Jianhai Yang
Papers
2
Total Citations
610
H-Index
2
About
Jianhai Yang is a leading figure in the design of advanced polymeric materials, with a core focus on tough, self-healing hydrogels and elastomers for soft robotics and 3D printing. His most influential work, a 2015 study on tough Al-alginate/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels (429 citations), pioneered a strategy to create materials with tunable lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) and exceptional mechanical robustness by forming an interpenetrating network of physically and chemically crosslinked polymers. This breakthrough directly addressed the brittleness of conventional hydrogels, opening new avenues for their use in soft robotic actuators. Building on this, Yang’s 2021 paper (181 citations) introduced an unparalleled waterborne polyurethane (WPU) elastomer that achieves super toughness and unprecedented fracture energy through a synergistic combination of dynamic hydrogen and ionic bonding. A standout achievement of this work is the material’s ability to completely self-heal at just 50 °C and be reprocessed via direct 3D printing, demonstrating a powerful convergence of recyclability, durability, and advanced manufacturing. With over 600 citations across these two landmark papers alone, Yang’s research is fundamentally advancing the field of smart, sustainable, and high-performance soft materials.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 2