Zhenyu Gao | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhenyu Gao | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhenyu Gao | Engineering – Associate Professor at Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, China

Zhenyu Gao is a distinguished Associate Professor at the School of Control Engineering, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao. His academic journey is marked by groundbreaking research in control science and engineering, particularly in unmanned systems, autonomous intelligence, and intelligent transportation systems. Gao’s work is recognized globally for its innovative approaches to vehicular platoon control and multi-agent systems, contributing significantly to both theoretical advancements and practical applications in the field. His dedication to academic excellence is reflected in numerous prestigious awards, influential publications, and leadership roles in scientific communities.

Profile:

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Education:

Zhenyu Gao earned his Ph.D. in Control Science and Engineering from Dalian Maritime University, China, where he developed a strong foundation in advanced control theories. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Automation at Shandong University of Technology. His educational background reflects a consistent trajectory of academic rigor, equipping him with the analytical skills and technical expertise necessary to excel in complex research areas.

Experience:

Currently serving as an Associate Professor, Gao has played a pivotal role in advancing research in control engineering. His professional journey includes leading several high-impact projects funded by national and provincial research foundations. Gao has also contributed as an Associate Editor for reputable journals and serves as a reviewer for top-tier publications in intelligent transportation systems and vehicular technology. His role as a mentor has guided numerous graduate students, fostering the next generation of researchers in his field.

Research Interests:

Gao’s research interests span unmanned systems, autonomous intelligence, collaborative control, multi-agent systems, and intelligent transportation systems. His work focuses on developing robust control strategies for vehicular platoons, addressing challenges related to actuator nonlinearities, sensor attacks, and real-time system performance. Gao’s innovative approaches have significantly advanced the understanding of dynamic systems and their applications in modern transportation and automation technologies.

Awards 🏆:

  • Wiley Top Downloaded Article Award (2023): Recognizing his highly cited publication in intelligent transportation systems.

  • Excellent Master Thesis Advisor of Northeastern University (2023): Honoring his mentorship and academic guidance.

  • Excellent Master Thesis Advisor of Liaoning Province (2024): Acknowledging his contributions to graduate education and research excellence.

Selected Publications 📚:

  1. Gao, Z., Li, X., Wei, Z., Liu, W., Guo, G., & Wen, S. (2025). Observer-based secure predefined-time control of vehicular platoon systems under attacks in sensors and actuators – IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems 📈 (Cited by 150+)
  2. Gao, Z., Liu, W., Wei, Z., & Guo, G. (2025). Adaptive finite-time prescribed performance control of vehicular platoons with multilevel threshold and asymptotic convergence – IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems 📊 (Cited by 120+)
  3. Gao, Z., Li, X., Wei, Z., Guo, G., Wen, S., Zhao, Y., & Mumtaz, S. (2025). Fixed-time secure control for vehicular platoons under deception attacks on both sensor and actuator via adaptive fixed-time disturbance observer – IEEE Internet of Things Journal 🚗 (Cited by 95+)
  4. Gao, Z., Li, X., Wei, Z., & Guo, G. (2024). Adaptive fuzzy finite-time asymptotic tracking control of vehicular platoons with nonsmooth asymmetric input nonlinearities – IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems 🚀 (Cited by 85+)
  5. Gao, Z., Wei, Z., Liu, W., & Guo, G. (2025). Adaptive finite-time prescribed performance control with small overshoot for uncertain 2-D plane vehicular platoons – IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology 🛰️ (Cited by 80+)
  6. Gao, Z., Sun, Z., & Guo, G. (2024). Adaptive predefined-time tracking control for vehicular platoons with finite-time global prescribed performance independent of initial conditions – IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology 🚦 (Cited by 75+)
  7. Gao, Z., Zhang, Y., & Guo, G. (2023). Adaptive fixed-time sliding mode control of vehicular platoons with asymmetric actuator saturation – IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology 🛣️ (Cited by 60+)

Conclusion:

Zhenyu Gao’s distinguished career reflects an exceptional blend of academic rigor, innovative research, and impactful mentorship. His contributions to control science and engineering, particularly in autonomous systems and intelligent transportation, have set new benchmarks in the field. Gao’s extensive publication record, combined with his leadership in research projects and academic communities, underscores his suitability for the “Best Researcher Award.” His work continues to influence and inspire advancements in control engineering, making him a worthy candidate for this prestigious recognition.

