Soft Robotics

Tensile modeling PVC gels for electrohydraulic actuators
J. A. Faccinto, J. Lee, and K. J. Kim. Polymers 17(19), 2641 (2025) [PDF] [DOI] [PubMed]

Actuation Behavior of Hydraulically Amplified Self-Healing Electrostatic (HASEL) Actuator via Dimensional Analysis
A. Washington, J. Su, and K. J. Kim. Actuators 12(5), 208 (2023) [DOI]

Developing Next Generation Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Materials: Perspectives for Enabling Robotics and Biomimetics
Z. Olsen, K. J. Kim, and I.-K. Oh. Polymer International 70(1), 7-9 (2021)  [PDF] [DOI]

Basic design of a biomimetic underwater soft robot with switchable swimming modes and programmable artificial muscles
Q. Shen , Z. Olsen, T. Stalbaum, S. Trabia, J. Lee, R. Hunt, K. J. Kim, J. Kim, and I.-K. Oh. Smart Materials and Structures 9(3), 035038 (2020) [PDF] [DOI]

A soft-robotic Harbor Porpoise pectoral fin driven by coiled polymer actuators as artificial muscles
R. Hunt, S. Trabia, Z. Olsen, and K. J. Kim. Advanced Intelligent Systems 1(4),1900028 (2019) [PDF] [DOI]

Soft but Powerful Artificial Muscles Based on 3D Graphene–CNT–Ni Heteronanostructures
J. Kim, S.-H. Bae, M. Kotal, T. Stalbaum, K. J. Kim, and I.-K. Oh. Small 13(31), 1701314 (2017) [PDF] [DOI] [PubMed]

Electrically Controllable Twisted-Coiled Artificial Muscle Actuators Using Surfacemodified Polyester Fibers
 J. Park, J. W. Yoo, H. W. Seo, Y. Lee, J. Suhr, H. Moon, J. C. Koo, H. R. Choi, R. Hunt, K. J. Kim, S. H. Kim, and J.-D. Nam. Smart Materials and Structures 26(3),035048 (2017) [PDF] [DOI]

A New High-Performance Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Based on Nafion / Polyimide Blends
J. Nam, T. Hwang, K. J. Kim, and D.-C. Lee. Smart Materials and Structures 26(3),035015 (2017) [PDF] [DOI]

A Fabrication Method of Unique Nafion® Shapes by Painting for Ionic Polymer–Metal Composites
 S. Trabia, T. Hwang and K. J. Kim. Smart Materials and Structures 25(8),085006 (2016) [PDF] [DOI]

A Multiple-Shape Memory Polymer-Metal Composite Actuator Capable of Programmable Control, Creating Complex 3D Motion of Bending, Twisting, and Oscillation
 Q. Shen, S. Trabia, T.Stalbaum, V. Palmre, K. J. Kim, and I.-K. Oh. Scientific Reports 6, 24462 (2016) [PDF] [DOI] [PubMed]

Sulfur and Nitrogen Co-Doped Graphene Electrodes for High-Performance Ionic Artificial Muscles
M Kotal, J. Kim, K. J. Kim, and I.-K. Oh. Advanced Materials 28(8),1610-5 (2016) [PDF] [DOI] [PubMed]

A Comprehensive Physics-based Model Encompassing Variable Surface Resistance and Underlying Physics of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuators
Q. Shen, V. Palmre, T. Stalbaum, and K. J. Kim. Journal of Applied Physics 118,124904 (2015) [PDF] [DOI]

A New Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite Based on Nafion/poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) Blends
T. Hwang, V. Palmre, J. Nam, D.-C. Lee, and K. J. Kim. Smart Materials and Structures 24(10),105011 (2015) [PDF] [DOI]

An Ionic Electro-active Actuator Made with Graphene Film Electrode, Chitosan and Ionic Liquid
Q. He, M. Yu, X. Yang, K. J. Kim, and Z. Dai. Smart Materials and Structures 24(6),065026 (2015) [PDF] [DOI]

Physics-based modeling of mechano-electric transduction of tube-shaped ionic polymer-metal composite
T. Stalbaum, D. Pugal, S.E. Nelson, V. Palmre, and K. J. Kim. Journal of Applied Physics 117(11), 114903 (2015) [PDF] [DOI]

A cylindrical ionic polymer-metal compositebased robotic catheter platform: modeling, design and control
S. Ruiz, B. Mead, V. Palmre, K. J. Kim, and W. Yim. Smart Materials and Structures 24(1), 015007 (2015) [PDF] [DOI]

Nanothorn electrodes for ionic polymer-metal composite artificial muscles
V. Palmre, D. Pugal, K. J. Kim, K. K. Leang, K. Asaka, and A. Aabloo. Scientific Reports 4, 6176 (2014) [PDF] [DOI] [PubMed]

