Hydrogels possess mass-permeable, ultra-soft, and low-impedance material properties. These characteristics make functionalized hydrogel-based stretchable bioelectronics well-suited for achieving high-quality, stable, long-term tissue-device interfaces. For example, a highly conductive and adhesive hydrogel engineered with nanomaterials was introduced (^(ⅰ)Advanced Materials, 2024), enabling efficient electroceutical applications. Furthermore, we are advancing both material systems and fabrication techniques that allow for precise patterning and seamless integration of functionalized hydrogels with flexible and stretchable bioelectronics, crucial for optimizing the device performance (^(ⅱ)Science Advances, 2021; ^(M)Science Advances, 2024). Such integration enhances device functionality, enabling real-time health monitoring through advanced sensing capabilities. These innovative technologies hold great promise for a wide range of applications, including rehabilitation, long-term health monitoring, point-of-care treatment, and disease prevention.

Our research group is at the forefront of developing advanced electronic materials that serve as the foundation of next-generation devices. For instance, we demonstrated a vacuum-deposited polymer dielectric that enables wafer-scale stretchable electronics (^(ⅰ)Nature Electronics, 2023). In parallel, we engineered covalent heterostructures of ultrathin amorphous carbon nitride and silicon, which have enabled high-performance vertical photodiodes and rectifying devices (^(M)Nature Synthesis, 2025). Additional examples include our ultrathin phototransistor array based on MoS2 and graphene, as well as high-resolution spin-on-patterning technique for perovskite thin films (^(ⅱ)Nature Communications, 2017; ^(ⅲ)Advanced Materials, 2017), further establishing our commitment to next-generation device technologies.

Wearable biosensing device technology (^(M)Nature Reviews Materials, 2025) is rapidly advancing applications in digital healthcare. Our research focuses on developing wearable sensing, signal processing, and data storage devices (^(ⅰ)Science Advances, 2017; ^(ⅱ)Science Advances, 2016) by designing and fabricating stretchable materials and devices to ensure high reliability, performance, and stable operation during dynamic movement (^(ⅲ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2014). We have also enhanced multimodal sensing capabilities, enabling the simultaneous detection of temperature, glucose, pH, and humidity, while seamlessly integrating sensing, feedback therapy, and signal processing functions (^(ⅳ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2016). Looking ahead, we aim to further advance wearable biosensing technologies by incorporating machine learning, thereby expanding their applications in human-machine interfaces and next-generation prosthetic systems (^(ⅴ)Advanced Materials, 2014; ^(ⅵ)Advanced Materials, 2025).

Soft devices play a pivotal role in advancing digital healthcare by minimizing the mechanical mismatch between biological tissues and biomedical systems. To realize such electronic systems, we focus on designing optimal form factors for implantable bioelectronics, along with developing wireless technologies that enable long-term and seamless integration with the human body. In scenarios requiring continuous monitoring, direct intervention, or immediate therapeutic actions, such implantable devices are essential (^(M)Nature Reviews Bioengineering, 2024). To achieve this vision, we developed wireless communication and system integration technologies for tissue implants and implantable devices (^(ⅰ)Nature Communications, 2019; ^(ⅱ)Science Advances, 2022) minimally invasive surgical tools (^(ⅲ)Nature Communications, 2015; ^(ⅳ)Advanced Materials, 2024). Our commitment to pioneering research in bioelectronic technologies for healthcare applications remains steadfast.

Our research in controlled drug delivery is dedicated to developing advanced devices that enable precise and effective therapeutic interventions, particularly for brain tumors. For example, our work on a flexible, sticky, and biodegradable wireless device for drug delivery to brain tumors (^(M)Nature Communications, 2019) has opened new avenues for minimally invasive treatments. Building on this foundation, we have explored injectable hydrogel nanocomposites for penetrative and sustained drug delivery in postsurgical brain tumor treatment (^(ⅰ)ACS Nano, 2023). In parallel, we developed multifunctional injectable hydrogels that support in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic applications (^(ⅱ)ACS Nano, 2022), further enhancing treatment efficacy. Moreover, our innovative approach using bioresorbable microneedles-integrated bioelectronics has enabled localized delivery of theranostic nanoparticles and chemical drugs (^(ⅲ)Advanced Materials, 2021). In addition, we demonstrated a system in which an implanted drug delivery device can be wirelessly controlled by a wearable power-transferring patch (^(ⅳ)Science Advances, 2021), enabling user-friendly and programmable therapy.

