The Samuel J. Huang Student Research Award recognizes a graduate student for outstanding research in the field of polymer science and engineering.

Abbas Ahmed, from the Luyi Sun Research Lab, was recognized for his research on soft smart materials, including bioelectronics, hydrogels, and functional coatings. This work exemplifies both fundamental scientific excellence and real-world applications.

Abbas has been developing mechanically robust, highly stretchable, and electrically conductive soft materials for wearable electronics, soft robotics, and biomedical devices. Conventional hydrogels often suffer from issues such as poor mechanical strength, dehydration, and limited ionic transport.  He has overcome these challenges by taking a bioinspired approach, mimicking the most resilient structures in nature such as tardigrades and connective tissues.

He has also made notable advancements in creating strong, biocompatible adhesive hydrogels for epidermal electronics and biomedical applications. Traditional adhesives often require harsh chemical treatments, limiting their compatibility with human skin and soft tissues. These hydrogels conform seamlessly to biological tissues, allowing for long-term, irritation-free attachment for biosensors, wound dressings, and drug delivery patches. By integrating self-healing properties and moisture-controlled adhesion, Abbas’s work is setting the stage for a new generation of bioelectronic materials that combine mechanical resilience, user comfort, and high-performance functionality.

Abbas contributed to 13 publications, during his master’s degree program, and eight publications within his research in UConn’s Polymer Program. Google Scholars states that he has already been credited to more than 1000 citations, an uncommon achievement for a graduate student.

The polymer program congratulates Abbas Ahmed for his outstanding efforts during his graduate program.