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Personal profile
Biography
Dr Ben B. Xu FRSC, FIMMM, FRSA, CENG, CSCI, is a full professor in materials and mechanics with a multi-disciplinary research interest covering functional materials, applied mechanics, micro-engineering and sustainable and energy technology. Ben obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Heriot-watt University in 2011. He subsequently worked as a postdoc researcher in Professor Hayward’s Group (Polymer Science and Engineering) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (2011-2013). Ben holds the title of visiting professorship in 10+ universities globally, including UCLA (US), Texas A&M University (US), University of Alberta (CA), The University of Sydney (AU), Manipal University (India), etc.
Ben is leading the Smart Materials and Surfaces Lab (SMSL) in Northumrbria and chairing the Materials Characterisation&Properties Group in the Institute of Materials, Mining and Minerals (IoM3).He has published 6 patents, 6 book(incl. chapters) and over 150 peer-reviewed articles in the leading journals, including Sci. Adv., Nat. Commun., Adv. Mater., Adv. Energy. Mater., Adv. Fun. Mater., Energy. Environ. Sci., Nano Energy, Small, Phys. Rev. Lett., etc (h-index 32). Ben has been invited to give 90+ invited/plenary talks in international conferences/leading institutions, chaired 10+ international events and reviewed paper publications for 80+ journals. He serves as an associate editor for Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials (Springer Nature), Advanced Devices & Instrumentation (AAAS) and ES Engineered Science, and an editorial board member for Polymers (MDPI). He received awards as the Outstanding Paper Award at the 2018 IEEE International Flexible Electronics Technology Conference, Outstanding Reviewer for Journal of Molecular Liquids (2018), 2016 Young Investigator Award from the International Polymer Networks Group, 3rd prize in the 2016 EPSRC photo competition, 2016 RSC-CSCST Emerging Talent Grant from Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), etc.
He was elected to the Advisory Council and Nomination Committee in IoM3 from 2019, and the RSC Materials Chemistry Division Council and Newcastle upon Tyne and North East Coast Committee from 2020, the executive committee for The Chinese Society of Chemical Science and Technology (CSCST-UK) from 2016.
Progresses from Ben’s research have been featured by media presses in
2020:
EPSRC: https://epsrc.ukri.org/newsevents/news/researchers-discover-novel-optical-sensing-technology/
Materials World: https://www.iom3.org/materials-world-magazine/news/2020/jun/03/elastic-folding-soft-matter-surfaces-aids-highcontrast
Materials views china: https://www.materialsviewschina.com/2020/09/48634/
phys.org: https://phys.org/news/2020-04-optical-technology.html
NECONNECTED: https://neconnected.co.uk/fold-to-glitter-researchers-discover-novel-optical-sensing-technology/
polymer.cn: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/6VDqUepzulrDgX_yWjnv2g
2019:
UK Fluids Network: https://fluids.mzs.arpa.cam.ac.uk
phys.org: https://phys.org/news/2019-07-red-wine-key-next-gen-wearable.html
Materials views china: https://www.materialsviewschina.com/2019/08/39476/?from=timeline&isappinstalled=0
Before 2019:
NECONNECTED: https://neconnected.co.uk/northumbria-scientists-win-national-photography-prize/
Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2017/apr/03/from-eureka-to-equipment-images-that-show-another-side-of-science-in-pictures-epsrc-photo-competition-2017
Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/02/epsrc-photography-competition-2017/dr-ben-xu-mr-ding-wang3rd-placeeureka-discovery-categorythis/
Materials views china: https://www.materialsviewschina.com/2016/04/21008/
Research interests
Dr Xu is currently leading the research group of Smart Materials and Surfaces Lab (SMSL) in Northumbria to develop multidisciplinary research programmes, from fundamental understanding on engineering science to innovating the enabling technologies. His researches in extreme mechanics and functional materials includes the design and understanding of morphing structures, the development of novel flexible/wearable sensing/actuating structure/devices, the realization of functional surface/interface with unique chemical-physical features, the innovation of new circular economy technology using recycled plastic wastes and the exploration of future renewable energy solutions.
He has developed a novel approach to realise the sensing/actuation function by introducing elastic instabilities into the micro-engineered structure in a controllable manner, which shed extra lights in developing future micro-devices, especially in the sectors of flexible/wearable electronics, soft robots, etc. His work on soft active matter and developing novel micro-device is supported by the Royal Society, EPSRC and industries.
