Georgia Tech proudly announces its faculty who have been named to the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list. This list is a global recognition of scholars with work among the top 1% most cited within their fields. This distinction demonstrates Georgia Tech’s leadership in advancing research with broad and lasting impact.

The Institute’s highly cited researchers include:

• Ian F. Akyildiz - retired professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Antonio Facchetti – professor, Hightower Chair, Materials Science and Engineering
• Maohong Fan – adjunct professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Konstantinos Konstantinidis – professor, Environmental Engineering
• Nian Liu – associate professor and Robert G. Miller Faculty Fellow, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Anant Madabhushi – professor, Biomedical Engineering
• H. Jerry Qi – Woodruff Professor, Mechanical Engineering
• Rampi Ramprasad – Regents’ Entrepreneur, Materials Science and Engineering
• Rodney J. Weber – professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• C.P. Wong – Charles Smithgall Institute Endowed Chair and Regents’ Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

“Our faculty’s recognition among the world’s most highly cited demonstrates Georgia Tech’s commitment to pioneering discoveries and solving complex global challenges through research,” said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research. “Congratulations to each of them on this impressive achievement.”

Clarivate’s annual list identifies researchers whose published work demonstrates exceptional influence, based on citation data from the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 11 years. These scholars have authored multiple Highly Cited Papers, which are publications consistently ranked in the top 1% by citations in their respective fields.

The Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS) hosted the inaugural Boundaries and Breakthroughs panel on Nov. 11, setting the stage for a new era of interdisciplinary dialogue at Georgia Tech. The event, held in the Marcus Nanotechnology building, brought together experts in electrical engineering, computer architecture, and computer systems design to tackle one of today’s pressing challenges: artificial intelligence (AI) scalability and sustainable high-performance computing.

As one of Georgia Tech’s 11 interdisciplinary research institutes, IMS is designed to break down silos between traditional academic units. By operating core user facilities and fostering collaborative research, IMS creates a unique ecosystem where device-level innovation meets systems-level design. This event personified that mission by connecting researchers who typically work on different ends of the stack.

“We’re looking for opportunities to bring people together to have discussions that are both informative and potentially create a little bit of friction in the best possible way around trending topics in science and engineering,” said Mike Filler, IMS deputy director, during opening remarks.

The panel was moderated by Divya Mahajan, assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and featured Moinuddin Qureshi, professor of computer science; Anand Iyer, assistant professor of computer science; and Asif Khan, associate professor in electrical and computer engineering. 

The discussion explored the dynamics between compute abundance and energy constraints. As AI models scale up, power consumption has become a societal issue, driving up energy demands and even influencing political conversations. The panelists agreed that the bottleneck isn’t compute — a computer’s ability to process and execute tasks — but data movement. Moving data uses 100 to 1,000 times more energy than computation, making memory systems the critical frontier.

The conversation highlighted how breakthroughs in compute must occur at every layer — from individual devices to full computer systems. At the device level, Khan mentioned emerging memory technologies and “beyond CMOS” approaches such as embedding compute within memory and exploring bio-inspired architectures.

From a computer architecture level, Qureshi advocated rethinking interfaces and creating designs optimized for the future of computing. AI needs regular patterns to work optimally, and current patterns are not set up for that.

“If you want efficiency, design systems that make sense for AI,” Qureshi said. “Develop new interfaces, develop new modules, architectures, and organization that make for a specific pattern.”

At the systems level, Iyer stressed practical strategies like near-memory compute and energy-aware scheduling while acknowledging the need for co-design between hardware and software.

“Now in terms of brains or bio-inspired computing, my conjecture is that there is currently no hardware that is capable of doing it,” Khan said. He also noted that right now, there is no computer or algorithm that has the scale of computing comparable to human brain power.

The panelists didn’t shy away from provocative ideas — such as whether graphic processing units are the final solution for AI and whether matrix multiplication alone can lead to artificial general intelligence. While opinions varied, all agreed that organizations like IMS are key to bringing together diverse expertise to tackle these questions collaboratively.

The Boundaries and Breakthroughs series continues in January with a panel on bioelectronics and medical technologies, reinforcing IMS’s commitment to fostering dialogue that spans the full spectrum of innovation.

The Institute for Matter and Systems has added a new tool to its biocleanroom capabilities: the Corning™ Matribot™ Bioprinter, which enables precise, reproducible 3D hydrogel printing for a wide range of biological applications.

