Larry L. Howell
Papers
9
Total Citations
440
H-Index
5
About
Larry L. Howell is a pioneering figure in compliant mechanisms, origami-inspired engineering, and medical robotics. His research focuses on creating flexible, friction-free systems that replace traditional rigid joints with elastically deformable structures, enabling unprecedented precision and miniaturization. Howell’s most cited work, a 2019 survey on kinetostatic and dynamic modeling of flexure-based compliant mechanisms (265 citations), has become a foundational resource for engineers designing high-performance mechanisms for precision instruments and robotics. He is also renowned for his origami-inspired designs, such as the Oriceps forceps (80 citations), which demonstrate how folding patterns can yield compact, dexterous surgical tools. His OriGuide system (62 citations) addresses a critical challenge in robotic surgery by mitigating flexible shaft buckling, while his lamina emergent mechanisms and millimeter-scale robotic components push the boundaries of what is possible at small scales. With over 400 total citations across his most influential papers, Howell’s work has profoundly impacted fields ranging from space exploration to minimally invasive surgery, earning him recognition as a leader in compliant and origami-based mechanism design.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Oriceps: Origami-Inspired Forceps80 citations · 2013
- 3An Origami-Based Medical Support System to Mitigate Flexible Shaft Buckling62 citations · 2019
- 4A Study of Joints Suitable for Lamina Emergent Mechanisms14 citations · 2008
- 5
- 6A Meso-Scale Rolling-Contact Gripping Mechanism for Robotic Surgery5 citations · 2015
- 7Complex mechanical motion guided without external control4 citations · 2018
- 8
- 9Zipper Tube Reinforcement to Mitigate Flexible Shaft Buckling2 citations · 2018