Soft is the new cool!

Mechanics of soft polymer materials

A major focus of our research is the study of the mechanical behavior of soft materials under different loading conditions and in different environments. In particular, we attempt to link the linear (viscoelastic) mechanical response of our materials with their nonlinear (adhesive, fracture) response. Working with soft viscoelastic liquids and solids, rheology is an indispensile technic in our lab. We also perform various adhesion, (cyclic) compression and tension, micro-indentation, and fracture experiments. The majority of these experiments are done in controlled media/environments, e.g. in water or saline solutions, under controlled humidity, etc.