People
The eMACS Lab
Undergraduate researchers at UMBC, and alumni from UMBC, Penn State and Rowan.
Principal investigator
- Paris von Lockette
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, UMBC.
Undergraduate researchers
- Ben Bazarsuren
Bio-inspired load adaptation in Smilax aspera: micro-CT and image analysis, mechanics, and a manuscript with collaborators in Freiburg and Hamburg. Meyerhoff Scholar, NSF iPRISM.
- Shane Borowski
Bio-inspired load adaptation in Smilax aspera, working with Ben on micro-CT analysis, mechanics and plant reinforcement.
- Deylon Moy Joseph
COMSOL topology optimization of magnetically active actuators, and combining optimized deformation-mode geometries into space-filling structures.
- Chidube Ibe
Magnetic composite fabrication and patterning, using ferromagnetic powders, elastomer mixtures and 3D-printing-related processing.
- Levi Niaba
Magnetic composite fabrication and patterning, working with Chidube on the same project.
- Harry Nana Petnji
A bistable mechanism for single-ventricle defect remediation.
- Addisyn Houey
Modeling hygroscopic, bio-inspired actuators and tuning actuator and substrate geometry and material response.
Alumni
Thank you to everyone who has worked in the lab.
UMBC
- Swapna N. KshirsagarMS, 2025
Design and modeling of a multiply-bistable mechanism for a single ventricle defect assistive device.
- LeaLab manager and researcher
Started the magnetic patterning project that current students continue.
Penn State: postdoctoral
- Niknam MomenzadehPostdoctoral scholar, 2020–2021
Magnetorheological elastomer peristaltic blood pump: modeling, design tradeoffs and hemolysis.
Penn State: doctoral
- Christian BergenPhD, 2026
Design optimization of magnetic micro-architectures for efficient energy transduction in a peristalsis pump.
- Denise WiddowsonPhD, 2023
Data-science driven optimization of the multi-field processing of polymer matrix composites.
- Anil ErolPhD, 2019
Studies of dipole-driven active materials: multifield processing simulations, microstructure-based constitutive modeling, and macroscopic active composite optimization.
Penn State: master's
- Corey BreznakMS, 2021
Structural health monitoring in additively manufactured parts using wirelessly interrogated electromagnetic patterning.
- Mathew SinnottMS, 2019
Bistable micro-architectures in magneto-active polymer composites.
- Tyler HaussenerMS, 2016
Determining the effect of increased volume fraction of barium ferrite in magneto-active elastomers.
- Brett CowanMS, 2015
Trade space exploration of a magnetically actuated Miura-Ori structure.
- Katherine LeshkowMS, 2015
Designing and fabricating a magneto-active structure capable of forward movement.
- Robert SheridanMS, 2014
Numerical simulation and experimental validation of the large deformation bending and folding behavior of magneto-active elastomer composites.
Rowan University: master's
- Juan RocheMS, 2012
Elasto-magnetic behavior in hard- and soft-MREs including demagnetizing effects.
- Joseph BiggsMS, 2010
Investigating new symmetry classes for the next generation of magnetorheological elastomers.
- Larry PologrutoMS, 2006
MREs in tunable vibration absorbers.
- Sarah HartMS, 2004
Piezoelectric rubber composites for use in laser data transmission.
- Steven MillerMS, 2004
Design of tunable vibration absorbers using piezoceramic-rubber composites.