Chao Lang

Pennsylvania State University, South China University of Technology

Papers

Total Citations

205

H-Index

About

Chao Lang is a leading researcher in polymer chemistry and self-assembling nanomaterials, with a focus on block copolymers and advanced hydrogels. His most impactful work, "Nanostructured block copolymer muscles" (2022, 150 citations), has garnered significant attention for pioneering a new class of artificial muscles that mimic natural muscle function through precisely engineered nanostructures. This breakthrough demonstrates how ABA triblock copolymers can be programmed to undergo reversible shape changes, offering transformative potential for soft robotics and biomedical devices. Lang also developed the "solvent-non-solvent rapid-injection" technique (2019, 54 citations), a versatile method for fabricating nanostructured materials ranging from micelles to hydrogels. This approach elegantly exploits the distinctive self-assembly behavior of triblock copolymers in selective solvents, simplifying the production of complex architectures. His most recent work on "gradient hydrogels based on photo-initiated polymerization-induced self-assembly" (2025) addresses a longstanding challenge in materials science by enabling continuous composition gradients in a single, straightforward step—eliminating the need for multi-step processes. With a growing citation record and a clear trajectory toward practical applications, Lang is establishing himself as an innovator at the interface of fundamental polymer physics and functional material design.