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About

Gakuji Nagai is a researcher advancing the frontier of soft robotics and flexible electronics, with a primary focus on developing novel materials and control systems for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). His work addresses the critical limitations of conventional rigid actuators—such as weight, noise, and lack of compliance—by engineering lightweight, muscle-like alternatives. Nagai’s most significant contribution is the development of conductive and flexible multi-walled carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane (MWCNT/PDMS) composites, fabricated using a naphthalene/toluene mixture. This work, cited 17 times, provides a scalable method for creating soft, stretchable electrodes essential for wearable devices and soft robotics. He further advanced the field by applying a Linear-Quadratic Regulator (LQR) to control conical DEAs, achieving precise motion in biomimetic systems. His foundational research on carbon nanotube-based DEAs for biomimetic actuators has laid the groundwork for artificial muscles that mimic human motion. With a growing citation impact, Nagai’s work is pivotal for students and researchers seeking to replace hard, noisy motors with soft, silent, and lifelike actuation in next-generation robotics and human-interactive technologies.