Highlights
Apr 29, 2011
University of Chicago
Jamming as Enabling Technology for Soft Robotics
Eric Brown (University of Chicago), Nicholas Rodenberg (University of Chicago), John Amend (Cornell University), Annan Mozeika (iRobot G and I Research), Erik Steltz (iRobot G and I Research), Mitchell R. Zakin (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), Hod Lipson (Cornell University), Heinrich M. Jaeger (University of Chicago)
Basic science concepts developed in IRG1 about jamming of granular materials enabled the development of a new class of soft robotic systems. The image is of a jamming gripper which conforms to complex or fragile objects in the unjammed state, then hardens by jamming. This work is a collaboration between the University of Chicago, the Cornell University Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and iRobot Corp.
Apr 29, 2011
University of Chicago
MRSEC-Inspired Exhibits at the Exploratorium
Since 2006, members of the University of Chicago MRSEC have visited the Exploratorium and hosted reverse-visits by Exploratorium artists and scientists. The long-term goal is the realization of MRSEC-inspired exhibits on the Exploratorium floor. The picture on the left is of Shawn Lani (formerly, Exploratorium) and Sid Nagel discussing the beautiful and compelling structures made by a vibrated cornstarch/water mixture.
Apr 26, 2011
Johns Hopkins University
EXAFS Studies of Local Structure in MTJ
A. K. Rumaiz, J. C. Woicik, W. G. Wang, J. Jordan-Sweet, G. H. Jaffari, C. Ni, J. Q. Xiao, and C. L. Chien,
Background: CoFeB-MgO magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) are leading spintronic devices that relies on quantum Mechanical tunneling of electrons from one magnetic metal (CoFeB) to another across an insulating barrier of MgO. The electrical resistance of such MTJs is dictated by the orientation of the two CoFeB metals, parallel or antiparallel. The performance of MTJ is measured by tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), which is only 20% initially, but greatly increases to 200% after high temperature annealing (Fig. 1). We reveal the evolution of the local structure during annealing.
Apr 25, 2011
Johns Hopkins University
High School Student Research Internships at the Johns Hopkins
Background: The JHU MRSEC conducts extensive K-12 educational
outreach programs aimed at promoting interest in and awareness of the
importance of modern materials research. High school students from the
greater Baltimore area receive four-week internships each July to
conduct research in the laboratories of the JHU MRSEC. The students are
mentored by Center faculty, and also work closely with graduate students
and/or postdoctoral fellows. At the end of the month, each student
gives a 20-minute talk describing his/her project at a symposium
Apr 25, 2011
Johns Hopkins University
Dynamics of Magnetic Charges in Spin Ice
P. Mellado, O. Petrova, Y. C. Shen, and O. Tchernyshyov,
Background: A bar magnet has two poles, denoted as +1 and -1 magnetic charges. Patterned structuresconsist of many magnets (Fig. 1), where the square array (Fig. 1a) does not, whereas the honeycomb (Fig. 1b) has, net magnetic charges (or magnetic monopoles). Under a magnetic field these local magnetic monopoles will move (Fig. 1c). This latter structure is called “spin ice”, because it has a large number of nearly degenerate configurations. This work: We propose a theoretical model of the dynamics in artificial spin ice under an applied
Apr 11, 2011
University of California, Santa Barbara
Multi-domain ordering of coacervate-core based hydrogels unraveled by SANS and solid-state DNP
Craig Hawker and Ed Kramer
A novel category of hydrogel material has been developed (Hawker, Kramer)that form spontaneously in water through complexation of polyelectrolyte endblocks of PEG-based triblock polyelectrolytes—inspired by Waite’s mussel adhesion studies.
SANS (Kramer) and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced NMR; (Han) reveal that these complexes form dense, yet fluid, coacervate core domains with significant ordering.
Apr 11, 2011
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Self-beating plastic gels can be induced to change size and color on demand
Chen, I.C., Kuksenok, O., Yashin, V.V., Moslin, R.M., Balazs, A.C., & Van Vliet, K.J. (MIT MRSEC, IRG-III)
Special types of plastic gels that can be induced chemically to undergo self-oscillating changes in shape and color have been known for many years. Van Vliet and Balazs have now found that the oscillations of these self-beating gels can be controlled by their shape and size, as well as by externally applied forces. With change in chemistry, the gels can oscillate on their own from red to blue or green to yellow, for many hours. When these gels are made small enough (
Apr 11, 2011
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Nanostructured carbon electrodes improve performance of batteries and capacitors
S. W. Lee, B. M. Gallant, H. R. Byon, P. T. Hammond, and Y. Shao-Horn (MIT MRSEC, IRG-I)
The continued evolution of portable electronic devices and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) requires multi-functional microscale energy sources that have high power, high energy, long cycle life, and the adaptability to various substrates.
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