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Boyang LiView profile

Lecturer

• Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
• Flight Dynamics
• Model Predictive Control
• +3 more

Dr. Boyang Li is a Lecturer in Aerospace Systems Engineering at the University of Newcastle, Australia. His career includes roles as Research Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2020–2023), where he founded the Autonomous Aerial Systems Laboratory (AASL), and postdoctoral research at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and the University of Edinburgh (UK). He holds a PhD from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and B.Eng./M.Eng. degrees from Northwestern Polytechnical University, China. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2018) M.Eng., Northwestern Polytechnical University (2015) B.Eng., Northwestern Polytechnical University (2012) Research Interests: Dr. Li's work focuses on advancing uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, including nonconventional UAV configurations (VTOL tail-sitters), flight dynamics integration with advanced control methods (e.g., Model Predictive Control), and trajectory optimization. His empirical research involves field experiments with aerial and underwater robotic systems. Key themes include autonomous navigation, sensor integration, and real-world applications in infrastructure inspection and environmental monitoring. Grants & Funding: NSW Space Research Network Project ($14,922, 2025) RuralAI Sensor Cluster Development ($15,000, 2023) Lab2Field RuralAI Kit ($15,000, 2023) AU$22.5K Start-up Fund (2023–2024) Supervision: Dr. Li has supervised/co-supervised 6 completed and 1 ongoing HDR student, focusing on UAV control systems, underwater robotics, and reinforcement learning applications. Notable advisees include Li-yu Lo (MPhil), Yefeng Yang (PhD), and Haochen Hu (MSc). Labs & Teams: He leads the Autonomous Aerial Systems Group at the University of Newcastle and collaborates with the High-speed Thermo-fluid and MAV/UAV Lab (HK PolyU). His lab develops UAV systems for applications like infrastructure inspection and advanced air mobility.

Yiannis VentikosView profile

Professor

• Transport Phenomena
• Fluid Mechanics
• Biomedical Engineering
• +7 more

Professor Yiannis Ventikos FREng is the Dean of Engineering at Monash University and previously served as Head of Department and Kennedy Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University College London (UCL). He leads the Fluidics and Biocomplexity Group, focusing on transport phenomena, fluid mechanics, and biomedical engineering applications. Education: Master of Engineering and PhD in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens. His research spans computational modeling in biomedical systems, energy technologies, and biocomplexity, with over 150 peer-reviewed papers and 9 patents. He co-founded a clean energy spin-out company and advises on international tech transfer. Research Interests include cerebral fluid dynamics, vascular diseases, targeted drug delivery, and micro/nano-technologies. He has contributed to projects like the Non-thrombogenic intravascular stents (2024-2025) and developed a computational framework for calvarial growth modeling in craniosynostosis. Awards: Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng). Editorial roles include 6 journals and active participation in international conferences. Supervises PhD students and collaborates globally on sustainable development goals related to health and engineering innovation. Labs/Teams: Fluidics and Biocomplexity Group at Monash University, advancing translational research in biomedical engineering and fluid mechanics.

• Biomechanics
• Functional Morphology
• Biomimetics
• +5 more

Stanislav N. Gorb is a Professor and Director at the Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics within the Zoological Institute of Kiel University, Germany. He holds a PhD in Zoology and Entomology from the Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. His career includes postdoctoral positions at the University of Vienna and Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, followed by leadership roles at Max Planck Institutes in Stuttgart and Tübingen before joining Kiel in 2008. Research focuses on biological surfaces and their mechanical properties, including friction, adhesion, and biomimetic applications. Key areas include insect attachment mechanisms, bioinspired materials, and evolutionary adaptations in animal/plant systems. His work integrates zoology, materials science, and physics, employing advanced microscopy and tribological techniques. Awards: Schlossmann Award (1995), BioFuture Competition (1998), Karl-Ritter-von-Frisch Medal (2018) Memberships: Academy of Science and Literature Mainz (since 2010), National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (since 2011) Publications exceed 500 peer-reviewed articles, with five patents and authored books. Research tools include AFM, SEM, and computational modeling to study biological systems' functional morphology.

