Prof. Dana: Designing Smart Soft Materials for Robotics, Biomedical Devices, and Thermal Management

Responsibilities include reading and learning about liquid crystal elastomers, smart materials, soft robotics, and stimuli-responsive polymer systems; assisting with the preparation of material samples; conducting basic experiments under the guidance of graduate students and the adviser; collecting, organizing, and analyzing data from mechanical, thermal, or optical tests; and helping prepare materials, tools, and documentation for experiments. Students may also assist with creating simple demonstrations that show how these materials bend, stretch, or change shape in response to heat, light, or mechanical forces. Trainees will attend regular lab meetings, maintain a clear lab notebook, follow safety protocols, and present their progress during the semester.

Students should be curious, responsible, detail-oriented, and willing to learn through hands-on work. Strong applicants will enjoy problem-solving, asking questions, observing carefully, and working as part of a research team. No prior research experience or advanced coursework is required; training will be provided. This project may be especially interesting for students with interests in chemistry, engineering, materials science, robotics, biomedical technology, sustainability, or creative design. Students from any science/engineering major are welcome to apply.

Our lab is committed to helping first-year students feel that they belong in research from the beginning. Students will not be expected to know everything on day one; instead, they will receive patient, step-by-step training in laboratory safety, basic experimental techniques, data collection, and scientific communication. Students will work alongside graduate students and the adviser in a team environment that values curiosity, responsibility, kindness, and persistence. We believe mentoring is more than teaching technical skills—it also means helping students build confidence, learn how to ask good questions, understand how research works, and see themselves as future scientists, engineers, or problem-solvers. We are especially excited to support students who are new to college research, including first-generation college students. Students will attend lab meetings, receive regular feedback, and have opportunities to present their progress. We will be flexible with student schedules whenever possible, while recognizing that most hands-on lab work will take place in person.