UNLV mechanical engineering graduate student Saul Opie will spend the summer developing new robotics technology at South Korea's top research university, courtesy of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

As part of the NSF's East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) program, Opie will work with researchers at the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) to design mechanical muscle components that can be used to mimic the joint motions of human hands or legs in robots. This work could lead to the development of more robust grasping and biped walking systems in robots, in addition to improved industrial robotic design.

"POSTECH has significant interests and experiences in robotics research, and this program will not only introduce Saul to one of the world's premier research facilities, it will also help UNLV develop meaningful relationships for future collaborative research," said Woosoon Yim, graduate program director and professor of mechanical engineering at UNLV.

The proposed joint system is based on Opie's current research on shock mitigation, which focuses on introducing an electromagnetic field to an elastomer (a rubberlike polymer) compound mixed with microscopic iron particles. Appropriate control algorithms are used to adjust the magnetic field for variable stiffness in the compound, similar to differing levels of tension/compression humans place on their joints while walking or running.

The Summer Institute Program is designed to provide U.S. graduate students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) in science and engineering first-hand research experience in foreign countries, an introduction to the science and the science policy infrastructure of those countries, and an orientation to their culture and language. Opie was one of just 197 students nationally to receive the award, which includes research opportunities in Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.