Alex Chortos: Bioinspired electromechanical sensors and actuators for future prosthetics and haptics

Bioinspired electromechanical sensors and actuators for future prosthetics and haptics

Abstract
Integrating electronics with the body requires the development of electronic devices that take on characteristics of biological systems, such as softness and 3D form factors. 3D printing enables scalable fabrication and versatile prototyping of different 3D formats for voltage-controlled soft actuators for future applications in wearable devices to stimulate the skin. While haptic devices stimulate human skin, replacing the functionality of human skin could enable new functionality in prosthetic devices. In this talk, I will describe artificial pressure sensing nerves based on soft materials that integrate the functionality of pressure receptors that sense and process tactile information. These devices mimic the way in which electrical signals are transmitted in biological systems, creating new opportunities for bioelectronic integration in prosthetic devices.

Bio
Alex Chortos completed his undergraduate degree in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo in 2011. He subsequently completed his PhD in Materials Science & Engineering at Stanford University with Zhenan Bao. His PhD research focused on “skin-inspired electronics” through the development of intrinsically stretchable transistors and bio-inspired tactile sensor networks. Since 2017, he has been a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard working with the Lewis lab and Clarke lab on 3D printed voltage-controlled artificial muscles.