Biosketch

Research Interests

We seek to build devices that can convincingly recreate the human sense of touch. To achieve this goal, we are investigating the basic mechanical forces that generate tactile sensations. By identifying and quantifying these mechanical forces, we can identify materials and design devices that recreate arbitrary tactile sensations. These insights are important for many fields, from basic biology, remote surgery, training in virtual reality, to entertainment.

Mechanical Properties of Single Cells and Thin Tissues

The mechanical properties of cells and tissues are important biomarkers for diagnosing diseases and studying basic biology. However, directly measuring the mechanical properties of cells and tissues is difficult, especially with live cells and in a high-throughput manner. We develop platforms that can measure these properties in a convenient method that is orthogonal to many existing techniques.

Mechanical Forces in Complex Geometries and Deformable Interfaces

In nature, most systems are comprised of heterogenous and complex shapes, whereas most man-made objects are relatively simple and smooth. Although these systems in nature are more complex, the enhanced function of natural systems is often derived from these irregular shapes and deformable interfaces. We seek to recreate these complex geometries and provide experimental evidence to explain a variety of mechanical phenomena.

Representative Publications