Toshiaki Nagai
Papers
9
Total Citations
199
H-Index
8
About
Toshiaki Nagai is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of soft robotics, advanced materials, and bioinspired engineering. His work spans three interconnected domains: stretchable sensing technologies, dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), and sustainable robotics materials — fields where his contributions have collectively earned over 200 citations. Nagai's most influential work explores highly stretchable capacitive strain sensors featuring hierarchical auxetic structures (2019, 66 citations), dramatically improving sensitivity for applications in wearable devices and soft robots. He has made significant advances in DEA technology, developing fiber actuators with aqueous electrodes, monolithic stacked configurations, and antagonistic rolled systems specifically tailored for biomimetic underwater robots — work that draws elegantly from aquatic animal morphology to create propulsion systems safer for marine environments. Perhaps most distinctively, Nagai has championed sustainability in soft robotics. His investigations into biodegradable materials — from gelatin-nanocellulose composites to finite element modeling of actuator degradation — reflect a forward-thinking commitment to environmentally responsible engineering. His rapid fabrication methods using commercially available elastomers further demonstrate a practical ingenuity that bridges laboratory innovation and real-world accessibility. Nagai's body of work positions him as a thoughtful and versatile innovator shaping the future of intelligent, sustainable, soft robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Cartilage structure increases swimming efficiency of underwater robots23 citations · 2021
- 3Dielectric Elastomer Fiber Actuators with Aqueous Electrode21 citations · 2021
- 4
- 5
- 6Monolithic Stacked Dielectric Elastomer Actuators19 citations · 2021
- 7
- 8
- 9Characterization of Bio-Degradable Materials for Soft Robotics4 citations · 2019