Smart Materials and Artificial Muscles

Dr. Mohsen Shahinpoor
Chaired Prof., Prof. Emeritus and Research Director at the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Maine College of Engineering

Salazar Hall 2009A
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Abstract: Discussed are Ionic Polymer Conductor Nano-Composite Materials (IPMCs and IPCNCs) as Distributed Nanosensors, Nanoactuators, Nanotransducers, Energy-Harvesters, and Artificial Muscles. The fundamental theories are discussed, and several video demonstrations of ionic polymer-metal nano-composites and artificial soft, biomimetic robotic muscles are presented. Some biomedical applications are also discussed.

Bio: Professor Mohsen Shahinpoor has served as a Chaired Professor and Professor Emeritus and Research Director at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Maine College of Engineering. He has also served as the Richard C. Hill Chaired Professor and Professor of Biomedical Science and Engineering at the University of Maine. He has also served as director of the Advanced Robotics Laboratory, which focuses on Smart Materials, Artificial Muscles, Tissue Engineering, Manufacturing, and Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Robotic Surgery, at the University of Maine. He is also actively involved in research and development in biomimetics, soft and flexible robotics, as well as humanoid robots, smart biomimetic wearable robotic braces, electroactive materials, artificial muscles, and ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) as soft sensors and actuators. He has also been active in promoting biomimetic humanoid robots equipped with human-like consciousness and digital immortality for the future.