Ruotong Zhang

Xi'an Jiaotong University, University of Hong Kong

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Ruotong Zhang is pioneering new frontiers in soft robotics and micro-scale liquid manipulation, with research that bridges the gap between macro-scale manipulation and precise biochemical handling. Her most impactful work centers on developing dexterous tip-extending "vine" robots that can navigate highly constrained environments—a breakthrough for inspection and manipulation tasks where traditional rigid robots fail. Her 2020 paper on this topic, which has garnered 35 citations, introduces a variable-length shape-locking mechanism that allows the robot's distal end to move freely while keeping the body stationary, solving a critical limitation in previous designs. More recently, Zhang has ventured into droplet robotics, with her 2024 paper (27 citations) presenting an innovative electret-induced polarization system that actuates micro-scale liquid samples without introducing interfering media—a major advance for preserving biochemical sample activity. This work represents a paradigm shift from grasping solid materials to directly manipulating liquids for scientific research. Zhang’s contributions are reshaping how robots interact with both physical structures and biological samples, opening new possibilities in constrained-environment exploration and lab-on-a-chip technologies.