Welcome to the Translational Soft Electronics group!

Research

Research

Research Aim

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Our research group aims to develop nanomaterial-integrated translational soft electronic devices, specifically designed to enhance human quality of life and promote sustainable growth. By innovating at the intersection of advanced nanoscale materials and soft electronics, we strive to create next-generation technologies for applications in healthcare, displays, imaging systems, robotics, and energy.

Material: Nanomaterials

Nanomaterial Synthesis and Assembly

To achieve conformal and monolithic integration between biological tissues and electronic systems, the development of high- performance soft conductors is essential. We have engineered functional nanocomposites and nanomembranes by synthesizing and assembling shape-controlled nanomaterials and strategically embedding them within soft elastomers. As a result, we developed nanocomposites and nanomembranes with outstanding electrical and mechanical properties, including high stretchability ((M)Science, 2021), strain-insensitivity ((ⅰ)Advanced Materials, 2022), and metal-like conductivity ((ⅱ)Advanced Materials, 2023), and isotropic electrical properties ((ⅲ)Advanced Materials, 2025). Furthermore, we synthesized core-shell nanowires for longer material stability ((ⅳ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2018) and demonstrated their applicability in soft bio-interfacing for heart ((ⅴ)Science Translational Medicine, 2016) and peripheral nerve ((ⅵ)Advanced Materials, 2021 ). By bridging nanoscale material innovation and biomedical device application, our research aims to advance the field of biomedical engineering.

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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; (ⅲ)Science Advances, 2024; (M)Science Advances, 2026). 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.

Healthcare: Wearables

Wearable Biosensing and Prosthesis

Wearable biosensing device technology ((M)Nature Reviews Materials, 2025) are becoming central to digital healthcare by enabling continuous physiological monitoring in daily life. Our research develops high-performance wearable sensors ((ⅰ)Nature Communications, 2014 ; (ⅱ)Science Advances, 2017) and data-storage systems ((ⅲ)Science Advances, 2016) through nanoscale material assembly and stretchable device engineering ((ⅳ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2014) ensuring clinically reliable operation even under dynamic human motion. We created multimodal platforms capable of monitoring temperature, glucose, pH, and humidity, supporting applications such as wound-healing assessment, metabolic monitoring, and inflammation tracking. Integrated feedback modules further enable closed-loop therapeutic functions ((ⅴ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2016). By combining biosensing with machine-learning–based signal interpretation, we also advance intuitive human-machine interfaces ((ⅵ)Advanced Materials, 2014). Together, these technologies provide a foundation for continuous monitoring, early diagnosis, and personalized therapy with strong clinical translation potential.

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Soft implantable bioelectronics create engineered interfaces that mechanically match cardiac tissues, enabling stable, low-impedance coupling with the beating heart. We design device architectures and wireless system modules optimized for chronic cardiovascular use, ensuring reliable operation under continuous dynamic deformation. In detail, we developed high-efficiency wireless communication and power-transfer technologies suitable for deep-tissue implantation ((M)Nature Reviews Bioengineering, 2024; (ⅰ)Science Advances, 2022), enabling continuous monitoring of electrophysiological and hemodynamic signals essential for detecting arrhythmia, ischemia, and early heart-failure progression. We also engineered minimally invasive sensors, soft stimulators, and compact RF-ablation tools to reduce surgical burden and increase procedural precision in interventional cardiology ((ⅱ)Nature Communications, 2015; (ⅲ)Advanced Materials, 2024). In addition, our conformal multichannel epicardial electrode arrays provide high-resolution conduction mapping and targeted modulation of arrhythmogenic regions ((ⅳ)Science Advances, 2023). Cell-sheet–based approaches further offer complementary potential for cardiac tissue regeneration ((v)Nature Communications, 2019). Together, these technologies establish a foundation for next-generation, closed-loop cardiac bioelectronic systems for personalized cardiovascular diagnostics and therapy.

Soft bioelectronics offer clinically meaningful solutions for neurological disease by enabling minimally invasive, localized, and programmable therapies. For example, we developed flexible, adhesive, and biodegradable wireless implants that deliver chemotherapeutics directly to brain-tumor sites, improving local efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity ((M)Nature Communications, 2019). This approach was extended with injectable hydrogel nanocomposites that provide deep tissue penetration and sustained postsurgical drug release ((ⅰ)ACS Nano, 2023). To support more precise interventions, we created bioresorbable microneedles–integrated bioelectronics for localized delivery of theranostic nanoparticles and chemical agents ((ⅱ)Advanced Materials, 2021), as well as implantable drug-delivery modules that can be wirelessly controlled through a wearable power-transfer system ((ⅲ)Science Advances, 2021) Beyond drug delivery, our soft, dynamically adaptable peripheral neural interfaces enable stable recording and stimulation during tissue movement, opening pathways for next-generation neuroprosthetics and neuromodulation therapies ((ⅳ)Advanced Materials, 2025)

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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 by using high-resolution intaglio transfer printing ((ⅰ)Nature Communications, 2015). We also developed an ultrathin skin-attachable QLED display ((ⅱ)Advanced Materials, 2017) that can visualize various information acquired from wearable electronics. Furthermore, we demonstrated highly bright and transparent QD-LEDs ((ⅲ)Advanced Materials, 2017) with an ultrathin form factor and high color purity. Based on ultrathin QLEDs, we reported 3D foldable QLEDs ((ⅳ)Nature Electronics, 2021), utilizing controlled folding techniques to create customized 3D architectures. We also fabricated intrinsically stretchable QLEDs ((M)Nature Electronics, 2024) that can be stretched without significant brightness loss. For active matrix operation, we also developed a stretchable carbon nanotube transistor array using a vacuum-deposited polymer dielectric ((ⅴ)Nature Electronics, 2023) Recent developments in stretchable QD color converters have further expanded the potential of stretchable display technologies ((ⅵ)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, novel imaging systems that can acquire image data more compatible for AI-based processing and target recognition can be developed. Specifically, we have developed a range of AI-native imaging systems inspired by various natural visions, including human ((ⅰ)Nature Communications, 2017 ; (ⅱ)Nature Nanotechnology, 2022), fish ((ⅲ)Nature Electronics, 2020), cuttlefish ((ⅳ)Science Robotics, 2023), fibber crab ((ⅴ)Nature Electronics, 2022), bird ((M)Science Robotics, 2024), and cat ((ⅵ)Science Advances, 2024). In parallel, we engineered covalent heterostructures of ultrathin amorphous carbon nitride and silicon, which have enabled high-performance vertical photodiodes ((ⅶ)Nature Synthesis, 2025) for ultrathin image sensing systems. These artificial vision systems can be integrated with mobile robots such as humanoid robots, submarines, unmanned vehicles, and drones to minimize computation load and time in edge-level image processing.

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Electronics: Robotics/AI

In-sensor Computing for Mobile Robotics

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Our research in in-sensor computing for artificial 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. 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. A compact device integrating photocatalysis and electrocatalysis for closed-loop fuel production further enhances the overall performance of hydrogen generation ((ⅲ)Device, 2024). 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.

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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 Materials, 2014). 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) by using high-resolution spin-on-patterning technique for perovskite thin films ((ⅳ)Advanced Materials, 2017). Recently, passive cooling devices for energy saving strategies ((ⅴ)Advanced Materials, 2025) were also explored. Collectively, these technologies represent a step forward in energy device technologies for a sustainable energy future.

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