The Smart Materials and Robotics Laboratory is an interdisciplinary research lab within the Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We are creating new soft multifunctional materials that are safe for human interaction and exhibit unique combinations of electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. These efforts lie in the emerging fields of wearable computing, soft robotics, and robotic materials.
More group photos here
Robert F. and Myrna L. Krohn Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) Fellow
Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy (PKFEA) Faculty Fellow
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (by courtesy)
School of Computing (by courtesy)
Google Scholar • UNL Faculty Profile
Education
Ph.D., Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University, 2018
M.S., Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University, 2017
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2011
Selected Honors and Awards
NSF CAREER Award (2024)
ASME Rising Star of Mechanical Engineering (2024)
Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI, 2025)
College of Engineering Edgerton Innovation Award (2024)
College of Engineering Excellence in Research Award (2023)
NUtech Ventures Emerging Innovator of the Year (2021)
Center for Machine Learning and Health Fellowship - CMU (2017)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2012)
Ethan Krings
Ethan is a PhD student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Spencer Pak
Spencer is a PhD student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Patrick McManigal
Patrick is a PhD student in the School of Computing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Andrea Mikulášová
Andrea is an PhD student in Complex Biosystems at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Evan Hailey
Evan is a MS student in the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Merjen Palvanova
Merjen is an MS student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Aussia Stander
Aussia is an MS student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Grace Fredrickson
Grace is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Wil Fiddelke
Wil is an undergraduate student in the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Peter Lux
Peter is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Calvin Cuddy
Calvin is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Faith Peterson
Faith is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Kamel Yasser
Kamel is an an exchange student from Egypt as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program.
Dhwani Dholakia
Dhwani is an undergraduate student in the department of Biochemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Shrey Agarwal
Shrey is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
We're always excited to work with new students, researchers, and collaborators. We're actively looking for PhD, master's, and undergraduate students. See posting here. For research opportunities, please contact Professor Markvicka directly. Graduate and undergraduate application materials can be found below.
The Smart Materials and Robotics Laboratory is located in the Engineering Research Center (ERC) on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, city campus. The space features areas for elastomer fabrication and characterization, traditional electronics fabrication, and advanced laser micro-machining.
© 2018 Smart Materials and Robotics Laboratory
