Alain Boldini
Research projects
Mechanics and electrochemistry for artificial muscles
and deformable electrochemical systems
Electrochemical systems are everywhere: from our cellular membranes to batteries and fuel cells. While we recognize the basics of how these systems behave, we still lack a complete understanding of how mechanical deformations affect electrochemical fluxes and how, in turn, electrochemical fluxes can generate mechanical deformations. My research seeks to develop models to understand this interaction between mechanics and electrochemistry, through fundamental physics-based models at the microscopic and macroscopic level. These models can then be applied for the development of artificial muscles based on electroactive materials and deformable batteries.
Umberto Boccioni - Materia
Haptics for sensory substitution and augmentation
Haptics refers to all the information that we can transmit through the skin. For example, our phone can vibrate to get our attention on a call or notification. I am interested in how we can utilize haptics to map much more complex information, especially for substituting or augmenting other senses. I seek to create models to understand how haptic actuators interact with the skin, in order to maximize mechanosensation. Further, I aim at understanding how to transmit complex information to humans through haptic stimulations. These advances can be utilized for applications in human-computer interactions, including health systems, avionics, and support to emergency responders.
Leonardo da Vinci - Anatomical studies of a
male shoulder
Dynamics and control of large-scale systems
for robotics and biology
As we witness the use of more and more automated systems and robots in our daily lives, a question arises on how we can control such large-scale systems. I seek to advance mathematical models and techniques to control systems made of a very large amount of interacting units. Drawing inspiration from physics, I work on microscopic and macroscopic descriptions of the dynamics and control of these systems. In addition to have large swarms of robots or drones perform complex operations, these techniques can be applied for the control of biological swarms, such as bacteria and cell aggregates.
George Grosz - Metropolis
Analysis and modeling of social systems
Data and mathematical models are paramount tools to study social systems. I work with both of these techniques to study complex social phenomena, such as migrations and epidemics. I leverage advanced statistical methods and physics-inspired models to advance our understanding of these systems. Results from this research can be utilized in translational research that can lead to social good.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir - Bal du moulin de la Galette