Bernd Engel

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About

Bernd Engel is a researcher advancing the frontier of soft robotics through additive manufacturing, with a focus on creating compliant, adaptable systems for handling variable-shape products. His key research areas include soft pneumatic actuators, particularly pneu-net (pneumatic network) bending actuators, and their fabrication via additive manufacturing (AM). Engel’s major contributions lie in demonstrating the manufacturability and performance of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) pneu-nets, as shown in his most-cited work, “Additive Manufacturing of TPU Pneu-Nets as Soft Robotic Actuators” (2021, 12 citations), which established a foundation for AM-based soft actuator production. His subsequent case study (2023, 4 citations) systematically evaluated four AM technologies for printing soft-robotic bending actuators, providing critical insights into material and process selection. More recently, Engel has explored predictive models for bending behavior in soft pneumatic grippers (2025, 4 citations), bridging simulation and application. With a growing citation footprint, his work is pivotal for students and researchers seeking to replace rigid robotics with compliant, customizable solutions, offering both practical fabrication methods and theoretical frameworks for next-generation grippers.