Active Materials Dynamics: A Mathematical Framework

This lecture explores the fascinating dynamics of active materials, from neurons and sunflowers to actuators and soft robots. The instructor delves into the theory of material activation, proposing a unified mathematical framework to model how multiple stimuli can produce changes at the macroscopic level. By studying slender structures like active filaments, general principles for microstructure organization and activation are uncovered. The feedback loop created by shape-shifting in response to external sources can produce complex dynamics, offering elegant solutions to functional problems.