Papers
17
Total Citations
506
H-Index
11
About
Xinbin Zhang is a pioneering robotics researcher whose work spans two compelling frontiers: bioinspired aquatic locomotion and soft robotics. His most celebrated contributions center on water-walking and water-jumping microrobots that mimic the extraordinary surface-tension-exploiting abilities of water striders. His landmark 2011 paper introducing a superhydrophobic aquatic microrobot capable of walking on water has garnered 155 citations, establishing him as a leading voice in biomimetic robotics. Building on this foundation, Zhang demonstrated for the first time a robot capable of continuously jumping on water without sinking, illuminating the critical role of superhydrophobicity in such feats — a study that earned 79 citations and significant recognition in the field. Beyond aquatic systems, Zhang has made substantial contributions to soft robotics, developing innovative actuator designs including a spiral-type inflatable torsional actuator (81 citations), hybrid gas-ribbon soft fingers with variable stiffness, and omnidirectional soft actuator modules. His more recent work extends into intelligent motion planning for soft robots in complex environments. Collectively, his research addresses fundamental challenges in deformability, stiffness modulation, and biologically inspired design, making his portfolio essential reading for anyone working at the intersection of biomimetics, microrobotics, and compliant systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2A New Spiral-Type Inflatable Pure Torsional Soft Actuator81 citations · 2018
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- 4A water-walking robot mimicking the jumping abilities of water striders37 citations · 2016
- 5A Gas–Ribbon-Hybrid Actuated Soft Finger with Active Variable Stiffness23 citations · 2021
- 6A water walking robot inspired by water strider21 citations · 2012
- 7A three-chambed soft actuator module with omnidirectional bending motion20 citations · 2016
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