Progresses from Ben’s research have been featured by media presses in EPSRC,Materials World, UK Fluids Network, phys.org 2020, NECONNECTED 2020, phys.org 2019, Guardian, Telegraph, NECONNECTED 2019, polymer.cn, Materials views china 2019, Materials views china 2016.
Education/Academic qualification
Education, PGCert, Northumbria University
15 Nov 2013 → 31 Aug 2015
Award Date: 1 Oct 2015
Mechanical Engineering, PhD, Heriot-Watt University
1 Apr 2008 → 31 May 2011
Award Date: 1 Nov 2011
Materials Science, MSc, Zhejiang University of Technology
1 Sep 2003 → 30 Jun 2006
Award Date: 1 Jul 2006
Polymers and Textiles, BSc (Hons), Zhejiang University of Technology
1 Sep 1999 → 30 Jun 2003
Award Date: 30 Jun 2003
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Network
Projects
- 7 Finished
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Smart materials and surfaces enabled resilience engineering technology
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/02/18 → 21/11/18
Project: Research
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EE 3D printed smart materials structure and device for advanced engineering
1/10/16 → 30/09/19
Project: Research
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Dynamically monitoring in plane strain transformation/localization during creasing of the gel surface
31/03/16 → 30/03/17
Project: Research
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Stimuli-responsive gel based microfluidic switch
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/10/15 → 30/07/17
Project: Research
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Mechanics and application of the micro-engineered smart structure
1/02/15 → 31/01/18
Project: Research
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Deep learning artificial intelligence framework for sustainable desiccant air conditioning system: Optimization towards reduction in water footprints
Tariq, R., Ali, M., Sheikh, N. A., Shahzad, M. W. & Xu, B. B., 1 Jan 2023, In: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer. 140, 14 p., 106538.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Downloads (Pure) -
Flexible strain sensor enabled by carbon nanotubes-decorated electrospun TPU membrane for human motion monitoring
Yu, X., Wu, Z., Weng, L., Jiang, D., Algadi, H., Qin, Z., Guo, Z. & Xu, B. B., 26 Jan 2023, (Accepted/In press) In: Advanced Materials Interfaces.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Mechanically-Robust Electrospun Nanocomposite Fiber Membranes for Oil and Water Separation
Nueraji, M., Toktarbay, Z., Ardakkyzy, A., Sridhar, D., Algadi, H., Xu, B. B., Althakafy, J. T., Alanazi, A. K., Abo-Dief, H. M., Adilov, S. & Guo, Z., 6 Jan 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Environmental Research. 115212.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Progress of layered double hydroxides-based materials for supercapacitors
Li, X., Ren, J., Sridhar, D., Xu, B. B., Algadi, H., El-Bahy, Z. M., Ma, Y., Li, T. & Guo, Z., 20 Jan 2023, (Accepted/In press) In: Materials Chemistry Frontiers.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Progress of metal organic frameworks-based composites in electromagnetic wave absorption
Feng, S., Zhai, F., Su, H., Sridhar, D., Algadi, H., Xu, B. B., Pashameah, R. A., Alzahrani, E., Abo-Dief, H. M., Ma, Y., Li, T. & Guo, Z., 1 Jan 2023, In: Materials Today Physics. 30, 100950.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Prizes
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3rd prize (Eureka and Discovery) in EPSRC science photo competition
Xu, Ben B. (Recipient), 2016
Prize
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Longchuan Industrial Fellowship awarded by Yangzhou City Council
Xu, Ben B. (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Honorary award
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Lu Yang Jing Feng Industrial Fellowship awarded by Yangzhou City Council (Jiangsu, China)
Xu, Ben B. (Recipient), 2018
Prize: Honorary award
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Activities
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Advanced Devices & Instrumentation (Journal)
Ben B. Xu (Member of editorial board)
Jun 2022 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Editorial work
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The IOM3 Materials Characterisation & Properties Group (External organisation)
Ben B. Xu (Chair)
25 Apr 2022 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of board
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Editor board member for Green Energy and Environmental Technology (Event)
Ben B. Xu (Member of editorial board)
1 Mar 2022Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Editorial work