As one of the core research questions of our department, we aim to understand the underlying principles of physical intelligence (PI) at milli- and micrometer length scales, and realize advanced PI capabilities on small-scale mobile robots to overcome the limitations on the on-board computation and powering capabilities at small lengths. Our approach to create advanced PI capabilities in a miniature robot include Encoding autonomous self-X (e.g., self-adaptation, self.healing, self-propulsion, etc) and multi-X (e.g., multifunction, multistability, multimodality, multiphysics etc) capabilites in the robot body, where the physical design of the body can induce multiple functions or behaviors by integrating passive or active materials, structures or mechanisms. To reduce the need for computation, we also encode other advanced PI capabilites, such as logic operations, memory, computation, decision making, reconfigurability, physical (re)programmability, taxis and collective behavior.

We design intelligent physical structures by utilising stimuli-responsive or multifunctional synthetic polymers, metals, ceramics, biomaterials (e.g., gelatin, proteins, cells, tissues), and micro/nanomaterials-based composites (e.g., ferrofluids, magneto/electrorheological fluids, micro/nanoscale particle-filled polymers). Our group has pioneered elastomertic microfiber arrays-based adhesives and gripping materials inspired by biological micro-hairs on the body of animals and plants.These microfibers are useful for reversible, fast, energy-efficient, compact and mechanically controlled adhesion and friction on a wide range of surfaces. Prof. Sitti founded a startup (nanoGriptech, Inc.) in 2012 in USA, which has commercialized such gecko-inspired adhesives for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications with a brand name Setex®. Our group has also pioneered the self-healing and self-propelling soft actuators and robot materials, liquid crystal elastomers, hydrogels and other stimuli-responsive and programmable PI materials (with self-X and multi-X capabilites) on the robot bodies, liquid Gallium droplets behaving as a smart switchable phase-changing adhesive surfaces, and novel techniques for 3D-printing of micro and nanostructures of various materials.