Zhiqian Zhang

Papers

Total Citations

151

H-Index

About

Zhiqian Zhang is a leading researcher in soft robotics, haptic perception, and the mechanics of smart materials, with a particular focus on dielectric elastomers and bioinspired tactile systems. Their work bridges fundamental mechanics and applied device engineering, most notably through the development of a wearable mechanotransduced tactile sensor for haptic perception (2017, 60 citations), which mimics human skin to enable multidirectional touch and object recognition—a critical step for prosthetics and human-machine interfaces. Zhang also pioneered the design of a soft active origami robot (2018, 60 citations), demonstrating how programmable folding can create autonomous, shape-changing machines. In a landmark theoretical study on instabilities in dielectric elastomers (2019, 31 citations), Zhang systematically characterized voltage-induced buckling, wrinkling, and crumpling, providing a foundational framework for controlling failure modes in soft actuators. With over 150 total citations and a growing portfolio of highly interdisciplinary work, Zhang’s contributions are shaping the future of soft, adaptive systems—from wearable sensors to deployable robotics—making them a key figure in the next generation of intelligent materials research.