SINGAPORE – Jingyi Yu, an undergraduate from Zhejiang University's College of Mechanical Engineering, recently completed a summer research program at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where she made notable progress on two cutting-edge projects in smart materials and flexible electronics.
Under the guidance of leading researchers, Yu's work focused on advancing two key areas. Her first project investigated a novel adhesive technology using Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs). This research focused on creating a strong, reversible adhesion system by controlling the material's transition between its rubbery and glassy states, a process termed the "Press-in, cooling, pull-off process." This technology holds promise for applications in robotics and biomedical devices.
In her second project, Yu addressed a critical challenge in the development of flexible sensors. She developed a high-fidelity "digital twin" model by combining mechanical and electrical simulations in Abaqus and COMSOL, respectively. This computational model accurately predicts the complex, nonlinear behavior of micro-structured flexible sensors under pressure. The results mark a shift from empirical testing to a more predictive, model-driven design paradigm for next-generation sensors.
This international exchange provided Yu with hands-on experience in a world-class research environment, enhancing her skills in both experimental work and advanced computational modeling. Her projects successfully bridged the gap between theoretical principles and practical application, contributing to the design of more reliable and high-performance smart devices.
