João Sousa | Artificial Intelligence | Breakthrough Research Award

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Dr. João Sousa | Artificial Intelligence | Breakthrough Research Award

Resarcher at Universisty of Porto | Portugal

Dr. João Sousa’s research represents a breakthrough in intelligent metal additive manufacturing by integrating artificial intelligence, multimodal learning, and autonomous control into laser-based processes. His work pioneers novel joint-embedding frameworks and AI-driven control strategies that enable real-time monitoring, adaptive decision-making, and zero-defect manufacturing pathways. These contributions substantially advance the digitalization of advanced manufacturing systems. His research impact is evidenced by 15 Scopus-indexed publications, 91 citations, and an h-index of 6, demonstrating innovation, influence, and strong suitability for the Breakthrough Research Award.

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Citations
91

Documents
15

h-index
6

Featured Publications


Optimization of direct laser deposition of a martensitic steel powder (Metco 42c) on 42CrMo4 steel

AA Ferreira, R Darabi, JP Sousa, JM Cruz, AR Reis, MF Vieira – Metals, 2021 · 30 citations


Artificial intelligence for control in laser-based additive manufacturing: A systematic review

J Sousa, B Brandau, R Darabi, A Sousa, F Brueckner, A Reis, LP Reis – IEEE Access, 2025 · 18 citations


Human-in-the-loop Multi-objective Bayesian Optimization for Directed Energy Deposition with in-situ monitoring

J Sousa, A Sousa, F Brueckner, LP Reis, A Reis – Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 2025 · 12 citations


Inconel 625/NiCrWMo functionally graded materials manufactured by direct laser deposition

AA Ferreira, AR Reis, JP Sousa, JM Cruz, MF Vieira – Materials Characterization, 2025 · 10 citations


End-to-end solution for analog gauge monitoring using computer vision in an IoT platform

J Peixoto, J Sousa, R Carvalho, G Santos, R Cardoso, A Reis – Sensors, 2023 · 10 citations

Samir Farhat | 2D Boron Nitride | Advanced Alloys and Materials Award

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Dr. Samir Farhat | 2D Boron Nitride | Advanced Alloys and Materials Award

Doctor at Sorbonne Paris Nord University | France

Samir Farhat is highly suitable for the Advanced Alloys and Materials Award based on his internationally recognized contributions to advanced materials processing and two-dimensional materials. His research has significantly advanced the synthesis and control of graphene, carbon nanotubes, diamond, and hexagonal boron nitride through innovative electromagnetic induction–based approaches, enabling scalable, reproducible, and high-quality material fabrication. Notably, he pioneered inductive synthesis routes for graphene with controlled domain size, developed the first inductive method for large-area single-crystal Cu(111) substrates, and achieved breakthrough synthesis of h-BN, highlighted by a journal cover feature. His work integrates experimental investigation with thermochemical and kinetic modeling, directly impacting advanced alloys, functional substrates, and next-generation materials systems. According to the Scopus profile, he has 1,051 citations, 63 peer-reviewed publications, and an h-index of 17, reflecting strong scholarly impact and sustained research excellence.

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1,051

Documents
63

h-index
17

Featured Publications

Muhammad Ateeq | Remote Sensing | Excellence in Research Award

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Mr. Muhammad Ateeq | Remote Sensing | Excellence in Research Award

Aerospace Information Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences | China

Mr. Muhammad Ateeq’s research integrates computer science, machine learning, and remote sensing to deliver scalable, data-driven solutions for Earth observation and energy planning. His work advances multi-sensor data fusion, image segmentation, and environmental change detection, with strong emphasis on computational rigor and real-world applicability. A notable contribution is his scenario-based spatial assessment framework for hybrid solar–wind energy systems, combining geospatial analytics with techno-economic modeling to support resilient renewable infrastructure planning. His research also extends to deep learning–based plant disease detection, demonstrating high-accuracy classification using transfer learning, and to network security analysis in next-generation communication systems. Collectively, these works highlight methodological versatility and cross-domain relevance. As reflected in his ORCID profile, he has 2 indexed journal publications, an emerging h-index, and a growing citation record, underscoring increasing scholarly visibility and impact.

