Suyi Li

Suyi Li is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering, where he leads the Dynamic and Architected Robot and structurE (DARE) Lab. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at Clemson University from 2016-2022 after completing postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan.

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2014)
• M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University (2008)
• B.S. Summa Cum Laude in Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2006)

Dr. Li's research focuses on pioneering new paradigms of intelligent robots and functional structures by exploiting the interplay between geometry, mechanics, actuation, and computation. His work spans origami-inspired morphing structures, physically computing materials that perform machine learning tasks without traditional electronics, and soft/reconfigurable robots that can move like animals or grow like plants. His innovative approach combines mechanical engineering principles with computational thinking to create systems with 'mechano-intelligence'.

Analysis of Dr. Li's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward embodied intelligence and mechanical computing, where physical structures themselves perform computational tasks. His work increasingly integrates origami/kirigami principles with advanced materials to create systems that can sense, process information, and actuate without conventional electronics. The research shows progression from fundamental mechanics of adaptive structures to sophisticated applications in robotics and computing.

• Dean's Awards of Excellence – Faculty Fellow, Virginia Tech (2024)
• C.D. Mote Jr Early Career Award, ASME Design Engineering Division (2022)
• Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award, ASME Aerospace Division (2021)
• Junior Researcher of the Year Award, College of Engineering, Clemson University (2020)
• CECAS Dean's Faculty Fellow, Clemson University (2018)
• CAREER Award, National Science Foundation (2018)
• ASME Freudenstein Young Investigator Award

Dr. Li has secured nearly two million dollars in research funding, including the prestigious NSF CAREER award and an NSF EFRI project to build mechano-bio hybrid reservoir computers. He advises multiple Ph.D. and Master's students in the DARE Lab, with recent successes including Vishrut Deshpande's Ph.D. defense. His research has generated close to 80 journal and conference papers, demonstrating significant impact in the fields of adaptive structures and materials systems. Dr. Li also serves on editorial boards for several prominent journals including Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures and Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A.

The DARE Lab at Virginia Tech comprises a multidisciplinary team of researchers working on origami-inspired meta-structures, physically computing materials, and soft robotics. Current projects include developing electronics-free crawling robots with mechanical central pattern generators, creating kirigami-based wearable medical devices, and engineering metamaterials with programmable mechanical properties. The lab actively collaborates with institutions across the country and has received recognition for its innovative approaches to combining mechanical design with computational capabilities.