Focusing on the development of Quantum Dot-based flexible and stretchable displays, our research group is dedicated to pioneering advancements in next-generation display technologies. We proposed high-efficiency full color QLED arrays, along with electronic tattoo applications using high-resolution intaglio transfer printing method (^(ⅰ)Nature Communications, 2015). We also developed an ultrathin skin-attachable QLED display (^(ⅱ)Advanced Materials, 2017) that can visualize various types of information acquired from the wearable electronics in close proximity to the wearer’s skin. Furthermore, we demonstrated highly bright and transparent QD-LEDs (^(ⅲ)Advanced Materials, 2017) with an ultrathin form factor and high color purity, and reported the design and fabrication of 3D foldable QLEDs (^(ⅳ)Nature Electronics, 2021), utilizing controlled folding techniques to create customized 3D architectures. In addition, we fabricated intrinsically stretchable QLEDs (^(M)Nature Electronics, 2024) that can be stretched up to 50% without significant brightness loss, achieved through the development of a stretchable quantum-dot based ternary nanocomposite. Recent developments in stretchable QD color converters have further expanded the potential of stretchable display technologies (^(v)Advanced Materials, 2025).

Bio-inspired artificial vision draws inspiration from the remarkable capabilities of natural vision systems. A key advantage of the bio-inspired artificial vision lies in its capability to address challenging conditions in image acquisition and processing—scenarios where conventional vision systems may struggle with. By leveraging the strategies employed by natural vision systems, artificial vision systems can become more adaptive and resilient, offering significant potential for integration into future mobile electronics, such as humanoid robots, self-driving vehicles, and drones. We have developed a range of unique artificial imaging systems inspired by various natural vision systems, including humans (^(ⅰ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2022), aquatic animals (^(ⅱ)Nature Electronics, 2020; ^(ⅲ)Science Robotics, 2023; ^(ⅳ)Nature Electronics, 2022) birds (^(M)Science Robotics, 2024), and cats (^(ⅴ)Science Advances, 2024).

Our research in in-sensor computing for mobile robot vision lies at the forefront of integrating advanced sensor architectures with embedded computational capabilities to enhance robotic perception. For example, the development of an anti-distortion bioinspired camera featuring an inhomogeneous photo-pixel array (^(M)Nature Communications, 2024) introduces innovative strategies for mitigating image distortion in complex environments. In addition, a curved neuromorphic image sensor array based on a MoS2-organic heterostructure (^(ⅰ)Nature Communications, 2020) demonstrates how bio-inspired design can optimize signal processing, reduce computational overhead, and improve the efficiency of semantic segmentation (^(ⅱ)Science Advances, 2025). Complementing these advances, we also integrated synaptic phototransistors with quantum dot light-emitting diodes (^(ⅲ)Science Advances, 2022), showcasing a system capable of simultaneous visualization and recognition of UV patterns. Beyond vision systems, robotic hands are another key element in humanoid robots. We developed a humanoid robot skin that integrates pressure, strain, temperature, and humidity sensing arrays (^(ⅳ)Nature Communications, 2014). Collectively, these breakthroughs underscore our commitment to pioneering next-generation human-friendly robotic systems.

We developed floatable photocatalytic hydrogel nanocomposites (^(ⅰ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2023) and nitrogen-fixing microbial biocomposites (^(ⅱ)Advanced Materials, 2023) for efficient and sustainable solar hydrogen production and compact device integrating photo- and electrocatalysis for closed-loop fuel production (^(ⅲ)Device, 2024). We are expanding our research focus towards plastic waste upcycling, machine learning-aided bio-hybrid optimization, H₂O₂ production via ORR, organic high C# fuel synthesis, and maximizing utilization of solar thermal energy. Building on these advancements, we are expanding our research toward plastic waste upcycling, machine learning-aided bio-hybrid optimization, H2O2 production via oxygen reduction reaction, synthesis of high carbon number organic fuels, and the maximized utility of solar thermal energy. Recently, polymeric stabilization of nanoscale photocatalysts has been shown to significantly extend the operational lifetime of highly efficient dispersed single-atom photocatalysts, even under harsh reaction conditions (^(M)Nature Nanotechnology, 2025), thereby enhancing the translation potential of photocatalytic solar fuel generation systems.

Our research on unconventional energy harvesting, storage, and saving devices aims to provide sustainable and clean energy solutions. We developed stretchable energy harvesting systems and wearable energy storage devices suitable for integration with mobile electronics(^(ⅰ)Advanced Functional Materials, 2017). Furthermore, we introduced biocompatible and biodegradable batteries (^(ⅱ)Advanced Materials, 2021), specially designed for safe and long-term operation in human-friendly electronic systems. To improve the portability and practical usability of wearable and implantable electronics, we also developed a high-quality flexible thin-film battery utilizing a damage-free dry transfer method (^(M)Nature Materials, 2024). In addition, we developed transparent and colored photovoltaic devices for sustainable and distributed solar power generation (^(ⅲ)Nature Communications, 2022). Collectively, these technologies represent a step forward in energy device technologies for a sustainable energy future.