Ran Xu

I am a recent graduate with a Master’s degree from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and am about to begin a three-year PhD at Politecnico di Torino within the FOURIER project. During my master’s studies, I focused on nondestructive testing (NDT), building physics, circular construction, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). My master’s thesis combined wireless sensing technologies, preventive conservation of historical structures, and energy efficiency, proposing an innovative environmental monitoring concept based on multiphysics simulation. I also gained international research experience during a research exchange at EPFL, working on computational design and 3D reconstruction.

My PhD research will focus on developing real-time, multimodal deep learning models for infrastructure inspection using non-contact sensing technologies, including LiDAR, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV), and RGB and thermal cameras. The aim is to improve data extraction beyond conventional computer vision methods, with results visualized through augmented reality (AR) wearable devices for efficient on-site assessment.

I was drawn to the FOURIER project by its interdisciplinary approach and strong academic–industrial network. I am highly motivated to contribute to bridging the gap between research and real-world applications through innovative, applied research.