Event

MRC Seminar: Biohybrid robotic jellyfish and bioinspired vehicle designs for ocean exploration

Friday, October 10, 2025
2:00 p.m.
JMP 2116

Dr. Nicole Xu
Assistant Professor 
Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering
Robotics Program
Biomedical Engineering Program
BioFrontiers Institute
University of Colorado Boulder

Abstract

As technology advances, swimming robots and bioinspired design in fluid dynamics can potentially be used for monitoring the ocean, performing tasks in remote locations, and other practical applications. Looking towards nature for inspiration can address some of the grand challenges of robotics, such as improved dexterity and adaptive abilities in unstructured environments. This work presents examples of bioinspired swimming robots using approaches that combine laboratory and field experiments, theoretical models, and computational fluid dynamics. First, we demonstrate a biohybrid robot that uses a microelectronic system to induce swimming in live jellyfish in the laboratory and ocean. Next, using entirely synthetic materials, we also address how bioinspired sharkskin surfaces and robotic fish fins can improve the performance envelope of vehicles. Future applications include improving swimming speeds, efficiencies, and antifouling properties for enhanced persistence. Finally, we aim to use tissue engineering to design constructs for both medical and ocean applications. These examples provide a strong foundation for continued work to design and implement robots and biofluids for real-world applications. 

Biography

Dr. Xu is an Assistant Professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Program, Biomedical Engineering Program, and BioFrontiers Institute. Her lab focuses on bioinspired designs for underwater vehicles, such as biohybrid methods that use live jellyfish integrated with microelectronic systems. Previously, she was a National Research Council (NRC) Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Laboratories for Computational Physics & Fluid Dynamics at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C. She received her Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Stanford University, M.S. in Bioengineering from the California Institute of Technology, and B.S.E. in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Her work has been featured in national and international media outlets, including print media and various TV, radio, and podcast appearances.