Justin Neubauer

· Aiding in graduate level research including furthering fundamental research efforts in soft robotics encompassing PVC gel, EPIC, and HASEL actuators and sensors.

· Developing graduate level optics course covering interferometry for engineering and physicists.

  · Working in the Applied Physics group focusing on high-speed optical systems including multiplexed photon Doppler velocimetry, broadband laser ranging, VISAR, LIDAR, time-resolved radiance, and Fabry-Perot diagnostic systems. 

· Wrote and deployed LabVIEW code to NI RIO embedded control boards with field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to control high-speed interferometers including polarization tracking and contrast optimization.

· Designed, fabricated, and fielded novel optical diagnostics on high fidelity shock physics experiments at multiple locations in the weapons complex including Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

· Developed theoretical framework and mathematical models for smart gel (i.e. polyvinyl chloride) sensors.

· Implemented reduced dimensional mapping technique in multi-physics model of ionic-polymer actuators.

· Fabricated and modified additive manufacturing mechanism capable of liquid deposition modeling (LDM) to directly print soft actuators / sensors simplifying the traditional mold process.

· Wrote weekly, monthly, and annual reports. Author on 1 book chapter, 4 journal publications, and presented work at international conferences on multiple occasions.

Instrumentation and Control Laboratory (ME 423L)

· Introduction to data acquisition using LabVIEW software with mechatronic sensors and signal conditioning.

· Mathematical modeling of 1st and 2nd order systems including DC motor speed and position controller using standard PID control as well as swing-up rotary pendulum control using a linear-quadratic regulator (LQR).

3D Modeling with SolidWorks (ME 240)

· Introduction to part design, assembly integration, and engineering drawings with an overview of simulation tools using finite element analysis (solid mechanics, fluid flow, and heat transfer).

· End of semester projects included flow heater, train rail system, and dental implants.

· As part of NSF international program, participated on international team researching soft robotics and artificial muscles at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) under Dr. Youngsu Cha.

· Completed extensive physics-based modeling of multi-directional piezoelectric sensor using solid mechanics, electrostatics, piezoelectric coupling, and electrical circuit physics.

· Assembled comprehensive modeling study and co-wrote a journal submission.

Focus: Mechanoelectrical Transduction Behavior in Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Based Soft Polymer Gel Smart Sensors for Soft Robotic Applications

Senior Project: Waste Management Disinfectant System 

1. A. Washington, J. Neubauer, K.J. Kim.Chapter 3 - Soft actuators and their potential applications in rehabilitative devices, Editor(s): A. Jafari, N. Ebrahimi, Soft Robotics in Rehabilitation, Academic Press, (2021), Pages 89-110, ISBN 9780128185384, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818538-4.00003-4.

1. K. J. Kim, A. Washington, E. Chao, J. Neubauer, S. Leon, Z. Frank, Z. Olsen (2019) Modular Expandable 3D Printer (U.S. Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/064389), filed: 04/12/2019. (Patent Pending).

1. J. Neubauer and K.J. Kim. Multiphysics Modeling Framework for Soft PVC Gel Sensors with Experimental Comparisons. Polymers 15, 864 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15040864

2. J. Neubauer, H. J. Cho, and K. J. Kim. Tunable Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)-Based Soft Polymer Gel Sensors. Smart Mater. Struct. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665X/ac9a8f.

3. J. Neubauer, Z. J. Olsen, Z. Frank, T. Hwang, K. J. Kim. A study of mechanoelectrical transduction behavior in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel as smart sensors. Smart Mater. Struct. (2022). doi:10.1088/1361-665x/ac358f.

4. Y.R. Lee, J. Neubauer, K.J. Kim, Y. Cha. Multidirectional Cylindrical Piezoelectric Force Sensor: Design and Experimental Validation. Sensors 20, 4840 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/s20174840

5. T. Hwang, Z. Frank, J. Neubauer, and K. J. Kim. High-performance polyvinyl chloride gel artificial muscle actuator with graphene oxide and plasticizer. Sci Rep 9, 9658 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46147-2

1. N. Miniain, J. Neubauer, and K.J. Kim. Flexible Electroactive Polymer Gel-Based Artificial Skin: Flow Sensing and Visualization. SPIE Smart Structures + Non-destructive Evaluation, (2023). Long Beach, California.

2. D. Fisher, A. Sennain, J. Faccinto, J. Neubauer and K.J. Kim. Potential Biocompatible PVC Gel Sensors with Novel Segmentation for Biomimetic Nervous Systems. SPIE Smart Structures + Non-destructive Evaluation, (2023). Long Beach, California.

