Yifan Zheng

About

Yifan Zheng is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of smart materials and next-generation energy systems. Their work centers on developing stimuli-responsive hydrogels and actuators that mimic natural adaptive behaviors, alongside advancing wireless power transmission technologies. Zheng’s major contributions include the design of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based gradient cross-linked actuators capable of reprogrammable, humidity-responsive motion—a breakthrough for soft robotics and adaptive surfaces. They also created photothermally-driven oxazine hydrogel actuators that operate at the water-air interface, enabling light-controlled deformation with potential applications in microfluidics and biomedical devices. In the energy domain, Zheng has made significant strides in wireless laser power transmission (LPT), demonstrating its potential for efficient, contactless energy transfer. Their most-cited paper on LPT (47 citations) highlights the technology’s promise for revolutionizing energy delivery in a safe, eco-friendly manner. With over 100 total citations and a growing portfolio of innovative work, Zheng is establishing themselves as a key figure in multifunctional materials and sustainable energy solutions.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Poly (vinyl alcohol) based gradient cross-linked and reprogrammable humidity-responsive actuators

   47 citations · 2021
2. 2
   Wireless laser power transmission: Recent progress and future challenges

   47 citations · 2024
3. 3
   Photothermally-driven oxazine hydrogel actuators at the water-air interface

   14 citations · 2023

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links