This technology is designed to transform how 3D biological models are created. With a temperature-controlled printhead and insulated nozzles, users can print temperature-sensitive hydrogels without the hassle of cold blocks or ice buckets. The system’s heated print bed and UV curing technology make it easy to produce high-quality structures with precision and reproducibility. 

Researchers can use the bioprinter for:

• 3D Cell Culture & Organoid Modeling
  • Create structured organoid scaffolds and tissue-like microenvironments.
• Tumor Microenvironment & Cancer Research
  • Print Matrigel-based tumor models for invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance studies.
• Drug Screening & Toxicology
  • High-throughput, reproducible 3D models for drug efficacy and toxicity testing.
• Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology
  • Fabricate vascular-like channels, ECM gradients, and patterned niches.
• Stem Cell Differentiation & Developmental Biology
  • Mimic developmental environments with spatial control.
• Lab Automation
  • Standardize gel handling and reduce operator variability.

The Matribot Bioprinter allows researchers to design and fabricate complex biological models with unprecedented precision and reproducibility — accelerating innovation in cancer research, tissue engineering, drug discovery, and more.

The tool is available now. Schedule time in SUMS.

Tool contact: Nik Roeske, Process Equipment Engineer

Zhigang Jiang, Martin Mourigal, and Yan Wang lead the Magnetometry and Spectrum-Based Quantum Sensing Platforms for Quantum Information Science and Technology research program at the Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS). Jiang and Mourigal are professors in the School of Physics. Wang is a professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.

In this brief Q&A, they discuss their research focus, how it connection to IMS’s research priorities, and the national impact of this initiative.

What is your field of expertise?

Jiang and Mourigal are quantum material physicists, specializing in optical magneto-spectroscopy and neutron spectroscopy, respectively. Wang is an engineering expert in quantum optimization and quantum AI/machine learning.

What questions or challenges sparked your current research? 

In 2025, we celebrate 100 years of quantum mechanics. A recurring question in the community is how, after a century of progress, we can fully harness the potential of quantum coherence to achieve quantum supremacy in practical devices. This program aims to address this challenge by demonstrating spectrum-based entanglement witnessing and control in quantum materials, as well as developing novel quantum sensing platforms with unprecedented sensitivity.

Matter and systems refer to the transformational technological and societal systems that arise from the convergence of innovative materials, devices, and processes. Why is your program important to the development of the IMS research strategy? 

IMS has been a strong supporter of campus-wide quantum research, which spans many GT units. Through this program, we aim to integrate existing efforts in quantum materials and quantum engineering to form an interdisciplinary team positioned to address national research needs in quantum information and technology, with a particular focus on quantum sensing. The deep involvement of GTRI quantum scientists provides unparalleled opportunities for real-world applications, aligning closely with the IMS research strategy.

What are the broader global and social benefits of the research you and your team conduct?

This program represents GT’s response to the National Quantum Initiative Act, which aims to accelerate quantum research and development in the United States. The quantum sensing platforms proposed here feature cutting-edge technology that is compact, highly sensitive, and easily integrated with existing classical systems. These platforms hold strong potential for transformative applications across a range of industries, including biomedical imaging in healthcare, navigation in aerospace, oil and mineral exploration, and semiconductor manufacturing. 

What are your plans for engaging a wider Georgia Tech faculty pool with the Institute for Matter and Systems research?

This program builds on an established network of quantum materials and engineering researchers, bringing together faculty from Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and GTRI. We plan to further expand this network by engaging GT scientists and engineers through workshops—such as IMS-organized symposiums—and collaborative team proposals. Our long-term goal is to establish a GT–led quantum center that is nationally competitive and positioned to address critical research needs in quantum information and technology.

 

On Nov. 6, the Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS) hosted its first Founders Night, an event designed to bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers to showcase the institute’s world-class facilities and foster collaboration with Atlanta’s growing startup community. 

The evening began with Eric Vogel, executive director of IMS, outlining the institute’s role as a hub for interdisciplinary research and advanced manufacturing. He emphasized IMS’s three main pillars: research and innovation, education and workforce development, and core facilities. 

“Founders Night is about more than showcasing our world-class facilities — it’s about building a stronger innovation community,” said Billyde Brown, senior research engineer and external user outreach manager at IMS. “We want to connect entrepreneurs, researchers and industry partners, spark collaborations and ensure these resources help turn ideas into impactful technologies.”