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50

Documents
5

h-index
2

Aida Nikbakht | High Temperature Corrosion | Research Excellence Award

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Ms. Aida Nikbakht | High Temperature Corrosion | Research Excellence Award

Chakmers University of Technology | Sweden

Ms. Aida Nikbakht’s research addresses critical challenges in corrosion and materials durability, with particular emphasis on magnesium alloys, advanced coatings, and high-temperature corrosion mechanisms in aggressive salt environments. Her work integrates experimental investigation with thermodynamic analysis to elucidate degradation pathways and improve material performance in demanding industrial conditions. She has contributed peer-reviewed publications in well-recognized international journals, advancing understanding of silane-based composite coatings, intergranular fluoride attack, and corrosion mitigation strategies. These studies are relevant to both biomedical and energy-related applications, reflecting strong interdisciplinary impact. According to her Scopus profile, her research output comprises 5 indexed publications, accumulating 71 citations, with an h-index of 2, indicating growing scholarly influence and recognition within the research community. Overall, her publication quality, citation impact, and thematic relevance collectively demonstrate research excellence and justify strong consideration for the Research Excellence Award.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

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Citations
71
Documents
5
h-index
2

Featured Publications


Redox mechanisms and metal fluoride stability in alkali fluoride corrosion – confirmed by experiment

Corrosion Science, 2026 · Journal Article
DOI: 10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113538
Contributors: Aida Nikbakht; Per Malmberg; Behnam Bahramian; Christine Geers


High Temperature Corrosion of Inconel 625 and Pure Nickel in Contact with Fluoride Melts

ECS Meeting Abstracts, 2023 · Journal Article
DOI: 10.1149/MA2023-02452195mtgabs
Contributors: Aida Nikbakht; Behnam Bahramian; Christine Geers


Preparation of PEO/silane composite coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy and investigation of its properties

Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2021 · Journal Article
DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.159995
ISSN: 0925-8388

Brahim Safi | Green Construction | Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award

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Prof. Brahim Safi | Green Construction | Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award

Professor at M’hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes | Algeria

Prof. Brahim Safi is highly suitable for the Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award due to his sustained and influential contributions to eco-efficient materials, waste valorization, and sustainability-driven engineering solutions. His research consistently advances sustainable metallurgical practices through recycling of industrial and metallurgical wastes, development of eco-materials, and reduction of environmental impact in construction and materials processing, aligning strongly with circular economy principles. His scholarly output demonstrates both depth and applied relevance, bridging metallurgical science with environmental stewardship and industrial sustainability. According to his Scopus profile, his work has achieved 715 citations across 52 published documents, reflecting strong academic visibility and real-world impact, with a solid h-index of 12, underscoring consistent citation performance and research quality. These metrics, combined with his focused publication portfolio on sustainable materials, recycling technologies, and resource efficiency, clearly position Prof. Safi as a deserving and credible recipient of the Sustainable Metallurgical Engineering Award.

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Citations
715

Documents
52

h-index
12

Featured Publications


The use of plastic waste as fine aggregate in self-compacting mortars: Effect on physical and mechanical properties

Construction and Building Materials (2013) · Cited by 330


The use of seashells as a fine aggregate (sand substitution) in self-compacting mortar

Construction and Building Materials (2015) · Cited by 231


Use of recycled plastic bag waste in concrete

Journal of International Scientific Publications (2014) · Cited by 138


Physico-chemical and rheological characterization of water-based mud in the presence of polymers

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology (2015) · Cited by 57


Rheological behavior of an Algerian crude oil containing SDBS as a surfactant

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering (2015) · Cited by 48

Xiaoguang Liu | Ceramic Coatings | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Xiaoguang Liu | Ceramic Coatings | Research Excellence Award

Associate Professor at University of Science and Technology Beijing | China

Dr. Xiaoguang Liu demonstrates strong suitability for the Research Excellence Award through her extensive and impactful contributions to metallurgical ceramics, high-temperature materials, and advanced protective coatings. Her research portfolio spans eight completed or ongoing projects, supported by a substantial body of 54 Scopus-indexed documents, 1,647 citations, and an h-index of 21, reflecting significant global recognition of her work. She has published 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, authored a technical book (ISBN: 9787502477448), and contributed three patents that underscore both scientific innovation and industrial relevance. Her research focuses on TiC, SiC, and BN ceramic coatings engineered for superior oxidation and corrosion resistance in metallurgical environments, advancing scientific understanding of ceramic–substrate bonding mechanisms and curing behaviors. With expertise across high-temperature ceramics, refractory castables, coatings, and cements, her findings provide valuable applications in steelmaking, aluminum casting, and related sectors. Complementing her academic achievements, she has undertaken eight consultancy or industry-based projects, strengthening the translational impact of her work. Her editorial role with the International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, active collaborations with global universities and industries, and membership in the American Ceramics Society further highlight her scientific leadership. Collectively, her publications, high citation impact, patents, and research excellence establish her as an outstanding and deserving candidate for the Research Excellence Award.

