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Emily Duan, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineer
NC State Alum / UMBC Alum / CWIT Scholar (C14) / Meyerhoff (M27)
About Me.
I'm a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for soft robotics, smart materials, and sensor technology. My research focuses on developing bio-inspired systems, fluidic actuators, and stretchable electronics to tackle challenges in aerospace, defense, and medical technology.
I earned my Ph.D. December 2024 from North Carolina State University, where I worked on designing and optimizing soft actuation systems inspired by the physiological architecture of human muscle tissues for compliant robotics and developing soft, stretchable supercapacitor sensors using liquid metal-embedded hydrogels for ocean wave energy harvesting. ​During my time NCSU, I conducted research in the Intelligent Structures and Systems Research lab (iSSRL) under the mentorship of my Ph.D. adviser, Matthew Bryant. I also collaborated with Kate Saul, an expert in biomechanics, who served on my committee and provided valuable insight into the intersection of robotic actuation and human movement. Additionally, I worked with Michael Dickey, whose expertise in material science guided my work on stretchable electronics. My research spanned multiple disciplines, bridging mechanical design, robotics, and advanced materials.​
Education
2019 - 2024
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering
North Carolina State University
2019 - 2023
M.S. Mechanical Engineering
North Carolina State University
2015 - 2019
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Minor Entrepreneurship & Innovation
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Experiences
March 2025
December 2024
December 2024
May 2024
August 2023
January 2023
August 2022 - December 2022
March 2022
August 2020 - May 2021
August 2020
August 2019
May 2019
August 2018 - December 2018
June 2018 - August 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
June 2017 - August 2017
January 2017
May 2016 - July 2016
January 2016 - May 2016
December 2015
August 2015
3rd first-author journal article on strain amplified performance and improved mechanical strength of soft material energy harvesting accepted for publication. More details coming soon!
Graduated from NCSU with Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering!
Published 2nd first-author journal article on optimization framework for soft actuation system design based on robot tasks and requirements. View article here.
Collaboration with WaterBros help advance team to finalist in DOE's InDEEP competition for developing novel wave energy converter technologies for marine energy applications.
Switched from NSF CAREER Muscle-Inspired Load-Adaptive Actuation for Compliant Robotics project to NCROEP Coastal Studies Institute Distributed Embedded Oceanic Energy Harvesting project.
Awarded College of Engineering Dean's Doctoral Fellowship for academic excellence and research potential.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Structural Vibrations course. Provided academic support in MATLAB simulations, harmonic motion, forced vibrations, and modal analysis. Led a lecture on base excitation and rotating unbalance, facilitating discussions. Assisted in lab instruction, demonstrating laser vibrometer usage for non-contact vibration measurement with piezoelectric bimorph material.
Published 1st first-author journal article on parametric study of implications of spatially constrained pennate topology on FAM bundle actuation. View article here.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Mechanical Engineering Senior Design course. Advised senior mechanical engineering students through the full design cycle, from concept generation to prototyping. Led technical design reviews with project sponsor, providing feedback on mechanical components and manufacturability. Guided teams in project management, emphasizing Gantt charts, milestones, and risk management. Provided hands-on support in SolidWorks and fabrication techniques.
Awarded North Carolina Space Grant Graduate Research Fellowship to conduct independent NASA-funded research on developing muscle-inspired wearable robotics to combat muscle atrophy for astronauts in microgravity.
Started Direct-to-Ph.D. program and awarded Provost Doctoral Fellowship at NCSU. Joined iSSRL in MAE Department under Matthew Bryant, researching soft robotics, fluidic actuators, and bio-inspired systems. Launched interdisciplinary work integrating mechanical design, material science, and robotics for aerospace, defense, and medical applications.
Graduated from UMBC with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Entrepeneurship and Innovation!
Senior design/Capstone course: Designed and built a custom assistive device for a quadriplegic artist to play guitar, incorporating an adaptive restraint system. Collaborated with engineers and medical professionals to develop accessible solutions where no commercial options existed. Awarded 2018 Project of the year for innovation in medical device prototyping. Learn more about experience here.
Participated in CMU's prestigious Robotics Institute Summer Scholars (RISS) program, conducted independent research on multi-robot planning and coordination under Katia Sycara. Simulated UAV-UGV swarms in Gazebo using ROS for DARPA's OFFSET program. Developed an alternative strategy for robot redistribution, published in a peer-reviewed RISS Working Papers Journal.
Joined Meyerhoff Program at UMBC as an Affiliate (M27).
Study abroad experience at International Winter University at Kassel. Completed German Language course and Environmental Engineering - Renewable Energy sources module. Gained insights into wind energy, photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, geothermal energy, bioenergy, and hydropower within the context of Germany's Energiewende. Engaged in lectures, tutorials, and excursions to renewable energy sites. Learn more about my experience here.
Inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, for academic excellence, ranking in the top 8th of my class. Recognized for leadership, integrity, and commitment to the engineering profession.
Engineering Intern supporting Distribution Systems Operations at Baltimore Gas and Electric, maintaining operating logs and interruption reports to improve grid reliability. Analyzed electrical service data, coordinated system upgrades, and maintenance across departments.
Joined Grand Challenges Scholars Program at UMBC, an interdisciplinary program focused on solving societal challenges through entrepreneurship, global perspectives, research, service learning, and applied learning. Learn more about my experience here.
As an Undergraduate Researcher at Oakland University's ACED program, I developed a non-contact digital image correlation (DIC) test method for real-time sheet metal evaluation under Dr. Liangxiang Yang. I collaborated with faculty and graduate students on advanced optical testing methods. This research advanced automotive material testing and led to my first-author publication in SAE International. View technical paper here and learn more about my experience here.
As an Audio Visual Technician at UMBC's Division of IT, I troubleshoot, evaluated, and managed AV technology in registrar-controlled classrooms, providing technical support to faculty and staff. This role strengthened my problem-solving skills and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
The STRiVE Leadership Retreat at UMBC strengthened my leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking. I explored my strengths, built meaningful connections, and gained tools for civic engagement and social change. The experience reinforced my passion for using engineering to make a positive impact.
Started my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at UMBC, minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Awarded the Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) Scholarship, Mechanical Engineering S-STEM Scholarship, and Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Scholarship.