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Jaafar El-Awady, associate professor of mechanical engineering, has co-authored research that reveals more clues about the microscopic mechanisms that govern the strength of metals. The findings were recently published in Nature Communications.

Kang has written a focus article about the fabrication of and potential applications for an electrically-controlled shape-memory microactuator that operates in a solution matching the ion concentration of the human body.

In their proposal, titled "Electrostatically-Charged Contact Mechanics in Lunar and Martian Dust Environments," the pair aims to create novel proof-of-concept experiments with the specific goal of relating particle roughness and charging to cohesion and friction during mechanical contact of rough particles with rough or smooth surfaces.

Study led by Ryan Hurley reveals how and why granular materials respond to wave force, paving the way for a new understanding of how to design materials and technologies.