ABSTRACT: Different from neuron-based computational intelligence through the brain, physical intelligence leverages structural designs and smart materials to physically encode sensing, actuation, control, adaption, and decision-making into the body of an agent. The stimuli-responsive body materials can enable autonomous sensory, actuation, powering, and other physical intelligence functions. The structural designs of soft body can simplify the required actuation for deformation and motion, as well as enable real-time feedback control-free locomotion and self-adaption. In this talk, I will discuss our recent work in embodying mechanical intelligence of structural designs and/or materials intelligence of soft active materials in soft robotics, for achieving fast and efficiency locomotion, rich shape morphing, autonomy, and intelligence. First, I will talk about utilizing snapping instabilities for fast, efficient, and maneuverable soft swimmers. Then, I will discuss how to leverage multistability for rich shape morphing and applications. Finally, I will discuss examples of integrating structural designs with soft active materials for achieving autonomy and intelligence in soft robots.

BIOSKETCH: Dr. Jie Yin is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NC State University. Prior to join NC State, he was an Assistant and Associate Professor at Temple University. Dr. Yin received his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from Columbia University. He is the recipient of the Cozzarelli Prize from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), NSF Career Award, and Extreme Mechanics Letters (EML) Young Investigator Award. His group’s current research focuses on mechanics guided design of soft robotics, mechanical metamaterials, and shape-morphing functional materials for sustainability.