Student Projects
We offer student projects such as bachelor theses, semester projects or master theses and we are also open for students' own proposals on potential students projects.
Computational Modeling of Artificial Muscle Cells for Biohybrid Robots
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.
Keywords
Biohybrid Robotics, Computational Models, Soft Body Simulation, Machine Learning, Surrogate Models, Finite Element Method (FEM)
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-07 , Earliest start: 2024-08-01
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr. , Mekkattu Manuel
Topics Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Biology , Physics
Enhancing performance of electrostatic rotational motors for the next generation of robotic actuators
This project aims to enhance an electrostatic actuator by improving its specific power and power density while optimizing its manufacturing process, through approaches such as mechanical redesign, materials innovation, or computational optimization.
Keywords
soft robotics, electrostatic motors, electrostatic actuators, mechanical design
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-06 , Earliest start: 2025-01-06 , Latest end: 2025-09-01
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr. , Toshimitsu Yasunori
Topics Engineering and Technology
Integration of efficient electrostatic motors into robotic applications
This project focuses on developing a robotic demo using an electrostatic motor with artificial muscles, showcasing its unlimited rotation, compliance, and energy efficiency at low rpm, through applications like crawlers, arms, or grippers, all designed within the motor’s torque and power limits for untethered operation.
Keywords
soft robotics, electrostatic motors, electrostatic actuators, mechanical design
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-06 , Earliest start: 2025-01-06 , Latest end: 2025-09-01
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr. , Toshimitsu Yasunori
Topics Engineering and Technology
Development of a linear electrostatic film actuator for a Humanoid Robotic Hand
Development of a linear electrostatic film actuator for soft robotic applications such as the actuation of a humanoid robotic hand.
Keywords
Electrostatic, Linear actuator, Flexible electronics, Soft Robotics, Humanoid Robotic Hands
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Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-06 , Earliest start: 2024-11-15 , Latest end: 2025-08-31
Applications limited to ETH Zurich
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Hinchet Ronan , Kazemipour Amirhossein , Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr.
Topics Engineering and Technology
Develop Dexterous Humanoid Robotic Hands
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.
Keywords
humanoid, robotics, hand, dexterity, soft robotics, actuation, prototyping, modeling and control, mechatronics, biomimetic, design, 3D printing, silicone casting, electronics, machine learning, control
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Semester Project , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-11-04 , Earliest start: 2025-01-01 , Latest end: 2025-09-30
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Weirich Stefan
Topics Engineering and Technology
Electronics for Muscle Tissue Engineering: Flexible PCB Design for a Biohybrid Swimmer
The frontier of research in soft robotics aims at replacing classic soft materials used for actuators with biological ones (muscle) to take advantage of the innate adaptability, energy efficiency, and softness of biological systems. At the SRL, we have realized the most performant skeletal muscle-powered bioswimmer to date (see pdf). In this cutting-edge project at the intersection of biological and engineering sciences, you will build a flexible PCB to achieve integrated and individually addressable control of our biohybrid swimmers.
Keywords
Biohybrid robotics, soft robotics, electrical engineering, circuitry design, bioelectronics, flexible electronics
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Semester Project , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-09-30 , Earliest start: 2024-06-10 , Latest end: 2025-05-30
Applications limited to EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne , ETH Zurich , University of Zurich
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Balciunaite Aiste , Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr.
Topics Engineering and Technology
Development of Neuromuscular Biohybrid Robots
This project focuses on developing neuromuscular biohybrid robots powered by motor neurons to mimic natural muscle movements. By integrating induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor-neurospheres into a 3D co-culture system with skeletal muscle tissue, the aim is to establish functional neuromuscular junctions and develop engineered motor units. The project involves developing 3D models using hydrogel matrices to culture motor-neurospheres and testing various co-culture systems to achieve functional NMJs. This research leverages knowledge in biology, biomaterials, tissue engineering and 3D culture techniques to overcome current limitations in scaffold design and NMJ functionality in biohybrid robotics.
Keywords
Biomedical engineering, biology, iPSC, 3D bioprinting, biofabrication, biomaterials, 3D culture, hydrogels, tissue engineering, biohybrid robotics.
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Semester Project , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
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Published since: 2024-07-19 , Earliest start: 2024-10-01 , Latest end: 2025-10-01
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr. , Badolato Asia
Topics Engineering and Technology , Biology
Deep Learning of Residual Physics For Soft Robot Simulation
Incorporating state-of-the-art deep learning approaches to augment conventional soft robotic simulations for a fast, accurate and useful simulation for real soft robots.
Keywords
Soft Robotics, Machine Learning, Physical Modeling, Simulation
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Semester Project , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-07-03 , Earliest start: 2024-08-01 , Latest end: 2025-06-30
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Michelis Mike , Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr.
Topics Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology
GPU Acceleration of Soft Body Modeling: Enhancing Performance with CUDA
The Soft Robotics Lab is developing a GPU-accelerated soft body modeling framework using the Finite Element Method (FEM). This enhancement aims to improve computational efficiency and enable more complex, real-time simulations. By leveraging GPUs' parallel processing power, simulations will be significantly faster. The project seeks to advance soft robotics research and enable innovative applications.
Keywords
Soft Body Simulation, high-performance computing, GPU programming, Parallel Computing, Finite Element Method (FEM), Multiphysics Simulation
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Semester Project , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis
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Published since: 2024-06-24 , Earliest start: 2024-08-01
Organization Soft Robotics Lab
Hosts Mekkattu Manuel , Katzschmann Robert, Prof. Dr.
Topics Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Physics
For all projects, please contact the responsible supervisor if you have questions and apply via sirop.org with your cover letter, detailed CV, transcripts, and prior publications (if you have any).
In case you have project ideas related to our research areas or research platforms, take the opportunity and propose your own project!