We study the physics and mechanics of living and non-living soft systems such as the cytoskeleton, bio-memetics gels materials and granular media. The goals of our research are to understand and model their dynamics at rest and their mechanical properties under external loads. We develop novel computational coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, discrete element methods and analytical approaches from statistical physics and continuum mechanics. A particularity of our interdisciplinary research is to be systematically at the interface between experiments and theory.
- Gelation, rigidity percolation and aging of soft materials.
- Mechanical propeties of self-healing hydrogels and elastomers.
- Elasticity, fatigue and creep of biopolymer networks.
- Rheology of dense amorphous systems.
- Dense active solids.
Mehdi Bouzid 