Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Ingo Burgert is a pioneering materials scientist whose research sits at the compelling intersection of wood science, nanotechnology, and soft robotics. Working primarily with bio-based and sustainable materials, Burgert has made landmark contributions to our understanding of wood nanomaterials and their transformative technological applications, as reflected in his highly cited 2021 overview of wood nanotechnologies (95 citations) and his prominent role in the influential soft robotics roadmap (105 citations). Among his most significant achievements is the development of photoresponsive nanocellulose composites capable of mechanically tunable, programmable movement — work that bridges fundamental materials science with cutting-edge soft robotics. His 2020 study on 3D-printed nanocellulose composites (68 citations) demonstrated that locally tailored mechanical properties could be achieved in a single printing step, opening new frontiers in bioinspired actuator design. His investigations into densified wood as functional joining elements for timber construction further illustrate the remarkable breadth of his work. Burgert's most recent research pushes toward sustainability, exploring biodegradable wood-gelatin composites as alternatives to petroleum-based soft robotic materials — a timely and forward-thinking direction. Collectively, his portfolio establishes him as a leading voice in reimagining wood as a high-performance, multifunctional material for twenty-first-century engineering challenges.