Zixuan Deng
Papers
6
Total Citations
231
H-Index
5
About
Zixuan Deng is pioneering the frontier of light-driven soft robotics, where materials come alive under illumination. Her research centers on designing liquid crystal networks and semi-crystalline rubbers that autonomously oscillate, steer, and transport fluids when fueled by light—mimicking the adaptive, self-sustained motions found in nature. Deng’s major contributions include the invention of light-fueled nonreciprocal self-oscillators for fluidic transportation (78 citations) and the demonstration of light-steerable locomotion using zero-elastic-energy modes (76 citations), enabling agile, steerable movement in diverse environments without rigid components. Her work on scalable, omnidirectional self-oscillators powered by incoherent light (16 citations) and feedback-regulated opto-mechanical actuators (2025) pushes soft robotics toward real-world viability. With over 230 total citations across her most-cited papers, Deng has reshaped how we think about autonomous, energy-autonomous soft machines. Her 2023 review on liquid crystal networks in water (36 citations) further underscores her role as a leading voice in the field. For students and researchers, Deng’s work is a masterclass in harnessing non-equilibrium physics to build the next generation of bioinspired, light-powered robots.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Light-steerable locomotion using zero-elastic-energy modes76 citations · 2024
- 3Liquid Crystal Networks Meet Water: It's Complicated!36 citations · 2023
- 4
- 5A Scalable, Incoherent‐Light‐Powered, Omnidirectional Self‐Oscillator16 citations · 2023
- 6Feedback regulated opto-mechanical soft robotic actuators5 citations · 2025