Chemomechanics of Soft Materials Lab


Education

  • Ph.D., Harvard University, 2011
  • M.S., Nanyang Technological University, 2007

Teaching Interests

Professor Hu's teaching encompasses core mechanical engineering courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with emphasis on mechanics of materials. Her instruction aims to develop students’ analytical skills and practical understanding in these fundamental areas. Professor Hu actively involves graduate and undergraduate students in research-integrated learning experiences, fostering a comprehensive grasp of mechanical engineering principles applicable to broad applications.

Research Interests

Professor Hu's research centers on Soft Active Materials especially those consisting both solid and liquid. Her research is at the interface between mechanics and materials chemistry. Her studies span from fundamental mechanics to novel applications. She takes integrated approach of experiment and theory. The current stage of her research includes: (1) chemomechanical modeling of soft materials (2) multi-scale mechanical characterization of soft materials, and (3) design and fabrication of new dynamic adaptive multi-functional materials for various applications. With the tools and knowledge generated from these studies, she also explores the phenomenologically similar but structurally more complex nature soft living systems, such as cells, tissues and organs.

Recent Publications

  • 1. Jiahe Huang, Haohui Zhang, Jiehao Chen, Xuelin Sui, Febby Krisnadi, Dongjing He, Will R. Gutekunst, Michael D. Dickey, Yuhang Hu, Rewriting Polymer Fate via Chemomechanical Coupling, Advanced Materials (2026).
  • 2. Dongjing Hu, Deep Malu, Yuhang Hu, A Comprehensive Review of Indentation of Gels and Soft Biological Materials, Applied Mechanics Reviews 76(5), 050802(2024).
  • 3. Jiehao Chen, Jiahe Huang, Yuhang Hu, An optoionic hydrogel with UV-regulated ion conductivity for reprogrammable iontronics: logic processing and image sensing, Science Advances 10, eadn0439 (2024).
  • 4. Haohui Zhang, Yuhang Hu, A constitutive model that couples light propagation direction and deformation for photo-responsive polymers and polymeric gels, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 105786 (2024).
  • 5. Jiehao Chen, Jiahe Huang, Yuhang Hu, Photo-programmable hydrogel iontronic for electrically and chromatically rewritable circuits, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 116596 (2024)