We are interested in understanding and controlling the mechanical behaviors of micro- and nanoscale fluids, biological fluids, and soft matter including gels, granules, and shells. For physical and mathematical understanding of the problems, we couple high-speed visualization techniques with simple scaling concepts, perturbation analysis, or numerical simulations of simplified equations. We aim to apply our results to morphing machines, bio-inspired systems, nanofabrication processes, and science of everyday life. To this end, we frequently develop innovative manufacturing processes to build novel robots, 2D and 3D shapes and parts whose scale range from nano- to centimeters.

Selected Press

How desert horned lizards harvest water, In This Issue in PNAS, June 30, 2026
Violet seed propulsion inspires robot design, Science Perspective, June 18, 2026
Jumpy types, Nature Physics News & Views, September 11, 2023
Wrap it up, Science Research Highlights, April 15, 2022
An absorbing study on the maths of sponges, Nature Research Highlights, March 30, 2018
An inchworm robot powered by humidity, Nature Research Highlights, January 24, 2018
Never mind walking; some insects can jump on water, New York Times, August 3, 2015
An electric power plant on the roof of your car?, LA Times, Sep 23, 2014
Gill-on-a-chip illuminates evolution, Science Editor's Choice, June 20, 2014
3D printing goes nanoscale, Nature Research Highlights, March 20, 2014
Let it flow, Nature Physics Research Highlights, December 1, 2011
Nanomanufacturing: Petite pottery, Nature Research Highlights, June 3, 2010
Scientists crack how insect bounces on water, The Telegraph, December 7, 2007

Recent Publications

Soil water harvest inspired by desert horned lizards, Phrynosoma platyrhinos,
S. Lee, J. Choi, W. Kim, S. Jung*, S. J. Kim*, W. Kim, and H.-Y. Kim*, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 123, e2609344123 (2026)

Viola seed pod architecture shapes sequential, force-augmented pinching,
C. Kim, J. Won, D. Kim, S. Jung*, H.-Y. Kim*, and Y. Hyun*, Science 392, 1302-1307 (2026)

Particle-armored liquid robots,
H. Jeon, K. Park*, J.-Y. Sun*, and H.-Y. Kim*, Science Advances 11, eadt5888 (2025)

Emergent functional dynamics of link-bots,
K. Son, K. Bowal, K. Kim, L. Mahadevan*, and H.-Y. Kim*, Science Advances 11, eadu8326 (2025)