Dr. Lei Hou | Optical Sensing | Innovative Research Award

Dr. Lei Hou, Zhejiang Lab, China

Dr. Lei Hou is an Associate Researcher at the Frontier Basic Research Center of Zhejiang Laboratory, specializing in biomedical sensing systems and micro-nano fiber-based tactile technologies. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Brunel University London in 2019, following an MSc in Microelectronic System Design from the University of Southampton and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Sheffield. Dr. Hou has accumulated diverse research experience through his tenure at institutions such as Teesside University, the European Commission Horizon 2020 program, and Zhejiang Laboratory, where he currently leads innovative projects in optoelectronic fusion and intelligent perception microsystems. He has made significant contributions to sensor technologies for cochlear implants and healthcare monitoring systems for elderly care, evidenced by his sole first-author publications in high-impact journals and IEEE conferences. His research excellence is further recognized through multiple patents in micro-nano optical fiber sensing. Dr. Hou’s work exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation, blending electronics, optics, and AI to advance biomedical and tactile sensing technologies.

Professional Profile:

ORCID

Summary of Suitability for Innovative Research Award – Dr. Lei Hou

Dr. Lei Hou is a forward-thinking researcher whose work integrates biomedical engineering, micro-nano sensor systems, and AI-powered healthcare solutions. With an impressive academic trajectory and substantial contributions to sensor-based prosthetic systems, robotic cochlear implants, and micro-nano optoelectronic tactile sensing, Dr. Hou embodies the spirit of innovation and translational research excellence.

🎓 Education

📍 Brunel University London
🗓 Jul 2014 – Oct 2019
🎓 PhD in Biomedical Engineering
📍 University of Southampton
🗓 Sep 2011 – Nov 2012
🎓 MSc in Microelectronic System Design
📍 The University of Sheffield
🗓 Sep 2008 – Jun 2011
🎓 BEng in Electronic Engineering
📍 Wuhan British Chinese University (WHBC)
🗓 Jun 2007 – Jun 2008
📘 Foundation in Engineering

💼 Work Experience

👨‍🔬 Research & Academic Roles

📍 Zhejiang Laboratory, Frontier Basic Research Center
🗓 Jan 2022 – Present
💼 Associate Researcher (On-site)
📍 Teesside University, UK
🗓 Dec 2018 – Jan 2022
💼 Researcher

🧪 Industry R&D

📍 Communications Consultants Worldwide
🗓 Dec 2012 – Jun 2014
💼 R&D Engineer

🏆 Research Projects (Past 5 Years)

🔬 Optoelectronic Fusion Tactile Sensing & Intelligent Perception Microsystem
📍 Zhejiang Provincial Dept. of Science & Tech (2021–2023)
💰 RMB 23 million — ✅ Completed
🦿 SocketSense (Horizon 2020, EU)
📍 2019–2021
💰 RMB 26.86 million — ✅ Completed
👟 QuickFit (UKRI)
📍 2018–2021
💰 RMB 8.3 million — ✅ Completed
🪑 iChair (UKRI)
📍 2018–2020
💰 RMB 2.95 million — ✅ Completed

📚 Representative Publications (Sole First Author 🥇)

Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (2021)
🧠 A Capacitive Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Sensing System to Discriminate Fold-Over Pattern
Otology & Neurotology (2021)
🦻 A Novel Capacitive Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Sensing System to Discriminate Failure Patterns
IEEE ICCCS 2021
🦽 IoT-Based Smart Wheelchair for Elderly Healthcare Monitoring
IEEE BioRob 2018
🤖 Robotic Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Placement
ICBBT 2018
🧪 Capacitance Measures During Cochlear Implant Electrode Array Positioning

🧬 Patents

🇨🇳 CN202310834041.X (Oct 2023)
🔍 Predicting Size and Position of Micro-Nano Optical Fiber Load (Deep Learning)
🇨🇳 CN202311736669.2 (Dec 2023)
📏 Force Position Detection in Micro-Nano Optical Fiber Based on Spectral Change

🏅 Honors & Achievements

🥇 Sole first author in multiple high-impact journals and international conferences
🧠 Inventor of two cutting-edge patents in micro-nano optical sensing
🌍 Active contributor to major EU and UK-funded research programs
🤝 Collaborator across academia and industry in biomedical and sensing technology