Yuanhang Zhu

University of California, Riverside, University of Virginia

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Yuanhang Zhu is a rising star in bio-inspired robotics and fluid dynamics, whose work bridges the gap between biological locomotion and engineered soft systems. His primary research areas include soft robotics, biomimetic swimming robots, and unsteady fluid mechanics, with a particular focus on ray-inspired propulsion. Zhu’s most notable contribution is the development of a spontaneous snapping-induced jet flow mechanism, which enabled the creation of a fast, maneuverable surface and underwater soft flapping swimmer—a breakthrough that has already garnered 44 citations since its 2024 publication. This work addresses the long-standing challenge of combining speed, efficiency, and agility in soft swimming robots, drawing inspiration from manta rays. Additionally, his 2025 study on how wavenumber affects the lift of ray-inspired fins near a substrate provides critical insights into how fin kinematics change near ground planes, explaining why rays adopt undulatory motions near the seafloor and oscillatory motions in open water. Though early in his career, Zhu’s innovative approach to harnessing biological principles for robotic design positions him as a key contributor to the next generation of agile, bio-inspired underwater vehicles.