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2
First Day
ADAPTIVE SOFT AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Joerg Lahann, Professor, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Bio Medical
Engineering, University of Michigan.
Dr. Lahann introduced rationale for designing adaptive structural materials modeled on forms
that exist in nature. For example, a number of insects and fish are able to dynamically change their
exterior color to provide camouflage matching their environment. Such adaptive changes can arise
from the activity of multiple distributed autonomous elements: fish melanophores (pigment cells)
individually modify their morphology in response to environmental light cues such that their
collective action lightens or darkens the animal’s surface.
Similarly, synthetic materials exhibiting smart responses can be developed by engineering
appropriate building blocks. For example, Dr. Lahann described work done in his laboratory to
construct anisotropic microparticles that combine polymers with several different properties, such as
color, magnetic susceptibility and deformation in response to temperature, solvents, electric fields,
magnetic fields and pH. Such particles can individually take on a variety of shapes under different
environmental conditions. When used together on a surface, such adaptive changes can alter the
physical and chemical properties of that surface – for example its color or hydrophobicity. A key
concept is the ability to design properties at the smallest element level that lead to useful responses in
the bulk. Some bulk/surface properties would not be accessible without the use of this design
approach.
Dr. Lahann noted that manufacturing anisotropic micromaterials is challenging, but advances
made in microfluidics and chemistry by groups around the world have made it possible to do so
consistently. The equipment necessary for such synthesis is not expensive. Forms of this concept have
experienced broad adoption, for example in reading devices based on e-ink. Additional practical
applications in development or under consideration include security inks, reconfigurable antennas,
tunable filters and lenses, camouflage systems and medical diagnostics. While most technical
demonstrations of adaptive materials based on anisotropic responsive microparticles have been in the
liquid phase, he stated that it is also possible to structure solid materials and membranes with
sufficient freedom of movement to take advantage of this approach. “However, I would not use these
to paint a car,” Dr. Lahann said.
Research groups whose work was cited by Dr. Lahann are based at academic institutions in the
United States, Germany, Israel and Japan. Topics not covered in the presentation included self-
healing materials and metamaterials.
3
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4 ADAPTIVE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES: A WORKSHOP REPORT
LEARNING FROM NATURE: BIOINSPIRED MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
Vladimir Tsukruk, Professor, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of
Technology.
Dr. Tsukruk defined adaptive materials and structures as comprising the ability to sense external
stimuli (ideally with low detection limit and large dynamic range) and actuate a calibrated reaction
(e.g., change in organization) governed by a feedback loop to achieve a desired state (e.g. shape,
compliance, appearance). He noted that many examples of adaptive and other uniquely beneficial
materials and systems exist in nature, including:
Adaptive colors in butterflies, octopi – photonic, sensing, camouflaging
Dynamic adhesion in gecko feet – climbing, holding
Self-healing biological parts – self-healing materials
Reptilian locomotion – movement on complex terrains
Dog canine – remote trace chemical sensing
Silk materials – tough lightweight nanocomposites
Night vision in some species – thermal sensors
Wave tracking in seals and fish – underwater monitoring
Spider hair air flow receptors – mechanical sensors
Devices with unique functionality and performance can be developed by characterizing the
mechanisms underlying biological materials and recapitulating them synthetically. Using an example
from his own laboratory, Dr. Tsukruk stated that the unique ability of snakes to detect small
temperature changes as part of their infrared detection capabilities was traced to a special organ in
which thermal expansion of air pockets leads to deformation of a membrane, which is detected in
downstream cell signaling. Synthetic nanostructures with such a membrane arrangement were created
and exhibited temperature sensitivity of 10 mK, with a spatial resolution of 30 µm when used in an
array. Dr. Tsukruk said that at the time they were developed, these sensors showed unique
performance compared to state-of-the-art bolometers. Importantly, these sensors are a passive
material: temperature changes deform membranes so as to produce changes in reflectivity, which can
be assayed as needed. He pointed out that a similar approach was used to mimic the ability of spiders
to detect sound waves using unique hair structures, and to mimic the ability of fish to sense fluid
velocity. In the latter case, a biomimetic structure had an unprecedented fluid motion detection limit
of 2 µm/sec.
