The advent of 5G and beyond has revolutionized the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting a vast network of intelligent devices, from smartphones to vehicles and even smart furniture. However, this interconnected world has heightened the risk of information theft and leakage, particularly through cyberattacks powered by machine and deep learning algorithms. To address these challenges, our research focuses on developing next-generation hardware-based encryption technologies, with a special emphasis on physically unclonable functions (PUFs).
In a pioneering effort, we have successfully integrated non-Hermitian electromagnetic systems with PUFs, creating secure systems for wireless identification and communication that exhibit unmatched features such as unclonability, unpredictability, and irreproducibility. Building on this foundation, we are exploring novel PUF strategies and systems using emerging materials and frameworks grounded in advanced electromagnetic theory. Our research, published in Nature Communications and Science Advances, demonstrates how quantum theory can be harnessed for real-world applications, paving the way for a future where secure communication and identification are both robust and accessible.
In 1998, a groundbreaking proposal revealed that non-Hermitian Hamiltonians could also exhibit real eigenspectra, sparking an explosion of interest in non-Hermitian physics. This field initially flourished in optics due to the striking similarity between Maxwell's equations and the Schrödinger equation under specific conditions. Our research extends this fascinating concept to electronics and electromagnetics—fields that are deeply integrated into our daily lives.
We have successfully developed parity-time (PT) symmetric systems using electronic components, observing their unique spectral properties in electromagnetic regimes. Beyond fundamental insights, our work explores practical applications at the forefront of applied physics, such as noise suppression, sensitivity enhancement, and robust wireless power transfer. Our research not only advances theoretical frameworks but also unveils pathways to real-world applications of non-Hermitian electromagnetics, offering students a unique opportunity to contribute to innovations that could shape future technologies.
In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), self-healthcare monitoring has become an integral part of modern life. However, traditional sensors and actuators are often constrained by bulky, rigid materials, making them unsuitable for applications like epidermal or implantable biomedical sensing. Our research is transforming this landscape by developing fully soft electronic and electromagnetic systems that seamlessly integrate with the human body—whether attached to the skin or implanted in vivo.
One of our key achievements is a fully soft, wearable smart mask capable of wirelessly monitoring mask-wearing correctness and cough frequency, addressing critical needs in personal and public health. We have also introduced an innovative wireless interrogation platform that noninvasively and contactlessly measures pressure and temperature within the skull, overcoming the challenge of sensing inaccuracies caused by coil antenna misalignment in near-field systems.
Beyond these breakthroughs, we are advancing material science by identifying and engineering composite materials with exceptional mechanical flexibility, low dielectric loss, and high conductivity. Our ultimate goal is to pioneer the next generation of chipless, batteryless, and highly biocompatible wearable and soft electronics, redefining the possibilities for biomedical sensing and improving healthcare outcomes. Our work has been published on Nature Nanotechnology and Nature Communications, etc.
