Min-Woo Han

Seoul National University, Dongguk University

Papers

Total Citations

292

H-Index

About

Min-Woo Han is a leading researcher in the field of smart materials and soft robotics, with a primary focus on shape memory alloy (SMA)-coupled actuators and their integration into bio-inspired robotic systems. His most influential work, the 2017 overview paper "An Overview of Shape Memory Alloy-Coupled Actuators and Robots," has garnered over 260 citations, establishing a foundational framework for classifying SMA-based structures by their deformation mechanisms and functional implementations. This seminal review has guided subsequent research in translating the one-dimensional actuation of SMA wires and springs into complex three-dimensional robotic motions. Han further demonstrated practical application in his 2019 study on an artificial muscle robotic elbow joint, which achieved 31 citations by showcasing how SMA actuators can replicate natural musculoskeletal movement. His contributions bridge materials science and mechanical engineering, offering scalable solutions for lightweight, silent, and high-force-density actuators. Han’s work is particularly notable for advancing the design of compliant, muscle-like robots, with implications for prosthetics, exoskeletons, and biomedical devices. His research continues to inspire innovations in adaptive structures and autonomous systems.