Publications

All publications can be found on my Google Scholar profile.

Representative Publications

Tensegrity Continuum Robots Enable Task-Adaptive Morphologies for Cooperative Behaviors

Published in Nature Machine Intelligence, 2026

Modular tensegrity continuum robots that self-reconfigure into task-adaptive morphologies for cooperative manipulation and locomotion.

Recommended citation: Saikot, M. H., Spiegel, S., Kariyawasam, S. A., Stefka, A., Chrisler, J., & Zhao, J. (2026). "Tensegrity Continuum Robots Enable Task-Adaptive Morphologies for Cooperative Behaviors." Nature Machine Intelligence, Accepted.
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Embedded shape morphing for morphologically adaptive robots

Published in Nature Communications, 2023

Embedded shape-morphing technology for adaptive robots.

Recommended citation: Sun, J., Lerner, E., Tighe, B., Middlemist, C., & Zhao, J. (2023). "Embedded shape morphing for morphologically adaptive robots." Nature Communications, 14(1), 6023.
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A Shape-Changing Wheeling and Jumping Robot Using Tensegrity Wheels and Bistable Mechanism

Published in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 2023

Shape-changing robot with tensegrity wheels and bistable mechanism for wheeling and jumping.

Recommended citation: Spiegel, S., Sun, J., & Zhao, J. (2023). "A Shape-Changing Wheeling and Jumping Robot Using Tensegrity Wheels and Bistable Mechanism." IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 28(4), 2073-2082.
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A Mechanically Intelligent and Passive Gripper for Aerial Perching and Grasping

Published in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 2022

Passive mechanically intelligent gripper for aerial manipulation.

Recommended citation: Hsiao, H. T., Sun, J., Zhang, H., & Zhao, J. (2022). "A Mechanically Intelligent and Passive Gripper for Aerial Perching and Grasping." IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 27(6), 5243-5253.
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Physics-Based Modeling of Twisted-and-Coiled Actuators Using Cosserat Rod Theory

Published in IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 2022

Physics-based modeling of twisted-and-coiled actuators using Cosserat rod theory.

Recommended citation: Sun, J., & Zhao, J. (2022). "Physics-Based Modeling of Twisted-and-Coiled Actuators Using Cosserat Rod Theory." IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 38(2), 779-796.
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Twisted-and-Coiled Actuators with Free Strokes Enable Soft Robots with Programmable Motions

Published in Soft Robotics, 2021

TCA design enabling programmable soft robot motions.

Recommended citation: Sun, J., Tighe, B., Liu, Y., & Zhao, J. (2021). "Twisted-and-Coiled Actuators with Free Strokes Enable Soft Robots with Programmable Motions." Soft Robotics, 8(2).
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Leveraging elastic instabilities for amplified performance: Spine-inspired high-speed and high-force soft robots

Published in Science Advances, 2020

Elastic instabilities for enhanced soft robot performance.

Recommended citation: Tang, Y., Chi, Y., Sun, J., Huang, T. H., Maghsoudi, O. H., Spence, A., Zhao, J., Su, H., & Yin, J. (2020). "Leveraging elastic instabilities for amplified performance: Spine-inspired high-speed and high-force soft robots." Science Advances, 6(19), eaaz6912.
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An Adaptive Walking Robot With Reconfigurable Mechanisms Using Shape Morphing Joints

Published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2019

Adaptive walking robot with reconfigurable mechanisms and shape morphing joints.

Recommended citation: Sun, J., & Zhao, J. (2019). "An Adaptive Walking Robot With Reconfigurable Mechanisms Using Shape Morphing Joints." IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 4(2), 724-731.
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MSU Tailbot: Controlling Aerial Maneuver of a Miniature-Tailed Jumping Robot

Published in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 2015

Tail-based control of aerial maneuvers in miniature robots.

Recommended citation: Zhao, J., Zhao, T., Xi, N., Mutka, M. W., & Xiao, L. (2015). "MSU Tailbot: Controlling Aerial Maneuver of a Miniature-Tailed Jumping Robot." IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 20(6), 2903-2914.
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MSU jumper: A single-motor-actuated miniature steerable jumping robot

Published in IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 2013

Single motor miniature jumping robot with steering capabilities.

Recommended citation: Zhao, J., Xu, J., Gao, B., Xi, N., Cintron, F., Mutka, M., & Xiao, L. (2013). "MSU jumper: A single-motor-actuated miniature steerable jumping robot." IEEE Transactions on Robotics, 29(3), 602-614.
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Associate Professor

Publications

Representative Publications