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About

Tom A. P. Engels is a pioneering researcher in the field of soft robotics, specializing in the development of untethered, multi-responsive actuators. His work centers on creating advanced polymer-based systems that respond to both magnetic fields and light, enabling unprecedented control over soft robotic movements. Engels' major contribution is the invention of a dual magneto- and photoresponsive rotary gripper, a remotely controlled soft robot capable of loading, transporting, rotating, and releasing cargo without any physical tether. This breakthrough, published in *Advanced Optical Materials* (2019, 128 citations), integrates a magnetically responsive polydimethylsiloxane layer with photoresponsive liquid crystal actuators, allowing light to trigger autonomous cargo pick-up and release while magnetic fields direct transport and rotation. Additionally, his 2021 work on NIR–vis–UV light-responsive actuators addresses the critical challenge of creep in high-stress-generating polymer actuators, enhancing stability and reversibility. Engels' research has been recognized with a front-cover feature in *Advanced Optical Materials*, highlighting the visual and functional impact of his innovations. His contributions are driving the next generation of soft robotics, offering scalable, energy-efficient solutions for micromanipulation and biomedical applications.