Mechanics of Swelling

Soft materials are all around us: they naturally form biological tissues and plant matter, while rubbers and gels are used as sealants, contact lenses, energy absorbers, sensors, and actuators. Most soft materials swell as they absorb fluids - in some cases this swelling is a desirable feature of the material, while in others it can be detrimental to its ability to function. It is essential to und...