Robert M. Treadway

Papers

Total Citations

217

H-Index

About

Robert M. Treadway is a leading figure in soft materials engineering, with his research squarely focused on developing advanced silicone elastomers for stretchable and durable soft devices. His major contribution lies in moving beyond the industry-standard Sylgard-184, systematically identifying and characterizing alternative silicones that offer superior stretchability and tear resistance. Crucially, his work enables reliable interfacial bonding between molded silicone pieces using plasma or UV ozone treatment—a critical requirement for fabricating complex microfluidic and soft robotic systems. This foundational work, detailed in his highly cited 2018 paper (217 citations), has become a go-to resource for researchers seeking to build robust, multi-layered soft devices. By solving a key fabrication challenge, Treadway’s contributions have directly accelerated progress in stretchable electronics, wearable sensors, and soft robotics, providing the materials science backbone for next-generation compliant technologies.