Time: 14:00-15:00, 30/07/2025 Combining the self-organisation of liquid crystals (LCs) with the flexibility of elastomers results in a special class of stimuli-responsive solid materials called liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). These materials deform in response to changes in the LC orientation driven by temperature variation, electric, magnetic, or optical fields, and their LC alignment changes when…

Time: 14:00-16:00, 18th June 2025 Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are a versatile class of functional materials exhibitingexceptional properties, including large-stroke reversible actuation, anomalous mechanicaland vibration energy damping, and reversible pressure-sensitive adhesion. A defining featureof LCEs is their soft elasticity, characterised by a plateau of low, nearly constant stress during stretching, slow stress relaxation, and enhanced surface…

Time: 14:00-16:00, 28 May 2025 Lightweight composite and porous architected materials are pivotal enablers of the global transition to net-zero emissions, offering transformative potential across sectors such as transportation, aerospace, and renewable energy. By reducing structural weight while maintaining performance, these materials minimise energy consumption and carbon footprints. However, their design and optimisation are challenged by…

Time: 14:00-15:30, 31st October 2024 Location/Room: Room 010 (ground Floor), Engineering North, Bay Campus How to find us Nature’s ingenuity serves as a profound source of inspiration for developing advanced materials and robotic systems. In this presentation, we explore how biological phenomena inform innovative engineering solutions, focusing on morphing structures and moving mechanisms, both grounded in our understanding of…