help guide the design of interconnecting, bio-inspired components and uncover the underlying fundamental principles governing the behavior of the integrated system. Our collaborative efforts will thereby yield synthetic materials systems with inherent capacities for unprecedented forms of bio-inspired functionality. Specifically, ASSEMBLE will provide a new science of assembly that integrates microscopic forms of self-organization with scalable means of additive 3D fabrication to afford hierarchical materials that will self-regulate, morph, camouflage, harvest/store energy, or display other forms of dynamic, adaptive behavior. Our ability to harness a broad range of chemistries, energy transduction mechanisms, self-assembly approaches, tunable mechanics, and multi-scale fabrication of functional components provides us with a strong foundation to undertake broad studies of hierarchical self-organization and develop dynamic materials systems capable of fast, autonomous or controlled functional morphing stimulated by external influences or user input. Such adaptive materials systems can dramatically enhance military capabilities, and completely transform future technologies and every-day consumer products. Notably, the DoD has a vested interest in creating dynamically responsive, multifunctional materials that can sense, respond and report changes in environmental conditions. These materials will be vital to the Army of the future by providing autonomous mobility and functionality and thus, decreasing the need for placing soldiers in dangerous scenarios. Such materials cannot, however, be created without fundamentally new engineering guidelines. It is this need that we are attempting to address in the proposed studies. By performing the proposed research, we can reach the overarching goal of creating materials systems that simultaneously provide structure, sensing, and responseÑall integrated into the desired function. Many of the proposed systems exploit a coupling of light and the mechanical behavior of the material. Importantly, transduction across optical and mechanical energy domains presents new opportunities for creating novel responsive, reconfigurable materials. Creating responsive and controllable autonomous systems that can perform multiple functions in dangerous situations could ultimately lead to dramatic reductions in fatalities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 17, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710351
Entities
People
- Anna C. Balazs
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Pittsburgh