Xin Ning

Xin Ning is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on lightweight structural design, biomimetic engineering, and multifunctional materials for aerospace applications. He holds a Ph.D. in Aeronautics from Caltech, where he developed shape-adaptive solar concentrators under Prof. Sergio Pellegrino. Prior to Penn State, he held postdoctoral positions at the University of Illinois (advisor: Prof. John A. Rogers) and Caltech.

Education:

• B.Eng., Aircraft Design & Engineering, Beihang University (2009)
• M.S., Aeronautics, Caltech (2010)
• Ph.D., Aeronautics, Caltech (2015)

Research Interests: Xin's work integrates origami-inspired mechanics, metamaterials, and smart composites to create ultra-lightweight structures. Key areas include:

• Bistable composite booms for space deployment
• Origami electromagnetic systems
• Self-deployable electronic skins
• Bio-inspired wing structures

Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes multifunctional materials and adaptive systems, with 2023-2025 papers focusing on space-qualified structures, origami-based sensors, and biomimetic designs. Over 70% of his 2020+ publications address structural optimization under extreme conditions.

Awards:

• ONR Young Investigator Award (2022)
• Haythornthwaite Award (2019)
• William F. Ballhaus Prize (2015)
• Multiple Caltech teaching/research awards

Advising & Labs: Current students include Yao Yao (materials/aero) and Mitansh Doshi (aero). Former advisees include Samuel Schulman (M.S. 2021). His lab develops deployable space structures and smart composite systems through collaborations with NASA and the Air Force.