Monday / CS Seminar

January 13th / 12:00 PM

Hybrid / Mudd 3514

Speaker

Xiaotian Zhang, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Talk Title

Decoding neuro-mechanical intelligence for novel machines and biological discovery

Abstract

Natural creatures, from worms and snakes to fishes and octopuses, possess remarkable mobility and dexterity, often unmatched by engineering counterparts. Central to their abilities is the intimate meshing between mechanical and neural infrastructures, whereby each enhances and supports the other across scales. To decode the key principles at play and streamline their use in engineering, I will present a multidisciplinary approach based on a unique blend of numerical and experimental techniques. First, I will introduce a computational framework for investigating the dynamics and embodied control principles of complex musculoskeletal architectures. I will then demonstrate the extended utility of this framework in designing and realizing living robots. Finally, I will present a set of technologies aimed at decoding neural dynamics for computation and robotics. Together, these techniques promise a novel class of engineering system that exploits neuro-mechanical convergence for intelligent behaviors.

Biography

Xiaotian Zhang is a postdoctoral research associate at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he also earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering under the mentorship of Prof. Mattia Gazzola. His research focuses on understanding biological principles to inspire novel system design and control, through the synergy of biophysical simulation, neural engineering, and robotics. His work has been featured in high-profile interdisciplinary journals and highlighted through several cover images.

Research/Interest Areas

Soft mechanics, Neural engineering, Robotics

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Zoom: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/98147065932?pwd=y27zLmqlr1NnFrVq3sbwmlolZPdKEB.1

Panopto: https://northwestern.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=60759d9c-5a7a-452b-8e73-b25f01539f31

DEI Minute: tinyurl.com/cspac-dei-minute