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About

Tangzhen Guan is pioneering the frontier of underwater robotics and soft tactile sensing, with a research focus on bioinspired triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), liquid-metal sensors, and stretchable power systems. His most influential work, a whisker-inspired self-powered triboelectric sensor for underwater obstacle detection and collision avoidance (57 citations), demonstrates a transformative approach to enabling autonomous underwater vehicles to navigate low-visibility environments without external power. Guan’s deep-learning-assisted underwater 3D tactile tensegrity (44 citations) represents a breakthrough in soft robotics, combining self-powered TENGs with neural networks to achieve precise tactile perception in harsh aquatic conditions. He further advanced the field with a biomimetic lateral line sensor (29 citations) that mimics fish sensory organs for dynamic pressure monitoring and trajectory perception, and a palm-like 3D tactile sensor (21 citations) using liquid-metal TENGs for underwater grippers. His recent work on liquid metal sensors for soft robots (2025) and stretchable soft batteries addresses the critical challenge of integrating compliant, self-healing electronics into deformable robotic systems. With over 170 cumulative citations and a trajectory toward practical ocean exploration tools, Guan’s innovations are redefining how robots sense and interact with underwater environments.