Yuanlai Fang

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu University

Papers

Total Citations

173

H-Index

About

Yuanlai Fang is a rising innovator in the field of smart, sustainable polymeric materials, with a primary focus on self-healing hydrogels, vitrimer reprocessing, and mechanically adaptive networks. His most impactful work, a 2021 study on a self-healable and recyclable polyurethane-polyaniline hydrogel for flexible strain sensors, has garnered 149 citations, establishing a foundation for next-generation wearable electronics that combine durability with environmental recyclability. Fang further advanced the field of reprocessable thermosets with his 2024 paper on water-assisted reprocessing and shape programming of epoxy vitrimers, offering a low-energy alternative to traditional heat- or light-based reshaping methods. Most recently, in 2025, he introduced a novel concept of crystallization-induced network growth for hydrogels, inspired by biological muscle mechanisms, which enables controlled enhancement of mechanical properties without external additives. By bridging polymer chemistry with bioinspired design, Fang’s work addresses critical challenges in material longevity, recyclability, and performance, making significant contributions to sustainable materials science and soft robotics.