Durga Prasad Karothu

Papers

Total Citations

177

H-Index

About

Durga Prasad Karothu is at the forefront of redefining the mechanical limits of molecular crystals, pioneering research that bridges the gap between rigid crystalline solids and soft, adaptive materials. His key research areas include dynamic molecular crystals, photomechanical actuation, and self-healing materials. Karothu’s major contributions center on demonstrating that organic crystals can exhibit remarkable flexibility and responsiveness, challenging long-held perceptions of their static nature. His highly cited 2020 work on efficiently self-healing boronic ester crystals (79 citations) showed that these crystals can autonomously repair damage, mimicking biological tissues. In his 2024 study on photomechanical crystals as light-activated organic soft microrobots (55 citations), he advanced the development of fully functional actuators for soft robotics. Additionally, his 2019 analysis of macroscopic strain in mechanically responsive crystals (43 citations) revealed hidden processes underlying their deformation. Collectively, his work has garnered significant attention for unlocking new possibilities in energy transduction and actuation, positioning him as a leading innovator in the emerging field of smart crystalline materials with potential applications in robotics and adaptive devices.