Papers
9
Total Citations
276
H-Index
9
About
Jinying Bao is an emerging materials scientist whose research sits at the dynamic intersection of soft robotics, smart materials, and molecular engineering. Specializing in liquid crystalline networks (LCNs) and elastomers, Bao has made significant contributions to the design and fabrication of light-driven soft actuators capable of complex, programmable macroscopic motions. A central theme of their work is bridging molecular-scale phenomena — particularly the rotary motion of overcrowded alkene molecular motors — with large-amplitude, multimode mechanical responses in functional devices, a challenge addressed across several highly cited publications accumulating over 270 citations collectively. Bao's most influential work (69 citations) demonstrated how trifunctional and monofunctional molecular motors embedded in liquid crystalline networks could yield sophisticated photomechanical soft actuators. Subsequent contributions introduced polyurethane-based multimode actuators, humidity-responsive systems enabled by dynamic ionic and covalent bonds, and near-infrared-driven elastomers with enhanced actuation performance. More recently, Bao has pioneered self-healable, shape-programmable actuators integrating dynamic boronic ester chemistry and aggregation-induced emission luminogens. Collectively, this body of work positions Bao as a creative and productive researcher advancing next-generation intelligent soft robots and biomimetic devices.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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