Biological tissues are soft, dynamic, and water-rich, while abiotic tools are typically rigid, static, and dry. These differences in physical properties have presented challenges for the development of advanced biomedical systems that require interfacing with the human body. In this presentation, I will introduce our recent work on biomimetic soft composites as a platform for engineering bio-integrated devices that can potentially bridge this gap. These synthetic materials capture important structural features of natural soft tissues and exhibit tissue-mimetic reconfigurability, robustness, and functionality, making them advantageous for constructing bio-interfaces. Soft electronic components were also integrated into the biomimetic materials platform, enabling multifunctional systems for physiological sensing and targeted stimulation. Examples of these smart biomedical tools include artificial cartilage and tendons, electroconductive hydrogels, and organ-integrated 3D electronics, which create exciting opportunities in advanced biomedicine.
Dr Lizhi Xu is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong. He obtained his B.S. degree (2009) in Applied Physics from Beihang University, and his Ph.D. degree (2014) in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan from 2015 to 2018 before joining The University of Hong Kong. His research interests involve biomimetic materials, soft electronics, biomedical devices, and micro-/nanofabrication.
Clean water and clean air are vital for public health. This project focuses on developing high-efficiency and environmentally sustainable filters for removing harmful air/water pollutants. The team has developed novel architectures and functionalities for the filters to achieve high permeance, high removal efficiency, and excellent reusability.
