Papers
2
Total Citations
198
H-Index
2
About
Jing Kong is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics and bio-inspired micro-aerial systems, with a focus on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs)—a class of artificial muscles that mimic natural muscle movement. Her major contributions center on developing low-voltage, high-lift DEAs that enable insect-scale flapping-wing robots to achieve unprecedented performance. Her landmark 2021 paper, "A High‐Lift Micro‐Aerial‐Robot Powered by Low‐Voltage and Long‐Endurance Dielectric Elastomer Actuators," has garnered 191 citations, highlighting its impact on the field. In this work, Kong and her team demonstrated DEAs that rival rigid actuators like piezoelectric bimorphs and electromagnetic motors, but with the advantages of soft, muscle-like compliance and lower driving voltages. This breakthrough led to the creation of a flapping-wing robot resembling the size, weight, and flight capabilities of a honeybee—a milestone in soft robotics. Her follow-up work in 2022 further showcased these actuators' potential for long-endurance flight. Kong’s research bridges materials science, robotics, and bioinspiration, offering a path toward agile, resilient micro-aerial vehicles for environmental monitoring, search-and-rescue, and beyond.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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