James seeks to realize robots that eat, breathe, and bleed by developing new materials systems that increase robot mobility, allow for adaptable mechanical and chemical properties, and realize new ways to process and respond to environmental information. He uses advances in electrochemistry, soft matter physics, and manufacturing to develop soft robotic surfaces that can transform their shape, synthetic vascular systems to improve the mobility and dexterity of robots, power sources that breathe air to enable computer-free autonomous steering, and room-temperature healing of metallic parts. In addition to improving the capabilities of robots, the exploration of this interdisciplinary space between robotics, materials, and chemistry will realize transformative ways to solve problems in disparate fields, such as energy storage and mechanics.