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About

Yiling Yang is a leading researcher in biomimetic robotics and smart material actuation, with a focus on bio-inspired underwater propulsion systems. Her work centers on the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of miniature robotic fish actuated by macro fiber composites (MFCs)—a class of smart materials that enable precise, harmonic motion without traditional motors. Yang’s major contributions include developing a cantilever-based micro thrust measurement system that captures the minute forces generated by MFC-actuated biomimetic fish, and mapping the pressure field evolution around these robots during harmonic actuation. Her 2020 paper on micro thrust measurement and pressure field evolution has garnered 26 citations, while her 2021 study refining cantilever-based thrust measurement and pressure distribution has received 18 citations, reflecting growing interest in her experimental methodologies. By providing quantitative insights into the fluid-structure interactions of soft, smart-material-driven underwater vehicles, Yang’s work advances the development of quieter, more efficient autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for environmental monitoring and exploration. Her innovative fusion of smart actuators with precise metrology positions her as a key figure in the next generation of bio-inspired robotics.