Professor, Fudan University, China
Dr. Songlin Zhang is an Associate Professor at the Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. He holds a position in the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and the Institute of Fiber Materials and Devices. Dr. Zhang has an extensive academic background, having worked as a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore and as a Postdoctoral Researcher at UCLA. He received his Ph.D. from Florida State University, specializing in Polymer Nano Composites, and an MSc from Donghua University. His work focuses on fiber-based wearable technologies, polymer composites, and materials engineering. Dr. Zhang is highly recognized for his innovative research on soft fibers, stretchable electronics, and self-powered sensors. His research has direct implications for smart textiles, wearable electronics, and personal healthcare applications.
Profile
Education
Dr. Songlin Zhang earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering with a focus on Polymer Nano Composites from Florida State University in 2019. He also completed his MSc in Textile Materials and Design (Functional Textile Composites) at Donghua University, Shanghai, China, in 2015. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering (Natural and Synthetic Fibers) from Southwest University, Chongqing, China, in 2012. Dr. Zhang’s education spans across diverse disciplines including bioengineering, materials science, and nanotechnology, combining knowledge of textiles, polymers, and nanocomposites. His postdoctoral training in bioengineering at UCLA and materials science at the National University of Singapore has significantly enriched his expertise, especially in soft functional fibers and wearable technologies. His academic foundation has prepared him for the challenges of developing cutting-edge materials and devices for various applications in health, robotics, and electronics.
Experience
Dr. Songlin Zhang is an Associate Professor at Fudan University, where he leads research on wearable fiber sensor devices and polymer composites for personal health management. Before joining Fudan University in 2024, he was a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore (2020-2023), where he invented a biomimetic spinning approach for soft fibers and explored silver-based polymer composites. Dr. Zhang also worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at UCLA in 2019, focusing on self-powering sensors for healthcare applications. His previous research at Florida State University (2015-2019) included developing advanced carbon nanotube-based composite fibers with improved mechanical and electrical properties for applications in aerospace and robotics. He has also contributed to projects at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, analyzing nanocomposites with advanced microscopy techniques. Dr. Zhang’s experience spans diverse areas, from energy harvesting to smart textiles, strengthening his position as a leading researcher in material science.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Songlin Zhang has been recognized for his groundbreaking work in materials science and engineering. His innovations in the field of wearable electronics and soft functional fibers have earned him numerous accolades, including highly cited publications in prestigious journals. In addition to academic recognition, Dr. Zhang’s research in energy-efficient materials and self-powered sensors has been acknowledged in international awards and conferences. His work on triboelectric nanogenerators and advanced carbon nanotube composites has garnered attention in the engineering community. Dr. Zhang’s contributions to wearable technology and bioengineering have resulted in him being featured in notable scientific publications. His continuous pursuit of novel, sustainable approaches in material science has positioned him as a leader in his field. He also serves as an advisor for various graduate students, contributing to the development of the next generation of researchers.
Research Focus
Dr. Songlin Zhang’s research focuses on the development of novel materials for wearable technologies, particularly wearable sensors, flexible polymer composites, and smart textiles. His primary interests include enhancing the interface stability between sensing components and flexible substrates, which is crucial for reliable performance in wearable devices. He is known for inventing a biomimetic spinning approach that fabricates functional soft fibers with low energy consumption and minimal solvent use. His work also emphasizes integrating mechanical and electrical properties into single materials, which is crucial for self-sensing soft robots and wearable electronics. Dr. Zhang’s research also spans into energy harvesting, particularly through triboelectric nanogenerators, and developing self-powered systems for healthcare monitoring. He investigates the use of carbon nanotubes, silver-based complexes, and elastomers to enhance the mechanical strength, stretchability, and electrical conductivity of materials. His work directly addresses challenges in creating sustainable, cost-effective solutions for smart devices and personal health applications.
Publications
- Sign-to-speech translation using machine-learning-assisted stretchable sensor arrays 🧠📱
- A wireless textile-based sensor system for self-powered personalized health care 👕🔋
- Muscle fibers inspired high‐performance piezoelectric textiles for wearable physiological monitoring 💪📊
- Alveolus-inspired active membrane sensors for self-powered wearable chemical sensing and breath analysis 🌬️🩺
- Single-layered ultra-soft washable smart textiles for all-around ballistocardiograph, respiration, and posture monitoring during sleep 😴🩻
- Leveraging triboelectric nanogenerators for bioengineering ⚡🧬
- A linear-to-rotary hybrid nanogenerator for high-performance wearable biomechanical energy harvesting 🔄⚡
- Thermogalvanic hydrogel for synchronous evaporative cooling and low-grade heat energy harvesting 🌡️💧
- Promoting energy efficiency via a self‐adaptive evaporative cooling hydrogel 💨🌀
- Repurposing face mask waste to construct floating photothermal evaporator for autonomous solar ocean farming 🏝️♻️
- Biomimetic spinning of soft functional fibres via spontaneous phase separation 🧵🔬
- Carbon nanotube/carbon composite fiber with improved strength and electrical conductivity via interface engineering 🔩⚡
- Carbon‐nanotube‐based electrical conductors: fabrication, optimization, and applications 🏗️🔋
- Ternary electrification layered architecture for high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators ⚡🌟
- Electrical and thermal conductivity improvement of carbon nanotube and silver composites 🧊🔌
- MXene functionalized, highly breathable and sensitive pressure sensors with multi‐layered porous structure 🧩🎯
- Carbon nanotube reinforced strong carbon matrix composites 🔨🧲
- Step-by-Step Strategy for Constructing Multilayer Structured Coatings toward High-Efficiency Electromagnetic Interference Shielding 🛡️⚡
- Ambient-conditions spinning of functional soft fibers via engineering molecular chain networks and phase separation 🧵🌍
- Superhydrophobization of cotton fabric with multiwalled carbon nanotubes for durable electromagnetic interference shielding 🧴🧶