About the Lab
Our group studies new approaches to design and fabricate actuation, locomotion, and sensing mechanisms for novel robots. Our work is multidisciplinary and focused in three main areas: bio-inspiration, soft multi-functional structures, and passive exploitation of environment dynamics. We combine theoretical modeling with laboratory experiments to obtain insights into different dynamic phenomena found in nature. These studies guide our designs of simple and elegant robot mechanisms and their interactions with different environments. To enhance mechanism dynamic capabilities, we develop and use novel fabrication techniques to tailor physical properties. Finally, we participate in field studies regularly along with collaborators to test promising new technologies in challenging environments.
Research Highlights
News
MOE Tier 2 Grant – “3D Printed dendrite-free lithium metal battery with automatic shutdown function”.
Cities of Love Award (COLA), A recognition for ground-up sustainability, for work on “Passive Soft-Robots for Long-Term Marine Pollution Studies”.
Sea Grant Collaborative Networks Panel II: Reaching beyond Massachusetts with regional, national, and global collaborations, May 1st, 2019, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Workshop on Aquatic Soft Robots. IEEE ROBOSOFT April 14 2019, COEX, Seoul, Korea.
Asia Pacific Society for Computing and Information Technology Award for Outstanding Research Achievements and Contributions for Design and Optimization of Soft Robots.
International Conference for Leading and Young Computer Scientists (IC-LYCS), March 2, 2019, Okinawa, Japan.
ASTAR, Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) Grant – “Soft and Hybrid Robotics Phase 1”.
The Helmholtz Graduate School for Macromolecular Bioscience Summer School, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, September 25, 2018.
Workshop on Active Touch for Perception and Interaction: How Nature Inspires Robotics, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), May 25, 2018.
Workshop on Fluid-Driven Soft Robots, IEEE-RAS International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft), April 24, 2018.
International Marine Contractors Association – IMCA, ROV Seminar, November 28, 2017.
Center for Environmental Sensing and Modelling (CENSAM) Annual Workshop, June 30, 2017.