Papers
19
Total Citations
414
H-Index
10
About
Zicai Zhu is a prominent researcher specializing in soft robotics, smart materials, and electroactive polymer systems. His work sits at the intersection of materials science and robotics engineering, with particular focus on ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs), advanced actuators, and flexible sensors. Zhu's most influential contribution — a comprehensive review of IPMC as soft actuators and sensors (60 citations) — has become an essential reference for researchers navigating this rapidly evolving field, while his earlier survey of ionic electroactive polymers in bionic robots (48 citations) helped establish foundational knowledge across the discipline. Beyond IPMCs, Zhu has pioneered work in MXene-based multiresponsive actuators for soft robotics (58 citations) and developed innovative direct-writing fabrication methods for carbon nanotube-embedded composites, advancing both single-walled and multi-walled CNT systems (43 and 41 citations respectively). His engineering contributions extend to practical robotic systems, including a joint-tuning soft pneumatic gripper and a biomimetic fishtail driven by PVC gel actuators. His research on flexible pressure sensors and encapsulated IPMC systems further demonstrates a commitment to real-world wearable and sensing applications. Collectively, Zhu's body of work reflects a comprehensive vision for next-generation bioinspired, soft, and intelligent robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3Ionic Electroactive Polymers Used in Bionic Robots: A Review48 citations · 2018
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- 5Printing Carbon Nanotube-Embedded Silicone Elastomers via Direct Writing41 citations · 2018
- 6Three-Fingered Soft Pneumatic Gripper Integrating Joint-Tuning Capability34 citations · 2021
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