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About

Yaokang Zhang is a pioneering researcher in the field of flexible and wearable electronics, with a primary focus on soft metal electrodes and liquid metal technologies. His most impactful contribution is the development of chemically formed soft metal electrodes, detailed in his 2018 paper, which has garnered over 300 citations. This work laid the foundation for next-generation flexible devices, enabling applications in displays, robotics, energy harvesting, and medical wearables. Zhang’s research further explores the dynamic behavior of liquid metals, including the rapid self-assembly of self-healable, transferable liquid metal epidermis—a breakthrough for durable, adaptable electronic skins. His most recent work on autonomous liquid metal droplets, actuated by ion diffusion, pushes the boundaries of soft robotics by creating self-propelled, controllable micro-machines inspired by living organisms. With a career marked by innovation in materials chemistry and device engineering, Zhang’s contributions are driving the transition from rigid electronics to soft, intelligent systems, making him a key figure in the evolution of wearable and autonomous technologies.