Zhenkun Li

About

Zhenkun Li is an innovative robotics and materials engineer whose research sits at the intersection of soft robotics, advanced sensing technologies, and smart materials. His work has made substantial contributions to the development of tactile sensing systems for soft grippers, earning 224 citations for his landmark 2023 review that illuminated how intelligent sensing enables safer human-robot and robot-environment interactions. Li has equally advanced flexible sensing technologies for soft robots more broadly, with that 2024 review accumulating 144 citations, while his pioneering work on all-in-one strain-triboelectric sensors using ionic hydrogels — applicable to both wearable devices and underwater robotic grasping — has attracted 145 citations, reflecting its remarkable versatility. His 2023 review on underwater soft robots, with 98 citations, underscores his commitment to expanding robotic capabilities in challenging marine environments. Beyond sensing, Li explores cutting-edge fabrication methods, including 4D printing of magnetic hydrogels and multi-material 3D printing for amoeboid robots, pointing toward transformative applications in medical devices and adaptive robotics. With over 680 cumulative citations across his portfolio, Li represents a dynamic and rapidly ascending voice in next-generation soft robotics research.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Recent Progress in Advanced Tactile Sensing Technologies for Soft Grippers

   224 citations · 2023
2. 2
   All-in-one strain-triboelectric sensors based on environment-friendly ionic hydrogel for wearable sensing and underwater soft robotic grasping

   145 citations · 2023
3. 3
   Advanced Flexible Sensing Technologies for Soft Robots

   144 citations · 2024
4. 4
   Recent Advances on Underwater Soft Robots

   98 citations · 2023
5. 5
   4D printing of magnetic smart structures based on light-cured magnetic hydrogel

   32 citations · 2024
6. 6
   Amoeboid soft robot based on multi-material composite 3D printing technology

   14 citations · 2023
7. 7
   Review: Advanced Drive Technologies for Bionic Soft Robots

   10 citations · 2025
8. 8
   Phase transition reversible 3D printing of magnetic thixotropic fluid

   5 citations · 2023
9. 9
   Study of Magnetic Hydrogel 4D Printability and Smart Self‐Folding Structure

   5 citations · 2024
10. 10
    Study of Dynamic Viscoelasticity of a Mineral Oil-Based Magnetic Fluid

    4 citations · 2023

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links