Smart Actuator and Sensor Technologies

Dr. Kam K. Leang founded in July 2014 the Design, Automation, Robotics, and Control Lab - the research focus of the lab. The lab houses state-of the-art equipment for research in DARC activities. Some of the work focuses on design, modeling, and control of electroactive materials including piezoelectric ceramics, electroactive polymers, shape memory alloys, and a host of other materials that respond to electrical signals. More recently, projects in unmanned autonomous systems such as aerial robots is being conducted, focusing Applications of DARC research encompass micro- and nano-scale positioning systems (e.g., nanopositioners), scanning probe microscopes, and intelligent and bio-inspired autonomous systems. Kam Leang in collaboration with UNLV-lead team and other researchers receive new $3.8M NSF funding to work on electroactive polymer materials for soft robotics.