Joseph Karam

Corvallis Environmental Center, Oregon State University

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Total Citations

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About

Dr. Joseph Karam is pioneering the integration of soft robotics with stretchable electronics, focusing on applications in nuclear infrastructure inspection and wearable motion capture. His research centers on developing compliant, sensor-rich systems that can operate in confined, hazardous environments where traditional rigid robots fail. Karam’s major contribution includes the creation of modular sensor integration for soft robots using stretchable liquid metal wires, enabling radiation spectroscopy and inspection tasks in nuclear facilities—a breakthrough for remote monitoring in dangerous settings. His work on shape-sensing stretchable sensor grids introduces camera-less motion capture, allowing real-time strain and orientation measurement for wearable devices and soft robotic control. With papers like “Modular Sensor Integration into Soft Robots using Stretchable Wires for Nuclear Infrastructure Inspection and Radiation Spectroscopy” (2023, 5 citations) and “Shape Sensing Stretchable Sensor Grid Towards Camera-Less Motion Capture” (2024, 3 citations), Karam is establishing a foundation for next-generation, flexible robotic systems. His achievements highlight a unique blend of materials science, robotics, and nuclear engineering, positioning him as an emerging leader in soft robotics for extreme environments.