Brown and Michele Guide, associate director of external engagement, invited attendees to connect with them and share feedback on how IMS can better support Atlanta and Georgia’s innovation needs. 

The heart of the event was a series of lightning talks from entrepreneurs whose companies were born (or accelerated) within IMS core facilities. Their journeys underscored the impact of access and mentorship that IMS had on their careers.

Mason Chilmonczyk, CEO and co-founder of Andson Biotech, recounted his journey from Ph.D. student to startup founder. 

“Pretty much every step in this process required expertise from somebody in this room,” he said. “The Georgia Tech cleanroom was responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in fundraising because of the microfluidic technologies.”

Chilmonczyk’s product, the nyna chip, revolutionizes mass spectrometry sample preparation, which cuts workflows from weeks to days.

Next, Craig Green, CTO of Carbice, shared how his team scaled fabrication from four inches of material per month in the Georgia Tech cleanroom to producing 30 million square inches annually at their Atlanta-based factory. The IMS facilities were key to working out the kinks in the design process. 

The final speaker, Ashley Galanti, founder of AMG Detection, described her experience designing a wearable device that predicts epileptic seizures 10-45 minutes before onset. 

“I would not be able to fill this gap if it were not for the IMS facilities,” said Galanti. “You all not only provided me access to world-class equipment, but mentorship, encouragement, and a community that empowered me to grow from a student to a scientist and now a founder.”

Galanti began using the facilities with zero technical training. She was taught by IMS staff from the ground up – and still utilizes the facilities and staff expertise for guidance with her work. 

After the talks, attendees were invited to network and tour IMS’s Materials Characterization Facility and Micro/Nano Fabrication Cleanroom. 

More than a showcase, Founders Night underscored IMS’s commitment to building a community around advancing technology from matter to systems. From biotech to AI hardware to life-saving medical devices, one message resonated throughout the evening: Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it thrives in community.

Plastic packaging is ubiquitous in our world, with its waste winding up in landfills and polluting oceans, where it can take centuries to degrade.

To ease this environmental burden, industry has worked to adopt renewable biopolymers in place of traditional plastics. However, developers of sustainable packaging have faced hurdles in blocking out moisture and oxygen, a barrier critical for protecting food, pharmaceuticals, and sensitive electronics.

Now, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a biologically based film made from natural ingredients found in plants, mushrooms, and food waste that can block moisture and oxygen as effectively as conventional plastics. Their findings were recently published in ACS Applied Polymer Materials.

“We’re using materials that are already abundant in and degrade in nature to produce packaging that won’t pollute the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years,” said Carson Meredith, a professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE@GT) and executive director of the Renewable Bioproducts Institute. “Our films, composed of biodegradable components, rival or exceed the performance of conventional plastics in keeping food fresh and safe.”

Meredith’s research team has worked for more than a decade to develop environmentally friendly oxygen and water barriers for packaging. While earlier research using biopolymers showed promise, high humidity continued to weaken the barrier properties.

However, Meredith and his collaborators found a fix using a blend of these natural ingredients: cellulose (which gives plants their structure), chitosan (derived from crustacean-based food waste or mushrooms), and citric acid (from citrus fruits).

“By crosslinking these materials and adding a heat treatment, we created a thin film that reduced both moisture and oxygen transmission, even in hot, humid conditions simulating the tropics,” said lead author Yang Lu, a former postdoctoral researcher in ChBE@GT.

The barrier technology developed by the researchers consists of three primary components: a carbohydrate polymer for structure, a plasticizer to maintain flexibility, and a water-repelling additive to resist moisture. When cast into thin films, these ingredients self-organize at the molecular level to form a dense, ordered structure that resists swelling or softening under high humidity.

Even at 80 percent relative humidity, the films showed extremely low oxygen permeability and water vapor transmission, matching or outperforming common plastics such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene vinyl alcohol) (EVOH).

“Our approach creates barriers that are not only renewable, but also mechanically robust, offering a promising alternative to conventional plastics in packaging applications,” said Natalie Stingelin, professor and chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and a professor in ChBE@GT.

The research team has filed for patent protection for the technology (patent pending). The research was supported by Mars Inc., Georgia Tech’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute, and the U.S. Department of Defense through the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program. Eric Klingenberg, a co-author of the study, is an employee of Mars, a manufacturer of packaged foods.

