https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1822-1122
Overview
The Ni group aims to realize human-oriented materials intelligence through the combination of soft electronics and digital metamaterials—the materials can sense human signals, transform and adapt their functional properties according to human actions or status. The technical approach embraces epidermal electronics for advanced sensing of body mechanics, and micro/nanomechanics for closed-loop programmable matter. Our research focuses on creating digital-physical interfaces for dynamic control over materials properties via a full spectrum of mechanical and acoustic processes.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor of the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
·
2020 - Present
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Pratt School of Engineering
Assistant Professor of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
·
2020 - Present
Biostatistics & Bioinformatics,
Basic Science Departments
Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
·
2024 - Present
Pierre R. Lamond Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Recent Publications
A skin-like conformal sensor for real-time shape mapping
Preprint · May 1, 2026 Link to item CiteFeature Anchors for Time-Series Sensor-Based Human Activity Recognition
Preprint · April 27, 2026 Link to item CiteDigital composites with reprogrammable phase architectures.
Journal Article Science advances · January 2026 Spatial patterning of material phases underpins the functional diversity of natural and engineered composites. However, phase architectures are typically fixed once formed, limiting adaptability. Here, we introduce a digital composite with reprogrammable s ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Collaborative Research: GCR: Human-centric Assistive Robotics for MObility and commuNitY (HARMONY): Enhancing Human Health via Learning-in-Simulation and Multimodal Sensing
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by New York University · 2025 - 2030Real-Time, Longitudinal, Functional Brain Imaging via 4D Smart Epidermal Photoacoustic Tomography
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2030Digitally reprogrammable soft composites for adaptive fluid-structure interactions
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Office of Naval Research · 2026 - 2029View All Grants
Education
California Institute of Technology ·
2018
Ph.D.