Through his lab at Carnegie Mellon University, Carmel Majidi has created a number of innovative products. Majidi is the leader of the Soft Machines Lab at CMU, which focuses on replacing the rigid hardware that is often used in robotics technology with soft, lightweight materials that mirror biological tissue. Majidi’s inventions include “Thubber,” a product developed by local startup Arieca that can be used in thermal management of semiconductors. In addition to his role as chief technology officer at Arieca, he’s also a founder of ESTAT Actuation, which produces various types of clutches that utilize electroadhesion technology, and is chief science officer and co-founder of Lifeware Labs, which produces wearable health monitors for members of the military.
How do your products solve a problem?
Our products tackle challenges in computing, health care and robotics through the use of novel material architectures that allow hardware to be slimmer, softer, lighter and more energy efficient.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in developing your products?
The limited time that our engineers and scientists have to try out all of their ideas. In some cases, my research team at the university can help out with pursuing new concepts that the companies don’t have the bandwidth to focus on.
What is your vision for the future impact of your products?
The broader impact will be computing and robotic hardware that are more compact and less power hungry. The local impact will be to contribute to an ongoing reinvigoration of Pittsburgh’s status as an epicenter for advanced material technologies.
Join us at The Assembly in Bloomfield on Sept. 20 to honor our Fire Awards recipients and celebrate innovation, resilience and the spirit of entrepreneurship.
