Research

Research I: Conformable ultrasound electronics 

Motivation

Ultrasound is widely used in clinical practice, but it is not feasible for current US transducers to conform to curved body surfaces. Replacing rigid transducers with conformable US transducer arrays can allow image acquisition on curved body parts, improve image quality, and enable functions such as long-term monitoring and therapy (Adv. Mater. 36, 2307664, 2024).

Research achievements

1. Innovation of several novel conformable patch designs, including “island-bridge” structure (US Patent 16/477,060), “multiple-phased-array” design (US Patent 16/658,237), and nature inspired patch (Sci. Adv. 2023), in which incorporated the high performance rigid elements/arrays in a flexible configuration for bladder monitoring (Nat. Electron. 2024), breast imaging (Sci. Adv. 2023), blood pressure monitoring (Nat. BME. 2018), and non-destructive testing (Sci. Adv. 2018).

2. Demonstration of comprehensive system approach from the synthesis and characterization of an advanced piezoelectric crystal to array design and performance evaluation, novel patch design, to a clinical demonstration with real-time imaging (Sci. Adv. 2023; Nat. Electron. 2024). 

Research II: Piezoelectric based sensing, actuating and energy harvesting

Motivation

Human physical vital signs generate strain and/or pressure signals, which are significant markers for human healthcare monitoring. Several projects were conducted to understand the large body motion and skin micromotion, and to innovate various sensors, actuators, and energy harvesters. 

Research achievements

1. Motion detection and energy harvesting. I worked with collaborators not only used flexible piezoelectric devices to detect limb motion (CST 2020; JAC 2021; Nat. Electron. 2018) and related energy harvesting, also observed the subtle motion of facial strains (Nature BME 2020).

2. Actuators and artificial muscles. I also studied the electromechanical response observed in cellulose based ionic-electroactive polymer (JAD 2017; Actuator 2018), which has the potential to artificial muscles, microvalves, biomimetic devices and robotics.

Research III: Conducting polymers/aerogels composites for multifunctional applications

Motivation

Composites of conducting polymers/aerogels with three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures for multifunctional applications have gained significant attention (Sci. China Mater. 2018; Adv. Mater. 2021). Preparing novel lightweight composites using simple methods to avoid shortage of nonrenewable resources and environmental pollution is still the challenge.

Research achievements

Several conducting polymers (CPs) and aerogel based composites were synthesized with high electrical conductivity, thermal diffusivity, ultrafast electrically induced heating, sensitive sensing, and electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI) for special practical demands. These nature-inspired multifunctional composites are expected to broaden new applications as electronic devices for various applications, including microwave-assisted noncarbonized CPs for electrochemical sensors and energy storage (Curr. Organ. Chem. 2013; Rsc Adv. 2014), nanoclips for high dielectric performance (Nano Energy 2016; CST 2018), metal chalcogenides/CPs (Sci. Reports 2016), welding and reinforcing (ACS AMI 2015), pressure sensor (ACS AMI 2020), supercapacitors (Appl. Energy 2021), EMI (Nano Today 2021). These achievement will broaden new applications for developing integrated electronics, energy storage/harvesting, and human-interaction equipment under harsh thermal environments.