Nan‐Nan Deng

Harvard University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

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About

Nan-Nan Deng is a rising leader in the fields of active soft matter, bioinspired engineering, and molecular robotics. Her research uniquely bridges the gap between synthetic materials and living systems, exploring how minimal physical principles can generate complex, life-like behaviors. Deng’s most cited work, "Elastic-instability–enabled locomotion" (2021, 25 citations), provides a groundbreaking demonstration of how a simple, symmetrically actuated elastic sheet can achieve directed locomotion through nonlinear shape changes—a fundamental insight into symmetry-breaking in motion. She has further pushed boundaries in synthetic biology with "Interfacial energy-mediated bulk transport across artificial cell membranes" (2024, 19 citations), introducing a novel mechanism for active transport in artificial cells. Most recently, her work on "Ultraviolet and Visible Light‐Responsive RNA Photofluids" (2025, 3 citations) pioneers the use of light-responsive RNA nanostructures to create programmable, phase-separated active materials. By integrating artificial molecular machines with soft matter, Deng is crafting materials that mimic the adaptability and responsiveness of living organisms, positioning her as a key innovator in the next generation of smart, autonomous systems.