Zhigang Suo

TL;DR: The synthesis of hydrogels from polymers forming ionically and covalently crosslinked networks is reported, finding that these gels’ toughness is attributed to the synergy of two mechanisms: crack bridging by the network of covalent crosslinks, and hysteresis by unzipping thenetwork of ionic crosslinks.

TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the mixed mode cracking in layered materials and elaborates some of the basic results on the characterization of crack tip fields and on the specification of interface toughness, showing that cracks in brittle, isotropic, homogeneous materials propagate such that pure mode I conditions are maintained at the crack tip.

TL;DR: A class of devices enabled by ionic conductors that are highly stretchable, fully transparent to light of all colors, and capable of operation at frequencies beyond 10 kilohertz and voltages above 10 kilovolts are described.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors study cracks either in piezoelectrics, or on interfaces between the materials such as metal electrodes or polymer matrices, and derive the macroscopic field regarding the crack tip as a physically structureless point.

TL;DR: In this paper, thin gold films are made on an elastomeric substrate with built-in compressive stress to form surface waves, which function as elastic electrical conductors.