About Our Lab

We are broadly interested in studying the mechanics of soft engineering and biological materials using an integrated experimental and modeling approach. In particular, we are interested in adaptive materials that  can  exhibit dramatic changes in microstructure, mechanical properties, and  macroscopic shape in response to an environmental stimulus.

Recent Publications

B. K. Zimmerman, B. Datta, R. Shi, R. Schulman, T. D. Nguyen, “A Reactive Electrochemo- mechanical Theory for Growth and Remodeling of Polyelectrolyte Hydrogels and Application to Dynamic Polymerization of DNA Hydrogels”

B. K. Zimmerman, B. Datta, R. Shi, R. Schulman, T. D. Nguyen (2024) “A Reactive Electrochemo- mechanical Theory for Growth and Remodeling of Polyelectrolyte Hydrogels and Application to Dynamic Polymerization of DNA Hydrogels”, Journal of the Physics and Mechanics of Solids,105568, DOI:10.1016/j.jmps.2024.105568. [Link]

Hydrogels

A. E. H. Chehade, B. Shen, C. M. Yakacki, T. D. Nguyen, S. Govindjee, “Finite element modeling of viscoelastic liquid crystal elastomers”

A. E. H. Chehade, B. Shen, C. M. Yakacki, T. D. Nguyen, S. Govindjee (2024) “Finite element modeling of viscoelastic liquid crystal elastomers”, submitted. [Link]

Liquid Crystal Elastomers

V. Hannay, C. A. Czerpak, H. A. Quigley, T. D. Nguyen (2024) “A Non-Invasive Clinical Method to Measure In Vivo Mechanical Strains of the Lamina Cribrosa by Optical Coherence Tomography”

V. Hannay, C. A. Czerpak, H. A. Quigley, T. D. Nguyen, (2024) “A Non-Invasive Clinical Method to Measure In Vivo Mechanical Strains of the Lamina Cribrosa by Optical Coherence Tomography”, Ophthalmology Science, 100473, DOI:10.1016/j.xops.2024.100473. [Link]

Optic Nerve Head

C. A. Czerpak, H. A. Quigley, T. D. Nguyen, (2024) “Long-Term Remodeling Response in the Lamina Cribrosa Years after IOP Lowering by Suturelysis after Trabeculectomy”

C. A. Czerpak, H. A. Quigley, T. D. Nguyen (2024) “Long-Term Remodeling Response in the Lamina Cribrosa Years after IOP Lowering by Suturelysis after Trabeculectomy”,  Ophthalmology Glaucoma:  DOI:10.1016/j.ogla.2024.01.003. [Link]

Optic Nerve Head