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Molecular Mechatronics Lab
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  • Soft Tactile Sensors

      A transparent stretchable touch sensor based on low cost stretchable gel ionic conductors and silicone materials was developed, towards wide applications in soft robotic skin, wearables, and flexible consumer electronics. Transparent tactile sensors based on metal and carbon conductive materials can operate while bent, while our device demonstrates sensitivity to even finger proximity during […] Read More

  • Piezoionic Gels

    When a polymer swollen in electrolyte experiences mechanical deformation, it creates an inhomogeneous ionic distribution that causes a generation of voltage. This is theorized to be due to the difference in mobilities between cationic and anionic species, which creates a localized charge gradient when pressure is applied. We are investigating the usage of this effect […] Read More

  • Stretchable Batteries

      Low cost stretchable, washable batteries could enable rapid adoption of smart wearables, such as communication and health monitoring systems, into our daily lives.   Advantages Rechargeable, stretchable, washable, portable Safe and comfortable to be used in flexible wearable electronics Simple to fabricate Capable of being used as bending and stress sensors Low-cost and non-toxic […] Read More

  • Conducting Polymer Actuators

    Conducting polymers, such as PEDOT and Polypyrrole (PPy), feature a combination of properties such as bio-compatibility, low density, low operating voltage, high work density, and scalability, which makes them promising for use in medical, tactile feedback and other applications. Read also about our Steerable Catheter project using conducting polymer actuators. In particular, the combination of […] Read More

  • Nylon Actuators

    We are part of an international team that developed high-strength polymer fibers twisted into coils to make low-cost highly efficient actuators with powerful, large stroke and high stress capabilities, as published in Science. They can contract by almost 50%, lift loads >100 times heavier than human muscle of the same length and mass and generate […] Read More

  • Stretchable Printed Circuit Board

    We are developing a platform technology to enable highly conformal wearable electronics. This platform is composed of a soft stretchable circuit board substrate with the ability to pattern complex circuits and solder surface mount components directly onto it. This makes it easily adaptable to conventional manufacturing processes with the added benefits of the high conformability […] Read More

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Molecular Mechatronics Lab

Engineering Sensing, Systems, and E-Textiles across MedTech and Industry for real-world impact. Trusted by leaders in MedTech, robotics, sportswear, and aerospace.

Explore Research Meet the Team
50+
Publications
5
Research Areas
20+
Lab Members
UBC
AMPEL · Vancouver
What we do
Research Areas

We work at the intersection of materials science, electronics, and mechatronics to create next-generation soft technologies.

🔬
Sensors
For over a decade the team has developed soft robotic “skin” with built-in force and proximity sensing — applied to robotic and prosthetic hands to provide a sense of touch, and to rollers for laying down carbon fibres.
Soft Electronics
⚡
Actuators
Polymer-based actuators and artificial muscles enabling lifelike motion in soft robotic systems.
Soft Robotics
🔋
Energy Solutions
Conformable batteries and flexible energy harvesting for continuous-wear bionic and medical devices.
Energy
🦾
Haptic Interfaces
Tactile feedback systems bridging digital and physical interaction for immersive human-machine interfaces.
Haptics
AMPEL Building at UBC
About Us
Located at the Heart of UBC

The Molecular Mechatronics Lab develops technologies using innovative electrical materials, including soft electronic gel sensors, displays and circuits, polymer actuators, and energy solutions for biomedical and bionic technologies.

We are located in the Advanced Materials Process Engineering Laboratory (AMPEL) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Our lab is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.

Explore Research
Lab Culture
Science Meets Art

The MM Lab celebrates the creativity behind scientific discovery. Our commissioned artwork weaves together themes of electronic transport, molecular beams, bionic accessibility, and our deep connection to the Musqueam territory.

Our Story
Abstract Art Science — MM Labts art
From the Lab
Stories & Highlights

Recent work from MM Lab members — from flexible washable batteries to pressure-injury prevention and multimodal haptics.

Sukhneet Dhillon
The Smart Sock — Wearable Active Compression for DVT Prevention
Sukhneet Dhillon, PhD’s Smart Sock delivers cyclic compression therapy to improve blood flow and reduce clot risk. Following Lab2Market Validate 2024, the technology has progressed to human trials and a partnership with an athletic wear company. Founded TruMotion Technologies Ltd.
Read on LinkedIn →
Justin Wyss
NovaSense — Real-Time Pressure Monitoring for Spinal Cord Injury
Justin Wyss developed a soft, flexible pressure sensor array to prevent pressure ulcers in wheelchair users. A Top 5 UBC 3MT finalist, he founded NovaSense Technology Ltd. and joined the Praxis SCI Incubate program to bring this technology to clinicians and patients.
Read on LinkedIn →
Jian Gao
Magneto — Multimodal Haptic Feedback on Paper, Presented at ACM CHI 2025
PhD student Jian Gao presented Magneto at ACM CHI 2025 in Yokohama — a system enabling multimodal haptic feedback on paper through magnetic actuation, opening new frontiers in tangible and paper-based human-computer interaction.
Read on LinkedIn →
Chrys Morton
MASc Defence — Soft Sensing & Biomedical Devices at UBC AMPEL
Chrys Morton successfully defended their MASc in Biomedical Engineering at the end of 2025, contributing to MM Lab’s work on soft sensing systems and functional biomedical devices at the Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (AMPEL).
Read on LinkedIn →
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Interested in joining the MM Lab?

We welcome prospective graduate students, postdocs, and collaborators from around the world.

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Molecular Mechatronics Lab
Vancouver Campus
University of British Columbia
AMPEL 341, 2355 East Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4
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