I study how physical objects can be reprogrammed as adaptable as digital information.

My research explores how interactive systems can be created so that they are easy to make, modify, and repurpose on demand.
My work brings together computing, engineering, and design, with a focus on accessibility, education, and sustainable technology. I develop new fabrication methods and interactive systems that lower barriers to creating physical artifacts and support more inclusive and responsible ways of building technology.

Explore my publications, or learn more about me.

Zeyu Yan 燕泽宇

Computer Science, University of Maryland

HCI Ph.D. Candidate｜Maker | Car Enthusiast

📣 I am actively seeking academic positions in HCI and related fields.

News

Oct-01-2025 | UIST 2025 paper received Best Paper award.
Aug-20-2025 | New paper on reprogrammable matter accepted to UIST 2025.
Jul-01-2025 | Invited talk at Georgia Tech on sustainable hardware and repairable devices.

More news →

Publications

UIST 2025

Best Paper Award ｜ Special Recognition for Sustainability in Demo

DissolvPCB: Fully Recyclable 3D-Printed Electronics Using Liquid Metal Conductors and PVA Substrates

Zeyu Yan, Su Hwan Hong, Josiah Hester, Tingyu Cheng, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video Link

CHI 2025

Best Paper Honorable Mention

PCB Renewal: Iterative Reuse of PCB Substrates for Sustainable Electronic Making

Zeyu Yan, Advait Vartak, Jiasheng Li, Zining Zhang, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video Link

CHI 2025

Make Making Sustainable: Exploring Sustainability Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities in Making Activities

Zeyu Yan, Mrunal Dhaygude, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI

DIS 2025

Cybernetic Marionette: Channeling Collective Agency Through a Wearable Robot in a Live Dancer-Robot Duet

Anup Sathya, Jiasheng Li, Zeyu Yan, Adriane Fang, Bill Kules, Jonathan D. Martin, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video

IEEE VR 2025

Comparing Vibrotactile and Skin-Stretch Haptic Feedback for Conveying Spatial Information of Virtual Objects to Blind VR Users

Jiasheng Li, Zining Zhang, Zeyu Yan, Yuhang Zhao, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI

CHI 2024

Winner of Special Recognition for Sustainability Practices

SolderlessPCB: Reusing Electronic Components in PCB Prototyping through Detachable 3D Printed Housings

Zeyu Yan, Jiasheng Li, Zining Zhang, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video Link

UIST 2024

JetUnit: Rendering Diverse Force Feedback in Virtual Reality Using Water Jets

Zining Zhang, Jiasheng Li, Zeyu Yan, Jun Nishida, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video

UIST 2024

Rhapso: Automatically Embedding Fiber Materials into 3D Prints for Enhanced Interactivity

Daniel Ashbrook, Wei Ju Lin, Nicholas Bentley, Diana Soponar, Zeyu Yan, Valkyrie Savage, Lung Pan Cheng, Huaishu Peng, Hyunyoung Kim

PDF DOI Link

UIST 2023

3DPC Pioneer of the Decade Finalist

3D Printing Magnetophoretic Displays

Zeyu Yan, Hsuanling Lee, Liang He, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video

CHI 2023

Best Paper Honorable Mention

Toucha11y: Making Inaccessible Public Touchscreens Accessible

Jiasheng Li, Zeyu Yan, Arush Shah, Jonathan Lazar, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video

UIST 2022

Core77 Student Notable Tools Award | People's Best Demo

Fibercuit: Prototyping High-Resolution Flexible and Kirigami Circuits with a Fiber Laser Engraver

Zeyu Yan, Anup Sathya, Sahra Yusuf, Jyh-Ming Lien, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video

UIST 2022

TangibleGrid: Tangible Web Layout Design for Blind Users

Jiasheng Li, Zeyu Yan, Ebrima Haddy Jarjue, Ashrith Shetty, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video

UIST 2021

FabHydro: Printing Interactive Hydraulic Devices with an Affordable SLA 3D Printer

Zeyu Yan, Huaishu Peng

PDF DOI Video

UIST 2018

4DMesh: 4D Printing Morphing Non-Developable Mesh Surfaces

Guanyun Wang, Humphrey Yang, Zeyu Yan, Nurcan Gecer Ulu, Ye Tao, Jianzhe Gu, Levent Burak Kara, Lining Yao

PDF DOI Video