Tian-Bing Xu | Mechanical and Aerospace | Best Researcher Awards

Prof. Tian-Bing Xu | Mechanical and Aerospace | Best Researcher Awards

Ph.D. at Old Dominion University, United States

Dr. Tian-Bing Xu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Old Dominion University (ODU). He leads the Smart Materials & Intelligent Systems (SMIS) Laboratory, focusing on advanced technologies in smart materials, energy harvesting, and intelligent systems. Recognized among the top 2% of the most influential scientists worldwide, Dr. Xu has made significant contributions to energy conversion, renewable energies, and aerospace technologies. His interdisciplinary research and collaboration with organizations such as NASA and the Department of Defense have earned him numerous accolades, cementing his reputation as a leading researcher in his field.

Profile

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Education:

Dr. Xu’s academic journey began with a Diploma in Physics from Shandong University, China, followed by graduate work at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He then moved to the United States, where he completed both his Master’s and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. His Ph.D. research focused on developing electromechanical devices using electroactive polymers, under the guidance of Dr. Qiming Zhang. This education laid the foundation for his future work in advanced materials and intelligent systems, blending fundamental science with applied engineering solutions.

Experience:

Dr. Xu has over two decades of experience in academic and applied research. Since joining ODU in 2018 as an Associate Professor, he has led projects in smart materials, energy harvesting, and sensor technologies. Before ODU, he worked at NASA Langley Research Center and the National Institute of Aerospace in various capacities, contributing significantly to aerospace research. His work in these roles included leadership in developing piezoelectric materials and energy harvesting systems, with several projects transitioning to industrial applications. He also held a Senior Research Scientist position, which was critical in his collaboration with NASA on multiple innovations. His academic experience is further highlighted by multiple invited talks and keynote speeches.

Research Interests:

Dr. Xu’s research primarily focuses on smart materials and intelligent systems, with applications in energy harvesting, robotics, medical devices, and renewable energies. His work aims to develop materials and systems that can efficiently convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, particularly for use in structural health monitoring, offshore energy systems, and wearable technology. He is also deeply invested in advancing manufacturing technologies for these materials to increase their real-world applicability. Additionally, Dr. Xu’s research has expanded into exploring piezoelectric technologies for energy recovery, aiming to revolutionize both the aerospace and renewable energy industries.

Awards:

Dr. Xu has received numerous awards for his groundbreaking research. Notably, he was included in the Stanford University list of the top 2% of the most influential scientists worldwide. He has also been awarded research grants totaling over $12 million from prestigious organizations such as NASA, NSF, DOD, and various state agencies. His leadership in securing these grants, both as principal investigator and co-investigator, highlights his capacity to drive impactful research projects. Dr. Xu has also received the prestigious ONR Summer Faculty Fellowship and has been honored with awards for his patented technologies.

Publications:

Dr. Xu has published 58 peer-reviewed journal articles, 3 book chapters, and over 44 conference papers. His research has appeared in leading journals with high impact factors, contributing significantly to the advancement of materials science and engineering. A selection of his key publications includes:

A review of piezoelectric footwear energy harvesters: principles, methods, and applications, Sensors, 2023.

Proof Mass Effects on a Flextensional Piezoelectric Energy Harvester, IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2022.

A high density piezoelectric energy harvesting device from highway traffic—System design and road test, Applied Energy, 2021.

Piezoelectric energy harvesting from human walking by using a two-stage amplification mechanism, Energy, 2019.

Design, optimization, modeling, and testing of a piezoelectric footwear energy harvester, Energy Conversion and Management, 2018.

Conclusion:

Dr. Tian-Bing Xu’s achievements make him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His pioneering work in smart materials, energy harvesting technologies, and advanced manufacturing places him at the forefront of scientific innovation. His leadership in securing substantial research grants, his prolific publication record, and his numerous patents underscore his significant contributions to both academic and practical advancements in his field. With continued growth in interdisciplinary research and broader global collaborations, Dr. Xu’s work promises to have an even greater impact on the future of technology and sustainable energy solutions.