Rabiu Mamman is a third-year PhD candidate in mechanical engineering researching soft robotic actuators.
Monday, March 31, 2025
Lamuta Lab

The advent of high functioning artificial muscles holds the potential for application in a new generation of soft robots according to research occurring at the University of Iowa College of Engineering.

Rabiu Mamman, a third-year PhD candidate in mechanical engineering (ME), is studying novel artificial muscles. These would power the movement of "soft" robots, a type of flexible machine that can mimic how living organisms move.

“My research focuses on the design and study of flexible artificial muscles that can exhibit shape changes such as bending, extension, contraction, and rotation in a single component, akin to mammalian muscles,” Mamman said. “This technology finds wide application in facilitating the movement of soft robots.”

Mamman's research is gaining recognition beyond Iowa's borders. Mamman was named a Golden Torch Award honoree for Graduate Student of the Year 2024-2025 by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).

The award celebrates "individuals, companies, and institutions that have produced a consistent body of highly distinguished work, served as role models for others and advanced opportunities for African Americans within our industry. We recognize accomplishments that have enriched both engineers and the world with intelligence, talent and vision," according to the organization.

Under the mentorship of Caterina Lamuta, ME associate professor, Mamman has been exploring how to use the technology to prevent harmful buildup on underwater vessels, mid-air stalling of airborne vehicles, and improving the design of haptic devices, which appear in common devices such as cell phones and video game controllers.

While progress has been made on "soft" robots, more work remains.

"Traditional robots are powered by heavy components which makes them less energy efficient and portable," said Mamman, of Okene, Nigeria. "This also impacts their application in navigating intricate terrains. Novel artificial muscles help mitigate these drawbacks in soft robots thanks to their flexible nature, low power demands, and portability."