10 Questions With… Devin Roach, assistant professor of mechanical, industrial and manufacturing engineering. Roach has helped create a new 3D printing approach for shape-changing materials similar to muscles, opening the door for improved applications in robotics as well as biomedical and energy devices.
What originally sparked your interest in engineering and manufacturing?
I come from a long line of engineers, so you could say it’s in my DNA to see the world through an engineering lens. One of my earliest engineering projects was a high school science fair project testing which basketball shoes would help me jump higher (for the record, it was the Shaq’s). Engineering, at its core, is a way of thinking. It’s about problem-solving, innovation, and seeing the world differently. As I gained more experience, I realized that I wasn’t just interested in solving problems, but I wanted to create. That’s what drew me to manufacturing. Manufacturing is the bridge between ideas and real, tangible solutions that can make a difference in the world.
What makes you passionate about higher education?
I’ve always been drawn to exploring the unknown. Every new discovery in the lab or discussion in the classroom feels like uncovering another piece of the metaphysical puzzle. Higher education is this incredible space where those “light bulb” moments happen daily – not just for my students, but for me as well. Honestly, I sometimes wonder who’s teaching who. Being part of higher education where curiosity drives progress is what keeps me passionate about it.
What kind of questions are important to ask as you develop technology, not just from a practical standpoint but an ethical one?
In our lab we believe it’s important to first ask: Who will benefit from this technology, and will it serve our community in a meaningful way? Of course, we also must ask, how can we test our hypothesis without bias and present our findings in a transparent way?
What advice would you give the younger version of yourself who was just starting college?
Surround yourself with people that inspire you and aren’t afraid to challenge you. The rest will flow from there.
How will your work in manufacturing influence the field of smart materials like LCE?
Liquid crystalline elastomers, or LCEs, are this incredible class of material that can change shape or properties on demand. For this reason, we call LCEs a “smart material.” They’re still relatively unexplored, but I think they’ll completely transform the way we think about materials not just as static, inanimate objects but as something dynamic that can actively assist us in everyday life. My work in manufacturing is all about bridging the gap between groundbreaking materials like LCEs and real-world applications. If we can figure out how to process and scale them effectively, we open the door to a future where materials don’t just serve a single purpose but can perform multiple functions whether in robotics, medicine or even infrastructure that adapts to its environment.
When do you anticipate you’ll see a version of your 3D-printing approach used in real world applications?
Science is moving faster than ever, especially in medicine. Less than a century ago, treatments like lobotomies were still considered viable options, and now we’re exploring AI-driven diagnostics and regenerative medicine. There are already incredible scientists working on integrating 3D-printed smart materials into biomedicine so I imagine that in the next few decades, our approach will be adopted to create artificial muscles, biomedical devices like stents or assistive exoskeletons.
What was your favorite course in college?
My alma mater, Georgia Tech, requires every mechanical engineering student to take ME 2110: Creative Decisions and Design, and it was by far my favorite course. It’s a hands-on class that teaches fundamental techniques for implementing design solutions using classic mechanical components like actuators, gears, and springs. The course culminates in an all-out student competition. As an athlete, I thrive on competition, and this class brought that energy into engineering. The year I took it, the theme was Star Wars, and teams were divided into Rebel, Sith and Jedi factions. We had to design and build a machine that could complete a series of tasks like defeating Imperial Walkers, retrieving a lightsaber, rescuing Baby Yoda, and ultimately destroying the Death Star. It was the perfect blend of creativity, engineering, and competition, and it really solidified my passion for mechanical design and problem-solving.
How does your philosophy minor play into your work in AI and machine learning?
Now, more than ever, it’s incredibly challenging to determine what is real, what is a lie, or even what is AI-generated. One of the most interesting courses I took explored the philosophical implications of cults and how fringe ideologies spread. That class made me think deeply about how information is shaped, manipulated and believed by groups of people. Since AI has the power to influence perception at an unprecedented scale, it’s critical that we approach it responsibly. That means being transparent about when and how we use AI, ensuring it remains a tool rather than a decision-maker, and continually questioning its biases, limitations and ethical implications. AI is incredibly powerful, but without critical judgement, it risks amplifying misinformation rather than solving problems.
What big lessons did you learn in the development of your latest research that you can apply to future projects?
I learned not to be afraid of chasing big ideas, even when others say they’re not worth pursuing. Some of the best breakthroughs come from pushing past skepticism. I also learned that deep science takes time. This project was three years in the making, and patience is just as important as innovation. Good research isn’t always about quick wins; it’s about persistence and believing in the work, even when the results take a while to show up.
What is your favorite non-academic pursuit or passion?
I love tattooing. I spend so much time using my left brain for research and engineering that tattooing gives me a creative outlet to exercise the other side. That said, I can’t completely escape my engineering mindset as I still find myself tattooing things like gears and pulleys!
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