Speaker: Alon A. Gorodetsky, Associate Professor

Affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, UC Irvine

Dynamic Materials Inspired by Cephalopods

Cephalopods, e.g. squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish, have captivated the imagination of both the general public and scientists for more than a century due to their visually stunning camouflage displays, sophisticated nervous systems, and complex behavioral patterns. Given their unique capabilities and characteristics, it is not surprising that these marine invertebrates have recently emerged as exciting models for novel materials and systems. Within this context, our laboratory has developed various cephalopod-derived and cephalopod-inspired materials with unique functionalities. Our findings hold implications for next-generation adaptive camouflage devices, sensitive bioelectronic platforms, and advanced renewable energy technologies.

About the Speaker

Dr. Alon A. Gorodetsky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of California, Irvine, with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Gorodetsky obtained dual B.S. degrees in Engineering Physics and Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University, as well as a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. He subsequently completed postdoctoral work as a National Science Foundation American Competitiveness in Chemistry Fellow at Columbia University. His current research is focused on the development of bioinspired materials for camouflage, renewable energy, and bioelectronics applications. For his work, Dr. Gorodetsky has received several awards, including the Samueli Faculty Career Development Fellowship, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Research Program Award, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Young Faculty Award, and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.