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
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2024 - Present
Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Recent Publications
Dynamics of plosive consonants via imaging, computations, and soft electronics.
Journal Article Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · November 2022 A quantitative understanding of the coupled dynamics of flow and particles in aerosol and droplet transmission associated with speech remains elusive. Here, we summarize an effort that integrates insights into flow-particle dynamics induced by the producti ... Full text CiteA dynamically reprogrammable surface with self-evolving shape morphing.
Journal Article Nature · September 2022 Featured Publication Dynamic shape-morphing soft materials systems are ubiquitous in living organisms; they are also of rapidly increasing relevance to emerging technologies in soft machines1-3, flexible electronics4,5 and smart medicines6. Sof ... Full text CiteSoft shape-programmable surfaces by fast electromagnetic actuation of liquid metal networks.
Journal Article Nature communications · September 2022 Low modulus materials that can shape-morph into different three-dimensional (3D) configurations in response to external stimuli have wide-ranging applications in flexible/stretchable electronics, surgical instruments, soft machines and soft robotics. This ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Developing a 2-in-1 Wearable On-Demand Ultrasound Imaging & Stimulation System for Treating Post-Stroke Motor Impairment
ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by American Heart Association · 2025 - 2028Enabling Sentient Materials
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory · 2025 - 2027Wearable elastography for ambulant monitoring of tissue mechanics
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
California Institute of Technology ·
2018
Ph.D.