Emily Gruber

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Emily Gruber is a pioneer in the emerging field of paper-based soft robotics, where she reimagines robotic systems using low-cost, lightweight, and sustainable materials. Her most influential work introduces a novel class of stackable pneumatic actuators (PBAs) that leverage origami-inspired accordion structures and materials with high elastic modulus-to-mass ratios. This breakthrough enables the rapid fabrication of functional, disposable robots that are both powerful and accessible. Her landmark 2021 paper, "Paper-Based Robotics with Stackable Pneumatic Actuators," has garnered 29 citations and is widely recognized for demonstrating that high-performance actuation can be achieved without traditional rigid components or expensive manufacturing. Dr. Gruber’s contributions are reshaping how researchers think about robot design, particularly for applications in education, search-and-rescue, and medical disposables. By proving that paper can be a viable engineering material for dynamic, load-bearing systems, she has opened a new frontier in sustainable robotics. Her work stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking, merging art, materials science, and mechanical engineering to create robots that are not only functional but also biodegradable and globally accessible.