The fields of soft (meta)materials and soft devices and robots have seen a rise of interest the last years. Soft materials have always been the focus in physics, mechanics, chemistry and material science more generally. With the advent of 3D-printing of polymers, soft materials have taken a significant turn since the realization of complex geometries for programmed or programmable function allowed them to reach different fields of applications such as locomotion, soft robots and biomedical devices. The ability to deform and reconfigure even under the use of variable external stimuli such as magnetic, electric, thermal or chemical fields allowed them to create locomotion on solid surfaces, inside fluid environments and air, as well as grabbing or drug delivery functions.
The goal of the MePhy workshop is to gather scientists from physics and mechanics that are interested in this rising field both in solids and fluid environments.