Alan Pham

Robotics & mechanical engineering

Alan Pham

PhD researcher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

I work on reconfigurable soft robots, mechanical control of shape displays, and surfaces that can be reshaped and hold their form.

I focus on simplifying fabrication and assembly.

About me Email
Working with a raised cellular surface and an individual printed module at the WPI lab bench
At WPI, March 2026 · WPI / Erb Photo

PhD research

WPI · 2023–present
Research portfolio video. External tubing and manually sequenced pneumatic actuation.

Reconfigurable soft robotics

I developed printed cells that combine a pneumatic actuator and a compliant linkage in one part. The cells can be rearranged into morphing surfaces, continuum arms, crawlers, and rolling rings.

Project, demonstrations, and experiments

Ongoing research

Mechanical shape control

Mechanisms that translate shared position and size settings into local surface motion, reducing individual module commands.

Reconfigurable surfaces

Connected sheets that can form and retain domes, flat tops, and curling waves, using simple fabrication methods.

Engineering experience

Alan Pham at Sandia National Laboratories during his internship

Sandia National Laboratories

Nonlinear ratchet dynamics

Analytical, multibody, and finite-element models of a ratcheting mechanism under shock and vibration.

View project
Luminaire assembly documented during my work at NLS Lighting.

NLS Lighting

Luminaire mechanical design

Retrofit clamps, gasket interfaces, mounting hardware, and water-ingress testing.

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Open luminaire enclosure with LED boards and wiring

Hubbell

Luminaire testing and analysis

Fixture assembly, impact testing, finite-element analysis, and certification support.

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NASA L’SPACE NPWEE · 2025–2026

Graduate Research Intern

Mechanical design and prototyping for Project SELENE, a team developing robotics for extreme and remote environments.

Earlier research and projects

An accelerometer attached to the violin body for vibration measurements.

CSU Long Beach · MS thesis

Violin vibration and acoustics

Experimental comparison of two violins using accelerometers, microphones, and controlled excitation.

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A robot with soft treads

WPI · Team project

Soft-tread mobile robot

Compliant chassis connections, flexible treads, and obstacle and ramp tests.

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Assembling the turbine blades and central support

Cal Maritime · Senior design

Helical tidal turbine

Printed blade sections, composite reinforcement, generator characterization, and water tests.

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WPI · Research Assistant · 2023

Concentric-tube robot

Fabrication, assembly, kinematic checks, and build documentation.