Faculty Directory
Michael A. Peshkin

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Allen K. and Johnnie Cordell Breed Senior Professor in Design

Contact

2145 Sheridan Road
Tech B288
Evanston, IL 60208-3109

847-491-4630Email Michael Peshkin

Website

Center for Robotics and Biosystems

Peshkin Homepage

Departments

Mechanical Engineering

Affiliations

Master of Science in Robotics Program

Education

Ph.D. Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 1987

M.S. Experimental Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1984

B.A. Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 1979


Research Interests

Robotics, cobots, surface haptics, human-machine interface, bioinspired electrosense, sensors and actuators.


Significant Recognition

  • ASEE Ralph Coats Roe National Educator Award (2017)
  • Fellow, National Academy of Inventors (2014)
  • Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence, 2011-2014

Selected Publications

  • Burns, David A.; Klatzky, Roberta L.; Peshkin, Michael A.; Colgate, J. Edward, The Single-Pitch Texel, PNAS Nexus (2024).
  • Tan, Sylvia; Klatzky, Roberta L.; Peshkin, Michael A.; Edward Colgate, J., PixeLite, IEEE Transactions on Haptics (2023).
  • Burns, David Arthur; Klatzky, Roberta L.; Peshkin, Michael A.; Colgate, J. Edward, A Low-Parameter Rendering Algorithm for Fine Textures, IEEE Transactions on Haptics (2022).
  • Tan, Sylvia; Roosa, R. Daelan; Klatzky, Roberta L.; Peshkin, Michael A.; Edward Colgate, J., A Soft Wearable Tactile Device Using Lateral Skin Stretch, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.:697-702 (2021).
  • Burns, David Arthur; Klatzky, Roberta L.; Peshkin, Michael A.; Colgate, J. Edward, Spatial perception of textures depends on length-scale, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.:415-420 (2021).
  • Xu, Heng; Peshkin, Michael A.; Colgate, Ed, Switchpad, Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH:217-225 (2020).
  • Xu, Heng; Klatzky, Roberta L.; Peshkin, Michael A.; Colgate, J. Edward, Localizable Button Click Rendering via Active Lateral Force Feedback, IEEE Transactions on Haptics 13(3):552-561 (2020).
  • Xu, Heng; Peshkin, Michael A.; Colgate, Ed, How the Mechanical Properties and Thickness of Glass Affect TPaD Performance, IEEE Transactions on Haptics 13(3):483-492 (2020).

In the Classroom

Professor Peshkin was named 2011 Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence, an all-University award.

Recently, he has been teaching and developing the innovative course Electronics Design, in which students learn to design and debug circuits using a portable "workbench in a backpack" in place of the traditional fixed labs. Earlier, he created the course Engineering Analysis 3: System Dynamics, which is taken by almost all first-year students in the school of engineering. EA3 is part of Northwestern's signature Engineering First curriculum, which engages undergraduate students in the concepts and experience of engineering from the beginning of freshman year. He also teaches a Mechatronics Projects course, and offers walk-in assistance to many students and teams doing mechatronics-related independent projects.