Chris Stabile has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation, “Dynamically Tunable Adhesion and Friction via Active Materials with Thermally Modulated Stiffness,” under the guidance of Kevin Turner, Professor and Chair, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM).
Research Focus and Significance
Stabile’s research addresses critical challenges in the design of engineered systems by exploiting advancements in smart materials to dynamically control mechanical behaviors, such as adhesion and friction. Current systems typically rely on materials with static properties, limiting their versatility and performance.
Stabile’s work demonstrates the use of thermally responsive polymers, which exhibit substantial changes in stiffness, to actively tune adhesion and friction. This ability to dynamically modulate contact interactions offers new opportunities for the design of systems with improved performance and novel functionalities, with potential applications in areas like robotic grasping and manipulation.
Personal Reflections
Reflecting on his Ph.D. journey, Stabile shares, “My experience as a Ph.D. student in MEAM was incredibly rewarding – the challenges along the way have made my time at the university incredibly fulfilling.”
One of the most memorable moments for Stabile was the camaraderie he shared with his lab mates, from coffee breaks in the faculty lounge to attending Phillies and 76ers games together. “The time spent with my lab mates, both in and out of the lab, is what I will remember most,” he recalls.
Future Plans and Advice
As Stabile concludes this chapter of his academic journey, he is currently applying for industry positions, with the goal of starting a new role at the beginning of next year. Stabile is also exploring the possibility of pursuing a start-up company related to his research.
For those considering a Ph.D. at MEAM, Stabile offers this advice: “Be patient with yourself and embrace the journey. You might feel uncertain, especially early on, but in the end, you will look back and be amazed by all that you gained, and all that you achieved.”
Acknowledgments
Stabile expresses deep gratitude to his advisor, Professor Kevin Turner, for his “guidance and support over the years, especially during the more challenging times.” He also thanks his labmates, stating, “I am grateful to have worked alongside so many great people during my time at Penn,” and his family for “being there for me every step of the way.”