3. J. Faccinto, D. Fisher, A. Sennain, J. Neubauer and K.J. Kim. Electromechanical Applications of PVC Gels and EPIC Actuators in Varifocal Lenses. SPIE Smart Structures + Non-destructive Evaluation, (2023). Long Beach, California.

4. A. Sennain, D. Fisher, J. Neubauer, and K. J. Kim. Thermal Characteristics of Mechanoelectrical Properties in PVC Gel Sensors. 6th International Conference on Active Materials and Smart Mechatronics, (2022). Atlanta, Georgia.

5. J. Faccinto, D. Fisher, A. Sennain, J. Neubauer, and K. J. Kim. Electromechanical Applications of PVC Gels and EPIC Actuators in Varifocal Lenses. 6thInternational Conference on Active Materials and Smart Mechatronics, (2022). Atlanta, Georgia.

6. J. Faccinto, J. Neubauer, A. Washington, and K. J. Kim. Wearable Soft Robotic System for Enhanced Glovebox Worker Safety. 1st Annual Competitive Research Award Workshop, (2022). North Augusta, South Carolina.

7. J. Neubauer and K.J. Kim. Investigation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for planar and quasi-planar sensing applications. SPIE Smart Structures + Non-destructive Evaluation, (2022). Long Beach, California.

8. J. Neubauer, J. Faccinto, D. Krystek, and K.J. Kim. Investigation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for planar and quasi-planar sensing applications. Waste Management, (2022). Phoenix, Arizona.

9. D. Krystek, J. Faccinto, A. Washington, J. Neubauer, et al. Development of a modular 3D printer for customizable wearable technology. SPIE Smart Structures + Non-destructive Evaluation, (2022). Long Beach, California.

10. J. Neubauer and K.J. Kim. State space mathematical modeling for mechanoelectrical transduction of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) based sensors. SPIE Smart Structures + Non-destructive Evaluation, (2021). Long Beach, California.

11. A. Washington, J. Neubauer, et al. Development of the Intelligent, Preventive Infrared (IR) Inspection System Housed in Hybrid Robotic Platforms. Waste Management, (2020). Phoenix, Arizona.

12. S. Pochampally, D. Zagaceta, J. Neubauer, et al. Development of the Intelligent, Preventive Infrared (IR) Inspection System Housed in Hybrid Robotic Platforms. Waste Management, (2020). Phoenix, Arizona.

13. J. Neubauer, Z. Frank, and K.J. Kim. Active catheter driven by hybrid actuator consisting of ionic polymer-metal composites and hydraulics. SPIE Smart Structures and Non-destructive Evaluation, (2019). Denver, Colorado.

14. A. Washington, J. Neubauer, K. Solasa, and K.J. Kim. A soft-robotic snake platform using EAP. SPIE Smart Structures and Non-destructive Evaluation, (2019). Denver, Colorado.

15. J. Neubauer, Z. Olsen, and K.J. Kim. Active Catheter Driven by Hybrid Actuation: Experimental and Modeling Results. 16thInternational Conference on Ubiquitous Robots, (2019). Jeju, South Korea.

16. J. Neubauer, Z. Olsen, and K.J. Kim. Ionic polymer-metal composite actuators: functionality in catheter use and possible hybridization. 3rd International Workshop on Active Materials and Soft Mechatronics, (2018). Daejeon, South Korea.

17. J. Neubauer, Z. Olsen, and K.J. Kim. IPMC embedded in a soft pneumatic robotic actuator: Preliminary experiments in actuation and sensing behaviors. 15th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots, (2018). Honolulu, Hawaii.

18. S. Trabia, R. Hunt, T. Hwang, Z. Frank, J. Neubauer, et al. Multiple mode ionic polymer-metal composite array for use in travelling wave actuators and sensing. SPIE Smart Structures and Non-destructive Evaluation, (2018). Denver, Colorado.

19. J. Neubauer and K.J. Kim. Multi-functional IPMC exhibiting electro-mechanical and pneumatics to create a complex hybrid actuator. SPIE Smart Structures + Non-destructive Evaluation, (2018). Denver, Colorado.

Linear Systems, Nonlinear System Control, Hybrid/Switched Systems, Adaptive Control, Digital Control Systems, Imaging and Image Processing, Advanced Dynamics, Energy and Variational Methods, Finite Element Analysis, Mathematical Physics, Advanced Thermodynamics

Mathematical Modeling (COMSOL, MATLAB), Control System Synthesis (MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW), CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD), Technical Writing (Project Reports, Funding Proposals, Journal and Conference Papers), Additive Manufacturing, Software (MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW, Python, COMSOL, SolidWorks, Arduino, Microsoft Office)

Robotics and Control Theory, Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence, National Parks, Fly Fishing, Woodworking, Baseball, Astronomy, and Painting