Citation: Yang Lu, Javaz T. Rolle, Tanner Hickman, Yue Ji, Eric Klingenberg, Natalie Stingelin, and Carson Meredith, “Transforming renewable carbohydrate-based polymers into oxygen and moisture-barriers at elevated humidity,” ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2025.

 

By: Josh Davies-Jones, Stephan Turano, Eric Zhang, Kalya Chuong

At the Materials Characterization Facility in the Institute of Matter and Systems, we’re not only probing modern materials. This week, we’ve been studying the materials chemistry of the building blocks of the past.

Our latest project focuses on a fragment of history: part of the stone walls of Cetatea Poenari, the mountain citadel once home to Vlad III of Wallachia— better known to the world as Vlad the Impaler—and the enduring inspiration for the world’s most famous vampire, Dracula.

Poenari Citadel is an imposing ruin of stone and mortar perched high in the Carpathian Mountains. In the mid-1400s, it was ruled by Vlad Țepeș III, the Prince of Wallachia. He was known as Drăculea — “son of the dragon” — a title inherited from his father, Dracul, a member of the Order of the Dragon, a knightly order sworn to defend Christendom.

Vlad ruled during violent clashes with the Ottoman Empire and is still regarded as a national hero in modern Romania. But to his enemies, he was a despot and a bloodthirsty tyrant, infamous for his gruesome habit of impaling his foes.

While vampirism wasn’t a concept tied to Vlad in the 1400s, stories of his horrific deeds spread rapidly across Europe. One such story came from a Franciscan monk named Brother Jacob, who survived one of Vlad’s purges and fled westward to Germany.

There, he met a famous poet and musician, Michael Beheim, who turned Jacob’s testimony into what we’d now call a bestselling single—a ballad titled “The Story of a Bloodthirsty Madman Called Dracula of Wallachia.” Think of it as the 15th-century equivalent of a diss track, causing nearly as much fuss as a modern-day celebrity feud.

Beheim performed his chilling song across Europe, even before Emperor Frederick III of the Holy Roman Empire. And it was here, in his haunting verses, that the true myth of Dracula began:

It was his pleasure and gave him courage
To see human blood flow;
And it was his custom
To wash his hands in it
As it was brought to the table.

Following the success of Beheim’s poem, German printers began releasing illustrated broadsheets depicting Dracula’s supposed atrocities—most of them wildly exaggerated, but undeniably effective at capturing the public’s imagination. These sensational pamphlets spread the image of Vlad as a blood-drinking monster across Europe.

Centuries later, Bram Stoker would draw from these same dark tales for his 1897 novel Dracula, transforming the brutal prince of Wallachia into the immortal vampire of Gothic fiction.

The Science

Using a combination of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), we examined the elemental and mineral composition of a medieval brick from Vlad the Impaler’s 15th-century fortress at Poenari. 

By analyzing the elemental makeup of these medieval walls, we can uncover clues about the materials, methods, and craftsmanship used to build them more than five centuries ago. Insights from these analyses can inform modern sustainable construction, guiding the design of materials and structures that could stand strong for another thousand years.

The XRF data revealed a chemical fingerprint typical of clay bricks made from local Wallachian materials:

• Si (≈48%) – Silicon, the dominant element, reflecting silicate-rich clays and quartz sands
• Al (≈16%) – Aluminum, from aluminosilicate minerals such as feldspar and clay
• Fe (≈12–15%) – Iron, from iron oxides, the source of the brick’s deep red coloration
• Ca (≈6–8%), K (≈4–7%), Mg (≈2–3%), Ti (≈1–2%), Na (≈1%), plus trace Zr, Mn, and Zn

This composition aligns perfectly with the geology of the surrounding Carpathian Mountains and known masonry techniques of the time. The Argeș River, which flows beneath Poenari, drains crystalline rocks of the Făgăraș Mountains. These rocks naturally yield zircon (ZrSiO₄) and ilmenite (FeTiO₃) grains into local river sands—both of which can be seen speckled through the brick.

These accessory minerals are highly stable, surviving firing temperatures well above 1,000 °C and cannot be formed through the brick making process. In the 15th century, hauling heavy bricks up a mountain was arduous enough; importing them from elsewhere would have been impractical. So, these minerals tell us they came from local rock and sand found around the castle. 

The dominance of silicon, aluminum, and iron makes perfect sense for a medieval brick formed primarily from silicate clays. Iron oxides produced the red color, while silica provided the rigid skeletal framework.

