So, what is Functionality Through Nonlinearity? At its heart, it's about designing function through structure and material response. Researchers here are building soft robots, wearable tech, adaptive materials, and even artificial organs –not with rigid parts or electronics, but with carefully shaped flexible materials that move and compute through their very form. These structures ditch the traditional constraints of a built-in controller in favour of a body that can operate independently, embracing greater contextual awareness and dexterity.
King’s got involved through Dr Forte’s RAD Lab, one of the conference’s co-organisers. The aim wasn’t just to showcase research, but to build a community –a place where engineers, physicists, designers, and computer scientists could come together to explore new ideas in soft robotics, mechanical computing, and responsive materials.
Over two packed days, the conference featured 22 inspiring talks. On day one, we kicked off with 12 sessions led by world-renowned researchers. One highlight for me was Dr P.T. Brun (KU Leuven) introducing “bucklebots” –tiny brainless robots that move by buckling their soft bodies, showing how structure without the need for controllers can create intelligent behaviour. Another standout was Dr Damiano Pasini (McGill), who showed how combining japanese origami and kirigami principles allows flat shapes to morph into complex forms –like turning a cube into a sphere –using programmed folding.