At the Morphing Matter Lab, research focuses on the discovery and study of morphing material mechanisms, and algorithms for their computational design and fabrication pipelines. We are interested in applications that contribute to planetary and human health.
Director: Lining Yao
Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, UC Berkeley
Mission
Construct
The discovery of morphing mechanisms involves hands-on experimentation of material composition, structure, mechanics, and geometry across scales.
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Differential Bi-layers | Bi-layer biohybrid hygromorphic actuator | Bi-layer paper composite structure
Yarn Arrangments | 3D knitting with inlayed tendon
Residual Stress Distribution | Residual stress-induced self-folding
Groove-induced Differential Diffusion | Asynchronous diffusion by surface grooves
Heterogeneity in Cellular Structure | Molded wood actuators
Compute
Computational and data-driven design of morphing matter through geometrical and physics-based analysis, optimization, and machine learning, to democratize morphing matter.
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Numerical Optimization for Continuous Non-developable 2D to 3D | Geodesy universal 4D printing compiler
Geometrical Flatterning for Developable 2D to 3D | Thermorph morphing origami compiler
ML and Geometrical Methods for Mesh 2D to 3D | SimuLearn ML and FEA simulator | 4D Mesh compiler
Geometrical Simulation for 3D Robotic Truss | PneuMesh
Physics-based Models | Groove-induced gel morphing | FE Analysis for 4D printed carbon-fiber composite | FEA and ML method for 4D Printing
Contextualize
Human- and nature-centered design to unfold the societal impactful of morphing matter, with a balance of curiosity and reality, experience and utility, engineering and design.
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Sustainable Materials and Products | Living bioLogic fabric | Flatpack gel food | Flatpack pasta | Biodegradable self-drilling electronics
Sustainable Manufacturing | 2D Self-assembly | 1D Self-assembly | Embedded printing of elastomers and edible materials | Nature-centered Design | Ocean garden
Passive and Energy Conscious Wearables in VR/AR | ReCompFig | ElectroDermis | Human-AI (Tools and Materials) Co-creation
Soft Robots | Soft hairy skin via machine knitting