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.

TEAM

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Principal Investigator

  • Prof. Eric Markvicka

    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)

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    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)

  • Graduate Students

  • Ethan Krings
    Ethan is a PhD student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Spencer Pak
    Spencer is a PhD student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Patrick McManigal
    Patrick is a PhD student in the School of Computing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Andrea Mikulášová
    Andrea is an PhD student in Complex Biosystems at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Vinesh Manian
    Vinesh is a PhD student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Evan Hailey
    Evan is a MS student in the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Sean Kile
    Sean is an MS student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Aussia Stander
    Aussia is an MS student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Lynnette Frey
    Lynnette is a visiting teacher participating in the NCMN NSF RET program. She serves as an instructor and Program Chair of Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska.

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  • Undergraduate Students

  • Grace Fredrickson
    Grace is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Wil Fiddelke
    Wil is an undergraduate student in the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Peter Lux
    Peter is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Faith Peterson
    Faith is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Dhwani Dholakia
    Dhwani is an undergraduate student in the department of Biochemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Shrey Agarwal
    Shrey is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Seth Rogers
    Seth is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Abby Murray
    Abby is an undergraduate student in the department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Cole Emeigh
    Cole is an undergraduate student in the department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Prisha Sabherwal
    Prisha is an undergraduate student in the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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  • Liam Melton
    Liam is a visiting high school summer intern as part of the NCMN program.

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  • Hamzah Alsaleem
    Hamzah is a visiting high school summer intern as part of the NCMN program.

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  • APPLY

    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.

    ALUMNI

    FACILITIES

    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