Jiangfeng Lu

About

Jiangfeng Lu is a leading researcher at the forefront of insect-scale soft robotics and energy harvesting, specializing in the design of autonomous, agile micro-robots. His work addresses two grand challenges: achieving controlled locomotion in untethered soft robots and powering them without bulky batteries. Lu’s major contributions include the development of a power-autonomous soft robot capable of fast translational movements and swift turning, overcoming the low mechanical impedance that typically hinders trajectory control at the insect scale. He also pioneered a piezoelectric soft robot driven by mechanical energy, demonstrating how triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can serve as resilient, cost-effective power sources. His highly cited 2023 study on a self-powered bionic antenna for micro-robotic tactile sensing (40 citations) showcases his innovation in integrating sensing and energy harvesting. Additionally, his 2022 work on traversing complex three-dimensional terrains introduced ring-like curved legs that enable terrain-adaptive locomotion through body-terrain mechanical action. With over 89 citations across his top papers, Lu’s research is pivotal for advancing agile, untethered micro-robots for applications in exploration, environmental monitoring, and biomedical devices.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Self-powered bionic antenna based on triboelectric nanogenerator for micro-robotic tactile sensing

   40 citations · 2023
2. 2
   Power Autonomy and Agility Control of an Untethered Insect-Scale Soft Robot

   21 citations · 2023
3. 3
   Piezoelectric soft robot driven by mechanical energy

   18 citations · 2022
4. 4
   Complex Three-Dimensional Terrains Traversal of Insect-Scale Soft Robot

   10 citations · 2022

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links