Dr. Tsukruk noted that the development of bio-inspired materials requires close multidisciplinary
collaboration involving biologists and engineers. There are no comprehensive catalogs of useful
mimicable biological materials/structures, and most are identified through word of mouth. Productive
collaborations between engineers and biologists are rare and are usually initiated in the United States
(sometimes with goal-driven introductions made by, e.g., DARPA). He stated that foreign biologists,
who may not have previously thought about potential bioinspired applications, are drawn into
collaborations with US engineers. In several cases they have subsequently established similar
collaborations closer to home (examples were provided for Europe). A rough estimate is that fewer
than 30% of engineers developing bioinspired materials have biomedical end-goals. Most are
pursuing consumer product, defense or energy objectives.
While most of the work described by Dr. Tsukruk was carried out in the United States and
Europe, he believed China would also make advances in this area. He provided the example of Peking
University, which established a materials science program only ~5 years ago, but has managed to
recruit a group of top scientists, most of whom previously held academic positions in the United
States. Its graduate program was copied from Georgia Tech. In addition, Russia’s SkyTech and Saudi
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FIRST DAY 5
Arabia’s KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) may be supporting work in
this area, according to Dr. Tsukruk.
ADAPTIVE GRANULAR MATTER
Heinrich Jaeger, William J. Friedman and Alicia Townsend Professor of Physics, University of
Chicago.
Dr. Jaeger opened his presentation by remarking that granular materials exhibit far-from-
equilibrium behavior. This behavior can be adaptive, and can yield a smart aggregate response from
“dumb” ingredients. His work at the University of Chicago deals with granular1 materials that can be
used to form adaptive matter. These include pouring granular materials into a form, designing high
strength, low-density structures, and making granular matter jam and unjam based on externally
applied stress. This latter project was part of the completed JamBots program at DARPA. Research
on granular matter can be traced back many years, but only recently has granular matter become of
interest as an adaptive material.
Dr. Jaeger discussed both mesoscopic and macroscopic granular matter and then went on to
discuss jamming. He mentioned that jamming is the emergent, cooperative process of a collection of
objects getting stuck and becoming rigid. Jamming underlies some of the major scientific challenges
in far-from-equilibrium physics, including understanding the glass transition. He noted that some
researchers are working on optimizing the packing density of particles. Dr. Jaeger described how
there has been rapid recent progress in simulating large collections of non-spherical particles, which
has happened due to better computing hardware and algorithms.
Dr. Jaeger described soft robotics where jamming is the enabling technology. He showed
different robots that can adapt to the surface of their structures, and also other structures that can
adapt themselves to different surfaces (such as gripping a glass of water). An example is a robotic
arm that can throw a dart onto a dartboard. These are passive, underactuated type universal grippers,
being researched here in the United States.
In summary, Dr. Jaeger stated that granular materials are pervasive across all industries and
technology with multitudes of applications. Granular matter is an amorphous collection of many
(hard) particles, with interactions dominated by interfaces, and can be viewed as prototypical of far
from-equilibrium behavior. Jamming is an important mechanism to produce reversible transformation
between soft/rigid states in granular systems. He concluded by noting that with the proper design,
granular materials can be adaptable, robust, and possibly “self-healing.”
Q – What is around the corner? A – Jaeger responded with three topics: exploit particle shape,
make ingredients “smart,” and adaptive granular matter by design.
Q – Can you create materials that operate in a certain frequency range, and respond to sound
waves? A – Yes, he said, research is being conducted to create materials that respond to certain
frequency ranges. Sound waves are not yet being thoroughly researched (explorations are just
preliminary).
ACTIVE AERO STRUCTURES
Daniel Inman, Department Chair, Aerospace Engineering and Clarence “Kelly” Johnson Professor,
University of Michigan.
Dr. Inman presented to the workshop via video conferencing. He opened his presentation by
outlining the areas that he would discuss. They included Morphing Aircraft, Solar Powered Aircraft,
Structural Monitoring, Energy Harvesting, Origami Structures and Multifunctional Hybrids. Dr.
1
Dr. Jaeger described granular matter as an amorphous collection of many (hard) particles in which emergent behavior
arises from interaction at interfaces, and the internal particle properties are less important.
