MIT School of Architecture and Planning

Meet Charlotte! Charlotte Folinus is a PhD candidate at the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE) and a researcher in the Fabrication-Integrated Design Lab. Growing up in a family of designers and pursuing an early interest in biomechanics as a runner, Charlotte studied mechanical engineering at MIT as an undergraduate and masters student. As a doctoral candidate, her work focuses on studying the limitations of materials used for soft robotics. "What are soft robots, or what are soft machines? They're systems that use compliant or soft materials to do complex tasks... Soft robots have the potential to be useful in a lot of situations or environments. In particular, if things are complicated in the environment or not going to know everything about them in advance. They're also potentially safer than some rigid robots," she explains. In soft robotics, many different soft and hard materials may interact or interface with each other. Charlotte is particularly interested in the case where soft materials interact with other soft materials, which "proves difficult from a chemical level, [because of] how the materials work." Taking materials and adhesives currently available to researchers and processes used in developing soft robots, Charlotte examines how materials may fail under different conditions to develop best practices for the discipline. "How can we start moving toward a shared framework for talking about soft design and design of fabrication processes with folks who work with really different manufacturing or fabrication techniques?"

https://lnkd.in/eEYKD8ba

Meet Charlotte! Charlotte Folinus is a PhD candidate at the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering (MechE) and a researcher in the Fabrication-Integrated Design Lab. Growing up in a family of designers and pursuing an early interest in biomechanics as a runner, Charlotte studied mechanical engineering at MIT as an undergraduate and masters student. As a doctoral candidate, her work focuses on studying the limitations of materials used for soft robotics. "What are soft robots, or what are soft machines? They're systems that use compliant or soft materials to do complex tasks... Soft robots have the potential to be useful in a lot of situations or environments. In particular, if things are complicated in the environment or not going to know everything about them in advance. They're also potentially safer than some rigid robots," she explains. In soft robotics, many different soft and hard materials may interact or interface with each other. Charlotte is particularly interested in the case where soft materials interact with other soft materials, which "proves difficult from a chemical level, [because of] how the materials work." Taking materials and adhesives currently available to researchers and processes used in developing soft robots, Charlotte examines how materials may fail under different conditions to develop best practices for the discipline. "How can we start moving toward a shared framework for talking about soft design and design of fabrication processes with folks who work with really different manufacturing or fabrication techniques?"

We are excited for Fábio to participate on this upcoming panel, 4/19! His book 'Urban Play: Make-Believe, Technology, and Space' is freely available via the MIT Press. Winner of the Outstanding Academic Title Award, 'Urban Play' explores the artifices of self-deception, what we can learn from video games, and empathy and design. #urbanAI #urbanplay

An experiment by MIT researchers shows that giving people better data about their energy use, plus some coaching on the subject, can lead them to substantially reduce their consumption and costs. https://lnkd.in/ek3BnGWD

A two-day event launching the MIT-Luma Lab, a collaboration between MIT SA+P and the Luma Foundation to promote research and innovation addressing regional and global climate challenges through bioregional design principles. Information and registration: https://lnkd.in/exDhuPny

Nine hours left for this year's MIT 24-Hour Challenge! SA+P is participating with our own challenge and asking alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends to support our school’s mission and ongoing work together. https://lnkd.in/dy8YzXu

The MIT 24-Hour Challenge supports a wide range of programs, such as student aid and unrestricted funds, in addition to dozens of micro-challenges. Learn how your contribution — starting tonight at midnight! — supports SA+P. https://lnkd.in/dy8YzXu

The clock is ticking down to MIT’s 24-Hour Challenge! Support SA+P and the Institute’s efforts to make a better future. On Thursday, March 13, 2025, join us and thousands of alumni, parents, students, and friends at the ninth annual MIT 24-Hour Challenge. 

A new fund established by the family of S. James Goldstein ’46, SM ’48, B. Arch. ’49 will support teaching and research related to building design, construction, and environmental sustainability for the MIT Department of Architecture.  https://lnkd.in/g4tuKMD3