Philipp Rothemund is among the “Top 40 under 40"

They optimize processes in industrial manufacturing and logistics, increase the precision of medical procedures, or perform tasks in the household.  Robotic systems have become indispensable in both industry and society - and the next generation is already emerging. Soft robotic systems, made from flexible materials, allow for adaptive movement and promise to support us even more efficiently, safely, and intelligently in the future.  

A key to the breakthrough of soft robotics lies in new, compliant materials that can respond specifically to movement, stimuli, or changes in the environment. The engineering scientist Philipp Rothemund is paving the way for the development of these functional, soft materials through his research. 

With this, Rothemund has now made it into the “Top 40 under 40” in the “Society”category. Through this award, the business magazine Capital recognizes the exceptional accomplishments of young, ambitious leaders under the age of 40. "I am very honored to receive this award". Rothemund says, "It is especially gratifying that my research and its real-world applications are being acknowledged outside the scientific community as well."

Philipp Rothemund conducts research as a Tenure Track Professor for Functional Soft Robotic Matter at the Institute for Adaptive Mechanical Systems (IAMS) at the University of Stuttgart. His work, which lies at the intersection of mechanics, materials science, and robotics, focuses on the fundamental behavior of soft materials. He not only generates important fundamental knowledge but also develops, together with his team, innovative functional material structures that respond to temperature, humidity, and electric fields. Looking ahead, these materials could become key components in soft robotics, serving as actuators, sensors, controllers, or even sources of energy.

Philipp Rothemund earned his doctoral degree in engineering from Harvard University in 2018. His academic journey also led him to ETH Zurich, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. Together with Prof. David Remy, he established the Institute for Adaptive Mechanical Systems (IAMS) at the University of Stuttgart in 2024.   

Rothemund is recognized not only for his work in soft robotics, but also for contributing his voice to the broader discussion on science policy. In 2025, he became the spokesperson for the Junge Akademie, serving as a voice for young scientists throughout Germany. Recently, he was honored with an appointment to the prestigious WIN Collegium at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. In this forum, he will join other young top researchers from Baden-Württemberg in examining embodiment and the dynamic relationship between body, mind, and machine. At its heart, this research explores how robots could learn from movement, perception, and feedback - just as humans do.

About the "Top 40 under 40"
Every year, a jury from the business magazine Capital honors young decision-makers from Germany. In 2007, the Capital editorial team set out for the first time to find the leadership elite of tomorrow – and presented “Germany's prodigies”: 40 outstanding talents under the age of 40 who are already making a significant contribution in politics, business, management, and society, and who are expected to have a great career ahead of them.