Molecular networks are ubiquitous in both natural and synthetic systems and can be found in cytoskeletal networks, biological tissues, and polymeric materials amongst others. The topological evolution of these networks, along with the rearrangement and deformation of their components are known to strongly influence their emerging mechanical properties. Various manifestations of these mechanisms are readily seen in the fracture-resistant response of gels and polymers with multiple networks; the self-healing properties of dynamers (e.g., covalently adaptable networks and vitrimers); and the active reconfigurations of cells' cytoskeletons.
The objective of this workshop is to bring together engineers, physicist and chemists who are interested in understanding the relationship between these molecular networks and their macroscopic responses. To achieve this, the PSM club along with the Soft Matter Mechanics Lab (Prof. Vernerey), Nonlinear Mechanics Lab (Prof. Long), and Biophysics Group (Prof. Hough, Prof. Betterton, Prof. Glaser) are hosting a workshop on Non-equilibrium Networks & Active Matter this coming August 13-14th at the University of Colorado, Boulder campus! We invite experts in network mechanics, active matter systems, biophysical networks, dynamic polymers and other nonlinear systems whose complexity derives from spatiotemporal topology, to present at our workshop. Applications to present are now open.
This workshop encourages student and post-doc led presentations, although appointed professors are also welcomed to present. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the event, the technical depth of presentations should be limited, instead focusing on high-order introductions and reviews of particular research areas and questions, followed by relevant results. Lectures sessions will be followed by complementary poster sessions to facilitate detailed, one-on-one conversations and Q&As.
We seek to foster open dialogue, spark collaborations, and spotlight research relevant to complex mechanical networks while providing burgeoning researchers with an opportunity to disseminate their findings.
Apply now!
Registration deadline: July 1st, followed by a call for Abstracts.