Research

Minimally Invasive Neural Interfaces

Flexible and even stretchable thin-film bioelectronics hold great promise for advanced neural interfaces. In our lab, we explore new strategies for minimally invasive implantation and high-quality neural recording and stimulation at complex biological interfaces.

References:

• Electrochemically actuated microelectrodes for minimally invasive peripheral nerve interfaces. Nature Materials (2024).

• Recent Advances in Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Soft Robotic Actuators for Bioelectronic Medicine. Advanced Materials (2025).

• Cleanroom‐Free Toolkit for Patterning Submicron‐Resolution Bioelectronics on Flexibles. Small (2025).

Biomedical Soft Actuators and Robotics

Soft actuators and robotic systems offer unique advantages for interacting with humans and navigating uncertain environments, inspired by the adaptability and dynamics found in nature. We design and engineer biomedical soft robots through innovations in materials and structural architectures. Our goal is to shape the future of medical robotics by developing systems that enhance precision, safety, and effectiveness for patients, clinicians, and surgeons alike.

References:

• Electrochemically actuated microelectrodes for minimally invasive peripheral nerve interfaces. Nature Materials (2024).

• Highly Integrated Multi-Material Fibers for Soft Robotics. Advanced Science (2022).

• Soft multimaterial magnetic fibers and textiles. Advanced Materials (2023).

• Multimaterial Shape Memory Polymer Fibers for Advanced Drug Release Applications. Advanced Fiber Materials (2025).

Soft Functional Materials and Devices

Soft functional materials are essential for next-generation wearable and implantable devices. We work on the fundamental understanding and engineering of soft materials with programmable properties. By tailoring composition, structure, and function at the local level, we aim to create advanced biomaterials and devices that seamlessly integrate with biological systems.

References:

• High-efficiency super-elastic liquid metal based triboelectric fibers and textiles. Nature Communications (2020).

• Soft and stretchable liquid metal transmission lines as distributed probes of multimodal deformations. Nature Electronics (2020).

• Thermally drawn advanced functional fibers: New frontier of flexible electronics. Materials Today (2020).

• Subsurface Profiling of Ion Migration and Swelling in Conducting Polymer Actuators with Modulated Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2024).