Speaker: Huajian Gao, Distinguished University Professor, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Scientific Director, Institute of High Performance Computing, A'STAR, Singapore

Time: 11:00-12:00 am, October 9, 2022, GMT+8

Venue: Scan the QR code

Abstract: While conventional mechanics of materials offers passive access to mechanical properties of materials in existing forms,a paradigm shift is emerging toward proactive programming and design of materials'properties and functionalities by leveraging the force-geometry-property relationships. One of the foundations of this new paradigm is multiscale mechanics,which enables functional and structural materials to be designed based on principles from nanoscale and beyond. Here,we discuss two examples of mechanomaterials. The first example is concerned with the design of fatigue resistant metals that defies the damage accumulation mechanisms in conventional materials. We report a history-independent and stable cyclic response in copper samples with highly oriented nanoscale twin boundaries. We demonstrate that this unusual cyclic behaviour is governed by an unusual type of dislocations called correlated 'necklace' dislocations. The second example has to do with the design of viscoelastic interfaces for better and more compatible integration of synthetic materials with biological systems. Specifically,we introduce a viscoelastic adhesive patch that accommodates the cyclic deformation of the myocardium and outperforms most existing acellular epicardial patches in reversing left ventricular remodelling and restoring heart function after both acute and subacute myocardial infarction in rats. These examples demonstrate the potential of mechanomaterials in providing future materials solutions for healthcare,energy,and environment.

Biography: Huajian Gao received his B.S.degree from Xian Jiaotong University in 1982,and his M.S.and Ph.D.degrees in Engineering Science from Harvard University in 1984 and 1988,respectively.He served on the faculty of Stanford University between 1988 and 2002, where he was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 1994 and to Full Professor in 2000.He served as Director at the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research between 2001 and 2006,and then as Walter H.Annenberg Professor of Engineering at Brown University from 2006-2019.At present,he is one of the six Distinguished University Professors at Nanyang Technological University and Scientific Director of the Institute of High Performance Computing in Singapore. Professor Gao's research has been focused on the understanding of basic principles that control mechanical properties and behaviors of materials in both engineering and biological systems.He is the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids,the flagship journal of his field. He has been elected to memberships in US National Academy of Sciences,US National Academy of Engineering, American Academy of Arts and Sciences,German National Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Academia Europaea. He has also received numerous awards and honors,including John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, Rodney Hill Prize in Solid Mechanics from the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics,William Prager Medal from Society of Engineering Science,Theodor von Karman Medal from American Society of Civil Engineers,and Nadai and Timoshenko Medals from American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Source: CSTAM