Francesco Stellacci

Charles Humbert 8, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

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About

Francesco Stellacci is a pioneer at the intersection of nanotechnology, soft robotics, and laboratory automation. His research focuses on engineering intelligent microsystems that bridge the gap between biological complexity and robotic precision. Stellacci’s major contributions include the development of modular soft robotic microdevices for dexterous biomanipulation, where he integrates programmable colloidal self-assembly with plasmonic nanotransducers to create compliant, biologically inspired MEMS. This work, his most cited (46 citations), has opened new avenues for minimally invasive biomedical tools. More recently, Stellacci has advanced laboratory automation through novel robotic systems that combine computer vision and touch feedback for reliable microplate handling, as well as the SIMO platform—a smart integrator for manual operations that automates critical micelle concentration measurements. His work addresses fundamental challenges in reproducibility and efficiency, demonstrating how robotics can transform routine laboratory tasks. With a career marked by interdisciplinary innovation, Stellacci continues to shape the future of soft microrobotics and automated scientific discovery, making him a leading voice in the next generation of intelligent laboratory systems.