Zichen Chen

Zhejiang University, Nanyang Technological University

Papers

Total Citations

208

H-Index

About

Zichen Chen is a multidisciplinary researcher whose work spans flexible electronics, autonomous robotics, and precision manufacturing. Chen's most significant contribution lies in the development of advanced tactile sensing technologies, most notably a flexible capacitive tactile sensor array featuring truncated polydimethylsiloxane pyramids as a dielectric layer. This innovative design enables precise three-axis force measurement across a 4×4 sensor unit array, a breakthrough with profound implications for soft robotics, prosthetics, and human-machine interaction — a contribution that has garnered an impressive 180 citations since its 2015 publication. Beyond sensing hardware, Chen has extended research interests into intelligent autonomous systems, developing CNN-based deep reinforcement learning frameworks for multi-agent collaborative exploration, addressing the complex coordination challenges that arise when multiple robots navigate unknown environments simultaneously. Earlier work also encompasses precision manufacturing, specifically the identification of kinematic errors in five-axis machine tool trunnion axes through finished test piece analysis. Together, these contributions paint a picture of a researcher uniquely positioned at the intersection of materials engineering, artificial intelligence, and mechanical systems — consistently working to bridge the gap between physical sensing capabilities and intelligent autonomous behavior.