Blog posts

This paper describes a data-driven approach to predict mechanical properties of auxetic kirigami metamaterials with randomly oriented cuts. The finite element method (FEM)was used to generate datasets, the convolutional neural network (CNN) was introduced to train these data, and an implicit mapping between the input orientations of cuts and the output Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the kirigami sheets was established. With this input–output relationship in hand, a quick estimation of auxetic behavior of kirigami metamaterials is straightforward.

Dear Colleagues,

This is the preprint of an article on the design of elastomer networks for optimal electromechanical response that will appear in JMPS. We explore how various structural properties of an elastomer network (e.g. density of cross-links, fraction of loose-end monomers, orientation density of chains, etc.) affects both its bulk elastic and dielectric properties, and its performance as an actuator. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2020.104171).

Dear US Academic Researchers,

If you want to get on to the announcement listserv dedicated to the Mechanics of Materials & Structures (MoMS) program at the National Sciecne Foundation, then perform this task:

Send an email to listserv [at] listserv.nsf.gov with the message

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EML Webinar on 7 October 2020 will be given by Prof. Kaushik Bhattacharya, Caltech, Discussion leader: Shengqiang Cai, UCSD

Title: Title: Liquid crystal elastomers

Time: 7 am California, 10 am Boston, 3 pm London, 10 pm Beijing on 7 October 2020

Zoom Link: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/271079684 

Zoom ID: 271 079 684

Toughening Transparent Ceramics with Bio-inspired Architectures

Zhen Yin ^{(1, 2)}

¹ McGill University, Canada

² Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Germany

Acknowledgement: This journal club was posted on my last day in Montreal. Thanks Prof. Francois Barthelat and all the group memebers for the wonderful six years. A special thanks goes to Prof. Francois Barthelat for his advisory in these years that makes this journal club possible. 

It is my pleasure to solicit nominations for the "Eshelby Mechanics Award for Young Faculty". This award, launched in 2012, is given annually to rapidly emerging junior faculty who exemplify the creative use and development of mechanics. The intent of the award is to promote the field of mechanics, especially among young researchers. While interdisciplinary work that bridges mechanics with physics, chemistry, biology and other disciplines is encouraged, the ideal awardee will demonstrate clear inspiration from mechanics in his/her research.