Senbo Xiao

Senbo Xiao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Structural Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), specializing in nanomechanics and computational materials science. His research focuses on nanoscale phenomena at interfaces with applications in energy, oil recovery, and anti-icing technologies.

Dr. Xiao's educational background includes biophysics studies at Nankai University (2000-2007), a PhD in molecular biophysics from Heidelberg University (2007-2011), followed by postdoctoral work at the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (2011-2013) and Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (2013-2015).

His primary research interests center on nanoscale mechanisms in materials science, utilizing molecular dynamics simulations and multiscale modeling to investigate:

• Icing and hydrate formation processes
• Icevoltaics (energy harvesting from freezing)
• Interface mechanics at atomic scales
• Soft materials mechanics
• Nano-enabled enhanced oil recovery
• Carbon capture and storage mechanisms

His groundbreaking IceVoltaics project, funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant, aims to develop technology for harvesting electrical energy from water freezing processes, analogous to photovoltaics.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong focus on molecular-scale interface phenomena, particularly ice-solid and hydrate-solid interactions, with significant applications in energy infrastructure protection. His work increasingly integrates machine learning with molecular dynamics, showing evolution toward multi-scale predictive modeling of complex phase transitions.

Scientific recognition includes:

• ERC Consolidator Grant for IceVoltaics project
• Extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Chemical Engineering Journal, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and Langmuir

Dr. Xiao actively supervises master's and PhD students through the NTNU Nanomechanical Lab, which offers thesis topics on nanoscale icing, anti-hydrate technologies, and icing energy harvesting. His research group maintains strong international collaborations, particularly with Brno University of Technology, focusing on multi-scale modeling of materials. Current projects include developing icephobic coatings with self-healing capabilities and investigating hydrogen storage mechanisms in clathrate hydrates.

The NTNU Nanomechanical Lab operates as a hub for computational and experimental nanomechanics research, with specialized facilities for molecular dynamics simulation and nanoscale characterization. The lab emphasizes translating fundamental interface science into practical applications for energy, petroleum, and environmental engineering sectors.