Actuators are the primary basis in machines. They fundamentally determine the functions of machines and potentially affect their applications, and therefore, promote symbolic social progress (e.g., steam engines for the age of steam and electric motors for the age of electricity). Nowadays, however, the weakness and inadequacy of vastly used electromagnetic motors are impeding the technology progress in at least three significant fields: 1) for medical robots, actuators possessing satisfactory performances, e.g., compact size, high accuracy, and large stroke, remain to be developed; 2) bioinspired robots, particularly insect-inspired ones that limit by current actuators, are still not comparable to their natural counterparts regarding agility, robustness, and strength; 3) humanoid robots with conventional motors are not friendly enough to human collaborators, and soft, powerful, efficient, and accurately controllable actuators are highly desired.
To fundamentally address these problems, we have been exploring new approaches by rethinking basic principles and structures of actuators, and hence, implementing novel actuators distinguished from the conventional ones. Electrostatic actuation has drawn our vital interests due to its favorable features such as scalability, flexibility, lightweight, and low profile. We implemented a series of electrostatic film actuators and, by exploiting them, developed various robots with unique features (e.g., ultra-thin flexible climbing robots). We have also studied other actuation methods, such as flexible ionic polymer-metal composites for dexterous manipulators and an explosive actuator with a considerably high force-to-weight ratio for insect-scale water-air hybrid flying robots. In our future work, we will continue with this research methodology to implement more desirable novel actuators by exploring the basic physic principles and utilize them to build distinctive and valuable robots.
Research Areas:
◆ Electrostatic film actuators
◆ Electrostatic adhesion
◆ Ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC)
◆ Climbing robot
◆ Micro robot
◆ Surgical robot
Experiences:
◆ 2021.1~，Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology.
◆ 2018.9~2020.12，Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology.
◆ 2015.10~2018.9，Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard University, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute.
Education:
◆ 2011.10~2015.06，PhD, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
◆ 2008.09~2011.07，Master, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
◆ 2004.09~2008.07，Bachelor, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
Honors and Awards：
◆ 2021: Shenzhen "Peacock Plan" Overseas High-level Class B Talent
◆ 2021: Shuren College "Outstanding College Mentor"
◆ 2023: SUSTech Inaugural "Outstanding Mentor and Friend" for Graduate Students
◆ 2023: 5th "Xiong Youlun Zhihu Outstanding Young Scholar Award"
Selected Publications：
-Wang, H., York, P., Chen, Y., Russo, S., Ranzani, T., Walsh, C., & Wood, R. J. (2021). Biologically inspired electrostatic artificial muscles for insect-sized robots. The International Journal of Robotics Research, 40(6-7), 895-922.
-Fan, D., Yuan, X., Wu, W., Zhu, R., Yang, X., Liao, Y., ... Wang, H.,& Qin, P. (2022). Self-shrinking soft demoulding for complex high-aspect-ratio microchannels. Nature Communications, 13(1), 5083.
-Xiong, Q., Liang, X., Wei, D., Wang, H., Zhu, R., Wang, T., ... & Wang, H. (2022). So-EAGlove: VR Haptic Glove Rendering Softness Sensation With Force-Tunable Electrostatic Adhesive Brakes. IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 38(6), 3450-3462.
-Xie, G., Fan, D., Wang, H., Zhu, R., Mao, J., & Wang, H. (2023). Strong Reliable Electrostatic Actuation Based on Self-Clearing Using a Thin Conductive Layer. Soft Robotics.
-Wei, D., Xiong, Q., Dong, J., Wang, H., Liang, X., Tang, S., Zhang, Y., Wang, H., & Wang, H. (2022). Electrostatic Adhesion Clutch with Superhigh Force Density Achieved by MXene-Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride–Trifluoroethylene–Chlorotrifluoroethylene) Composites. Soft Robotics.