Nan Sheng

About

Nan Sheng is a materials scientist pioneering the development of high-performance textile-based artificial muscles. Her research focuses on creating smart, actuating fibers and yarns that can sense and respond to environmental stimuli, with key contributions in hierarchical structuring and sheath-core coupling for soft robotics and smart textiles. Sheng’s most cited work, a 2023 paper on fasciated yarn artificial muscles (52 citations), demonstrates how hierarchical design and core-sheath engineering enable robust, versatile textile actuators. Her 2022 study on free-standing single-helical woolen yarn muscles (17 citations) tackles the critical challenge of twist retention in twisted yarn actuators, introducing eco-friendly treatment strategies that yield trainable, humidity-sensing actuation. By addressing fundamental fabrication hurdles—such as maintaining inserted twist without external support—Sheng’s research advances the practicality of yarn-based artificial muscles for applications ranging from miniaturized controllers to wearable soft robotics. Her work stands out for combining sustainable processing methods with high-performance actuation, positioning her as an emerging leader in the field of smart textiles and bioinspired actuators.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   High-Performance Fasciated Yarn Artificial Muscles Prepared by Hierarchical Structuring and Sheath–Core Coupling for Versatile Textile Actuators

   52 citations · 2023
2. 2
   Free-standing single-helical woolen yarn artificial muscles with robust and trainable humidity-sensing actuation by eco-friendly treatment strategies

   17 citations · 2022

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links