• Fluid Dynamics
• Nonlinear Dynamics
• Classical Optics
• +7 more

Dustin Kleckner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of California Merced. His research focuses on fluid dynamics, vortex mechanics, and self-organizing systems, with a particular emphasis on experimental and numerical studies of complex flows, colloidal assemblies, and optical/acoustic interactions. He leads investigations into knotted vortices, transitional pipe flow dynamics, and non-reciprocal forces in bound particle systems. Education details are not explicitly listed in the provided texts, but his academic work spans over 15 years with contributions ranging from superfluid vortices (2015–2018) to modern optical binding techniques (2020–present). His research integrates advanced diagnostics like high-speed two-color laser imaging and hybrid experimental-numerical methods. Key research themes include: vortex topology and instability mechanisms, acoustically/optically mediated self-assembly, and fluid-structure interactions in biological systems. Recent work explores non-reciprocal acoustic forces and robotic coral-driven fluid mixing, bridging fundamental physics with engineering applications. His publications (2020–2024) reveal a focus on: (1) Vortex dynamics in transitional flows, (2) Optically and acoustically bound colloids, and (3) Interfacial fluid phenomena like Marangoni-driven droplet retention. Experimental techniques often involve advanced optical and acoustic diagnostics paired with computational modeling. Grant and advising details are not provided here, but his lab likely involves graduate students and postdocs working on fluid dynamics, optics, and soft matter systems. Collaborations may exist in physics, engineering, and environmental science departments.

Rebecca Kramer-BottiglioView profile

Associate Professor

• Soft Robotics
• Stretchable Electronics
• Responsive Material Actuators
• +4 more

Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio is the John J. Lee Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Yale University, leading the Faboratory. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University, an M.S. from UC Berkeley, and a B.S. from Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on developing intelligent, multifunctional materials for soft robots capable of adapting to dynamic environments, with notable contributions in stretchable electronics, granular metamaterials, and amphibious robotics. Key projects include the amphibious robotic turtle and self-amputating robots. Key Affiliations: Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, Department of Mechanical Engineering Additional Appointments: Materials Science Research interests span soft robotics, adaptive systems, and material innovation. Recent breakthroughs include biphasic gallium-indium electronics (Nature Materials 2021) and adaptive morphogenesis in robotics (Nature 2022). Her work bridges material science and robotics, emphasizing deployable and reconfigurable systems. Notable awards include the NSF Waterman Award (2024), NAS Kavli Fellowship (2023), and PECASE (2019). She advises over 20 doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, with active grants from NSF, ONR, NASA, and DARPA. The Faboratory collaborates on projects like granular metamaterials (NSF DMREF) and soft robotic fabrics (AFOSR). Labs/Teams: Faboratory at Yale, collaborating with industry partners like Otherlab and academic institutions (Purdue, UVM, MIT). Current projects include amphibious robotics and AI-driven material design.

Jens HartingView profile

Professor

• Thin Film Dynamics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Materials Science
• +3 more

Prof. Jens Harting leads the 'Modelling of Thin Films' research group at the Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg für Erneuerbare Energien (HI ERN). His work focuses on fluid dynamics, thin film behavior, and computational modeling. Key research areas include reactive thin films, microfluidic systems, and nanoscale particle interactions. He has published extensively in top journals like Advanced Materials , Physical Review Letters , and Journal of Fluid Mechanics . Notable contributions include studies on inertial particle migration, bioinspired microswarm robotics, and lattice Boltzmann method optimizations. Current projects explore phase-field simulations for thin film evaporation and energy materials. No awards are explicitly listed, but his work is widely cited in nanotechnology and materials science.

Peter WoiasView profile

Professor

• Micro Energy Harvesting
• Energy-Autonomous Embedded Systems
• Microfluidics
• +4 more

Prof. Peter Woias is a Full Professor of Microsystems Engineering at the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, affiliated with the Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK). He serves as Co-Coordinator of Research Area A and Principal Investigator for Research Areas A, B, and C within the Cluster of Excellence livMatS. His expertise spans Micro Energy Harvesting, Energy-Autonomous Systems, Microfluidics, and advanced micromachining techniques. Woias leads projects like Gallisense and TriboMech, focusing on energy harvesting innovations and bioinspired systems. He supervises doctoral researchers (e.g., Fiza Asif, Armin Jamali) and postdoctoral fellows (e.g., Sagar Prutvi). His work is supported by DFG grants under Germany's Excellence Strategy. Recent research emphasizes electret-based energy harvesters, soft robotics actuators, and bioinspired wind energy systems. His team develops scalable manufacturing processes for thermoelectric and photovoltaic devices, with applications in smart materials and sustainable energy solutions.

Stefan SchillerView profile

Research Fellow

• Biobased & Bioinspired Macromolecules
• Protein-Based Mechanical Metamaterials
• High Performance Biomaterials
• +5 more

Dr. Stefan Schiller is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology within the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy (FB 14) at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. He previously held a junior research fellowship at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS). His research focuses on bionic chemistry, combining synthetic organic chemistry, biotechnology, and nanobiotechnology to create biohybrid materials and expand genetic code applications. Education: Bachelor/Master in Chemistry from Justus Liebig University Giessen, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz PhD in Biomimetic Supramolecular Membrane Architectures from MPI for Polymer Science Postdoctoral Fellow at The Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, CA) Research Interests: Bioorthogonal protein functionalization Genetic engineering of proteins for biohybrid materials Development of nano-structured biomaterials for regenerative medicine Unnatural amino acid incorporation into proteins Biomimetic systems for energy dissipation and adaptive materials Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator for DFG-funded livMatS projects on mechano-adaptive metamaterials Postdoc supervision in hierarchical programmable materials Labs & Teams: Leads the Schiller Lab focused on bionic chemistry and biohybrid material development.

