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About

Lorenzo Kinnicutt is pioneering the next generation of soft robotics by merging magnetorheological (MR) fluids and electropermanent magnets (EPMs) to achieve unprecedented control over compliant systems. His core research spans three interconnected domains: magnetically induced stiffness modulation, onboard fluidic control, and soft haptic interfaces. Kinnicutt’s major contribution is the development of proportional, electronically-driven stiffening mechanisms—moving beyond the binary “on/off” limitations of prior MR fluid work. His 2022 paper on modulating MR fluid flow in soft robots (48 citations) established a framework for continuous stiffness tuning, while his 2023 work on magnetically induced stiffening (36 citations) introduced an analytical model predicting stiffness as a function of magnetic field, validated with EPMs. This culminated in the first EPM-based valve for onboard control of multi-degree-of-freedom pneumatic soft robots (2024, 16 citations), a breakthrough that eliminates rigid tethering. Kinnicutt has also translated these principles into tangible applications: a magnetically controlled soft robotic glove for hand rehabilitation (2024, 13 citations) and a modular laparoscopic grasper for atraumatic intestinal retraction (2024, 7 citations). His work on soft ionic sensors (2020, 7 citations) further demonstrates his versatility in creating biocompatible, multimodal sensing. With over 127 total citations and a trajectory focused on replacing rigid components with intelligent soft matter, Kinnicutt is redefining what soft robots can achieve in medicine and beyond.