Kristen M. Edwards

Papers

Total Citations

167

H-Index

About

Kristen M. Edwards is pioneering the frontier of soft robotics through advanced additive manufacturing. Her research centers on the design and fabrication of fully integrated, 3D-printed soft robotic systems, with a particular emphasis on embedding complex fluidic control circuitry directly into compliant structures. Edwards’s most impactful contribution is her 2021 work, “Fully 3D-printed soft robots with integrated fluidic circuitry,” which has garnered 167 citations. This landmark study introduced a novel strategy for producing unified soft robots in a single PolyJet printing run, eliminating the need for post-assembly and enabling unprecedented design complexity. By seamlessly merging structural and functional components, her approach addresses a critical bottleneck in soft robotics: the reliable control of pneumatic and hydraulic networks within deformable bodies. Edwards’s innovations not only streamline fabrication but also open new possibilities for autonomous, untethered soft machines. Her work is widely recognized for bridging materials science, mechanical design, and control theory, making her a leading voice in the next generation of printable, intelligent robotics.