Patrick Chouinard

About

Patrick Chouinard is a pioneering researcher in the field of soft robotics and mechatronics, with a focus on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) and binary actuation systems. His major contributions include the development of bistable antagonistic DEAs for binary robotics, which enable simple, efficient, and lightweight robotic systems. Chouinard’s work on tendon-driven manipulators actuated by magneto-rheological clutches has advanced low-inertia, multi-degree-of-freedom robots, while his design of MRI-compatible dielectric elastomer jet valves has opened new possibilities for medical robotics, particularly in prostate interventions. With over 100 citations across his most-cited papers, his research has had a notable impact on the fields of soft actuation, medical robotics, and binary mechatronics. Chouinard’s innovative use of DEAs in MRI-compatible systems highlights his ability to bridge fundamental actuator design with real-world clinical applications, making his work a key reference for researchers exploring soft, safe, and cost-effective robotic technologies.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Bistable Antagonistic Dielectric Elastomer Actuators for Binary Robotics and Mechatronics

   76 citations · 2011
2. 2
   Projected PID controller for Tendon-Driven Manipulators actuated by magneto-rheological clutches

   13 citations · 2015
3. 3
   Dielectric Elastomer Jet Valve for Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Compatible Robotics

   8 citations · 2013
4. 4
   Thermodynamic model using experimental loss factors for dielectric elastomer actuator design

   3 citations · 2010
5. 5
   Design of a MRI-compatible dielectric elastomer powered jet valve

   3 citations · 2011
6. 6
   Design of an Antagonistic Bistable Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Using the Bergstrom-Boyce Constitutive Viscoelastic Model

   2 citations · 2009

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links