Jared Butler

Brigham Young University, Pennsylvania State University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Jared Butler is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of soft robotics, medical devices, and smart materials. His most influential work, "An Origami-Based Medical Support System to Mitigate Flexible Shaft Buckling" (2019), has garnered 62 citations and introduces the OriGuide—an origami-inspired support system that revolutionizes the insertion of flexible instruments in medical robots. By combining parameters of a triangulated cylindrical origami pattern, Butler created a highly compressible anti-buckling mechanism, addressing a critical challenge in minimally invasive surgery. This innovation demonstrates his ability to merge structural engineering with clinical needs, offering safer and more precise robotic interventions. In his more recent work, "Harnessing Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Locomotion and Mechanical Intelligence in a Soft Robot" (2025), Butler pushes the boundaries of soft robotics by integrating sensing, information processing, and responsive actuation into a single system. This research, already accumulating 5 citations, showcases his vision for endowing soft robots with mechanical intelligence—enabling autonomous locomotion and adaptive behavior without rigid electronics. Butler’s contributions are notable for their interdisciplinary approach, blending origami engineering, material science, and robotics to create systems that are both functional and intelligent. His work holds promise for advancing medical robotics and autonomous soft machines, positioning him as a rising leader in the field.