The presence of hematite confirms that the brick was fired in an oxidizing environment, typical of medieval clamp kilns. However, the survival of some untransformed clay minerals suggests that temperatures were moderate—likely between 750–900°C—which is consistent with local masonry practices of the time.

 Well-sorted quartz grains indicate that the brickmakers deliberately chose or tempered their clay with sand to minimize shrinkage and cracking. Larger and smaller grains together point to naturally mixed alluvial clay, while uniform fine grains could indicate intentional sieving. Quartz, being chemically stable, remained largely unchanged through firing, forming the hard silica backbone that contributes to the brick’s durability.

Calsium appears in the brick as part of several minerals. Most commonly, it occurs as calcite (CaCO₃), also known as lime or as gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O). Both minerals may have formed or re-formed during the six centuries since Vlad the Impaler’s time, as the brick weathered and interacted with its environment.

In many medieval structures, lime-based mortar was used to bond the bricks together. Over time, moisture can draw dissolved lime into the brick’s porous network, where it later crystallizes as calcite when exposed to air. Similarly, sulfur compounds from the atmosphere or from the mortar itself can react with calcium to form gypsum crystals. 

The combined elemental and m data reveal a straightforward but powerful truth: the bricks of Poenari Citadel were crafted from the very earth beneath its cliffs. Local clays, river sands, and centuries of weathering come together to form the story of our bricks.

In the end, this analysis shows that Poenari’s strength comes not from myth or mystery, but from the local earth and the practical knowledge of its builders. These bricks aren’t supernatural—they’re simply well made, well fired, and well suited to their environment. And that, in its own quiet way, is just as impressive.

Members of the Georgia Tech community gathered in the Marcus Nanotechnology Building on Oct. 23 for the third annual Oliver Brand Memorial Lectureship on Electronics and Nanotechnology. This year’s lecture was delivered by Vijay Narayanan, fellow at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, who spoke on designing and building the future of artificial intelligence (AI) with next-generation silicon technologies.

“Oliver’s past exemplified interdisciplinary discovery, from early work in physics and MEMS to leadership in micro/nano systems — linking institutions and domains,” said Michael Filler, deputy director of the Institute for Matter and Systems (IMS). “He helped shape large-scale research infrastructures, integrated faculty from across engineering and science, and forged connections between academia, government, and industry.

The Brand Lecture invites speakers whose work and innovations reflect the spirit of Oliver Brand’s legacy of research that bridges fields and transcends traditional boundaries.

“I’d like to thank [IMS] for inviting me to this podium to talk a little bit about how I see materials really driving many of the semiconductor innovations that are key for AI design as we see it today,” said Narayanan.

“Driven by AI, there’s a growth in semiconductors in many topical areas,” he said. “There’s significant growth, and it’s not just apps. It’s hardware, technologies, things that will actually grow the ecosystem. And there’s some challenges, very big challenges.”

One of those challenges is the energy consumption associated with large language models. 

“One case of training for GPT-4 is equivalent to 25 jetliner round trips from New York to Tokyo,” said Narayanan. “That’s a lot of energy.” 

He emphasized the critical role of scientists in addressing the rapid growth in AI-driven compute demands and the urgent need for sustainable, scalable technologies. His talk explored cutting-edge developments in materials science, including nanosheet transistors, advanced lithography, and novel materials like rhodium and topological semimetals. Narayanan underscored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to overcome energy and performance challenges in next-generation silicon technologies.

“Let us carry forward Oliver’s legacy of curiosity, collaboration, and compassion, and let us embrace the challenge of innovation,” Filler said in closing remarks.

Brand, who died in 2023, left a legacy that lives on through interdisciplinary research at Georgia Tech. He spent more than 20 years as a member of the Institute’s faculty. In addition to leading the Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology (IEN), he was a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, director of the Coordinating Office for the National Science Foundation-funded National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), and director of the Southeastern Nanotechnology Infrastructure Corridor, one of the 16 NNCI sites.

Brand united researchers in the fields of electronics and nanotechnology, fostering collaboration and expanding IEN to include more than 200 faculty members. In addition to his respected work in microelectromechanical systems, he is remembered for his kindness, dedication, and unwavering support for all who knew him.

Previous Lectures:

• Andreas Heirlemann Gives Inaugural Oliver Brand Memorial Lecture on Electronics and Nanotechnology
• Michael Strano Presents the Second Annual Oliver Brand Memorial Lectureship on Electronics and Nanotechnology

Pop culture has often depicted robots as cold, metallic, and menacing, built for domination, not compassion. But at Georgia Tech, the future of robotics is softer, smarter, and designed to help.