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6 ADAPTIVE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES: A WORKSHOP REPORT
Inman went on to explain their military significance, including quieter airplanes; improved
performance; quiet, all-electric, long-range UAVs; self-powered sensor systems; and structural health
monitoring systems. He discussed how birds have a unique ability to maneuver. This behavior has
inspired developments in shape changing UAVs and MAVs that offer both stealth and agile maneuver
advantages. He also described several different types of morphing structures from wings to engines
that promise access to highly unusual flight envelopes. Next he explained how solar-powered use of
structural health monitoring (SHM) methods to detect damage while structures are in service
improves reliability and offers the possibility for other detections. He further explained that remote
sensing, and place-and-forget sensing, require self-power, which implies the area of energy
harvesting2 of low power from solar, vibration and thermal gradients. This includes self-powered
place-and-forget GPS monitoring systems. Dr. Inman also discussed harvesting mechanical vibration
using the piezoelectric effect. The goals were to increase battery life, but it was found that only small
amounts of useable electrical energy were produced. He then discussed concepts some ten to fifteen
years out, including origami structures actuated by smart materials, autonomous behavior in structural
and sensor systems, threat reduction systems that react to incoming threats by changing shape, and
multifunctional, and functionally graded, hybrid composites. Dr. Inman concluded his presentation by
summarizing that the active aero structures can provide stealth, remote sensing and functionality,
improved vehicle performance, unique abilities to expand future capabilities and perhaps enable game
changing solutions to security problems.
Q – Which other countries are doing similar research? A – He answered: China, Korea,
Switzerland, Israel, and the United Kingdom.
35 YEARS OF ADAPTIVE STRUCTURES
Jay Kudva, Chief Executive Officer, NextGen Aeronautics.
Dr. Kudva opened his presentation by discussing flight from birds, to Icaraus, to the Wright
brothers and on to jets. He went on to discuss how examples in biology inspire new projects to be
developed. Dr. Kudva discussed a cuttlefish example which led to research areas in underwater
vehicles and the use of different polymers. Some of the work was produced by looking at research
from overseas and then building a very quiet underwater robot. He argued that an electroactive
polymer capable of generating significant force is the holy grail for future research. An enabling
vision for the future is a tailorable multifunctional material with stiffness on demand. Dr. Kudva
showed another example of a morphing wing. One key point, he noted, was that the designers made
several real models and tested them in wind tunnels to get key data. The researchers found that this
was better than computational modeling. He pointed out that his company does not have large
resources, but is focused, and can quickly catch up with competitors.3 He mentioned that this is true
for foreign countries as well. Some of the issues with flexible wings, he noted, were that the flexible
skins break fairly quickly. Dr. Kudva mentioned that the ability to have adaptive controls as well as
the ability to keep flying despite being damaged is very important. He believes that the United States
is ahead in system level design and that smart structures are only 5 years out. He finished by
discussing how the United States tends to have multiservice multifunction aircraft and how this can
hurt the design of projects.
Q – Where do NextGen employees come from? A – With one degree of separation, all come
from universities that Jay Kudva is familiar with (like UCLA). Occasionally, applicants are hired
from oversees. However, the vast majority of its employees are from American universities (hired as
they finish their engineering degrees).
2
Energy Harvesting as used here refers to capturing low levels of ambient waste energy to convert to useable electrical
energy.
3
For more information see http://www.nextgenaero.com/.
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FIRST DAY 7
Q – Competition oversees? A – He argued that American programs are certainly ahead.
However, Kudva said, the Chinese are trying to break into NextGen’s servers on a frequent basis, and
there has been an explosion of patent applications from oversees.
ADAPTIVE STRUCTURES TECHNOLOGY FOR ADVANCED AIRCRAFT
Ed White, Adaptive Structures Technology Focus Team Leader, Associate Technical Fellow, Boeing
Research and Technology.
Mr. White’s talk on adaptive structures technology for advanced aircraft began by his discussing
what is stopping adaptive airframes. He believes that solutions based on kinematics of rigid structures
are usually too heavy and introduce concerns with added complexity, reliability, and maintainability.
