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SUMMARY:Toward Mechanically Adaptive and Multi-functional Structures - Ima
 n Mohagheghian\, University of Surrey
DTSTART:20250502T140000Z
DTEND:20250502T150000Z
UID:TALK229861@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Shehara Perera
DESCRIPTION:Most natural organisms show fascinating mechanical adaptabilit
 y when interacting with their environments. Stiffness tuning in nature is 
 used as a powerful tool to combine the load carrying functionality of rigi
 d structures with compliance and adaptability. Human-made structures\, how
 ever\, do not possess this mechanical adaptability and are often designed 
 to meet a specific load carrying requirement. This causes limitations in p
 erformance\, efficiency and safety. Often to add other functionalities\, a
 dditional components are needed\, which increases the total weight and cos
 t of the structures.\n \nIn this talk\, I will present the latest research
  in our group on a variety of structures including multi-material cellular
  and multi-layered structures that employed active stiffness tuning based 
 on thermoplastic softening. We use a combined experimental and numerical a
 pproach to investigate the electro-thermo-mechanical response of these str
 uctures. Understanding the main physical obstacles that limit the response
  time and the fundamental parameters controlling the stability and the fai
 lure under harsh electro-thermal loading will help us to better engineer t
 he structures to meet the fast response and low power requirements. This n
 ew understanding will accelerate the technology readiness level of active 
 structural control technology to be used in future multi-functional and sm
 art structures. This technology has a wide range of application in robotic
 s\, morphing and deployable structures\, active damping and active impact 
 protection.
LOCATION:CivEng Seminar Room (1-33) (Civil Engineering Building)
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