We study the physical interplay between fluids and soft solids — how fluid flow reshapes soft materials and how deformation generates fluid motion. From this coupling, we uncover physical principles that extend across systems and scales, and translate them into functional platforms for actuation, transport, and manipulation.

Core Physical Principles

Fluid → Solid

Fluid-driven soft systems

We study how fluid pressure and flow deform soft materials to generate force and motion. This coupling provides a direct physical route from fluid transport to mechanical response — from shape-morphing structures to autonomous soft machines.

Poroelasticity · Soft matter physics · Polymer physics · Elasticity
Solid → Fluid

Structure-driven fluid motion

We investigate how deformation, geometry, and vibration of soft structures generate pressure gradients and drive fluid flow. This principle enables non-contact transport and organization of particles and cells — revealing how structure alone can actively control fluid behavior.

Microfluid mechanics · Capillarity · Porous flow · Acoustofluidics

Methodology

Our research integrates experiments, multiscale visualization, and theoretical modeling to uncover the physical principles.

Experiment Visualization Modeling Theory

From Physical Principles to Applications

Biomedical Systems

Fluid–structure coupling in biological systems, enabling cell manipulation, soft implantable devices, and multiscale transport.

Soft Robotics

Fluid-driven actuation and geometry-mediated force generation for compliant and adaptive robotic systems.

Manufacturing Interfaces

Structure–flow interactions applied to precision fluid control, material transport, and surface-level processing in advanced manufacturing systems.