Yenan Chen
Papers
5
Total Citations
68
H-Index
4
About
Yenan Chen is a leading researcher in the field of soft robotics, with a focus on piezoelectric actuation, model-based control, and high-voltage power management for untethered systems. Their major contributions include the development of electrically-driven soft robots that achieve complex locomotion—such as inchworm crawling and jumping—through coordinated activation of multiple piezoelectric actuators. Chen’s work on quasi-static modeling and experimental validation of friction-tuning via robot shape has enabled precise motion in constrained environments, addressing key challenges in soft robot controllability. With over 68 citations across their top papers, Chen’s research has significant impact, particularly their 2024 study on piezoelectric inchworm robots (28 citations) and their 2022 work on model-based control (18 citations). Notably, Chen has also pioneered scalable simulation methods for jumping 2-D soft robots and designed innovative power converter architectures—such as the Hybrid-SoRo switched capacitor system—that convert low-voltage inputs (7.4 V) to the high voltages (300–1500 V) required for piezoelectric actuators, enabling untethered operation. This combination of modeling, control, and power electronics positions Chen as a key innovator in advancing practical, autonomous soft robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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