Sheng Mao

University of Pennsylvania, Peking University

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About

Sheng Mao is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of smart materials and soft robotics, whose work bridges nanoscale synthesis and computational design. His early contributions include the biotemplated synthesis of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanowires (2013, 46 citations), a landmark study demonstrating how biological structures can guide the fabrication of high-performance piezoelectric materials for energy harvesting and bioMEMS. This work established Mao as a key figure in developing next-generation smart materials with superior electromechanical properties. More recently, Mao has advanced the field of soft robotics through differentiable ANCF-based kinematic modeling (2025), enabling unprecedented optimization of pneumatic actuator routing patterns. This computational framework allows for the design of soft robots with complex, programmable deformation behaviors—overcoming the limitations of predefined muscle configurations. By integrating differentiable programming with nonlinear finite element methods, Mao’s approach facilitates automated design optimization for grasping and locomotion tasks. His research trajectory exemplifies a rare combination of materials synthesis expertise and computational mechanics, positioning him at the forefront of intelligent soft robotic systems.