Motion Structure

 

Welcome to Motion Structure Laboratory(MSL) of Tianjin University

Motion structures are simply assemblies of resistant bodies connected by movable joints. They allow large shape transformations to satisfy practical requirements.

MSL was founded by Professor Chen Yan in 2012 in Tianjin University. Research within MSL concentrates on spatial mechanisms, rigid origami, thick-panel origami, deployable structures, metamaterials, mechanical intelligent robotics.

There have been 31 researchers including professors, PhD students, master students and undergraduate students in MSL.

If you are interested in our research, please contact us by yan_chen@tju.edu.cn.
The latest news
• Publications: Mechanism and Machine Theory – Dr. Mengyue Li published Kinematic synthesis of single-DOF tubular origami structures composed of 4-crease vertices 2026-06-15
• Awards: Undergraduate Students from the Motion Structure Laboratory Win Second Prizes in the Regional Phase of the 9th "Jingdiao Cup" Graduation Design Competition 2026-06-11
• Lab News: Many congratulations to Mengyue Li on his doctoral dissertation being awarded "3A" thesis on the platform of the Ministry of Education and successfully passing the doctoral dissertation defense 2026-06-02
• Exchanges: Professor Guo Zhan Lum from Nanyang Technological University Visits the Motion Laboratory at Tianjin University 2026-06-01
• Awards: Researchers and Students from MSL Win "Graduate Academic Rising Star Award" and "Outstanding Poster Award" at the 5th National Metamaterials Conference 2026-05-22
• Awards: Students from the School of Mechanical Engineering Achieve Excellent Results at the 7th Students International Olympiad on Mechanisms and Machine Science 2026-04-23
• Publications: Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics – Dr. Gu Yuanqing Publishes Overconstraint Reduction for Mechanism Networks of Threefold-symmetric Bricard Linkages 2026-03-11
• Publications: Engineering Structures| Sibo Chai and Yiran Jiang published Programmable Bistability of Curved-Crease Origami Polyhedron 2026-02-26
• Lab News: The Structures of Motion Laboratory sends you its warmest wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year in the Year of the Horse! 2026-02-16
• Lab News: Many congratulations to Xiaochen Yang on her doctoral dissertation being awarded "3A" thesis on the platform of the Ministry of Education and successfully passing the doctoral dissertation defense 2026-02-10