Our new lab works at the intersection of mechanics, robotics, materials, and design, benefiting from and contributing to sub-fields such as soft and underactuated robots, architected materials, modular robotics, granular matter, swarm robotics, and circular engineering. We focus on the design, fabrication, modeling, and testing of active composite metamaterials (that can actively change their mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength, yield, and plasticity). These metamaterals which can function not only as structural components but also as actuators and sensors. We develop experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to address key challenges in minimally invasive medical procedures, sustainable manufacturing, and human-material interaction.