Pallavi Dhagat

Papers

Total Citations

161

H-Index

About

Pallavi Dhagat is a leading researcher at the intersection of soft robotics and functional materials, with a primary focus on magnetic elastomers (MEs). Her work pioneers the integration of magnetic particles into soft, deformable materials to create multifunctional actuators and grippers. Her most cited paper, “A Review of Magnetic Elastomers and Their Role in Soft Robotics” (2020, 156 citations), provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how MEs enable new control mechanisms beyond traditional pneumatic or hydraulic systems. Dhagat’s experimental contributions are equally impactful: in “Tuning the grasping strength of soft actuators with magnetic elastomer fingertips” (2022), she demonstrated that embedding magnetic particles into elastomeric fingertips can significantly enhance grip strength while preserving the inherent compliance of soft grippers. This work addresses a critical limitation in soft robotics—the trade-off between dexterity and force. By showing that magnetic fields can dynamically tune grasping strength, Dhagat opens pathways for safer, more adaptive robotic hands in applications from manufacturing to assistive devices. Her research is foundational for students and engineers seeking to understand how smart materials can bridge the gap between rigid and soft robotic systems.