“When people think of robots, they usually imagine something like The Terminator or RoboCop: big, rigid, and made of metal,” said Hong Yeo, the G.P. “Bud” Peterson and Valerie H. Peterson Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. “But what we’re developing is the opposite. These artificial muscles are soft, flexible, and responsive — more like human tissue than machine.”

Yeo’s latest study, published in Materials Horizons, explores AI-powered muscles made from lifelike materials paired with intelligent control systems. The technology learns from the body and adapts in real time, creating motion that feels natural, responsive, and safe enough to support recovery.
 

Muscles That Think, Materials That Feel

Traditional robotics relies on steel, wires, and motors, but rarely captures the nuances of human motion. Yeo’s research takes a different approach. He uses hierarchically structured fibers, which are flexible materials built in layers, much like muscle and tendon. They can sense, adapt, and even “remember” how they’ve moved before.

Yeo trains machine learning algorithms to adjust those pliable materials in real time with the right amount of force or flexibility for each task.

“These muscles don’t only respond to commands,” Yeo said. “They learn from experience. They can adapt and self-correct, which makes motion smoother and more natural.”

The result of that research is deeply human. For someone recovering from a stroke or limb loss, each deliberate movement rebuilds not just strength — it rebuilds confidence, independence, and a sense of self.

 

A Glove That Gives Freedom Back

One of the first real-world applications is a prosthetic glove powered by artificial muscles (published in ACS Nano, 2025), a device that behaves more like a helping hand than a mechanical tool. Traditional prosthetics rely on rigid motors and preset motions, but Yeo’s design mirrors the natural give-and-take of real muscle.

Inside the glove, thin layers of stretchable fibers and sensors contract, twist, and flex in sync with the wearer’s intent. The glove can fine-tune grip strength, reduce tremors, and respond instantly to the user’s movements, bringing dexterity back to everyday life.

That kind of precision matters most in the smallest tasks: fastening a button, lifting a glass, holding a child’s hand.

“These aren’t just movements,” Yeo said. “They’re freedoms.”

For Yeo, the idea of restoring freedom through movement has driven his research from the very beginning.
 

A Mission Rooted in Loss

Yeo's work is deeply personal. His path to biomedical engineering began with loss — the sudden death of his father while Yeo was still in college. That moment reshaped his sense of purpose, redirecting his focus from machines that move to technologies that heal.

“Initially, I was thinking about designing cars,” he said. “But after my father’s death, I kind of woke up. Maybe I could do something that helps save someone’s life.”

That purpose continues to guide his lab’s work today, building technologies that help people recover what they’ve lost.

Achieving that vision, however, means tackling some of engineering’s toughest challenges.
 

Soft Machines, Hard Problems

Creating lifelike muscles isn’t easy. They need to be soft but strong, responsive but safe. And they must avoid triggering the body’s immune system. That means building materials that can survive inside the body — and learn to belong there.

“We always think about not only function, but adaptability,” Yeo said. “If it’s going to be part of someone’s body, it has to work with them, not against them.”

His team calibrates these synthetic fibers like precision instruments — tested, adjusted, and re-tuned until they operate in sync with the body’s natural movements. Over time, they develop a kind of “muscle memory,” adapting fluidly to changing conditions. That dynamic adaptability, Yeo explained, is what separates a machine from a prosthetic that truly feels alive.
 

From Collaboration to Innovation

Solving problems this complex requires more than one discipline. It takes an entire ecosystem of collaboration. Yeo’s lab brings together experts in mechanical engineering, materials science, medicine, and computer science to design smarter, safer devices.

“You can’t solve this kind of problem in isolation,” he said. “We need all of it — polymers, artificial intelligence, biomechanics — working together.”

That collaborative model is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health, and Georgia Tech’s Institute for Matter and Systems. In 2023, Yeo received a $3 million NSF grant to train the next generation of engineers building smart medical technology.

His team now works closely with healthcare providers and industry partners to bring these devices out of the lab and into patients’ lives.


The Future You Can Feel

The future of robotics, according to Yeo, won’t be defined by power or complexity but by feel.

“If it feels foreign, people won’t use it,” he said. “But if it feels like part of you, that’s when it can truly change lives.”

It’s the opposite of The Terminator, where machines replace us. Yeo is designing these machines to help us reclaim ourselves.