Nick Thompson
Ph.D. Student
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering
Email: nthomps6@illinois.edu
Education
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois are Urbana-Champaign, 2011
Biography
Following completion of my undergraduate studies at UIUC, I spent five years in industry before returning for a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. During that time I was an apprentice fabricator working on architectural metalwork and a research and development project engineer in the railcar industry. As a PhD student in the Mechanical Science and Engineering Department, I work under the direction of Dr. Hsiao-Wecksler in the Human Dynamics and Controls Laboratory and Dr. Girish Krishnan in the Monolithic Systems Lab. I am working to develop my skills as a mechanical engineer with a focus on human-machine interface and mechanical design methodology. My current projects include a soft robotic exoskeleton for shoulder and elbow actuation, and design tools for comparing generalized architectures of soft actuators.
Research Interests
- Biomechanics
- Orthotics and Prosthetics
- Mechatronics
- Soft Robotics
- Design Methodology
- Additive Manufacturing
Personal Interests
I’m an avid cook and an automotive enthusiast. In my free time, I enjoy photography, listening to music, camping, biking, water skiing and snow skiing.