Electromechanical Performance and Other Characteristics of IPMCs Fabricated with Various Commercially Available ion exchange membranes
 J. Park, V. Palmre, T. Hwang, K. J. Kim, W. Yim, and C. Bae. Smart Materials and Structures 23(7), 074001 (2014) [PDF] [DOI]

Improving electromechanical output of IPMC by high surface area Pd-Pt electrodes and tailored ionomer membrane thickness
V. Palmre, S. J. Kim, D. Pugal, and K. J. Kim. International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials 5(2),99-113 (2014) [PDF] [DOI]

A Bio-inspired Multi Degree of Freedom Actuator Based on a Novel Cylindrical Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Material
 S. J. Kim, D. Pugal, J. Wong, K. J. Kim, and W. Yim. Robotics and Autonomous Systems  62(1), 53-60 (2014) [PDF] [DOI]

Recent Advances in Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite Actuators and their Modeling and Applications
 C. Jo, D. Pugal, I.-K. Oh, and K. J. Kim, and K. Asaka.  Progress in Polymer Science 38(7), 1037–1066 (2013) [PDF] [DOI]

Introduction to the Themed Articles on Ionic Polymer–Metal Composites
K. J. Kim and K. K. Leang. International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials 4(3),183-187 (2012) [PDF] [DOI]

Mitigating IPMC Back-Relaxation Effect through Controlled Activation of Patterned Electrodes
M. Fleming, J. Hubbard, K. J. Kim, and K. K. Leang. Smart Materials and Structures 21(8), 085002 (2012) [DOI]

Wireless Actuation and Control of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) Actuator using a Microwave Link
J. S. Lee, W. Yim, and K. J. Kim. International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials 3(4), 244-262 (2012) [DOI]

Integrated Sensing for IPMC Actuators using Strain Gages for Underwater Applications
K. K. Leang, Y. Shan, S. Song, and K. J. Kim. IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics 17(2), 345-355, (2012) [DOI]

A Twistable Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Artificial Muscle for Marine Applications
K. J. Kim, D. Pugal, and K. K. Leang. Marine Technology Society 45(4), 83-98 (2011) [DOI]

Experimental Study of a Metal Hydride Driven Braided Artificial Pneumatic Muscle (BAPM)
A. Vanderhoff and K. J. Kim. Smart Materials and Structures 18(2), 125014 (2009) [DOI]

A Self-Sensing of Dielectric Elastomer Actuator
K. M. Jung, K. J. Kim, and H. R. Choi. Sensors and Actuators: A Physical 143, 343-351 (2008) [DOI]

A Self-Oscillating Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Bending Actuator
D. Pugal, K. J. Kim, A. Punning, H. Kasemägi, M. Kruusmaa, and A. Aabloo. Journal of Applied Physics 103, 084908 (2008) [DOI]

Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuators Exhibiting Self-Oscillation
D. Kim and K. J. Kim. Sensors and Actuators A 137, 129-133 (2007) [DOI]

A Self-Oscillating Electroactive Polymer
D. Kim, K. J. Kim, Y. Tak, D. Pugal and I.-S. Park. Applied Physics Letter 90, 184104(1-3) (2007) [DOI]

Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Bending Actuator Loaded with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
D. Y. Lee, I.-S. Park, M.-H. Lee, K. J. Kim, and S Heo. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical 133, 117-127 (2007) [DOI]

A Review : Underwater Applications of Ionic Polymer –Metal Composites
 S. Heo, K. J. Kim, and J. W. Paquette. Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems  10(11), 981-990 (2004) [DOI]

Ionomeric Electro-Active Polymer Artificial Muscle for Naval Applications
J. Paquette and K. J. Kim. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering 29(3), 729-737 (2004) [DOI]

Investigation of a Solar-Thermal Bio-mimetic Metal Hydride Actuator
G. Llyod, K. J. Kim, A. Razani, and M. Shahinpoor. Journal of Solar Energy Engineering 125, pp. 95-100 (2003) [DOI]

Experimental Study of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites in Various Cation Forms: Actuation Behavior
M. Shahinpoor and K. J. Kim. Science and Engineering of Composite Materials 10(6), 423-436 (2002) [DOI]

Development of Three Dimensional Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites as Artificial Muscles
K. J. Kim and M. Shahinpoor. Polymer 43(3), 797-802 (2002) [DOI]

Mass Transfer Induced Hydraulic Actuation in Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites
M. Shahinpoor and K. J. Kim. Journal of Intelligent Materials Systems and Structures  13(6), 369-376 (2002) [DOI]

Solid-state Soft Actuator Exhibiting Large Electromechanical Effect
M. Shahinpoor and K. J. Kim. Applied Physics Letter 80(18), 3445-3447 (2002) [DOI]