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2014 News in Brief

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New class of materials called ‘smorphs’ turns mechanical failure into functionality

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Pedro ReisProfessor Pedro Reis describes a new class of materials he developed called “smorphs,” smart morphable surfaces designed to provide complex surface topography on demand. Much as the surface of a golf ball has dimples to enhance the ball’s aerodynamic performance, Reis says that buckling patterns can be induced in smooth shells to improve aerodynamics in a controlled, reversible manner by manipulating internal pressure.