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About

Luyao Jia is pioneering the field of bioinspired somatosensation and soft matter electronics, bridging the gap between biological perception and artificial sensing. Her key research areas include electroreception, triboelectric systems, and iontronic flexoelectricity, with a focus on creating sensors that mimic the remote environmental perception abilities of elasmobranch fishes like sharks. Jia’s major contributions include the development of “soft electroreceptors” for artificial precontact somatosensation, enabling haptic sensors to detect remote events before physical touch—a breakthrough that overcomes a fundamental limitation of conventional touch-based interfaces. Her work on multi-receptor skin for tele-perception somatosensation further extends human sensory capabilities, offering unprecedented sensitivity and threshold control. Additionally, Jia has advanced self-powered smart materials, such as triboelectric-optical responsive cholesteric liquid crystals for smart windows and e-paper displays, and demonstrated giant iontronic flexoelectricity in soft hydrogels, achieving high mechanoelectric conversion in flexible, durable materials. With over 138 citations for her flagship 2022 paper and a rapidly growing body of work, Jia’s innovations are shaping next-generation human-interfaced technologies, from robotics to wearable electronics. Her achievements highlight a unique fusion of biomimicry and materials science, positioning her as a rising leader in soft electronics and sensory systems.