morphogenesis

Morphing soft matter, which is capable of changing its shape and function in response to stimuli, has wide-ranging applications in robotics, medicine and biology. Recently, computational models have accelerated its development. Here, we highlight advances and challenges in developing computational techniques, and explore the potential applications enabled by such models.

Yifan Yang, Fan Xu*

Nature Computational Science, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43588-024-00647-y

Petals and leaves are usually curled and exhibit intriguing morphology evolution upon growth, which contributes to their important biological functions. To understand the underlying morphoelastic mechanism and to determine the crucial factors that govern the growth-induced instability patterning in curved petals and leaves, we develop an active thin shell model that can describe variable curvatures and spontaneous growth, within the framework of general differential geometry based on curvilinear coordinates and hyperelastic deformation theory.

Research intern and postdoctoral positions on biomechanics, bioinspired robotics, mechanical metamaterials, and/or PPE innovation are available at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Candidates with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Physics, Biomedical Engineering (or any related field) with strong publication records (for those with PhD) are encouraged to submit a full CV, a cover letter stating research experience and interests, and the contact information of three references to Dr. Zi Chen at zchen33(at)bwh.harvard.edu.

Abstract

Dear iMechanicians,

Growth-induced deformation or morphoelasticity  is an interesting phenomenon ranging from living tissues to biological plants in nature. We recently publish a paper in JMPS that solves some challenging boundary value problems by addressing few key issues in computational morphoelasticity. It might be interesting for you.  

One postdoctoral fellow position in solid mechanics/biomechanics at Dartmouth is immediately available in the Chen group at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth (http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/people/faculty/zi-chen/). The subjects of research include, but are not limited to, cancer cell migration and mechanics of morphogenesis in embryos or plants.

Dear Colleagues,

A possible explanation of the variety of fingerprints comes from the consideration of the mechanics of tissue growth. Formation of fingerprints can be a result of the surface buckling of the growing skin. Remarkably, the surface bifurcation enjoys infinite multiplicity. The latter can be a reason for the variety of fingerprints. Tissue morphogenesis with the surface buckling mechanism and the growth theory underlying this mechanism are presented in the attached notes.