Research

Highlight

The foundation of my research lies on understanding and implementing the fundamental mechanics of structures and bioinspiration to solve problems in biomedical engineering, soft robotics and other real- world applications. I am particularly interested in exploring the synergies between dissimilar building elements to achieve unusual performances. In my doctoral research, I developed a series of simultaneously strong, tough and deformable novel bioinspired structures made of brittle constituents， which was published in top journals such as Science, Acta Biomaterialia, etc. These inventions serve as a foundation for my current research on high-performance smart medical implants, flexible bioelectronics and small-scale medical robots, which aims to advance the development of next-generation biomedical therapies and healthcare.

Research Areas:

Bioinspired structures Solid mechanics Architectured materials Soft robots and miniature robots


High-performance Untethered Miniature Soft Robots


Biodegradable Smart Medical Implants


High-performance Bio-inspired Architectured Materials

Hard biological materials such as seashells and fish scales display attractive combinations of mechanical properties owing to their intricate micro-achitectures. However, duplicating the micro-architectures of biological material in synthetic materials has been challenging. In our lab , we have been addressing these challenges with advanced fabrication techniques including 3D laser engraving, 3D printing and self assembly. The bio-inspired structures and materials we developed presents high toughness and high deformability with tunable transparency, stiffness and strength. These properties make our bio-inspired materials suitable for:

  • Structural materials: protective structures, building materials and windows for their high toughness and impact resistance.    

  • Morphing structures and soft robotics: for their high deformability (~100% strain), much higher strength than elastomers commonly used in soft robotics, and higher degree of simplicity than current morphing structures.

  • Sustainable structures and materials: for their sustainable sources and the ability to amplify the mechanical performances of weak recycled materials.   

  • Flexible photo-voltaic systems and electronics: for their high transparency, high deformability and high toughness.

Mechanics of Biological and Bio-inspired Materials

Understanding the fundamental mechanisms behind the performances of biological and bio-inspired synthetic materials is the key to develop new materials with better properties. We have been studying the deformation and fracture mechanics of these materials from analytical models, simulations and experiments. Our simulation approaches includes finite element methods and discrete element methods. The experiments are conducted with the help of digital image correlation, 3D reconstruction, micro-CT analysis and high speed imaging to track the displacement and deformation of the hard building blocks and soft interfaces. Our study shows that to optimize energy absorption, the hard building blocks should avoid brittle fracture and the soft interfaces should undergo shear deformation. With a proper configuration, the materials can achieve delocalized deformation and strain hardening even with softening interfaces.