Most robots rely on models to complete their tasks. These models enable the robot to predict how the environment changes, and what the robot will observe as a result of these changes, for any action it takes. Unfortunately, however, no model is perfect, and will invariably make wrong predictions. If the planner relies on those inaccurate predictions, the quality of the robot’s plan will suffer,...

Cell-induced matrix remodeling is a hallmark of both disease and regeneration. My lab develops biomaterials and matrix characterization methods to study these dynamic cell-matrix interactions. In designing our biomaterials, we employ protein engineering methods with simple polymer physics models to create biomimetic extracellular matrices for culture of patient-derived organoids. These...

The world is a continuous-time latent variable model, which makes such models a natural fit for all kinds of messy scientific data that comes at irregular intervals, such as patient records or astronomical observations. It has recently become more practical to use more sophisticated versions of such models, by using neural networks to aid in approximate inference. But practical use of such models...

The combinatorial size of chemical molecule space, which compounds under variable synthetic, catalytic, and/or non-equilibrium conditions, is vast. This makes application of first principles quantum mechanical and advanced statistical mechanics sampling methods to identify binding motifs, conformational equilibria, and reaction pathways extremely challenging, even when considering better physical...

In this talk, I will discuss advances in photonic engineering in which algorithmic approaches to device implementation unlock new functional capabilities for wavefront engineering. In the first part, I will discuss the utilization of freeform optimization for metamaterials in which non-local, multiple scattering dynamics enable new regimes of device efficiency and multi-functionality. These...

Invention and the processes of innovation in technology in ancient societies is revealed through surviving ancient engineered materials that played a significant role in human experience and life. Notable examples include the production of stable and durable colorants, such as ceramic pigments involving high heat treatment, namely Egyptian blue (CaCuSi4O10) and Chinese blue (BaCuSi4O10) employed...

Protein de-mixing has been implicated in the organization of cellular components. These phase-separated membraneless compartments create distinct environments that are essential to cellular processes ranging from cell signaling to gene expression. Several membraneless organelles appear to have the same physical properties as complex coacervates – liquid-liquid phase separated mixtures of...

The production of polymer products relies largely on age-old molding techniques. A major reason for this is that additive methods have not delivered meaningful alternatives to traditional processes—until now. In this talk, I will describe Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) technology, which embodies a convergence of advances in software, hardware, and materials to bring the digital...

A host of contemporary materials provide novel routes to manipulate and control light, broadly defined as spanning from microwave through visible wavelengths. Conversely, light can also be used to manipulate the properties of materials through resonant and non-resonant interactions enabling, as examples, the detection, modulation, and nonlinear manipulation of light. Moreover, dynamic and...

With enough power, any problem becomes tractable. Since the inception of wireless sensor networks, researchers have continuously searched for ways to do more with less. Integrated circuits and MEMS sensors have continued to shrink in size, cost, and active and quiescent power. However, the energy density of non-rechargeable batteries has plateaued, constraining wireless sensor lifetimes....