Ph.D. - Materials Science
Institute for Molecular Science, Japan - 1994
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Professional Preparation
M.S. - Solid State Physics
Chinese Academy of Sciences - 1991
Chinese Academy of Sciences - 1991
B.S. - Physics
Jilin University - 1987
Jilin University - 1987
Research Areas
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Functional Nanomaterials
- Carbon Nanotubes
- Artificial Muscles
- Energy Harvesting and Storage
- Nanoscale Self-Assembly
- Nanomaterials Processing
- Nanoscale Devices
- Electrochemical Devices
- Elastic Conductors
- Smart Textiles
- Electrospinning
- New Forms of Carbon
- Sensors
- Auxetic Materials
OVERVIEW
Shaoli Fang is an Associate Research Professor at the Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Institute for Molecular Science in Japan in 1994. Prior to joining the NanoTech Institute in 2004, Dr. Fang held various technical and management leadership roles in the semiconductor, telecommunications, and nanotechnology industries.Dr. Fang is a highly cited researcher with over 150 peer-reviewed publications, including 19 high-impact papers in leading journals such as Science and the Nature series. His work has garnered over 22,100 citations, with an h-index of 57 and an i10-index of 105. Notably, eleven of his publications have received more than 500 citations each.
As one of the key inventors of the Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Yarn and Sheet platform at the NanoTech Institute, Dr. Fang’s research provides the foundational infrastructure for the laboratory’s current research portfolio. His work focuses on the fundamental physics and practical application of advanced nanomaterials, specifically carbon nanotube sheets, yarns, and polymer fiber actuators. He specializes in the development of artificial muscles, high-efficiency mechanical actuators, and energy harvesters that bridge the gap between material science and wearable, intelligent textile technologies.
In recognition of his pioneering contributions, Dr. Fang has received several prestigious honors, including the Nano 50 Award from Nanotech Briefs Magazine (2006) and inclusion in the Scientific American 50 (2006) for his groundbreaking work on carbon nanotube sheets and yarns.
Publications
Low-cost, scalable-fabrication, binder-free TiO2/TiO2–TiN/MoS2 nanostructured composite anode for high-areal-capacity lithium-ion batteries 2026 - Journal Article
2.0 GPa Spider Silk by Ultrafine Nanofibril Creation for Powerful Actuation and Medical Applications 2026 - Journal Article
Creating Nanoknot‐Like Domains for Robust Artificial Spider Silk Toward High Twistocaloric Performance 2026 - Journal Article
D2O-Enhanced Twistron Yarn Harvesters for Low-Frequency Mechanical Energy Harvesting 2026 - Journal Article
Improving energy conversion efficiency of ion-driven artificial muscles based on carbon nanotube yarn 2025 - publications
Multidimensional Conformable IL-PANSion with Multisensory Capabilities for Soft Device Applications 2025 - publications
Mandrel-free fabrication of giant spring-index and stroke muscles for diverse applications 2025 - Journal Article
Awards
R&D 100 Special Recognition Gold Award for Market Disruptor Product - [2015]
European Network on Artificial Muscles Award - [2012]
Time Magazine’s 50 Best Inventions of the Year - Time Magazine [2011]
Scientific American 50 - Scientific American [2006]
Nano 50 Award - Nanotech Briefs Magazine [2006]
NanoVic Prize - [2006]