Are the basic resources around us the solution to complex biomechanical challenges? Dr. Richard Spontak discusses the possibility of manipulating rubber materials to develop synthetic muscles. When prompted by forms of energy these materials move, opening up the realm of possibilities for application. Dr. Spontak examines the science behind rubber, elasticity, and energy.

Dr. Richard Spontak is an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering and the 2012 Lars Onsager Professor at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology. He earned his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and pursued post-doctoral research at Cambridge University. For his research regarding soft nanostructured materials, he received the American Chemical Society Cooperative Research Award in Polymer Science and the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award, the German Society for Electron Microscopy Ernst Ruska Price and the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining Colwyn Medal. A fellow of the American Physical Society, he has also received the UNC Board of Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx