Prof. Lizhi Xu received his B.S. degree in Applied Physics from Beihang University, and his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong as an assistant professor in October 2018.
 

Prof. Xu’s research involves bio-inspired soft materials and devices. The research imparts biomimetic concepts to the engineering of nanocomposite materials that replicate the structures and functions of soft tissues. Multiscale fabrication techniques are involved to generate reconfigurable 3D structures, allowing for integration of advanced electronic components and biomaterials into organ-compliant forms. As exemplified by artificial cartilage, kirigami optics, and cardiac electronic membranes, the research efforts span across a continuous spectrum of materials science and device engineering. The integrative approaches seek to enable fully functional systems for implantable biomedical tools, tissue engineering platforms, wearable electronics, energy and environmental technologies, and many other applications.

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Publications

• M. Sun†, H. Zhang†, X. He†, X. Wei, B. Cui, H. Huang, H. Li, Y. Lin, S. Zhang, Z.A. Li, P. Shi*, & L. Xu*, “Ultrathin and Ultrastrong Hydrogel Bioelectronic Membranes” National Science Review 13, nwag105 (2026).

• H. Zhang†, W. Jia†, M. Sun, Y. Chen, X. Zhang, H. Li, X. He, P. Shi*, and L. Xu*, “High-Strength and Fracture-Resistant Ionogels via Solvent-Tailored Interphase Cohesion in Nanofibrous Composite Networks” Science Advances 11, eaea6883 (2025).

• H. Liu, X. Ji, Z. Guo, X. Wei, J. Fan, P. Shi, X. Pu*, F. Gong*, and L. Xu*, “A High-Current Hydrogel Generator with Engineered Mechanoionic Asymmetry” Nature Communications 15, 1494 (2024).

• H. Li, W. Zhang, X. Liao, and L. Xu*, “Kirigami enabled reconfigurable three-dimensional evaporator arrays for dynamic solar tracking and high efficiency desalination” Science Advances, 10, (2024)

• H. He†, H. Li†, A. Pu, W. Li, K. Ban, and L. Xu*, “Hybrid Assembly of Polymeric Nanofiber Network for Robust and Electronically Conductive Hydrogels” Nature Communications 14, 759 (2023).

• M. Sun†, H. Li†, Y. Hou, N. Huang, X. Xia, H. Zhu, Q. Xu, Y. Lin, and L. Xu*, “Multifunctional Tendon-Mimetic Hydrogels” Science Advances 9, eade697 (2023).

• 7. Z. Wang†, H. Zhu†, H. Li, Z. Wang, M. Sun, B. Yang, Y. Wang, L. Wang, and L. Xu*, “High-Strength Magnetic Hydrogels with Photoweldability Made by Stepwise Assembly of Magnetic-Nanoparticle-Integrated Aramid Nanofiber Composites” ACS Nano 17, 9622 (2023).

• H. Liu†, H. Li†, Z. Wang†, X. Wei, H. Zhu, M. Sun, Y. Lin, and L. Xu*, “Robust and Multifunctional Kirigami Electronics with Tough and Permeable Aramid Nanofiber Framework” Advanced Materials 34, 2207350 (2022).

• H. He†, X. Wei†, B. Yang, H. Liu, M. Sun, Y. Li, A. Yan, C.Y. Tang, Y. Lin*, and L. Xu*, “Ultrastrong and Multifunctional Aerogels with Hyperconnective Network of Composite Polymeric Nanofibers” Nature Communications 13, 4242 (2022).

• H. Li, H. Liu, M. Sun, Y.A. Huang*, and L. Xu*, “3D Interfacing Between Soft Electronic Tools and Complex Biological Tissues” Advanced Materials 33, 2004425 (2021).