New bottom-up fabrication methods for creating 3D thermally-responsive microactuator arrays are introduced. Spontaneous self-assembly of chiral monomers inside 3D micromolds is utilized to create 14 × 10 microactuator arrays that exhibit thermally responsive and reversible bending on heating. 

[ Paper ] Y. J. Lee (first author), Small, 2023

[ Key Words ] LCEs, Actuators, Self-Assembly

Smart textiles that control porosity in response to temperature changes are developed. Long strands of temperature-responsive fibers are 3D printed and then fabricated into smart textiles. 

[ Paper ] Y. J. Lee (co author), Science Advances, 2025

[ Key Words ] Temperature-Responsive Fibers, Smart Textiles, 3D Printing

Active soft materials that are responsive to diverse stimuli are synthesized. Thermally-responsive, magnetic-responsive and photo-responsive elastomers are synthesized. 

[ Paper ] 

1) Y. J. Lee (first author), Macromolecules, 2025

2) Y. J. Lee (first author), Materials, 2020

3) Y. J. Lee (co author), Advanced Materials, 2023

[ Key Words ] Active Soft Materials Synthesis, Thermally-Responsive, Magnetic-Responsive, Light-Responsive Materials

Thin film-based photo-responsive sensor is synthesized and integrated with phototransistor that selectively reflect circularly polarized light in the near-infrared spectrum. The organic phototransistor is utilized as optoelectronic devices for advanced encryption applications. 

[ Paper ] Y. J. Lee (first author), Advanced Functional Materials. 2020

[ Key Words ] Photo-responsive sensors, Organic Phototransistors