Dr Lei Wu
BEng, MSc, PhD
Expertise
Current positions
Research Associate
School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
I work at the intersection of soft robotics, biomaterials and medical engineering, building hydrogel- and elastomer-based soft robotic systems for healthcare and human function.
Research interests include, but are not limited to:
• Soft and functional elastomers, hydrogels and composites
• Soft implants
• Artificial muscles
• Biohybrid actuation
• 3D-printed hydrogels for soft robotic devices
Publications
Selected publications
24/04/2026Dual-photoresponsive elastomer nanofibres enhanced myofibre hybrid for skeletal muscle actuation
Interface Focus
Tunable Light-Responsive Polyurethane-urea Elastomer Driven by Photochemical and Photothermal Coupling Mechanism
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
A Bespoke Programmable Interpenetrating Elastomer Network Composite Laryngeal Stent for Expedited Paediatric Laryngotracheal Reconstruction
Advanced Functional Materials
Stretchable and conductive PAAm@PPy hydrogels with low hysteresis for strain sensing
Interface Focus
Functional integration of an autologous engineered esophagus in a large-animal model
Nature Biotechnology
Recent publications
23/03/2026A Bespoke Programmable Interpenetrating Elastomer Network Composite Laryngeal Stent for Expedited Paediatric Laryngotracheal Reconstruction
Advanced Functional Materials
A digitally programmable 3D microenvironment directs satellite cell function
Biomaterials
Dual-photoresponsive elastomer nanofibres enhanced myofibre hybrid for skeletal muscle actuation
Interface Focus
Functional integration of an autologous engineered esophagus in a large-animal model
Nature Biotechnology
Stretchable and conductive PAAm@PPy hydrogels with low hysteresis for strain sensing
Interface Focus
