Back to Team

Ruozhang Li

李若章

Postdoctoral Fellow

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University / Nanyang Technological University

liruozhang@outlook.com

About

Dr. Ruozhang Li is a Postdoctoral Fellow at ISEE Lab. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and a joint Ph.D. between Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) and SJTU through the NTU–SJTU Joint PhD Degree Program. His doctoral research was supervised by Prof. Wenming Zhang at SJTU and Prof. K. Jimmy Hsia at NTU. He also holds a B.Eng. in Measurement and Control Technology and Instrumentation from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

His research focuses on bioinspired adhesion, contact and adhesion mechanics, dynamic capture, and smart materials. He has published 12 peer-reviewed papers (7 as first or co-first author) in top journals including Science Advances, JMPS (×4), IJSS (×2), and Advanced Science.

Research Interests

Bioinspired AdhesionContact MechanicsDynamic Capture & ManipulationSmart Material SystemsPhase-Transition Adhesion ControlViscoelastic Fibrillar Adhesives

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (Combined M.Sc. & Ph.D.)

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

Apr 2022Mar 2026

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (NTU-SJTU Joint Ph.D. Degree Program)

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Oct 2024Jun 2026

M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (Combined M.Sc. & Ph.D.)

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

Sep 2019Mar 2022

B.Eng. in Measurement and Control Technology and Instrumentation

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China

Sep 2015Jun 2019

Selected Research Projects

Dynamic Adhesion Mechanics

Sep 2020 – Present

Doctoral research

Systematically investigated the modeling frameworks and governing mechanisms of dynamic adhesion in fibrillar adhesives.

  • Derived scaling laws relating pull-off force to detachment rate, and elucidated how viscoelasticity induces interfacial stress redistribution during detachment.
  • Pioneered an adhesive contact mechanics model of fibrillar adhesive arrays in the viscoelastic regime.
  • Established an experimental framework for quantitative characterization of dynamic adhesion.

Dynamic Adhesive Capture Technique

Sep 2023 – Present

Doctoral research

Developed a phase-transition-inspired adhesion control strategy for dynamic environments, addressing challenges associated with limited reliability, bulky system design, and complex control in conventional approaches.

  • Proposed a viscoelastic adhesion-based dynamic capture method and developed theoretical models for quantitative prediction of capture and rebound behavior.
  • Developed shape memory polymer-based adhesive prototypes capable of achieving >3800 J·m⁻² peak kinetic-energy absorption (~6× academic benchmark).
  • Validated repeatable full-cycle capture, manipulation, and controlled release in ground-based microgravity simulations, demonstrating system reliability especially for space non-cooperative target handling.

Publications

Published Papers

Li R*, Li D, Li W, Liu F, Zhang X, Sun J, Deng X, Zhao L, Meng G, and Zhang W*, Dynamic capture enabled by sequential phase-switching adhesion.

Science Advances, 2025, 11(40): eadz7566

https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adz7566
First Author

Li R*, Mu T, Linghu C*, Zhang W*, and Hsia KJ*, Capturing flying objects through viscoelastic adhesion.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2026, 212: 106574

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2026.106574
First Author

Li R*, Li D, Sun J, Zhang X, and Zhang W*, Pull-off dynamics of mushroom-shaped adhesive structures.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2024: 105519

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2023.105519
First Author

Li R*, Li D, and Zhang W*, Rate effects in detachment of a spherical probe from fibrillar adhesive surfaces.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2023, 171: 105130

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2022.105130
First Author

Li R*, Sun J, Li D, Li X, Zhang X, and Zhang W*, Rate-dependent adhesion in dynamic contact of spherical-tip fibrillar structures.

International Journal of Solids and Structures, 2022, 259: 111997

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2022.111997
First Author

Li R*, Li D, and Zhang W*, Modeling of Rate Effects in Detachment of Mushroom-Shaped Adhesive Structures.

Proceedings of the ASME 2023 IMECE, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2023-112383
First Author

Li D*#, Li R*#, Yuan K, Chen A, Guo N, Xu C*, and Zhang W*, In-Plane Combination of Micropillars with Distinct Aspect Ratios to Resist Overload-Induced Adhesion Failure.

Advanced Science, 2024, 11(28): 202400972

https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202400972
Co-first Author

Mu T, Li R, Linghu C*, Liu Y, Leng J*, Gao H, and Hsia KJ*, Nonlinear contact mechanics of soft elastic spheres under extreme compression.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2025, 203: 106229

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106229

Li D, Li R, and Zhang W, Combined Effects of Viscoelasticity and Surface Roughness on the Adhesion Behavior of a Flat-end Cylindrical Microstructure.

International Journal of Solids and Structures, 2022, 251(12): 111753

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2022.111753

Li D, Yan Y, Li R, Gao Q, Xu C, and Zhang W, Insight into the dynamic adhesion of bio-inspired mushroom-shaped micropillars.

Tribology International

Li D, Li R, Xu C, and Zhang W, Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Friction Contact of Bolted Joint Interfaces.

International Journal of Mechanical Sciences

Li D, Xu C, Li R, and Zhang W, Contact parameters evolution of bolted joint interface under transversal random vibrations.

Wear

Selected Awards & Honors

Outstanding Graduate, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

2026

Outstanding Graduate, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

2019

Technical Skills

ABAQUS (FEA: contact, fracture, impact)SolidWorks (3D mechanical design)MATLAB (numerical analysis)AutoCADC++Additive Manufacturing & Micro/Nano FabricationMaterials Characterization (DMA, tensile testers, microscopes)Data Acquisition & Signal ProcessingIELTS: 6.5 | CET-6: 570 | CET-4: 587Conference Organization (ICVE 2021, ICDVC 2023)