Research Feature
Selected Publications
Multiphysics modelling of structural battery composites.
Composites Science and Technology | 2023
A Lesson from Plants: High-Speed Soft Robotic Actuators.
Advanced Science | 2020
Transparent soft robots for effective camouflage
Advanced Functional Materials | 2019
A finite element method for dielectric elastomers affected by viscoelasticity and current leakage
International Journal of Applied Mechanics | 2018
Untethered soft robot capable of stable locomotion using soft electrostatic actuators.
Extreme Mechanics Letters | 2018
Stretchable, Transparent, Ionic Conductors
Science | 2013
DR. KEith Choon Chiang Foo
About Me
I am a Principal Scientist in the Engineering Mechanics Department at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC). With more than 15 years of post-PhD research experience, I work in the field of theoretical and computational solid mechanics. I have led various projects on multifunctional materials and smart structures, managed scientists, and supervised FYP/PhD students. More info on my research is available here.
Prior to my current position, I was a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University. I hold a PhD in mechanical engineering from NTU, where I graduated top of my cohort for my B.Eng. (Mech.) degree.
Latest NEWS
Multiphysics modelling of structural battery composites
Structural battery composites are a type of multifunctional materials specially designed to bear mechanical loads while simultaneously storing electrical energy. In this review paper, we highlight recent progress in multiphysics models, and discuss opportunities and possible directions for future development. 24.07.23 | Link
(More news under collapsed section)
High-speed soft actuators
Scientists and engineers often look to Nature to draw inspiration in the design of machines and robots. Here we took a lesson from plants: the rapid closure (~100 ms) of a Venus flytrap is made possible by harnessing a snap-buckling instability. 02.02.20 | Link
Instabilities of dielectric elastomers
Dielectric elastomers experience different modes of instability upon loss of tension – buckling, wrinkling and crumpling, depending on the loading conditions. We report such phenomena in Soft Matter. 08.11.19 | Link
A transparent soft robot
We report a transparent soft robot in Advanced Functional Materials. One day, such moving robots may be used for surveillance and spying, where adaptive motion and camouflaging are required in unstructured environments. 20.07.19
ABAQUS User elements to model dissipative electroactive polymers
We publish a method to model dissipative dielectric elastomers with current leakage and viscoelasticity. 25.02.19 | Link
A soft origami robot
We report a soft origami robot driven by electricity. Under AC voltage, the paper robot vibrates and propels forward. Because it is cheap, light, and easy to make, we hope it offers a potential solution for space and/or swarm robots. 18.08.18 | Link
Untethered soft robot capable of stable locomotion
We report a soft moving robot made largely of dielectric elastomers and paper. 14.03.18 | Link.
Soft fluidic pumps harnessing instabilities for large-volume pumping
We report new designs of soft pumps made of dielectric elastomers, which allows for large-volume pumping across a wide range of hydrostatic pressures. Two versions of pumps: Single membrane and dual membranes. | 21.11.17
Reuters feature - Robots are getting softer
Our NUS collaborators' work on soft robots inspired by origami and inchworms are featured in the news! Delighted for Jian Zhu and his group, and honoured to be involved in their projects. 19.06.17 | Reuters Feature & (0:35 to 1:10 in this video)
Third prize in the Soft Material Robot Challenge at ICRA 2017
ICRA Soft Material Robot Challenge was held in Singapore from 30 May to 31 May. The “Origami Robot” developed by our NUS collaborators, led by Asst. Prof. Jian Zhu, won the third place in the Soft Component Technology Showcase. 02.06.17 | Link
High-performance electromechanical transduction using laterally-constrained dielectric elastomers
We report an analysis of laterally-constrained actuators in Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. 10.05.17 | Link
Dynamic pattern of wrinkles in a dielectric elastomer
We combine experiments, modeling, and simulation to show dynamic pattern of wrinkles in a dielectric elastomer. Our work is published in Soft Matter. 22.03.17 | Link
Design tool beefs up artificial muscles
Our work on viscoelastic dielectric elastomers is featured on A*STAR Research. 29.06.16 | Link
A gel that is clearly revolutionary
Our work on stretchable ionics is featured on A*STAR Research. 22.01.14 | Link
Transparent gel speaker plays music through the magic of ionic conduction.
30.08.13 | Reported on Engadget.
Bio-inspired speaker uses clear gel to play music.
29.08.13 | Reported on New Scientist.
This “ionic” speaker is stretchable, see-through and mind-blowing
29.08.13 | Reported on Gizmodo.
Transparent artificial muscle plays Grieg to prove a point
Gel-based audio speaker demonstrates capabilities of ionic conductors, long thought limited in application. 29.08.13 | Harvard SEAS release
My Areas of expertise
Theoretical modelling
Engineering simulation
Scientific computing
My scientific Involvement & Achievements in Numbers
35 (3)
Completed projects (industrial)
~S$2,700,000
Funding in projects involved as PI / Co-I
>30
Peer-reviewed publications
>4,900 (27)
Citations (H-index)
17
Collaborator Teams
13
PhD & FYP students co-supervised