John Palmisano

Carnegie Mellon University, United States Naval Research Laboratory, Nova Research Company (United States)

Papers

Total Citations

154

H-Index

About

John Palmisano is a pioneering researcher in biomimetic robotics, specializing in bio-inspired locomotion and underwater vehicle design. His work focuses on translating biological principles into engineering solutions, particularly through the study of basilisk lizards and fish propulsion. Palmisano’s most influential contribution is the development of a novel water-running robot inspired by basilisk lizards (74 citations), which demonstrated how mechanical systems can replicate the lizard’s unique ability to stay afloat by slapping and stroking their feet on water. He further advanced underwater robotics with the design of a biomimetic pectoral fin featuring actively controlled curvature (47 citations), optimized through computational fluid dynamics for efficient propulsion. His research on thrust vectoring using weighted gait combinations (15 and 10 citations) enabled precise control of fin-based propulsion in forward, reverse, and lift directions, enhancing maneuverability for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Additionally, his scaling studies (8 citations) provided critical insights for adapting these designs across different robot sizes. Palmisano’s work bridges biology and engineering, offering practical solutions for aquatic robotics and inspiring future innovations in autonomous systems.