Yonghao Ni

About

Yonghao Ni is a materials scientist whose research sits at the intersection of cellulose-based smart materials, hydrogels, and bio-inspired soft robotics. His work focuses on engineering functional composites from renewable biomaterials — particularly cellulose, lignin, and MXene — to create next-generation actuators, sensors, and energy-harvesting devices. Ni's most celebrated contribution, a study on tough, super-stretchable conductive double network hydrogels capable of multiple sensations and moisture-electric generation, has accumulated 132 citations, establishing him as a leading voice in multifunctional hydrogel design. His broader portfolio reveals a sustained commitment to multi-responsive actuators that bend, flex, and generate electricity in response to humidity, sunlight, infrared light, and electrical stimuli — systems directly applicable to artificial muscles and soft robotics. Particularly notable is his development of snake-inspired tracking robots achieving 360° deflection in under two seconds, and lignin-reinforced hydrogels for strain sensing, demonstrating his ability to bridge fundamental materials chemistry with real-world engineering challenges. His 2024 work connecting papermaking traditions with advanced electromagnetic hydrogels reflects a forward-thinking approach to scalable manufacturing. With nearly 250 cumulative citations across recent publications, Ni represents an exciting and rapidly emerging presence in sustainable smart materials research.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Tough and super-stretchable conductive double network hydrogels with multiple sensations and moisture-electric generation

   132 citations · 2021
2. 2
   High-Sensitivity Multiresponses Cellulose-Based Actuators with Configurable Amplitude

   35 citations · 2022
3. 3
   Design of asymmetric-adhesion lignin-reinforced hydrogels based on disulfide bond crosslinking for strain sensing application

   32 citations · 2022
4. 4
   Highly transparent RCF/PTFE humidity and IR light dual-driven actuator with high force density, sensitivity and stability

   24 citations · 2021
5. 5
   A carbon nanofiber/Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i>/carboxymethyl cellulose composite-based highly sensitive, reversible, directionally controllable humidity actuator and generator <i>via</i> continuous track-inspired self-assembly

   20 citations · 2024
6. 6
   Cellulose-based multi-responsive soft robots for programmable smart devices

   19 citations · 2024
7. 7
   UV and IR dual light triggered cellulose-based invisible actuators with high sensitivity

   15 citations · 2023
8. 8
   Bridging papermaking and hydrogel production: Nanoparticle-loaded cellulosic hollow fibers with pitted walls as skeleton materials for multifunctional electromagnetic hydrogels

   9 citations · 2024
9. 9
   3D printing of lignin-based supramolecular topological shape-morphing architectures with high strength, toughness, resolution, and fatigue resistance

   6 citations · 2024

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links