Stylianos DritsasView profile

Associate Professor

• Design Computation
• Digital Fabrication
• Sustainable Bio-composites
• +3 more

Stylianos Dritsas is an Associate Professor and Associate Head of the Architecture and Sustainable Design Pillar at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). His research focuses on Design Computation and Digital Fabrication, particularly in developing sustainable bio-composite materials and robotic additive manufacturing systems. He previously taught at Harvard Graduate School of Design, EPFL (Lausanne), and the Architectural Association in London, and is a registered architect in Greece and the UK. Education and professional background includes expertise in computational design, architectural engineering, and sustainable manufacturing. His work integrates advanced materials, robotics, and digital tools to address environmental challenges in construction and manufacturing. Research interests span biodegradable composites, large-scale 3D printing, and the application of AI in medical and architectural design. Key contributions include innovations in ear impression-taking via 3D scanning, BIM-enabled regulatory design tools, and the development of fungus-like adhesive materials for sustainable manufacturing. His work emphasizes circular economy principles and bioinspired solutions for urban and industrial applications. Labs/Teams: Active in the Digital Fabrication (DFAB) group at SUTD, focusing on interdisciplinary projects in architecture, robotics, and materials science.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microfluidics
• Surface Functionalization
• +4 more

Frank Daniel Scherag is a researcher at the University of Freiburg's Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), specifically within the Department of Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces under Prof. Dr. J. Rühe. He holds a Diplom degree in Biology (2009, University of Freiburg/University of Konstanz) and a PhD (2017) focusing on developing geometric wire structures for rare cell isolation. His work bridges natural science, technology, and medicine, emphasizing interdisciplinary innovation in biomedical devices, analytical tools, and surface functionalization. Research interests include hydrogel coatings for bioanalytical applications, microfluidic systems, anti-fouling surfaces, and biomimetic actuators inspired by plant mechanisms. Notable projects involve protein-repellent hydrogels via spray coating, micro-patterned microplates for cell separation, and medical wires for capturing circulating tumor cells. He also contributes to device platforms for point-of-care diagnostics and anti-biofilm coatings for medical devices. Frank Scherag's innovations span patents like spray-coated hydrogels and microfluidic tubing. His expertise includes project management, patent strategy, and innovation management. He collaborates across disciplines, with over 28 publications and 175 citations as of 2024. His lab work integrates material science, robotics, and biomedical engineering to develop practical solutions for clinical and industrial challenges.

Fatemeh HassanipourView profile

Associate Professor

• Heat Transfer
• Fluid Mechanics
• Biomedical Engineering
• +7 more

Dr. Fatemeh Hassanipour is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, affiliated with the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Her research focuses on heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and biomedical engineering applications, including energy conservation, bioengineering systems, and electronic cooling. She holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University (2009) and a B.S. from the University of Tehran (1998). Her work integrates computational modeling, experimental analysis, and clinical collaboration, particularly in lactation physiology and breast cancer imaging. Notable contributions include bio-inspired cooling systems and the development of a breastfeeding simulator. Awards include the NSF CAREER Award ($500,000), ASME Young Engineer of the Year (2010), and UTD Faculty Diversity Award (2011). Key research areas span fluid-structure interaction in biological systems, thermal imaging for cancer detection, and phase change materials for energy storage. She collaborates with UT Southwestern Medical Center on thermal physiology studies and has pioneered computational tools for analyzing mammary ductal systems and infant feeding dynamics. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, 2009 B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Tehran, 1998 Awards: National Science Foundation CAREER Award Young Engineer of the Year (ASME) UT Dallas Faculty Diversity Award Grants: NSF Early Career Development Grant Oak Ridge Associated Universities Award Her lab develops innovative solutions in biomedical engineering, from modeling infant suckling mechanics to advancing thermal imaging techniques for early cancer detection. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and mentorship, guiding students in research ethics and community engagement.

