Bioinspired Materials and Structures for Programmable Interlocking, Adaptation, and Multifunctionality

*Presentation will be recorded.

Abstract: 

Biological systems achieve remarkable combinations of adaptability, reversibility, and multifunctionality through architected interfaces and hierarchical material designs. Inspired by these principles, the Bio-Inspired Materials (BIM) Lab develops materials and structures that integrate geometry, smart materials, and advanced manufacturing to achieve programmable mechanical responses. This seminar will highlight recent advances in bioinspired interlocking interfaces, shape-memory polymer fasteners with tunable attachment and silent release, morphing structures, architected composites with improved damage tolerance, and thermally activated granular systems. Experimental, computational, and manufacturing approaches will be presented to demonstrate how the interplay between material behavior, structural architecture, and fabrication methods enables tailored properties such as stiffness, energy dissipation, attachment strength, and shape transformation. The seminar will also discuss the design principles underlying reversible interfaces, deployable structures, and responsive materials, emphasizing opportunities and challenges in translating bioinspired concepts into scalable technologies for aerospace, robotics, and other emerging engineering applications.

Bio: 

Vanessa Restrepo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University and Director of the Bio-Inspired Materials (BIM) Lab. Her research focuses on bioinspired materials and structures, smart and shape-memory materials, architected interfaces, and advanced manufacturing for adaptive and multifunctional systems. She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and has authored numerous publications in the areas of bioinspired design, interlocking mechanisms, and smart material systems. Her work has been supported by federal agencies and industry partners and has been recognized through several awards, including the James J. Cain ’51 Faculty Graduate Teaching Award.