Zhuo Chen is a Postdoctoral By-Fellow at Churchill College, affiliated with the NanoEngineering Group in the Department of Engineering. His research lies at the intersection of nanomaterials, sensor technology, and machine intelligence, with a focus on developing bionic sensing systems for robots.
He completed his PhD in Engineering at Churchill College, where he pioneered printable and machine-intelligent gas sensor arrays as electronic noses (e-noses) for air-quality monitoring and human wellness. A key achievement was the development of an aerogel-based 3D-printed e-nose capable of real-time, noise- and drift-resilient detection of formaldehyde at part-per-billion levels. By combining advanced materials, structural design, and computational algorithms, his work enabled accurate, energy-efficient detection of this hazardous indoor pollutant, contributing to the vision of sustainable and eco-friendly buildings. This research was featured in Cambridge Research News and Engineering Department Research News, with coverage by more than 20 media outlets.
Zhuo’s current work extends from gas sensing to tactile sensing, focusing on electronic skins (e-skins) for robotic dexterity. Drawing inspiration from biological touch, he develops high-resolution force and temperature sensor arrays using multi-scale structured hybrid composites. Unlike conventional tactile sensors, his e-skins allow robots to sense force magnitude and direction, sliding, texture, stiffness, and temperature with exceptional spatial resolution and multi-dimensional feedback. Supported by ARIA funding, this work aims to advance the technology to TRL 6, enabling real-world validation and fostering industrial collaborations towards sustainable automation. It has been featured in The Engineer UK and has attracted strong interest from investors.
Beyond academia, Zhuo co-founded a start-up developing environmental monitoring sensors and systems. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a strong interest in translating human-like sensing technologies into real-world robotic applications.
At Churchill, Zhuo has served as a supervisor for undergraduate students since 2022, delivering supervisions for Part IA Paper 3. Outside of work, Zhuo is an avid sailor and qualified Day Skipper, often exploring the UK’s coastal landscapes.