Pengfei Song is an associate professor of Mechatronics and Robotics at XJTLU. He earned his B.Eng. from Jilin University (2013) and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University (2018), focusing on microfluidic biosensors and its instrumentation.

His research focuses on microfluidic biosensors, autonomous microscale robotics, and smart healthcare instrumentation, advancing applications in precision diagnostics, lab-on-a-chip systems, and drug discovery systems. He has published more than 50 SCI journals (H-index 18) in top journals, like Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Lab on a Chip (Cover article) and Analytical Chemistry (Cover article), Microsystems & Nanoengineering, and IEEE-TASE, including impact new findings in AI-empowered automated ELISA platforms and automated C. elegans drug screening platforms.

Pengfei has received multiple awards, including the 2024 Second Prize for Excellent Academic Papers (Suzhou Computer Society), and 2022 IEEE Transactions on Mechatronics Best Paper Finalist. He serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters and Frontiers in Robotics and AI, and in technical committees for top international conferences like MicroTAS and MARSS.

AI-integrated automated paper-based microfluidic systems for diseases diagnostics: Paper-based microfluidics offer portable, low-cost diagnostics but faces problems like environmental variations induced low sensitivity, and low automation. Our recent research efforts are trying to comprehensively address these issues, by 1) designing an automated valving system (IEEE MEMS 2022 and Lab Chip 2025) and 2) utilizing it for multiplex detection (Sens. Actuator B-Chem, 2025); 3) developing one AI-integrated platform that can reduce the external illumination (Anal. Chim. Acta, 2023) with smartphone implementation (Anal. Chim. Acta, 2025), and 4) developing one AI algorithm that can save 33% of sensing time (Anal. Chem. 2025).

AI-integrated automated C. elegans drug screening and microinjection systems: C. elegans is a key model organism for neurodegenerative and aging research, yet manual drug screening remains slow and error-prone. We address these by developing: 1) an automated-microfluidic system for automated microenvironment control and behavior tracking (Biomed. Microdevices, 2020); 2) automated size measurement (IEEE Trans. Nanobiosci., 2022); 3) robotic microinjection for genetic studies (IEEE TASE/ICRA, 2020/2023); and 4) AI-driven multi-parameter screening (Micromachines, 2024). These innovations streamline workflows, enhance precision, and accelerate drug discovery.

Functional nanomaterial synthesis and its sensing applications: Nanocellulose offers biosensing potential with biocompatibility and surface versatility, but its integration into microfluidic systems and unclear sensing mechanisms limit practical applications. Our recent research efforts are trying to address these issues by, 1) developing one microembossing (ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2023) and one laser cutting (IEEE Sensors 2025) methods for creating the microfluidic channel, and was invited for video shooting (JoVE 2024); 2) probing the SERS mechanism on nanocellulose (ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2024), and 3) apply it with AD’s disease screening (Anal. Chim. Acta, 2024).

AI for education: We recognize the irresistible trend of integrating AI into every aspect of our daily lives, including higher education. However, the specific forms in which we should embrace AI remain unknown to all of us, and we are all in the process of exploration. To address this issue, in collaboration with colleagues from the AoFE, we have studied the role of short videos in digital and intelligent education (Humanit. Soc. Sci. Commun. 2022), developed an automated fair allocation scheme for Final Year Project (FYP) topics (Humanit. Soc. Sci. Commun. 2024), and investigated students' perceptions of this (Comput. Hum. Behav., 2023).

Visiting Doctoral Student, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering - University of Toronto, 2018

Teaching Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering - McGill University, 2014 - 2017

Research Assistant, Biomedical Microsystem Laboratory - McGill University, 2013 - 2018

Visiting Research Assistant, Department of Precision Instruments Mechanology - Tsinghua University, 2013

SAT 001, Explore Advanced Technology

EEE 116, Experimental, Computer Skills and Sustainability

EEE 001, Introduction to Robotics

EEE 116, Experimental, Computer Skills and Sustainability

EEE 001, Introduction to Robotics

Backbone of Science and Education in Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation Zone, Suzhou City

Best Paper Award Finalist and Editors pick article, Journal of Biomicrofluidics

Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel Award (GREAT), McGill University

Best Conference Paper Finalist, IEEE 2015 International Conference on Robotics and Automation

Best Automation Paper Finalist, IEEE 2015 International Conference on Robotics and Automation

NSERC-CREATE ISS Fellowship Award, McGill University

Best Paper Award in Microfluidics Symposium, ASME 2014 International Mechanical Engineering Congress Exposition

Dr. Y Lin-Alexander Fellowship, McGill University

McGill Engineering Doctoral Award (MEDA), McGill University

China Scholarship Council (CSC) Scholarship, Chinese Ministry of Education

National Undergraduate Scholarship, Chinese Ministry of Education