Tom Masselter

University of Freiburg

Papers

6

Total Citations

63

H-Index

5

About

Tom Masselter is a leading researcher in biomimetics and soft robotics, specializing in translating biological principles—particularly from plant movements—into innovative, compliant engineering systems. His major contributions center on the development of biomimetic peristaltic pumping systems, where he has pioneered flexible silicone-based soft robotic ring actuators that mimic natural peristalsis for efficient fluid transport. His most-cited works, including a 2017 and 2018 study on novel foam-based and silicone actuators, each garnering 14 citations, have established foundational designs for coolant liquid transport and technical pump alternatives. Beyond pumping, Masselter has advanced accessible biomimetic education through self-actuated paper and wood models (12 citations), enabling low-cost, handcrafted compliant systems for research and teaching. His recent work on lowering barriers to lab automation, featuring an AI-supported robotic arm (6 citations), underscores his commitment to practical, reproducible scientific workflows. With a portfolio that bridges fundamental bioinspiration and applied soft robotics, Masselter’s research continues to impact fields from medicine to architecture, offering scalable, nature-inspired solutions for real-world engineering challenges.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

5
H-Index
6
Papers
63
Total Citations
11
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Development of Novel Foam-Based Soft Robotic Ring Actuators for a Biomimetic Peristaltic Pumping System
14 citations · 2017
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2021 (2 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 12
🏛 Institutions: University of Freiburg

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 13 days ago