Research Spotlight - Levi Pearson
I am a BS/MS student in my fifth year with Dr. Mark Rentschler in his lab the Advanced Medical Technologies Laboratory (AMTL). I started in the AMTL during my Junior year, working on fabricating soft robots.
My research in undergrad focused mainly on molding and fabricating different geometries for a three-segment snake like robot. During my senior year I completed a Discover Learning Apprenticeship (DLA) in mechatronics working to help finish a robotic colon simulator.
My current research focuses on developing closed loop controllers for the Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing Electrostatic (HASEL) actuators from This is a joint effort between the AMTL, Dr. Keplinger, Dr. Humbert, and Dr. Correll鈥檚 lab. This involves concepts like self-sensing actuators, system identification, and control theory. The end goal of this research is to create a scalable, modular, and controllable soft robot.
In my free time I practice the piano, Jiu-Jitzu, and hot yoga. I graduate in May of 2018 and will defend my thesis in late July. I plan to move to Denver in August.
