Jordan R. Raney

Jordan R. Raney is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science. He leads the Architected Materials Laboratory, focusing on advanced manufacturing, nonlinear mechanics, and smart materials. His work integrates 3D printing, mechanical metamaterials, and autonomous systems to design materials with programmable behaviors.

Research Thrusts:

• Geometric Control of Nonlinear Behavior: Studies wave propagation, phase transitions, and energy absorption in metamaterials.
• 3D-Printable Composites: Develops sustainable composites like amylopectin-based materials and fiber-reinforced systems.
• Mechanical Logic & Autonomous Materials: Creates systems that perform decision-making via material properties, eliminating traditional electronics.

Funding: Supported by NSF, Army Research Office, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and DARPA. His lab's innovations span robotics, aerospace, and biomedical applications.

Teaching: Courses include MEAM/MSE 507: Fundamentals of Materials, MEAM 321: Vibrations of Mechanical Systems, and MEAM 211: Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics.

Lab & Team: The Architected Materials Lab includes PhD students, master’s candidates, and undergraduates. Notable alumni have joined industry leaders like Intel and Lam Research.