Qipeng Cai

Papers

Total Citations

171

H-Index

About

Qipeng Cai is a leading researcher in bioinspired soft materials and intelligent adhesive systems, with a focus on developing responsive hydrogels for robotics and biomedical applications. His most-cited work, "Electrically programmable adhesive hydrogels for climbing robots" (2021, 171 citations), introduces a borate ester polymer hydrogel that can rapidly and reversibly switch between adhesive and nonadhesive states under a mild electric field. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge in soft robotics—achieving on-demand attachment and detachment without mechanical complexity—and has opened new pathways for designing climbing robots, wearable devices, and smart adhesives. Cai’s contributions lie at the intersection of polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, and robotics, demonstrating how molecular-level design can yield macroscale functionality. His work has been widely recognized for its innovation and practical impact, earning significant attention from both materials scientists and roboticists. By enabling programmable adhesion with simple electrical control, Cai is helping to shape the next generation of adaptive, autonomous soft systems.