Benoit Chappuis

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About

Benoit Chappuis is a materials scientist and engineer whose research focuses on the mechanics of soft composites, switchable adhesion, and stimuli-responsive materials for soft robotics and manufacturing. His most-cited work, “Switchable adhesion of soft composites induced by a magnetic field” (2020, 43 citations), introduces a novel two-phase composite—a silicone elastomer embedded with magnetically responsive particles—that can reversibly switch its adhesion to non-magnetic objects under an applied magnetic field. This breakthrough offers a pathway to more efficient manufacturing and recycling processes, as well as new modes of locomotion for soft robots. By demonstrating that adhesion can be controlled remotely and without mechanical contact, Chappuis has opened up exciting possibilities for adaptive gripping, climbing robots, and reconfigurable assemblies. His work sits at the intersection of materials design, mechanics, and robotics, and has been recognized for its potential to transform how we handle and assemble delicate or complex components. Chappuis continues to explore how soft composites can be programmed to respond to external fields, advancing the frontier of intelligent, functional materials.