Research Overview
The Changsheng Wu Research Group aims at developing wireless wearables and intelligent robots for sensing, energy harvesting, and therapeutic applications, leveraging bioelectronics, materials science, and advanced manufacturing to create solutions for sustainable living and environment. Our interdisciplinary approach combines cutting-edge fabrication techniques with innovative material designs to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world applications. We strive to translate our research into practical solutions that address pressing challenges in healthcare monitoring, environmental sensing, and sustainable energy generation.
Keywords: Bioelectronics, Wearables, AI in healthcare, Robotics, Programmable materials, Energy harvesting, Sustainable electronics, Nano/Micro-electronics
AI-Powered Wireless Wearables
The convergence of aging populations and global health challenges has exposed critical limitations in traditional healthcare systems, where monitoring is intermittent and treatment is primarily reactive. This paradigm fundamentally restricts access to medical resources and limits the early detection of health conditions. Our research in AI-powered wireless wearables addresses these challenges by developing intelligent monitoring solutions that transform conventional healthcare into a proactive, personalized model.
Our breakthrough achievements include advanced wearable platforms integrating near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for deep-tissue hemodynamic monitoring (1) and innovative mechano-acoustic sensors for capturing multimodal biomechanical signals (2). These devices, powered by artificial intelligence algorithms, enable continuous measurement of critical physiological parameters from the skin surface. Through smart materials and advanced manufacturing, our systems provide unprecedented insights into users’ health status, paving the way for predictive healthcare.
References
1. PNAS, 117, 31674-31684 (2020); 2. PNAS, 118, e2026610118 (2021)
Energy Harvesting and Storage
In the era of ubiquitous electronics and autonomous systems, the need for sustainable and flexible power solutions has become increasingly critical. Traditional rigid power sources severely limit the development of next-generation wearable devices and soft robots. Our research addresses this challenge by developing innovative energy systems that can seamlessly integrate with deformable electronics while harvesting energy from ambient sources.
Our team has pioneered flexible self-charging power sources that combine triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with advanced energy storage technologies (1). These systems efficiently harvest mechanical energy from human motion and environmental vibrations while maintaining high performance under repeated deformation. We have successfully demonstrated their applications in self-powered health monitoring and therapeutic devices, and smart textiles with embedded energy-harvesting/storage capabilities, marking significant progress toward truly self-sustaining electronic systems (2-4).
References
1. Adv Energy Mater, 9, 1802906 (2019); 2. Nano Energy, 45, 266-272 (2018); 3. Adv Funct Mater, 30, 1907378 (2020); 4. Mater Today, 21 (3), 216-222 (2018)
Programmable Materials and Actuators
The development of programmable materials and actuators represents a frontier in modern engineering, where nano- and microscopic material interactions are strategically integrated with mesoscopic structures to create hierarchical systems. This emerging field promises transformative applications in robotics, electronics, and biomedical engineering, enabled by the precise control of material properties and structural configurations at multiple length scales.
Our research explores various approaches in this domain, particularly through the development of compressive buckling techniques for assembling complex 3D mesostructures. By controlling pre-strain transfer from substrates to microfabricated precursors, we can create virtually unlimited 3D architectures for soft, flexible devices (1). We’ve also pioneered efficient underwater actuators utilizing piezoelectric effects, as well as untethered soft robots with embodied intelligence for environmental sensing and inspection.
References
1. Adv Mater, 34, 2109416 (2022)
