Lanning Lecture with Special Speaker Subra Suresh

About the event

Deep Learning from Nature and Machines

Dr. Subra Suresh

Vannevar Bush Professor Emeritus

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

This lecture will deal with three broad areas of science and technology, materials science, plant science, and medical science to examine collaborative intelligence from Nature and machines. We consider how appropriate combinations of experimental observations, computational modeling, and imaging can be combined with neural networks and biomimetics to improve the design, properties and performance of materials. A processing route to produce nature-derived materials is presented whereby the building blocks can be tailor-made to produce digitally modulated structures, soft robotic components, and biocompatible substrate materials for wearable devices. For biomedical applications, novel approaches that integrate microfluidic platforms with static and dynamic data and images from clinical settings are also discussed to demonstrate how deep learning approaches can offer new possibilities to improve patient outcomes in disease diagnostics, therapeutics, and treatment. Specific cases considered here include: metallization of nanoscale diamond for tunable electronic properties; design of plant-based materials for soft robotics; multi-fidelity machine learning algorithms; and artificial intelligence velocimetry to probe diabetic retinopathy and blood disorders.

Biography

Subra Suresh is Vannevar Bush Professor Emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Professor at Large at Brown University. He previously served as President of Carnegie Mellon University, President of Nanyang Technological University Singapore, and Dean of Engineering at MIT. He also served as Director of the US National Science Foundation (NSF), a position to which the White House nominated him and unanimously confirmed by the US Senate. He is a Trustee of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Elected to all three branches of the US national academies of engineering, sciences, and medicine, Suresh has been recognized by three United States Presidents. He is a recipient of the National Medal of Science, the highest honor accorded to an American scientist by the White House, for “pioneering research across engineering, physical sciences, and life sciences”. He has been awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, the highest recognition from the President of the Republic of France, and the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honors from the President of India.