 Soft Robotics LabOpen OpportunitiesWe are building the next generation of HALVE (Hydraulically Amplified Low-Voltage Electrostatic) actuators which are flexible, pouch-based electrostatic actuators that operate at voltages 5–10× lower than traditional soft electrostatic systems. You will help us explore novel actuator geometries, ultra-thin functional layers, and new fabrication techniques to unlock scalable, energy-efficient soft robotic systems. - Materials Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Engineered muscle tissues have applications in regenerative medicine, drug testing, and understanding motion. A key challenge is restoring neuromuscular communication, especially in treating volumetric muscle loss (VML). This project aims to create functional neuromuscular constructs with biomimetic innervation. Scaffolds will be made using electrospun fibers, conductive materials, and drug-loaded graphene. Muscle and nerve cells derived from iPSCs will be seeded into these scaffolds. Constructs will be tested for motion, drug response, and integration in bio-hybrid robotic systems. The platform will advance muscle-nerve regeneration, drug testing, and bio-hybrid robotics. - Biology, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Design and build dexterous human-like robotic hands with us at the Soft Robotics Lab and the ETH spin-off mimic. We will explore different possibilities of developing design features and sub-systems. The developed features shall be integrated into a fully functional robotic hand and applied to solve practical manipulation challenges. - Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Development of a linear electrostatic film actuator for soft robotic applications such as the actuation of a humanoid robotic hand. - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Master Thesis
| Design and build dexterous human-like robotic hands with us at the Soft Robotics Lab and the spin-off mimic. We will explore different possibilities of developing design features such as tendon-driven mechanisms, lightweight structures, and complex mechanical joints of the hand. The developed features shall be integrated into a fully functional robotic hand and applied to solve practical manipulation challenges. - Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| This research aims to advance biohybrid robotics by integrating living biological components with artificial materials. The focus is on developing computational models for artificial muscle cells, a critical element in creating biohybrid robots. Challenges include modeling the complex and nonlinear nature of biological muscles, considering factors like elasticity and muscle fatigue, as well as accounting for fluid-structure interaction in the artificial muscle's environment. The research combines first principle soft body simulation methods and machine learning to improve understanding and control of biohybrid systems. - Biological Mathematics, Biomechanical Engineering, Biophysics, Mechanical Engineering, Modeling and Simulation, Robotics and Mechatronics, Simulation and Modelling
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| We are enhancing soft robot modeling by developing a GPU-accelerated version of our FEM-based framework using CUDA. This research focuses on optimizing parallel computations to significantly speed up simulations, enabling larger problem sizes and real-time control. By improving computational efficiency, we aim to advance soft robotics research and facilitate more detailed, dynamic simulations. - Mechanical Engineering, Programming Techniques, Robotics and Mechatronics, Simulation and Modelling
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| We are advancing soft robot simulation with FEM and energy-based methods to model complex, adaptive behaviors. This research entails developing the framework to support diverse designs, integrate new physics models, and optimize performance, enabling enhanced control and real-world applications of soft robots. - Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics, Simulation and Modelling
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
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