This monograph gives a complete overview on the subject of nonconservative stability from the modern point of view. Relevant mathematical concepts are presented, as well as rigorous stability results and numerous classical and contemporary examples from mechanics and physics.
One postdoctoral research associate position is available (dates negotiable). The successful candidate will work on one or multiples of the following topics: mechanics of morphogenesis in plants and embryos, fast motion of plants (e.g., the Venus flytrap's rapid closure), mechanical self-assembly and instability of thin structures (e.g., DNA, plant tendrils, self-assembly of nanostructures, etc.), and bioinspired structures. The candidate should have received (or expect to receive very soon) a Ph.D.
Soft dielectric elastomer is able to generate an
electromechanical response in terms of reversible shape
changing, which is a muscle-like behavior. The deformation
and electromechanical stability of dielectric elastomers,
classified by their deformation modes, uniaxial extension,
equal biaxial expansion and pure shear, are investigated.
Pull-in instability occurs in equal biaxial and uniaxial modes
at a small stretch ratio, while the pure shear mode features
wrinkling instability after a large stable deformation. The
Can a single-degree-of-freedom elastic structure have two buckling loads?
We provide a positive answer to this question, see http://www.ing.unitn.it/~bigoni/multiple_bifurcations.html
