Robert F. Shepherd
Cornell University · Aerospace Engineering
Active 1991–2026
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About
Robert F. Shepherd received his B.S. (2002) and Ph.D. (2010) in Material Science at the University of Illinois, where his research focused on developing polymeric and colloidal suspensions as 'inks' for 3D printers and fabricating microfluidic devices to synthesize micro-scale parts. He also earned an M.B.A. in 2009 at the University of Illinois, during which he started a company and gained experience in market research, financials, and legal aspects of entrepreneurship. In 2010, he continued his education as a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University in George Whitesides's research group, developing pneumatic actuators in soft elastomers capable of multi-gait movement, which have been used for low-cost manipulators and biomimetic camouflage and display systems. His research interests include developing disruptive manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, microfluidics, and replica molding, as well as functional materials to enable new devices and user experiences. He is particularly focused on increasing the speed, resolution, and material capabilities of free-form fabrication techniques and developing soft actuators that mimic biological functions to create more efficient and life-like machines.
Research topics
- Computer Science
- Materials science
- Composite material
- Artificial Intelligence
- Ecology
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical engineering
- Medicine
- Human–computer interaction
- Electrical engineering
Selected publications
Stretchable distributed fiber-optic sensors
Science · 2020-11-13 · 462 citations
articleSenior authorCorrespondingSilica-based distributed fiber-optic sensor (DFOS) systems have been a powerful tool for sensing strain, pressure, vibration, acceleration, temperature, and humidity in inextensible structures. DFOS systems, however, are incompatible with the large strains associated with soft robotics and stretchable electronics. We develop a sensor composed of parallel assemblies of elastomeric lightguides that incorporate continuum or discrete chromatic patterns. By exploiting a combination of frustrated tota…
Digital light processing of liquid crystal elastomers for self-sensing artificial muscles
Science Advances · 2021-07-23 · 256 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding). We demonstrate actuators composed of these DLP printed LCEs' applications in soft robotics, such as reversible grasping, untethered crawling, and weightlifting. Furthermore, we present an LCE self-sensing system that exploits thermally induced optical transition as an intrinsic option toward feedback control.
Towards enduring autonomous robots via embodied energy
Nature · 2022 · 216 citations
Senior authorCorrespondingAutonomic perspiration in 3D-printed hydrogel actuators
Science Robotics · 2020 · 204 citations
Senior authorCorresponding) at the cost of a temporary decrease in actuation efficiency.
3D printable tough silicone double networks
Nature Communications · 2020 · 130 citations
), and strengths (σ ~ 1 MPa). Importantly, the latent condensation reaction permits cohesive bonding of printed objects to dissimilar substrates with modulus gradients that span more than seven orders of magnitude. We demonstrate soft devices relevant to a broad range of disciplines: models that simulate the geometries and mechanical properties of soft tissue systems and multimaterial assemblies for next generation wearable devices and robotics.
Recent grants
Frequent coauthors
- 44 shared
Bobak Mosadegh
Cornell University
- 28 shared
Thomas J. Wallin
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- 26 shared
Simon Dunham
Cornell University
- 23 shared
Hedan Bai
ETH Zurich
- 19 shared
George M. Whitesides
- 19 shared
Emmanuel P. Giannelis
Cornell University
- 18 shared
Sanlin S. Robinson
- 18 shared
Jennifer A. Lewis
Labs
Shepherd Group Research LaboratoryPI
Education
- 2012
Postdoctoral Fellow, Chemistry & Chemical Biology
Harvard University
- 2010
PhD, Material Science and Engineering
University of Illinois
- 2002
B.S., Material Science & Engineering
University of Illinois
Awards & honors
- Senior Member, National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2022
- Young Investigator Program, Office of Naval Research 2016
- College of Engineering Teaching & Advising Award, Cornell Un…
- Extreme Mechanics Letters Young Investigator Award 2016
- National Academy of Engineering FOE Fellow 2016
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