Hongshuang Guo

I am a chemist working at the interface of chemistry, materials science, and optics. My research focuses on the molecular design and fabrication of stimuli-responsive materials and soft actuators, with a particular emphasis on dynamic supramolecular networks and liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). By introducing halogen-bonded (XB) interactions and defect-engineered structures, I explore how molecular-level interactions can be translated into programmable, reconfigurable, and collective actuation at the macroscopic scale.

My goal is to develop interactive actuator systems that not only respond to external stimuli, but also exhibit adaptive, emergent behaviors through internal coupling and feedback. These materials and designs aim to establish new paradigms for non-equilibrium soft matter systems, extending the boundaries of responsive materials and opening routes toward next-generation functional devices.

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Proficient in chemical synthesis and coating preparation, particularly in developing functional liquid crystal elastomer materials with tailored architectures and responsive properties, enabling applications in adaptive optics, soft robotics, and smart actuator systems.

Make materials smart

stimulus-adaptive behavior, molecularly programmable material, emergent behavior, LCEs

chemistry, soft mechanics, stimuli-responsive materials

Academy Research Fellow, Academy of Finland, Tampere University, 2025-2029

Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Researcher, Tampere University, 2022-2025

Post-doc, Tampere University, 2020-2022

PhD, in Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, 8/2020.

M. Sc, Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, 7/2016

1.  J. Jiang, H, Guo*, H. Zeng, A. Priimagi*, Welding complex-shaped actuators from dynamic liquid crystal   elastomers. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2025, 13, 13482-13489. 

2. R. Nasare, H. Guo*, A. Priimagi*, Hydrogen-bonded multi-mode liquid crystal elastomer actuators. J. Mater. Chem. B, 2025, 13, 1704-1711. 

3. H. Guo, R. Puttreddy*, T. Salminen, A. Lends, K. Jaudzems, H. Zeng, A. Priimagi*, Halogen-bonded shape memory polymers. Nat. Commun., 2022, 13, 7436. 

4. H. Guo*, C. Liang, T. Ruoko, H. Meteling, B. Peng, H. Zeng, A. Priimagi*, Programmable and self-healable liquid crystal elastomer actuators based on halogen bonding. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202309402.

5.  H. Guo*, K. Li, A. Priimagi, H. Zeng*, Emergent locomotion in self-sustained, mechanically connected soft matter rings. Adv. Mater., 2025, 37, 2503519. 

6.  H. Guo*, J.M. Rautiainen, H. Zeng, K. Rissanen, A. Priimagi, R. Puttreddy*, Supramolecular chalcogen-bonded shape memory actuators. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2025, 64, e202508101. 

7. H. Guo*, R. Nasare, C. Liang, K. Knutze, E. M. Terentjev, A. Priimagi*, Halogen-bonded liquid crystal elastomers as initiator-free photochemical actuators. Adv. Mater., 2025, 2504551. 

8. H. Guo, A. Priimagi*, H. Zeng*, Optically controlled latching and launching in soft actuators. Adv. Funct. Mater., 2022, 32, 2108919. 

9. H. Guo*, T. Ruoko, H. Zeng, A. Priimagi*, Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystal elastomers combining shape memory programming and reversible actuation. Adv. Funct. Mater., 2024, 34, 2312068.