Andreas Lendlein

About

Andreas Lendlein is a distinguished materials scientist and biomedical engineer whose research sits at the forefront of smart materials, shape-memory polymers, and soft robotics. His work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of stimuli-responsive polymer systems, demonstrating how materials can be programmed to change shape, recover function, and even self-heal in response to thermal or electrical triggers. Lendlein's highly cited contributions include pioneering research on reprogrammable shape-memory polymer actuators for robotics (107 citations) and co-authoring the influential "Roadmap on Soft Robotics" (105 citations), which has become a key reference for researchers designing adaptable, human-safe robotic systems. His biomimetic approach is particularly notable—drawing inspiration from cacti and climbing plants, he has developed hydrogel-elastomer systems and artificial tendrils that replicate sophisticated plant movements. His group's innovations in fiber actuators, origami-driven robotic hands, and 4D-printed structures highlight a creative fusion of materials science, biology, and engineering. Through high-throughput synthesis and 3D printing methodologies, Lendlein continues to push the boundaries of multifunctional polymer design, making meaningful contributions to the grand challenges of sustainable technology, healthcare, and next-generation robotics.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Fabrication of reprogrammable shape-memory polymer actuators for robotics

   107 citations · 2018
2. 2
   Roadmap on soft robotics: multifunctionality, adaptability and growth without borders

   105 citations · 2022
3. 3
   Cactus-inspired design principles for soft robotics based on 3D printed hydrogel-elastomer systems

   53 citations · 2021
4. 4
   Artificial Tendrils Mimicking Plant Movements by Mismatching Modulus and Strain in Core and Shell

   21 citations · 2023
5. 5
   Electrical Actuation of Coated and Composite Fibers Based on Poly[ethylene‐<i>co</i>‐(vinyl acetate)]

   14 citations · 2020
6. 6
   Origami hand for soft robotics driven by thermally controlled polymeric fiber actuators

   14 citations · 2021
7. 7
   Impact of block sequence on the phase morphology of multiblock copolymers obtained by high-throughput robotic synthesis

   9 citations · 2020
8. 8
   4D-actuators by 3D-printing combined with water-based curing

   9 citations · 2021
9. 9
   Torsional Fiber Actuators from Shape-memory Polymer

   8 citations · 2018
10. 10
    Smart Materials

    8 citations · 2018

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links