Michael Wissler

Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

229

H-Index

About

Michael Wissler is a pioneering researcher in the field of electroactive polymers (EAPs), with a particular focus on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) and their application in soft robotics and bioengineering. His most celebrated contribution is the development of the first-ever arm wrestling robot driven by EAPs, which famously competed against a human opponent at the EAPAD conference in 2005. This landmark demonstration, detailed in his highly cited 2007 paper (213 citations), showcased the immense potential of DEA technology for creating lifelike, compliant robotic systems. Wissler’s work also delves into the fundamental mechanics of these actuators, as seen in his study on electromechanical coupling in cylindrical "spring roll" DEAs (16 citations), which provided critical insights into their design and performance. By bridging materials science and robotics, Wissler has helped establish dielectric elastomers as a viable platform for next-generation actuators, influencing fields from prosthetics to soft grippers. His research remains a key reference for engineers and scientists exploring the intersection of smart materials and bio-inspired robotics.