Zihan An

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About

Zihan An is a rising innovator at the intersection of additive manufacturing and smart materials, with a primary focus on developing photocuring 3D printable polymers that possess intrinsic self-healing capabilities. Their landmark 2023 paper, "Photocuring 3D printable self-healing polymers," has already garnered 9 citations, reflecting the field’s hunger for materials that combine the geometric freedom of 3D printing with the resilience of living tissues. An’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that complex, high-resolution structures can be fabricated via photocuring 3DP—the most mature and widely adopted 3D printing technique—while retaining the ability to autonomously repair damage. This work addresses a critical bottleneck in advanced manufacturing: the brittleness of printed parts. By enabling printed objects to heal cracks or scratches, An’s research promises to extend the lifespan of components in fields ranging from soft robotics to biomedical devices. Their achievements signal a shift toward truly functional, durable printed materials, positioning An as a key voice in the next generation of adaptive and sustainable manufacturing.