Aims of Research

My research focuses on assembling micro/nanomaterials into fully tailored soft electronics in additive and bottom-up ways. Mainly based on soft energy-conversion and sensory devices, an ultimate goal is to realize ​self-powered skin-like electronics and robotic skin for advanced human-machine interfaces.

Fully Customized Soft Electronics 

​Technologies to assemble soft materials into fully tailored designs in additive and bottom-up ways for multifunctional skin-like electronics
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Energy Conversion on Skin

Soft energy conversion devices that offer actuation, thermoregulation, energy harvesting for soft robotics and self-powered wearables
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Tactile Imaging on Skin

Tactile sensing with high temporal & spatial fidelity based on ultra-conformable sensors for advanced human-machine interfaces
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Inkjet-Printed, Fully Customized Stretchable Electronics

• Realization of high-performance, functionally integrated, and mechanically reliable “stretchable printed circuit boards”
• Printing-based strain-engineered platforms for mechanical reliability of stretchable circuits
• Automated integration of inkjet-printed stretchable circuits, multifunctional IC chips, and soft VIAs for realization of customized stretchable and wearable electronics
• Demonstration of stretchable passive-matrix displays, wearable computing circuits, and nerve systems for soft robots

3D-Structured Soft Electronics via Omnidirectional Printing

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Soft Energy Conversion Devices

• Soft and compliant thermoelectric generators for conformal contact with 3D heat sources
• Self-assembled soft heat conductors to enhance the heat exchange capability of elastomeric platforms
• Fully automated integration of high-performance inorganic TE legs, soft electrodes, and soft heat conductors for realization of high-density and large-area wearable TEGs
• Integrated voltage boosting circuits for application of compliant TEGs in self-powered wearable electronics
• Demonstration of self-powered wearable warning systems indicating an abrupt temperature increase with light-emitting alarms
• Further studies on large-scaled, intrinsically stretchable TEGs using magnetic self-assembly 

Real-Time, Super-Resolution Tactile Imaging

• Developing ultrathin and transparent pressure-sensing films using cellulose/nanowire nanocomposites (CNNs)
• Due to the nanostructured surface of CNNs, showing ultrahigh sensor sensitivity, great linearity, and cyclic reliability
• Ultraflexible electroluminescent skin comprising CNNs as a pressure sensing layer and QLED as an electroluminescent layer
• Mechanical conformability from an ultrathin design significantly enhancing the transfer of the spatial pressure
• Super-resolution & real-time analog imaging of pressure distribution over 3D surfaces without pixel structures (spatial resolution > 1000 dpi and time resolution < 1 ms)
• Novel smart force touch interfaces capable of identifying the user information by detecting pressure distribution arising from a fingerprint