Marcos Masukawa
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Papers
2
Total Citations
36
H-Index
1
About
Marcos Masukawa is a rising leader in the intersection of DNA nanotechnology and soft robotics, pioneering how molecular-scale design can drive macroscopic function. His most cited work introduces a photolithographic method for the shape control of DNA hydrogels, leveraging photo-activated self-assembly of Y-shaped DNA nanostructures. This breakthrough, with 35 citations, enables precise spatial patterning of biocompatible materials—a critical step toward programmable drug delivery, tissue scaffolds, and responsive biosensors. More recently, Masukawa has advanced the field of physical intelligence with his 2025 paper on soft robotic engines that achieve non-reciprocal motion through symmetry breaking, bypassing traditional electronic control. By embedding computational logic directly into material structure, his robots accumulate work from simple environmental inputs, mimicking biological adaptability. Though early in its impact, this work signals a paradigm shift toward autonomous, energy-efficient soft machines. Masukawa’s research uniquely bridges molecular self-assembly and embodied intelligence, offering students a compelling vision: how to build life-like function from the bottom up, using DNA as both brick and blueprint.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Soft Robotic Engines with Non‐Reciprocal Motion by Physical Intelligence1 citations · 2025