Christian Hafner

ETH Zurich, Institute of Science and Technology Austria

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Christian Hafner is a researcher advancing the frontiers of wireless actuation and computational physics. His work primarily spans two key areas: wireless power and motion control, and the computational design of elastic structures. In his highly cited 2014 paper, Hafner proposed a novel method using coupled LC resonators to wirelessly control forces and torques, enabling independent manipulation of multiple objects—a breakthrough with profound implications for robotics, medicine, and fluid dynamics. This concept of "wireless engines" opens new pathways for untethered, precise motion in complex environments. More recently, Hafner has made significant contributions to computational mechanics, as demonstrated by his 2023 work on the design space of Kirchhoff rods. By tackling inverse problems for slender elastic rods, he has developed methods to compute geometries that achieve desired deformations under bending and twisting, offering powerful tools for engineering and animation. With his work accumulating over 24 citations, Hafner is recognized for bridging theoretical mechanics with practical, wireless actuation, establishing himself as an innovator in both applied physics and computational design.