MSE Talks: Alon Gorodetsky

Speaker: Alon A. Gorodetsky, University of California, Irvine

Title: Dynamic Multispectral Materials and Systems Inspired by Cephalopods

Abstract: Cephalopods, such as squids, octopuses, and cuttlefish, are remarkable marine animals renowned for their intelligence, complex neurophysiology, and rapid color-changing abilities. These invertebrates manipulate light with a precision and versatility surpassing those of many artificial systems, making them compelling inspiration sources for the design of adaptive optical and photonic materials. Within this context, our laboratory is investigating the tunable optical properties of reflective squid tissues and cells and leveraging the obtained insights for the development of dynamic multispectral materials that operate across the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. By translating biological principles into engineered systems, we are introducing enabling technologies for multifunctional camouflage, thermal management, and biomedical applications. Together, these efforts integrate biology, materials science, and optics to illustrate how nature’s strategies can guide next-generation responsive materials and devices.

Bio: Dr. Alon Gorodetsky is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Gorodetsky obtained dual B.S. degrees in Engineering Physics and Materials Science at Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. He then completed postdoctoral work as an NSF American Competitiveness in Chemistry Fellow at Columbia University. Dr. Gorodetsky’s work has received international recognition and has been highlighted in media outlets such as Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Wired, Discover, The Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Newsweek, The Economist, Forbes, NPR, BBC, and CNN. Dr. Gorodetsky has also received numerous accolades, including the AFOSR Young Investigator Award, the DARPA Young Faculty Award with the Director’s Option, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, and the DARPA Embedded Entrepreneurship Initiative Award.

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