Soft Interfaces and Mechanics of Impact

This lecture by the instructor focuses on soft interfaces and mechanics of impact, exploring the applications of soft material mechanics in various fields such as medical implants, suspensions, soil, and soft robotics. The presentation delves into the challenges of characterizing dynamic contact phenomena experimentally, discussing the role of air in compliant impact events. Through detailed analysis and scaling considerations, the lecture uncovers the subtle dependencies of impactor properties on the behavior of air pockets during impact. The talk concludes by highlighting the relevance of understanding compliant interfacial mechanics in fields like soft robot locomotion.