Jaime C. Grunlan

Texas A&M University, Mitchell Institute

Papers

Total Citations

127

H-Index

About

Jaime C. Grunlan is a leading innovator in the field of multifunctional thin films, with a primary focus on layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly techniques. His major contributions center on the development of automated deposition systems that dramatically improve the precision, speed, and scalability of creating these nanostructured coatings. Grunlan’s work on robotic dipping systems, including his highly cited 2005 paper (59 citations) and its 2010 refinement (49 citations), has provided the materials science community with essential tools for fabricating films with tailored properties. These systems exploit electrostatic interactions to build coatings with controlled architecture, enabling applications from flame retardancy to gas barrier protection. More recently, Grunlan has pushed into responsive materials, demonstrated by his 2019 study on vapor-driven multilayer actuators (19 citations). This work showcases an unusually fast and large-scale actuation mechanism, opening doors for smart sensors and soft robotics. Through his pioneering automation and responsive film design, Grunlan has established a robust platform for translating fundamental LbL science into practical, high-performance materials.