David L. Kaplan
Papers
11
Total Citations
1,195
H-Index
9
About
David L. Kaplan is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of biomaterials science, soft robotics, and bioelectronics, with a particular focus on silk fibroin-based systems and stretchable, biologically compatible technologies. His work has significantly advanced the development of flexible and wearable electronics, earning widespread recognition — including a landmark 2010 paper on stretchable optoelectronics that has accumulated over 639 citations, demonstrating the transformative potential of conformable devices in biomedicine and robotics. Kaplan's research has been instrumental in engineering silk fibroin hydrogels, ionotronic skins, and stimuli-responsive actuators that bridge the gap between living systems and engineered devices. His contributions to hydrogel ionotronics — self-healable, biocompatible sensing platforms — and bioinspired actuators with programmable deformation behaviors reflect a consistent drive to create materials that can intimately interface with biological tissues. His investigations into photo-crosslinked silk hydrogels and genetically engineered protein systems push the frontier of smart, multi-responsive biomaterials for next-generation medical devices. Beyond materials, Kaplan has explored biohybrid soft robotics, including muscle tissue engineering using insect-derived myotubes and biomorphic robot design. His interdisciplinary vision — spanning surgery, robotics, sensing, and structural biology — makes his body of work essential reading for researchers in biomaterials and bioengineering.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5Towards a biomorphic soft robot: Design constraints and solutions44 citations · 2012
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- 7Rapid prototyped sutureless anastomosis device from self‐curing silk bio‐ink23 citations · 2014
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