• 2001.9-2005.8: Nanyang Technological University, Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D. 1997.9-2001.6: Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Bachelor’s degree

Work Experience

• 2014.8-present: Huazhong University of Science and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Professor
• 2011.1-2014.7: Uppsala University, Associate Professor
• 2008.1-2010.12: Uppsala University, Researcher
• 2006.8-2007.12: Uppsala University, Postdoctoral Researcher
• 2005.8-2006.7: Nanyang Technological University, Postdoctoral Researcher

Zhigang Wu, Ph.D., is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on humanoid biomimetic robots, embodied intelligent soft robots, and digital (AI)-driven design and manufacturing of intelligent soft systems.

He has spearheaded numerous high-level research initiatives, including National Key R&D Programs, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Joint Fund projects, and NSFC General Programs. His contributions were recognized with the 2025 Hubei Provincial Natural Science Award (Second Class). Professor Wu has published over 100 academic papers in prestigious international journals such as Sci. Robot., Nat. Commun., Sci. Adv., and Adv. Mater..

We warmly welcomes research collaborations and applications from outstanding students in the fields of Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence.

Representative Publications (past 5-10 years, in order of impact)：

Zhang Shuo, Yong Haocheng, Zhang Jinhao, Chai Zhiping, Ke Xingxing, Zong Zisheng, Ding Han, Zhang Zhuang, Li Kan, Wu Zhigang*. Mechanically strengthened silicone-based origami structures via hierarchical interfacial shrink fitting. Science Advances, 2025 (SCI Q1)

Qin Jiang, Xin Zhao, Tiyong Zhao, Wenlong Li, Jie Ye, Xingxing Dong, Xinyi Wang, Qingyu Liu, Han Ding, Zhibiao Ye, Xiaodong Chen, Wu Zhigang*. A machine-learning–powered spectral-dominant multimodal soft wearable system for long-term and early-stage diagnosis of plant stresses. Science Advances, 2025 (SCI Q1)

Ke Xingxing, Yong Haochen, Xu Fukang, Ding Han, Wu Zhigang. Stenus-inspired, swift, and agile untethered insect-scale soft propulsors. Nature Communications, 2024 (SCI Q1, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49267-8)

Gao Junjun, Zhang Song, Deng Pan, Wu Zhigang, Lemaitre Bruno, Zhai Zongzhao, Guo Zheng*. Dietary L-Glu sensing by enteroendocrine cells adjusts food intake via modulating gut PYY/NPF secretion. Nature Communications, 2024 (SCI Q1, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51335-8)

Yong Haochen, Xu Fukang, Li Chenfei, Ding Han, Wu Zhigang. Tailoring Stress–Strain Curves of Flexible Snapping Mechanical Metamaterial for On‐Demand Mechanical Responses via Data‐Driven Inverse Design. Advanced Materials, 2024 (SCI Q1, DOI: 10.1002/adma.202414215)

Zhang Shuo, Ke Xingxing, Jiang Qin, Chai Zhiping, Wu Zhigang, Ding Han. Fabrication and Functionality Integration Technologies for Small‐scale Soft Robots. Advanced Materials, 2022 (SCI Q1)

Zhang Shuo, Ke Xingxing, Jiang Qin, Ding Han, Wu Zhigang. Programmable and reprocessable multifunctional elastomeric sheets for soft origami robots. Science Robotics, 2021 (SCI Q1)

Books/Monographs：

Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics, Elsevier Science Ltd, 2003, Co-author

Micro Process Engineering: A Comprehensive Handbook, WILEY-VCH, 2009, Co-author

Concise Encyclopedia of High Performance Silicones, WILEY-VCH, 2014, Co-author

Handbook of Flexible Organic Electronics, Elsevier-Woodhead, 2015, Co-author

Biosensors and Biodetection (Methods and Protocols, Volume 2: Electrochemical, Bioelectronic, Piezoelectric, Cellular and Molecular Biosensors), Springer Nature – Humana Press, 2017, Co-author

Flexible and Stretchable Electronics, MDPI, 2017, Editor

Patents：

A method for preparing a fatigue-resistant flexible electronic device and the product thereof, ZL201810972570.5, 2020, First Inventor

A method for fabricating circuits on complex curved surfaces and the product thereof, ZL201811409232.7, 2020, First Inventor

A multi-claw active conformal ablation needle with magnetic control, ZL201910352164.3, 2020, First Inventor

A chip sorting and mounting device, ZL202010462005.1, 2023, First Inventor

A roll-to-roll patterning device based on die cutting, ZL202010329321.1, 2021, First Inventor

Soft operating head, rigid base, and device for nucleic acid testing sampling, ZL202010244081.5, 2021, First Inventor

4. Research Awards：

2014: National High-Level Overseas Talent Introduction Program, Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, Recipient

2019: Huazhuo Scholar, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Recipient

2022: Global Top 100,000 Scientists by Academic Impact, Academic Impact Ranking, Recipient

2022: Wiley China Open Science 2022 Author of the Year, Wiley China, Awardee

2022: Top 10 Major Scientific Progress of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Recipient

2023: Leaderobot Robotics Science Leadership Award, Leaderobot, Awardee

2024: Best Conference Paper Award in Mechanisms and Design, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), IEEE ICRA, Awardee