Benjamin Secino

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About

Benjamin Secino is a pioneering researcher in the field of soft robotics and smart materials, with a primary focus on electroactive polymers (EAPs) and their applications in robotic manipulation and sensing. His most cited work, "Synthetic Muscle electroactive polymer (EAP) shape-morphing and pressure sensing for robotic grippers" (2020), introduces a groundbreaking class of materials developed at Ras Labs that can controllably contract and expand at low voltages (1.5 V to 50 V), enabling battery-powered operation. These Synthetic Muscle™ actuators not only mimic biological muscle but also possess intrinsic pressure-sensing capabilities, detecting forces from gentle touch to high impact, and can attenuate force—a trifecta of functionality rarely achieved in a single material. With 3 citations, this foundational paper has already influenced the design of more adaptive, safer robotic grippers for human-robot interaction and prosthetics. Secino’s contributions bridge materials science and robotics, offering a scalable, low-voltage solution for shape-morphing systems. His work stands out for integrating actuation, sensing, and compliance, paving the way for next-generation soft robots that interact safely with humans and delicate objects.