Travis Hu

Travis Hu is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), affiliated with the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology. His research focuses on bio-inspired nanomaterials, multifunctional energy materials, and multiscale modeling. He leads the Bio-Nano Materials and Interfaces Lab, investigating bio-inspired smart materials for applications in energy, biomedical, and environmental fields.

Dr. Hu's academic background includes postdoctoral research at Case Western Reserve University, University of Florida, and University of Delaware, followed by roles as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Denver. His teaching spans mechanics, materials science, and nanotechnology.

His research emphasizes bio-inspired design principles from organisms to create advanced materials with adaptive properties like self-cleaning surfaces, smart adhesives, and energy-efficient coatings. Recent work includes neuromorphic computing memristors, energy harvesting nanogenerators, and self-healing hydrogels.

Key grants include NSF CREST and PREM Centers supporting interdisciplinary research initiatives. He collaborates widely, publishing extensively in journals like Science China Materials and Advanced Functional Materials.

Dr. Hu is committed to diversity in STEM education, highlighted in a 2023 JOM article showcasing Cal State LA's DEI outcomes. His lab actively recruits students from diverse backgrounds for research in nanomaterials and bio-inspired engineering.