Michael Lin Yang

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, University of California, Berkeley

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Michael Lin Yang is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of soft robotics, origami engineering, and surgical mechatronics. His most impactful contribution is the development of paper-based robotics with stackable pneumatic actuators (PBAs), a novel approach that leverages materials with high elastic modulus-to-mass ratios and accordion-like structures to create lightweight, low-cost, and highly scalable robotic systems. This work, published in 2021 and garnering 29 citations, has opened new avenues for disposable, environmentally friendly robots in applications ranging from search-and-rescue to education. Yang’s earlier research explored the critical role of manipulator gripper stiffness in teleoperated task performance, particularly for robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery. By analyzing how surgeons rely on visual feedback in the absence of force feedback, he contributed foundational insights to the design of more intuitive surgical robots. Though his citation counts reflect a growing field, Yang’s work stands out for its creativity in material selection and fabrication—turning everyday paper into functional, pneumatic actuators. His achievements demonstrate a rare ability to bridge fundamental mechanics with practical, accessible robotics, inspiring a new generation of researchers to rethink what robots can be made of.