MAE Seminar – Decoding neuro-mechanical intelligence for machines and discovery

Details

Dear Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff,
You are invited! UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s Seminar Series
This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some coffee, cookies, and captivating talks! These sessions feature amazing guest speakers, from academic trailblazers and industry movers to our very own faculty candidates showing off their expertise and fresh perspectives.
Come for the treats, stay for the engaging discussions, and connect with fellow MAE enthusiasts. Everyone is welcome!

Decoding neuro-mechanical intelligence for machines and discovery

March 6, 2025, at 12:50pm, Location: MAE-A 303

Dr. Xiaotian Zhang
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

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.

MAE Faculty Host: Peter Ifju