University of Pennsylvania · EngineeringSteager Robotics Lab
Edward Steager · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
The research lab led by Edward Steager focuses on creating innovative robotic systems for improving dental treatments, particularly in managing infections caused by oral biofilms. Using nanotechnology, the lab designs small robots that can precisely target and disrupt biofilms in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, offering a potential breakthrough in dental medicine. The project aims to enhance the efficacy of dental procedures by combining robotics and biochemistry for better diagnostics and treatment.
roboticsnanotechnologydental biofilmsautomated therapytheranosticsendodonticsbiofilm detectiondrug deliverycatalytic nanoparticlesmicrobots
Research Aims
5AIM 01Develop small-scale robots for targeted biofilm disinfection and removal in dental settings.
AIM 02Utilize functional nanoparticles to enhance the effectiveness of oral biofilm treatments.
AIM 03Create a robotic prototype that can navigate complex dental anatomy for efficient sampling.
AIM 04Optimize robotic performance for precision in disrupting and retrieving biofilm samples.
AIM 05Test and validate robotic devices in real clinical scenarios to assess treatment outcomes.
Skills the Lab Values
robotic assemblynanoparticle manipulation3D printingbiochemical assayssample retrieval techniquescontrol systems for roboticsoral cavity modelingbiofilm imaging techniquesmagnetics in roboticsclinical prototype testing
Output against the department
Publications71bottom 13% of dept.242nd of 278
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.9kbottom 13% of dept.241st of 278
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.