He then discussed the barriers that adaptive airframes have at the platform performance level. These
include limited ability to do multidisciplinary analysis and optimization (MDAO) with adaptive
airframe elements. Mr. White noted that researchers can create point designs for adaptive airframe
solutions, but not within an MDAO environment, but he felt that this will need to change in the
future.
Mr. White presented three key technology developments that are needed. These developments
included compact, highly weight efficient variable geometry primary load paths; skins to provide
fairings and gap closeouts to support the variable geometry; and highly integrated, multi-degree-of-
semi freedom actuators. Next White discussed key implementation indicators. Some of these
indicators included large-scale testing of any of the technology needs area previously mentioned, and
testing beyond a technology readiness level of 6.
To summarize, White suggested that adaptive structures (applied to large structures) require
technology development in the three key technology development areas. He also believes that design
of adaptive airframes must be performed as part of a system level trade off and that the development
of these tools lag significantly behind the current research on adaptive structural materials.
MAGNETIC SHAPE MEMORY
Manfred Wuttig, Professor, and Director of Graduate Program, Department of Materials Science
and Engineering, University of Maryland.
Professor Wuttig noted that shape memory alloys are a general class of materials that remember
their original shape. They are potentially useful in actuators that may be designed to change shape,
stiffness, position, natural frequency of vibration, and other mechanical characteristics in response to
temperature or electromagnetic fields. He stated that magnetic shape memory alloys are
ferromagnetic materials that exhibit tensile strain (with a measurable relative physical extension that
can be as large as 10%) when a magnetic field is imposed on the material. The physical extension
depends on the magnetic anisotropy of the material, where the magnetic domains line up much more
readily in one direction than in the other. The main advantage of magnetic shape memory alloys over
conventional shape memory alloys, he argued, is that the former can respond faster to changes than
the latter. Magnetic field effects operate on a faster time scale than thermal effects.
Dr. Wuttig noted that the leading foreign research work in magnetic shape memory alloys is
being carried out primarily in Europe (University of Helsinki, University of Dresden, and University
of Barcelona), Russia (Kiev University), and Asia (Tohoku University and Tsing-Hua University). In
the United States, he said, this kind of work is being carried out at Caltech, MIT, and the University
of Maryland.
Dr. Wuttig stated that most of the work in this area is still in its infancy. The synthesis of
ferromagnetic materials for dynamic adaptive applications is still a challenge. The unit volumetric
change for applied input energy remains too high. Use of magnetic shape memory alloys in large
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8 ADAPTIVE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES: A WORKSHOP REPORT
adaptive structures in the aerospace industry, for example, is nonexistent. However, he noted, hobby
applications in model toy aircraft where the flight surfaces are controlled by magnetic shape memory
alloys are probably feasible.
MULTIFUNCTION FOR PERFORMANCE TAILORED STRUCTURES
Leslie Momoda, Director, Sensors and Materials Laboratory, HRL Laboratories.
Dr. Momoda began with a discussion of multifunctional structurally adaptive materials,
including those that have controllable electrical, thermal, and acoustic transmission or that exhibit
color or surface texture adaption. A potential approach is to embed the responsive materials in a
structural matrix (one that supports mechanical stresses well) such as a composite, foam or
microlattice material. The system benefits from such an advance, she noted, would be significant,
including lighter, longer-range vehicles, more payload capacity, mission adaptive behavior (including
camouflage), and self-diagnosis, healing and targeted maintenance. Her presentation reviewed
developments in macro-scalable integrated thermal management, self-healing structures based on
micro-vascular concepts, meta materials for acoustic and EMI shielding, soft materials including
shape memory polymers and variable stiffness composites. Dr. Momoda discussed multifunctional
battery work including batteries that can be painted on a surface (Rice University), carbon fiber
batteries (KTH, Sweden), fiber reinforced lithium ion batteries (HRL) and a BAE fiber-based Ni-MH
chemistry system. She reviewed the many challenges that will be encountered in realizing these
concepts and discussed potential applications in small unmanned systems and robotics. She stated that
tracking developments in these areas is likely to provide early warning of potentially game-changing
advances by adversaries. Her presentation also included a comprehensive bibliography of relevant
research papers and reports.