Stefan Conrad

Dr. Stefan Conrad is a Postdoctoral researcher at the DELIVER project of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, focusing on data-driven engineering of sustainable living materials. Previously, he was a Hermann Staudinger Fellow (2019) and a demonstrator at the Cluster of Excellence livMatS (Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies). He completed his PhD in 2023 under Prof. Thomas Bacon at the University of Freiburg, with a dissertation on 3D-printed actuators and material-embedded logic for pneumatic soft robotics.

Education:

• PhD in Engineering (2023), University of Freiburg.

Research Interests:
Stefan’s work spans 3D printing technologies for soft robotics, pneumatic systems, and bioinspired material design. He develops multi-material 3D printers and electronics-free logic devices for autonomous decision-making in soft robots. His recent projects integrate artificial intelligence into lab automation, aiming to streamline repetitive testing procedures.

Publications:
His research trends highlight advancements in 3D-printed pneumatic logic, lab automation with AI, and rapid prototyping of bioinspired components. Key contributions include tool-changing printers and compliant machines without electronic controllers.

Awards:

• Hermann Staudinger Fellow (2019).

Advising & Grants:
Supervised by Prof. Thomas Bacon. Funded by DFG (Germany’s Excellence Strategy) and the Carl Zeiss Foundation. His work aligns with the livMatS initiative for sustainable, living materials.

Labs/Teams:
Part of the livMatS Demonstrator Project and the DELIVER collaborative initiative, advancing soft robotics and sustainable engineering.