The human body and other biological systems carry important and complex information that is vital for health monitoring, disease treatment, and human-machine interactions. Electronics stand as unparalleled tools for precisely recording, analyzing, and modulating biological behaviors across all spatial and temporal scales. To achieve intimate and multi-modal interfacing of electronic devices with biological tissues and organs, electronics must mimic various aspects of biophysical and biochemical properties in biological systems. Moreover, biological systems also provide unique operational mechanisms with high energy efficiency.
Sihong Wang,
University of Chicago
In this talk, I will introduce my group’s research in designing polymer-based electronic materials and devices that combine biomimetic properties with advanced electronic and photonic functions. First, I will discuss our research in the development of organic semiconductor- and transistor-based biosensors, with the impartment of two key biomimetic properties: bioadhesive properties for intimate and stable interface with tissues, and immune-compatible properties for suppressing foreign-body responses. Second, I will introduce our effort in the development of stretchable neuromorphic devices and circuits for implementing AI-based analysis for health data, which paves the way for integrating AI-based computing with wearable and implantable systems. Third, I will discuss our development of stretchable light-emitting polymers and OLEDs for use in skin-like displays and optical bio-stimulations.
Sihong Wang is an associate professor in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago. He received his Ph.D. degree in materials science and engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2014, and his bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University in 2009. From 2015 to 2018, he was a postdoctoral fellow in chemical engineering at Stanford University. He has published over 90 papers in numerous high-impact journals, including Science, Nature, Nature Materials, Nature Electronics, Nature Sustainability, Matter, Nature Communications, Science Advances, etc. His research group currently focuses on soft polymeric bioelectronic materials and devices as the new generation of technology for biomedical studies and therapeutics.
As of January 2026, his research has been cited more than 32,500 times and he has an H-index of 69. He is serving as an associate editor for Science Advances. He was recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics from 2020 to 2025, and was awarded the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, NSF CAREER Award, Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Award, MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators Under 35 (TR35 Global List), Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator Award, Advanced Materials Rising Star Award, ACS PMSE Early-Stage Investigator Award, Finalist for Falling Walls 2025 Science Breakthrough of the Year, iCANX Young Scientist Award, MRS Graduate Student Award, Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Students Abroad, Top 10 Breakthroughs of 2012 by Physics World, etc.