• Mechanics of Elastic Rods
• Cosserat Theory
• Biomechanics
• +7 more

Dr Geoff Goss is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Design at London South Bank University, where he is also affiliated with the Bioscience and Bioengineering Research Centre. His academic journey is distinctive, having pursued his higher education part-time as a mature student. Education: BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering – London South Bank University MSc in Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos – University College London (UCL) PhD in Mechanical Engineering – University College London (UCL), supervised by Prof Michael Thompson (FRS) MA in Historical Research Methods – Birkbeck (part-time study) His research focuses on the large deformations of elastic rods using Cosserat theory , supported by a bespoke laboratory he developed for experimental validation. Key projects include the Modelling the Mechanics and Engineering Applications of Animal Whiskers (MMEAW) as Principal Investigator, collaboration on squirrel jumping dynamics with Exeter University, and insect wing mechanics with Dr Hamed Rajabi. His work bridges mechanics, biology, and engineering, contributing to bioinspired design and sustainable technologies. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in biomechanics and structural mechanics , particularly in biological filament systems like whiskers and wings. The research integrates theoretical modeling with experimental data, often applying Cosserat rod theory to understand tactile sensing, morphological adaptation, and dynamic response. There is also a notable interdisciplinary reach into historical research, as seen in his 2025 publication on labor history. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Co-Investigator on a Royal Society APEX grant for whisker research Dr Goss has supervised postgraduate research, including at least one student, and has secured external funding for multidisciplinary projects. His teaching responsibilities include Dynamics and Control , Dynamics and System Modelling , and Advanced Solid Mechanics and Dynamics . He previously worked as a Welding Technician at LSBU and as a Coded Pipe Welder in industry, bringing practical engineering experience into his academic role. He is actively engaged in laboratory development and experimental mechanics, contributing to both fundamental science and engineering applications. His collaborations span institutions including UCL, MMU, Exeter University, and Birkbeck, reflecting a broad academic network.

• Photonics
• Soft Robotics
• Liquid Crystal Materials
• +3 more

Hao Zeng is an Associate Professor (tenure track) at Tampere University, specializing in Materials Science and Environmental Engineering . He holds a PhD in Photonics from the University of Florence, focusing on tunable photonics and light-driven soft robotics. Research Focus: Light-responsive soft materials, liquid crystal elastomers, actuation engineering, and programmable robotics Key Collaborators: Arri Priimagi, Hongguang Guo, Quan Yang Scientific Trends: His work bridges photonics, soft robotics, and smart materials, with recent publications on underwater actuation, shape memory polymers, and self-oscillatory systems. Articles highlight applications in micro/nano-scale actuation, adaptive optics, and biomimetic designs. Awards: Academy Research Fellow

Constance ScharffView profile

Professor

• Neurobiology
• Animal Behavior
• Vocal Learning
• +3 more

Constance Scharff is a Professor of Behavioral Biology at the Freie Universität Berlin, affiliated with the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy. Her research focuses on the neurobiology of birdsong, vocal learning, and the genetic basis of communication, particularly the role of the FOXP2 gene. Scharff earned her Ph.D. from Rockefeller University and has held positions at institutions like the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics. She is a leading expert in avian vocalization and its links to human language evolution. Awards include membership in the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and the Leopoldina. Current projects include a DFG-funded research group on the neural foundations of vocal communication (2025) and the development of robotic models like RoboFinch for studying songbird behavior. She teaches courses in animal behavior and oversees a dynamic research group with global collaborations. Education: Ph.D. in Neurobiology (Rockefeller University), Postdoc at the Collège de France and Rockefeller University. Research Themes: Birdsong neuroethology, FOXP2 gene function, vocal learning mechanisms, avian genome studies (e.g., zebra finch sequencing). Awards: Leopoldina membership (2019), BBAW membership (2012), German Zoological Society presidency (2007/08). Her work bridges evolutionary biology, neurogenetics, and robotics to explore how vocal communication evolves and is encoded in the brain.

Cecilia LaschiView profile

Professor

• Soft Robotics
• Bioinspired Robotics
• Marine Robotics
• +4 more

Prof. Cecilia Laschi is a leading scholar in soft robotics, currently holding the Provost’s Chair Professor position at the National University of Singapore. She directs the Soft Robotics Lab and co-leads the CARTIN Centre for Advanced Robotics Technology and Innovation. Her academic journey includes a Computer Science degree from the University of Pisa and a Ph.D. in Robotics from the University of Genoa. Research Focus: Bioinspired robotics, soft material-based systems, octopus-inspired design, marine robotics, and biomedical applications for eldercare. Leadership Roles: Editor-in-Chief of Bioinspiration & Biomimetics , Specialty Chief Editor for Soft Robotics at Frontiers in Robotics & AI , and active member of the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society's Technical Committee on Soft Robotics. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious fellowships and advisory positions in international academic societies. She co-founded RoboTech, an edutainment robotics spin-off, and has chaired major conferences including RoboSoft and the Gordon Research Conference on Robotics (2024).