Miyuki Otsubo

Papers

Total Citations

720

H-Index

About

Miyuki Otsubo is a leading figure in the field of supramolecular chemistry and smart materials, with a particular focus on designing stimuli-responsive polymers that mimic biological functions. Her most celebrated contribution is the development of a photoresponsive artificial muscle that expands and contracts under light control, regulated by host–guest interactions. This groundbreaking work, published in 2012, has garnered over 720 citations and represents a major advance in remotely actuated materials, enabling precise, contact-free control of mechanical motion. Otsubo’s research elegantly integrates molecular switches, such as azobenzene, into polymer networks to create soft actuators that respond to external stimuli—a key step toward next-generation robotics, biomedical devices, and adaptive surfaces. Her work stands out for its innovative fusion of supramolecular host–guest chemistry with photomechanical transduction, offering a blueprint for designing intelligent materials that change shape or stiffness on demand. Through her pioneering studies, Otsubo has not only advanced fundamental understanding of molecular-level motion but also opened practical pathways for creating lightweight, energy-efficient artificial muscles. Her contributions continue to inspire researchers exploring the frontiers of responsive materials and bioinspired actuation.