A collaborative research team led by Professor Zhang Li at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering has developed an innovative inverse programming technology for magnetic soft materials. This technology allows for precise programming of the magnetisation distribution, enabling the material to be controllably transformed into the desired three-dimensional surface according to specific requirements under magnetic actuation. This breakthrough opens new application possibilities in many fields, including information storage, biomimetic soft robots and precision medical technology. The research results have been published in the internationally renowned journal Nature Synthesis.

New technology overcomes challenges in inverse programming of magnetic soft materials

Inspired by nature, the research team observed how the soft tissues of living organisms dynamically present 3D curved surfaces, a capability that plays a critical role in vital physical processes and the maintenance of health. For example, human skin and muscles can change shape according to the environment and as a result of movement. However, the complexity of magnetic interactions and the computational demands have made such materials challenging to design and fabricate. Traditionally, simulating and designing magnetic soft material modules has been a highly challenging task requiring significant time and resources.

To overcome this technical bottleneck, Professor Zhang and Dr Xia Neng from CUHK, along with Professors Jin Dongdong and Ma Xing from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), and Professor Wang Liu from the University of Science and Technology of China, collaborated to develop a new strategy. It leverages precise control of the light source to programme magnetic soft materials, enabling dynamical and reversible transformations into 3D surfaces under magnetic actuation.

The team first prepared a hydrogel material infused with magnetic particles and then developed a photocuring 3D printing method to process these magnetic hydrogels. By precisely adjusting the intensity distribution of the light source during printing, they achieved a heterogeneous magnetic hydrogel, temporarily transforming from its original 2D shape into a 3D surface. By applying a pulsed magnetic field, they magnetised the deformed magnetic soft material, creating a 3D magnetisation distribution that allows it to present different 3D shapes under the influence of an external magnetic field. Additionally, the team developed a computational method to guide the design of the light source, ensuring that the printed magnetic soft material accurately reproduces the target 3D surface under magnetic actuation. This innovative strategy significantly reduces the complexity and improves the precision and efficiency of programming magnetic soft materials.

Optimising precision surgical procedures to enhance efficiency

Professor Zhang said: “Most human organs have intricate 3D morphologies. For instance, the gastrointestinal tract features numerous wrinkled structures, making it very challenging to develop medical patches for targeted treatment. The inverse programming technology for magnetic soft materials that we propose is expected to assist medical professionals in customising patches to fit the specific morphology of a patient’s gastrointestinal tract, ensuring a conformal fit on the surface of the affected organ for improved treatment efficacy.”

Dr Xia, the first author of the research paper, noted that the research results can also be applied to human face replication, information storage and the development of biomimetic soft robots through precise adjustment of light sources. Professor Zhang’s team will continue to explore further developments and biomedical applications of magnetic soft materials, hoping to contribute to academia and society, and promote the development of innovative technology.

The project has been supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), the Croucher Foundation, the CUHK internal grants, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation, the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program, the SIAT-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Systems and the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), InnoHK.

For the full research, please visit: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44160-025-00746-2

Professor Sun Xiankai, Professor of the Department of Electronic Engineering of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has been elected as a 2025 Fellow of Optica for his outstanding contributions to integrated photonics, optoelectronics, and optomechanics.

The Board of Directors of Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, recently elected 121 members from 27 countries to the Society’s 2025 Fellow Class. Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and service to Optica and our community.

Professor Sun has been with CUHK since 2014, where he is currently a Professor of Electronic Engineering and an Associate Director for Center of Optical Sciences. He is an expert on chip-scale integrated photonic, electronic, and mechanical devices and systems. His current research focuses on novel photonic and optomechanical nanodevices for both fundamental research and practical applications.

Optica (formerly OSA), Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement.

List of 2025 Fellows of Optica

Professor Irwin King, Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Professor Xing Guoliang, Professor of the Department of Information Engineering have been elected Fellows of Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) for the Class of 2024.

The ACM Fellow Program initiated in 1993. It recognizes the top 1% of ACM members for their outstanding accomplishments in technology and/or outstanding service to ACM and the larger computing community.  In 2024, 55 members have been elected as ACM fellows for transformative contributions to computing science and technology. ACM will formally recognize the 2024 Fellows at its annual Awards Banquet on June 14, 2025, in San Francisco, California.

Professor Irwin King is being recognized for his contributions to the theory and applications of machine learning in social computing, while Professor Xing Guoliang is being recognized for his contributions to embedded AI and mobile computing systems.

More details: https://www.acm.org/media-center/2025/january/fellows-2024

Professor Zhang Li, Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering and Director of the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) – CUHK Joint Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, has been named a Fellow by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This prestigious designation recognizes Profesor Zhang’s exceptional achievements and contributions to the engineering profession.

The ASME Committee confers the Fellow grade of membership to honour candidates for their outstanding engineering accomplishments. Nominated by ASME Members and Fellows, candidates must have at least 10 years of active practice in mechanical engineering and 10 years of active corporate membership in ASME.

Founded in 1880, ASME aims to advance engineering for the benefit of humanity. ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society.