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Biological membranes are deformed and shaped by proteins that assemble into higher-order scaffolds. These scaffolds target the force-generating polymerization of actin filaments to deform and shape the membrane.

Navier-Stokes equations dictate that the conventional fluid flows only in response to an externally imposed gradient in stress or a body force. We developed a novel active fluid that is comprised of microtubules and energy consuming molecular motors kinesin.

Researchers at North Carolina State University and Elon University have developed soft robots based on magnetic field-directed self-assembly of magnetic particles into chains embedded in elastomer films.

Most recent work on hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites is focused on solar cell applications. Hybrid perovskites, however, provide a flexible platform for materials design, with prospects for many different applications.

Topological crystalline insulators feature conducting surface states for electrons whose existence is protected by crystal symmetry.  Scanning probe microscopy experiments on SnTe reveal that such metallic topological states can coexist next to semiconducting regions.

CRISP continued its interactions with industrial companies that aim to commercialize broadly new and simpler approach for force microscopy measurements.  Separately, CRISP continued to train graduate students in research, writing, and presentation skills by providing the opportunity to attend a number of international conferences.

Soft robots possess many attributes that are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve with conventional robots composed of rigid materials. Yet, despite recent advances, soft robots must still be tethered to hard robotic control systems and power sources. 

A Bose-Einstein condensate, when shaken appropriately, shows universal dynamics at a ferromagnetic quantum critical point. By ramping the modulation strength, the emergence and growth of the pseudo-spin fluctuations are universal in the normalized coordinate (bottom graphic, squares), and are in good agreement with theoretical calculations (bottom graph. Line). 

From the ancient art of origami to modern meta-materials research, a central goal has been to develop the ability to convert a flat, stiff sheet into its final three-dimensional shape with just one single folding motion. Except for a few known cases, general design rules for the required patterns of creases have been elusive.