The Ni Group explores new forms of interaction between living systems and materials. We study how mechanical and acoustic signals generated by the body reflect underlying motion, tissue properties, and physiological function. In parallel, we investigate how deformation mechanisms, microstructure, and phase architecture determine material behavior, and how these elements can be controlled to create programmable matter. Together, these directions define our pursuit of human-centered materials intelligence.
Our research combines fundamental mechanics of materials with soft electronics, microfabrication, advanced characterization, and computation. Epidermal electronic systems provide conformal access to mechanical and acoustic processes of the body, from surface motion to deep-tissue properties and function. Programmable materials provide digital access to shape, phase architecture, and mechanical response after fabrication. These platforms support new capabilities in biointegrated electronics, adaptive devices and structures, and robotic materials. Our broader aim is to establish new physical interfaces and infrastructure for digital health and robotics, enabling new forms of interaction among people, intelligent systems, and the material world.
Research Themes:
- Mechanics and acoustics of living systems — relationships among body motion, wave propagation, tissue properties, and physiological function.
- Epidermal electronics and wearable imaging — conformal sensing, mechanical and acoustic characterization, shape mapping, ultrasound, and photoacoustic technologies.
- Deformation physics of heterogeneous and random media — connections among complex microstructure, architectures, and emergent mechanical response.
- Computational mechanics and inference — inverse problems, experimental optimization, physics-informed modeling, signal processing, and machine learning.
- Programmable materials and adaptive structures — reprogrammable phase architectures, shape morphing, and unusual thermal behavior.
- Soft robotics— material-integrated sensing, actuation, and computation for physical adaptation and control through programmable mechanics.
OPEN POSITIONS
We are actively looking for highly motivated students (Fall 2027) and postdocs to join our team at Duke University. If interested, please contact us with your CV to discuss potential opportunities.