Dr. U Kei Cheang received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University in 2015 where he was supported by the NSF GRFP, the NSF IGERT Fellowship, and the NSF EAPSI Fellowship. Dr. Cheang’s research in Micro- and Nanorobotics entails the development of mobile micro and nanoscale swimming robots. His research encompasses controls, micro/nanofabrication, and micro/nanofluidics. Dr. Cheang's notable research include the modular microrobot, the particle-based microrobot, and the artifical bacteria. His work on robotic microswimmers was award the top 10 Netexplo Award in 2016.
Research Areas:
◆ Micro- and Nanorobotics
◆ Micro- and Nanofabrication
◆ Micro- and Nanofluidic

Education:
◆ 2010 – 2015, Ph.D, Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, USA
◆ 2005 – 2010, B.S./M.S, Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, USA

Work Experience:
◆ 2017/06 – present, Assistant Professor, Department of  Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology
◆ 2015/06 – 2017/06, Postdoctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, USA
◆ 2016/01 – 2016/05, Adjunct Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, USA
◆ 2011/01 – 2011/03, Adjunct Professor, Goodwin College, Drexel University, USA
◆ 2009/03 – 2009/09, Research Engineer, Health Device Group, ECRI Institute, USA
◆ 2006/09 – 2007/03, Mechanical Engineer, Automation Department, Metrologic Instrument Inc., USA

Awards:
◆ 2016, Netexplo Top 10 Award for Robotic Microswimmers
◆ 2015, Best Conference Paper Award on Feedback control of Microswimmers, URAI
◆ 2010 – 2013, National Science Foundation - Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF-GRF)
◆ 2012, National Science Foundation - EAPSI
◆ 2010 – 2012, Drexel University Provost Fellowship
◆ 2010 – 2011, National Science Foundation - IGERT (affiliation)
◆ 2010, James F. Lincoln Arc Welding National Competition Silver Award
◆ 2009 – 2010, Anthony Digneo Endowed Scholarship
◆ 2007 – 2010, Augusta Hess Scholarship
◆ 2006 – 2010, Albert Soffa Endowed Scholarship
◆ 2005 – 2010, Drexel University Endowed Scholarship

Books:
[1] M.J. Kim, A.A. Julius, U K. Cheang, “Microbiorobotics: Biologically Inspired Microscale Robotic Systems,” 2th edition, Elsevier, 2017.

Book Chapters:
[1] U K. Cheang, M.J. Kim, “Fabrication of mobile hybrid microswimmers using micro/nanoparticles and bacterial flagella,” in Nanobiomaterials: Development and Applications, Ed. D.K. Yi and G.C. Papaefthymiou, CRC press, 2013.
[2] U K. Cheang, M.J. Kim, “Fabrication of artificial bacteria for targeted drug delivery,” in BioFabrication, Ed. W. Sun and G. Forgacs, Elsevier, 2013.

Selected Journal Papers:

1. X. Song, A. Gul, H. Zhao, R. Qian, L. Fang, C. Huang, L. Xi, L. Wang, U K. Cheang*, "Hybrid Membrane Biomimetic Photothermal Nanorobots for Enhanced Chemodynamic-Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy," ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2025, 17(4), 5784–5798

2. Y. Zhong, J. Zhang, L. Fang, and U K. Cheang*, "MOF-modified microrollers for bioimaging and sustained antibiotic delivery," ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2024, 16(36), 47163–47177

3. H. Wang, J. Xiong, Y. Cai, W. Fu, Y. Zhong, T. Jiang, and U K. Cheang*, "Stabilization of CsPbBr3 nanowires through SU-8 encapsulation for the fabrication of bilayer microswimmers with magnetic and fluorescence properties," Small, 2024, 2400346

4. Z. Chen, X. Mu, X. Song, J. Zhang, and U K. Cheang*, "2D magnetic microswimmers for targeted cell transport and 3D cell culture structure construction," ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2023, 15(7), 8840-8853

5. X. Song, R. Qian, T. Li, W. Fu, L. Fang, Y. Cai, H. Guo, L. Xi, and U K. Cheang*, "Imaging guided biomimetic M1 macrophage membrane-camouflaged magnetic nanorobots for photothermal immunotargeting cancer therapy," ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2022, 14(51), 56548–56559