Ricerc@Sapienza

My primary research focus is on morphing and shape-shifting in thin structures which are elastic and soft. What is realized is a power leverage: the shift from a low power process to a high power process as a consequence of an instability mechanism which can be controlled through the design of anisotropy and/or inhomogeneity in the material itself. Within this context, the goal of my research is to create new materials and devices which exhibit shape-shifting mechanisms using consistent mathematical models. At the moment, I am working also on diffusion and swelling in hydrogels. This latter research line, includes: the design of innovative meta-hydrogels (hydrogels with unusual properties given by internal structure rather than composition), the prediction of hydrogels shape after swelling or de-hydration, the study of diffusion and instabilities in gel micro-capsules and the investigation of active gels using a mathematical model which couples mechanics, diffusion and active contraction or growth. Finally, I work also on multi-physics problems such as bending of piezoelectric materials and fluid-solid interactions.