"Research Engineer (Soft Artificial Muscle)"

Job Description

Soft robots are highly valued for their compliance, enabling safe operation around humans. However, this compliance often results in lower mechanical efficiency, limiting payload capacity, workspace, and motion accuracy. Inspired by vertebrate anatomy—which combines a rigid skeleton with soft muscles—our research focuses on developing a muscular-skeletal manipulator to enhance the mechanical efficiency of soft robots. By integrating rigid skeletons for precise kinematic motion with soft artificial muscles for coordinated movement, we aim to overcome traditional limitations.

A key challenge is to create energy-efficient artificial muscles that can be seamlessly integrated with rigid skeletons. Our work specifically targets the development of hydrostatically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) soft artificial muscles, designed to achieve exceptionally high mechanical efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature reviews on skeletal muscles and HASEL soft actuators.
• Develop comprehensive finite element models to simulate the mechanical performance of HASEL soft actuators.
• Design new structural approaches to reduce actuation voltage for HASEL soft actuators.

Qualifications

Job Requirements

• MEng/MSc in Soft Robotics, Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines.
• Proficiency in finite element modeling and mechanical design.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good teamwork abilities, self-motivation, and self-reflection.

More Information

Location: Kent Ridge Campus

Organization: College of Design and Engineering

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Employee Referral Eligible: No

Job requisition ID: 29342

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