Hello! I’m Mo Zadeh, a seasoned engineer, designer and researcher.

I am a multidisciplinary thinker and developer working at the intersection of structures, materials, and robotics.

In structures and architected materials, I focus on the design and analysis of advanced mechanical systems, including mechanical metamaterials with programmable properties such as tunable stiffness, controllable Poisson’s ratio, multistability, and tailored thermal expansion. This domain also encompasses my work on aerospace structures, where I apply analytical methods and high-fidelity numerical simulations—primarily using Abaqus—to evaluate and optimise structural performance under complex loading conditions.

In robotics and mechanisms, I design complete robotic systems as well as their underlying mechanisms and actuators. My work includes the development of novel actuation strategies, such as electrostatic and pneumatic systems, enabling adaptable, efficient, and high-performance robotic solutions.

In biomedical engineering, I translate principles from architected materials into medical applications, design concepts of implantable active devices, and develop novel composite materials including gradient stiffness materials for improved tissue–implant integration.

Across all three domains, my work is driven by a unified goal: to create intelligent, adaptive, and high-performance mechanical systems by bridging fundamental mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and real-world applications.

1. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Fabrizio Scarpa, and Jonathan M. Rossiter. “Rolling contact bistable passive and active metamaterials.” RSC Materials Horizons,2026. Journal page.
2. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Lei Wu, Maria Petrou, Andrew Stinchcombe, Marcus Drake, and Jonathan Rossiter. "An Implantable Soft Robotic Concept and Simulator for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment." 9th IEEE-RAS International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft 2026),2026
3. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Yu Cheng Huang, Richard Suphapol Diteesawat, Emanuele Pulvirenti, and Jonathan M. Rossiter. “Soft Inflatable Kirigami Actuators for Wearable Applications.” Smart Materials and Structures,2025. Journal page.
4. Pulvirenti, Emanuele, Richard S. Diteesawat, Mohammad Naghavi Zadeh, and Jonathan M. Rossiter. “MetaFit—Towards Soft, Safe and Effective Body Interfacing for Health in Space.” SpaceCHI Workshop,2023. Workshop page.
5. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Martin S. Garrad, Christian P. Romero, Andrew T. Conn, Fabrizio Scarpa, and Jonathan M. Rossiter. “RoboHeart: A Bi‑Directional Zipping Actuator.” IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, vol. 7, no. 4,2022, pp. 10352–10358. Journal page.
6. Garrad, Martin S., Mohammad Naghavi Zadeh, Christian P. Romero, Fabrizio Scarpa, Andrew T. Conn, and Jonathan M. Rossiter. “Design and Characterisation of a Muscle‑Mimetic Dielectrophoretic Ratcheting Actuator.” IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, vol. 7, no. 2,2022, pp. 3938–3944. Journal page.
7. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Iman Dayyani. Materials with Structures Exhibiting Zero Poisson’s Ratio. GB Patent GB2578296 B, 16 Mar.2022. Patent page.
8. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Farbod Alijani, Xianfeng Chen, Iman Dayyani, Mehdi Yasaee, Mohammad J. Mirzaali, and Amir A. Zadpoor. “Dynamic Characterization of 3D Printed Mechanical Metamaterials with Tunable Elastic Properties.” Applied Physics Letters, vol. 118, no. 21,2021, p. 211901. Journal page.
9. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Iman Dayyani, and Mehdi Yasaee. “Fish Cells, a New Zero Poisson’s Ratio Metamaterial—Part II: Elastic Properties.” Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, vol. 31, no. 19,2020, pp. 2196–2210. Journal page.
10. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad, Iman Dayyani, and Mehdi Yasaee. “Fish Cells, a New Zero Poisson’s Ratio Metamaterial—Part I: Design and Experiment.” Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, vol. 31, no. 13,2020, pp. 1617–1637. Journal page.
11. Naghavi Zadeh, Mohammad. Static and Dynamic Characterisation of the Zero Poisson’s Ratio Fish Cells Metamaterial. PhD thesis, Cranfield University,2020. Record.

Research Projects

Gradient stiffness composite

A biocompatible soft-hard gradient stiffness composite specimen with over 6 orders of magnitude change in modulus was created.

Rolling bistable metamaterial

I introduce rolling as a deformation mechanism that augments design freedom for stiffness tuneable metamaterials.

Fish Cell metamaterial

A novel architected material with zero Poisson's ratio and compliance in both planar directions is introduced.

RoboHeart: Bi-directional electrostatic actuator

In this projet we show how using geometry can help in simplifying the systems that require antagonism with one single bi-directional actuator.

DLZ-actuated ratcheting mechanism

We designed and characterized an electrostatically actuated mechanism inspired by the actin-myosin interaction to generate large stroke actuation and amplify force.

Dynamic analysis of metamaterials tuning Poisson's ratio

Tuning the Poisson's ratio in hexagonal unit cells and its effect on damping and mode shapes.

A robotic concept to treat stress urinary incontinence

Active suppression of the stress urinary incontinence (SUI) using implantable robotic devices is a concept for future interventional medicine.

Supervised Projects

Bistable self-locking 3D-printed gripper

For aerial robotics applications, a bistable self-locking gripper was designed and fully 3D-printed using multimaterial inkjet printing.

Inflatable kirigami actuator

A fabric-based kirigami actuator with pneumatic actuation was developed that integrates with dress for rehabilitation.

Developing a multimaterial 3D printer

A multimaterial capable 3D printer based on direct ink writing was developed and tested for printing silicones and hydrogels.

Design and sizing of an interceptor drone

Specific design and sizing for interceptor drones to achieve high speeds is required to intercept one-way attack drones successfully.

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