Fanghong “Frank” Xu

Fanghong (Frank) Xu is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Built Ecology program at CASE, RPI, under the supervisor's guidance of Professor Alexandros Tsamis. His doctoral research at CASE focuses on developing next-generation hygroscopic responsive composite material, climate-adaptive building envelopes, and advanced manufacturing technologies. His methodology uses adaptive architecture with the knowledge of bioinspired design, material computation, programmable matter, and materials synthesis and processing. He holds a B.Arch degree from Chongqing University, China, and an M.S. in Advanced Architectural Design from Cornell University.  Before joining, he focused on biomathematics applied to the design of material structures and utilized biomaterials, recycled materials, and 3D printing & Robotic arms manufacturing techniques to build adaptive architecture to protect the ecological environment and evoke people's love of nature in the context of rapid urbanization. Thus, with this pioneering area, he will develop "near-life" biological and mechanical built environments that have a positive impact on the environment.