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About

Xiyue Zou is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of sustainable materials and soft robotics, whose work redefines the potential of paper as a smart, functional substrate. Her primary research areas include paper-based robotics, flexible electronics, and eco-friendly sensor systems. Zou’s most notable contribution is the invention of paper-based pneumatic actuators (PBAs) that utilize accordion-like folds and high elastic modulus materials to create stackable, lightweight robotic systems—a breakthrough detailed in her 2021 paper, which has earned 29 citations. She also developed a method to tune the electrical properties of cellulose paper by embossing it with carbon black, enabling skin-like sensing with adjustable conductivity (14 citations). Her arrayed force sensors, combining paper, elastomer, and hydrogel particles (9 citations), demonstrate practical applications in tactile sensing. Additionally, her 2021 review on paper as a substrate for electronics, packaging, and robotics (8 citations) has become a key reference in the field. Through these innovations, Zou has established herself as a leader in sustainable robotics and smart materials, inspiring future work in biodegradable, low-cost technologies.