Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck

Focus of research

• Biomimetics and Biomechanics
• Plant evolution and Movement
• Soft Robotics and Soft Machines

CV

• Since 2019 Spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence livMatS
• Since 2006 Full Professor, Botany: Functional Morphology and Biomimetics, Institute for Biology II, and Director of the Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg
• 2002–2006 Associate Professor, Functional Morphology & Biomechanics, and Director of the Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg
• 2000–2002 Reader, Botany and Biophysics, Institute for Biology II, University of Freiburg
• 1996 Habilitation and venia legendi for Botany & Biophysics, University of Freiburg,
• 1993–1999 Assistant Professor, Botany, Institute for Biology II, University of Freiburg
• 1990–1993 Postdoctoral Researcher, Plant Biomechanics, Institute for Biology II, University of Freiburg
• 1990 Doctorate in Biology, University of Freiburg
• 1986 Diploma in Biology, University of Freiburg
• 1978–1986 Studies in Biology, University of Freiburg

Selected publications

• Cheng T., Tahouni Y., Sahin E.S., Ulrich K., Lajewski S., Bonten C., Wood D., Rühe J., Speck T. & Menges A. (2024) Weather-responsive adaptive shading through biobased and bioinspired hygromorphic 4D-printing. Nat. Comm., 15: 10366. DOI.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54808-8
• Conrad S, Teichmann J, Knorr N, Bellin D, Speck T, Tauber FJ (2024) 3D printed digital pneumatic logic for the control of soft robotic actuators. Sci. Rob. 9: eadh4060. DOI:10.1126/scirobotics.adh4060
• Speck T, Cheng T, Klimm F, Menges A, Poppinga S, Speck O, Tahouni Y, Tauber F, Thielen M (2023) Plants as inspiration for material-based sensing and actuation in soft robots and machines. MRS Bull. 48: 1-16. DOI.org/10.1557/s43577-022-00470-8
• Eger C, Horstmann M, Poppinga S, Sachse R, Thierer R, Nestle N, Bruchmann B, Speck T, Bischoff M, Rühe J (2022) The Structural and mechanical basis for passive-hydraulic pine cone actuation. Adv. Sci. 9: 2200458. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200458
• Sachse R, Westermeier A, Mylo M, Nadasdi J, Bischoff M, Speck T, Poppinga S (2020): Snapping mechanics of the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). PNAS 117: 16035-16042. DOI/10.1073/pnas.2002707117
• Poppinga S, Zollfrank C, Prucker O, Rühe J, Menges A, Cheng T, Speck T (2018) Towards a new generation of smart biomimetic actuators for architecture. Adv. Mat. 30: 1703653, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201703653