Papers
11
Total Citations
99
H-Index
6
About
Y. Bar-Cohen is a pioneering figure at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, renowned for his groundbreaking work in electroactive polymers (EAP) and ultrasonic drilling technologies. His research focuses on biomimetic actuators, planetary sampling, and nondestructive evaluation, with a vision to create robotic systems that mimic biological functions. Bar-Cohen’s major contributions include developing flexible, low-mass robotic arms actuated by EAP—often called “artificial muscles”—which operate equivalently to human limbs, enabling lightweight, energy-efficient space applications. He also invented the Ultrasonic/Sonic Driller/Corer (USDC), a novel device that drills into rock with minimal preload and power, crucial for in-situ astrobiology on Mars, Europa, and beyond. His work has garnered significant attention, with his most-cited paper on EAP-actuated robotic arms receiving 35 citations, and his USDC research cited 20 times. Notably, Bar-Cohen organized a public arm-wrestling match between a robotic limb and a human in 2005, showcasing EAP’s potential. His achievements include authoring influential books on biomimetic sensors and NDE robotics, and his innovations continue to inspire students and researchers in space exploration and soft robotics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3Turning heads12 citations · 2004
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- 5BIONIC HUMANS USING EAP AS ARTIFICIAL MUSCLES - REALITY AND CHALLENGES7 citations · 2004
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- 10Mother-Crawler and Modular NDE-Boards for Robotics Scanning and Testing2 citations · 1998