Event
MSE Seminar: Michael Dickey, NC State
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
3:30 p.m.
Room 2108 Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building
Sherri Tatum
301-405-5240
statum12@umd.edu
Shaping a Soft Future
Abstract: Existing devices—such as phones, computers, and robots – are made from rigid materials, which is in direct contrast to the soft materials that compose the human body. Our group is studying and harnessing soft materials to create devices (actuators, sensors, electronics) with tissue-like properties. For example, gallium-based liquid metal alloys have remarkable properties: low melting point, water-like viscosity, low-toxicity, and effectively zero vapor pressure. Despite being liquid, these materials can be patterned into stretchable conductive circuits due to a thin, oxide skin that forms rapidly on its surface. This oxide can also be separated from the metal as a way to print thin conductors and dielectrics at ambient conditions. In addition to soft electronic conductors, we study soft, stretchable ionic conductors called ‘ionogels’ that contain ionic liquids. We have found simple ways to improve the toughness of these materials. Taken together this work has implications for soft and stretchable electronics; that is, devices with desirable mechanical properties for human-machine interfacing, soft robotics, and wearable electronics.
Bio: Michael Dickey received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (1999) and a PhD from the University of Texas (2006) under the guidance of Professor Grant Willson. From 2006-2008 he was a post-doctoral fellow in the lab of Professor George Whitesides at Harvard University. He is currently the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Professor and Associate Department Head in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at NC State University. He completed a sabbatical at Microsoft in 2016 and EPFL in 2023. Michael’s research interests include soft matter (liquid metals, gels, polymers) for soft and stretchable devices (electronics, energy harvesters, textiles, and soft robotics).
