Dr. Tian-Bing Xu is a Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Old Dominion University (ODU), affiliated with the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. He previously held a 16.5-year tenure at NASA Langley Research Center via the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), focusing on smart materials and aerospace device development. His research expertise includes piezoelectric materials, energy harvesting systems, cryogenic actuators, and advanced sensors. Dr. Xu has secured over $13M in grants from agencies like NASA, DoD, and ONR, and leads multidisciplinary teams in aerospace innovation. Education: M.S. in Electrical Engineering (1999) and Ph.D. in Materials Sciences and Engineering (2002) from Pennsylvania State University. He was an ONR Global Summer Senior Faculty Fellow at NIWC Atlantic (2019). Research Interests: Smart materials for aerospace applications, piezoelectric energy harvesting, cryogenic actuators, synthetic jet actuators, and multifunctional composites. He has pioneered energy harvesting systems for space and terrestrial use, winning multiple awards including the 2011 and 2015 Best Energy Harvesting Awards, and the 2016 R&D 100 Finalist. His work emphasizes practical applications in aerospace, defense, and renewable energy. Awards: Over 45 honors including Top 2% Global Influential Scientists (2020s), multiple NASA and NIA recognitions, and 11 U.S. patents (3 licensed) in energy harvesters, pressure sensors, and plasma actuators. Grants & Leadership: Secured $13M+ in grants for projects ranging from cryogenic actuators to nanocomposite sensors. His lab collaborates with NASA Langley, universities, and industries to address energy harvesting challenges. He has developed 9 smart materials characterization methods and holds 15 pending patents. Labs & Teams: Lead of the Smart System and Renewable Energy Lab. Collaborates with institutions like NCSU, Virginia Tech, and industry partners on piezoelectric innovations. His research bridges material science, mechanical engineering, and aerospace systems for sustainable solutions.











