Jessica Elizabeth Rajkowski

Mitre (United States), University of Maryland, College Park

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Jessica Elizabeth Rajkowski is a pioneering figure in the field of micro- and milli-robotics, where her work bridges the gap between autonomous systems and extreme miniaturization. Her most impactful contribution came with the first-ever launch of an autonomous thrust-driven microrobot, powered by nanoporous energetic silicon—a breakthrough that demonstrated how chemical energy could be harnessed for propulsion at the micron scale. This landmark 2011 paper, with 70 citations, remains a cornerstone in the development of self-contained, power-dense microsystems. Earlier, Rajkowski introduced a multi-material milli-robot prototyping process using photo-patternable adhesives and silicones, offering a low-cost, accessible alternative to traditional precision machining. This work, cited 12 times, enabled the rapid fabrication of robust, centimeter-scale robots, democratizing research in the field. Rajkowski’s contributions are defined by a relentless pursuit of autonomy in small-scale robotics, addressing fundamental challenges in power, actuation, and manufacturability. Her research continues to inspire new generations of engineers working to deploy agile, self-powered robots in constrained environments, from medical devices to environmental monitoring.