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About

Wen Shang is an innovative materials scientist whose research sits at the intersection of smart materials, thermal management, and human-machine interaction. Working across multiple cutting-edge domains, Shang has made significant contributions to the development of functional composite materials, responsive actuators, and next-generation interface technologies, accumulating over 290 citations across a growing body of work. Among Shang's most impactful contributions is the exploration of hand-responsive infrared structural color for noncontact human-machine interaction (2022, 86 citations), offering a hygienic and versatile solution for human-robot communication that overcomes limitations of conventional gesture-recognition systems. Equally notable is pioneering work on liquid metal composites, including the development of 3D conductive graphene networks within gallium-based liquid metals to dramatically enhance thermal and electrical performance — a body of work spanning multiple highly cited studies. Shang has also advanced conducting polymer technology, demonstrating how PEDOT:PSS films can be optimized through acid treatment and hot pressing for improved thermoelectric applications. More recently, Shang has explored bioinspired design, developing multi-stimuli-responsive actuators mimicking natural movement and engineering octopus-inspired microstructures for adhesive coatings. This blend of biomimicry, materials engineering, and applied electronics positions Shang as a creative and versatile researcher making meaningful advances in smart, functional material systems.