Papers
2
Total Citations
13
H-Index
2
About
Charlie Maslen is pioneering the frontier of soft microrobotics, with a focus on designing and controlling sub-millimeter robots that can perform mechanical work at the microscale. Their key research areas include hydrogel-based microrobots, self-assembly, and light-responsive actuation. Maslen’s major contributions include the development of hydrogel microrobots that can self-assemble into ordered structures with programmable actuation—a breakthrough that opens new possibilities for micromanipulation, microfabrication, and healthcare. In a related line of work, they introduced light-responsive hydrogel microcrawlers that can be powered and steered using spatially homogeneous illumination, eliminating the need for complex onboard electronics or focused light sources. These innovations address fundamental challenges in robot miniaturization, enabling untethered locomotion and reconfigurable swarms. With over 13 citations across their most-cited papers published in 2023 and 2024, Maslen’s work is already gaining recognition for its potential to transform microfabrication and medical interventions. Their research represents a significant step toward autonomous, programmable microsystems that could one day operate inside the human body or assemble microscopic devices.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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