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About

Changzhen Zheng is a leading researcher in biomimetic robotics, with a primary focus on bio-inspired underwater propulsion and robotic fish design. His work centers on understanding and replicating the complex, deformable fin mechanics of live fish to dramatically improve the performance of untethered robotic systems. Zheng’s major contributions include pioneering the use of actively deformable caudal fins, demonstrating that mimicking the softness and flexibility of natural fins can significantly enhance thrust generation, stability, and maneuverability. His 2023 paper on a novel untethered robotic fish with an actively deformable caudal fin, which has garnered 17 citations, is a cornerstone of this work. He has also systematically investigated how non-uniform stiffness in fin structures affects propulsion (9 citations) and how coordinated control between the caudal and anal fins can improve yaw stability (16 citations). By bridging the gap between biological observation and engineering application, Zheng’s research is laying the groundwork for the next generation of highly efficient, agile, and maneuverable autonomous underwater vehicles, making him a key figure in the field of biomimetic robotics.