Hilary Bart-Smith facts for kids
Hilary Bart-Smith is a brilliant engineer from Scotland. She is famous for creating designs and robots inspired by nature. One of her most exciting projects is building robot fish! She works as a professor at the University of Virginia. There, she started two special labs. These labs focus on new materials and structures, and on engineering inspired by living things.
Becoming an Engineer
Hilary Bart-Smith studied mechanical engineering at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. She finished her studies with top honors in 1995. After that, she went to Harvard University for her PhD. She earned her advanced degree in 2000. Later, she did more research at Princeton University. In 2002, she joined the engineering team at the University of Virginia.
Amazing Research
Dr. Bart-Smith's early research looked at special materials called metal foams. These are light but strong, like a sponge made of metal. She studied how they could be used in strong, light panels.
Her most famous work involves creating robot fish. These robots are designed to swim just like real animals! She has made robots that move like graceful manta rays. She also built robots that swim like fast tuna. This research helps us understand how animals move. It also helps us design better underwater vehicles.
Dr. Bart-Smith has also worked on tensile structures. These are strong, flexible structures that can be used to make portable shelters. Imagine a tent that is super strong and easy to set up for emergencies!
