Rahul Karyappa

Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Rahul Karyappa is an innovative materials scientist and engineer whose research sits at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, soft robotics, and microfluidics. His work centers on pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing — particularly direct ink writing (DIW) and novel 3D printing techniques — to create flexible, functional structures from silicone elastomers and polysiloxanes. Among his most significant contributions is the development of Embedded Core–Shell 3D Printing (eCS3DP), a groundbreaking technique that overcomes longstanding challenges in fabricating flexible 3D objects with complex internal architectures using low-viscosity liquid precursors. This innovation has direct implications for next-generation soft sensors and actuators. Complementing this, his comprehensive review of direct ink writing with silicone elastomers has become an essential reference for researchers bridging microfluidic device fabrication and soft robotics, offering critical insight into how 3D printing can replace conventional soft lithography methods. With his two most-cited works alone accumulating over 40 citations in just a few years, Karyappa's research is gaining rapid traction in the scientific community. His contributions are helping shape the future of soft, programmable materials and intelligent robotic systems, making his work highly relevant for students and researchers exploring flexible electronics, biomimetic devices, and advanced manufacturing.