Hajun Lee

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

Papers

Total Citations

266

H-Index

About

Hajun Lee is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of soft robotics, mechanical metamaterials, and intelligent control systems. His work fundamentally reimagines how machines can achieve adaptability—drawing inspiration from biological organisms like the octopus to create structures that seamlessly tune their shape and mechanical properties in response to changing environments. Lee’s most influential contribution is the development of 3D-printed programmable tensegrity structures for soft robotics (214 citations), which combine stiff struts with flexible tendons to achieve an unprecedented balance of structural integrity, flexibility, and controllability. He further advanced the field by introducing “Digital Mechanical Metamaterials,” a concept that encodes mechanical information through graphical stiffness patterns, enabling adaptive soft machines to operate in unstructured environments. More recently, Lee has pioneered Kinematics-Informed Neural Networks, a hybrid modeling approach that enhances generalization in soft robot identification—a critical step toward integrating soft and rigid components in human-safe robotic systems. His work is notable for bridging theoretical mechanics with practical fabrication, and his growing citation record reflects the transformative potential of his research for next-generation adaptive robotics.