The Peter Timms Symposium 2022
LT1
Peter Timms Symposium 2022 - Professor Charl FJ Faul, University of Bristol
Headline Speaker; Professor Joanna Aizenberg, Harvard University
Talk title; Synthetic materials with self-regulation
Abstract; Dynamic structures that respond reversibly to changes in their environment are central to self-regulating thermal and lighting systems, targeted drug delivery, sensors, and self-propelled locomotion. Since an adaptive change requires energy input, an ideal strategy would be to synthesize materials that harvest energy directly from the environment and use it to drive an appropriate response. This lecture will present the design of a novel class of reconfigurable materials that use ‘hairy’ surfaces bearing arrays of nanostructures put in motion by environment-responsive gels. Their unique hybrid architecture, and chemical and mechanical properties can be optimized to confer a wide range of adaptive behaviors. Using both experimental and modeling approaches, we are developing these hydrogel-actuated integrated responsive systems (HAIRS) as new materials with reversible optical and wetting properties, as a multifunctional platform for controlling cell differentiation and function, and as a first homeostatic system with autonomous self-regulation. The extension of these principles to the synthesis of unique liquid crystal elastomer microstructures capable of a broad range of hierarchical, even mechanically unfavored deformation behaviors with applications in switchable adhesion, information encryption, autonomous antennae, energy harvesting, soft robotics, and smart buildings will be discussed.
Key Note Speakers;
Dr Kim Jelfs, Imperial College London
Dr Pierangelo Gobbo, University of Trieste
Dr Anita Etale, University of Bristol
To view the programme please click on the below link;
Peter Timms Symposium Flyer 2022 (PDF, 1,714kB)
This symposium will be a hybrid event, please see the below livestream and slido links;