Physical Intelligence Enabled by Responsive Soft Materials

Our research explores how molecular architecture gives rise to physical intelligence in responsive soft materials. By integrating polymer chemistry, soft-matter physics, and advanced manufacturing, we engineer materials capable of sensing, actuation, switchable adhesion, energy dissipation, and adaptive mechanical responses for next-generation robotics, manufacturing, healthcare, and sustainable technologies.

Research Themes

Responsive soft materials

We develop liquid crystal elastomers and other stimuli-responsive polymers that autonomously perform mechanical functions such as actuation, shape morphing, and switchable adhesion by programming functionality directly into their molecular architecture.

Selected publications
Communications Materials, 2026
Advanced Functional Materials, 2024
Advanced Materials, 2020

Energy dissipation & vibration and impact damping

We investigate how molecular order and network topology govern viscoelastic energy dissipation, enabling adaptive materials for vibration damping, impact protection, and architected mechanical systems.

Selected publications
Applied Materials Today, 2024
Scientific Reports, 2023
Nature Communications, 2021

Dynamic polymer networks & sustainable materials

Our group designs dynamic polymer networks and vitrimers that combine high mechanical performance with reprocessability and recyclability, supporting the development of sustainable soft materials.

Selected publications
Macromolecules, 2025
Nature Communications, 2022
Chemical Reviews, 2021