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Citations
1,647
Documents
54
h-index
21

Featured Publications

Preparation of Co/S co-doped carbon catalysts for excellent methylene blue degradation

– International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 2025 | Citations: 5

Zhongjuan Ji | Greenization of Manufacturing | Research Excellence Award

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Zhongjuan Ji | Greenization of Manufacturing | Research Excellence Award

Lecturer at Suzhou University of Science and Technology | China

Zhongjuan Ji demonstrates a strong and consistent record of scholarly excellence that makes her highly suitable for the Research Excellence Award. Her research spans sustainable tourism, cultural heritage development, digital cultural-tourism transformation, tourism spatial justice, and human–water relationships, supported by 52 citations, 6 Scopus-indexed documents, and an h-index of 4. She has contributed 12 indexed journal publications, including SSCI, CSSCI, ESCI, and AMI articles, along with four scholarly monographs, reflecting both productivity and impact across interdisciplinary tourism studies. Her projects-covering national, provincial, and international research initiatives-advance knowledge on rural revitalization, digitalization of cultural-tourism resources, tourism-driven poverty alleviation, heritage site sustainability, and manufacturing–tourism integration. Through collaborations with institutions such as Sun Yat-sen University, Northern Arizona University, and Suzhou University of Science and Technology, she has strengthened global academic partnerships while generating applied insights for government and industry, including contributions to cultural-tourism policy development in Tibet and Jiangsu. Her publications in journals such as Sustainability, Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Current Issues in Tourism, and Journal of China Tourism Research demonstrate methodological rigor and relevance to contemporary challenges in sustainable development. Her role as a reviewer for major journals and the National Natural Science Foundation of China further highlights her standing in the academic community. With a balanced portfolio of theoretical research, policy-oriented studies, and cross-disciplinary innovation, Zhongjuan Ji exemplifies the qualities of a high-impact scholar whose work advances both scientific understanding and real-world practice aligning perfectly with the objectives of the Research Excellence Award.

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Citations 52

Documents
12

h-index
4

Citations
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Featured Publications

National tourism standards and local practices: Based on the experience of Tibet, China

– Journal of China Tourism Research, 2022-12-01 | Contributors: Zhongjuan Ji; Honggang Xu; Qingming Cui; Peng Yang

The influence of community factors on local entrepreneurs’ support for tourism

– Current Issues in Tourism, 2020-07-17 | Contributors: Ying Zhang; Jin Hooi Chan; Zhongjuan Ji; Luning Sun; Bernard Lane; Xiaoguang Qi

Mudassir Hussain Tahir | Pyrolysis | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mudassir Hussain Tahir | Pyrolysis | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Nanjing Forestry University | China

Dr. Mudassir Hussain Tahir is a highly accomplished researcher whose prolific scientific contributions and multidisciplinary impact make him an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award. With 2,411 citations, 119 peer-reviewed publications, and an impressive Scopus h-index of 27, he has established a strong global research footprint in biomass thermochemical conversion, catalytic pyrolysis, heterogeneous catalyst development, sustainable hydrogen-rich syngas production, CO₂ adsorption, bio-based chemical synthesis, and machine-learning-assisted materials discovery. His work has advanced fundamental understanding of pyrolysis kinetics, reactor design, catalyst–feedstock interactions, and waste-to-energy pathways, leading to high-value bio-oils, green chemicals, and sustainable aviation fuel precursors. He has published influential articles in leading journals such as Energy & Fuels, Bioresource Technology, Fuel, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, ACS Omega, and Applied Thermal Engineering, covering both experimental innovation and computational materials design. His research also integrates advanced data-driven methodologies for designing organic semiconductors, dyes, polymers, and photovoltaic materials, positioning him at the frontier of clean energy materials research. In addition to his extensive publication record, he has served as Guest Editor and Review Editor for reputable journals, reflecting strong leadership and recognition within the scientific community. His contributions span renewable energy, waste valorization, catalysis, environmental sustainability, and predictive materials chemistry, demonstrating both depth and breadth in research excellence. Dr. Tahir’s sustained scholarly productivity, high citation impact, and transformative contributions to biomass energy and materials innovation exemplify the qualities of a distinguished and forward-thinking scientist, making him thoroughly deserving of the Best Researcher Award.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Zan Mary Konare | Industrial Gold Mining | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Zan Mary Konare | Industrial Gold Mining | Research Excellence Award

Vacation Lecturer & Researcher at Ecole Nationale d’Ingenieurs Abderhamane Baba Touré (ENI-ABT) | Mali

Dr. Zan Mary Konaré is a dedicated environmental and sustainability researcher whose contributions demonstrate strong potential for the Research Excellence Award. Her work focuses on advanced Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Social LCA (S-LCA), and Life Cycle Costing (LCC), integrating environmental, economic, and governance dimensions into comprehensive sustainability evaluation frameworks. She has established herself as one of the emerging scholars applying Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) to complex real-world challenges, particularly within Africa’s industrial and resource-intensive sectors. Her research has produced three peer-reviewed Scopus-indexed publications, collectively accumulating 14 citations and an h-index of 2, reflecting the growing influence of her work within the international sustainability community. These publications include cutting-edge assessments of industrial gold mining in Mali, where she applies system-based modelling tools such as SimaPro, OpenLCA, R, and GIS to evaluate socio-environmental trade-offs. Her studies provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and environmental managers seeking to improve sustainability performance across supply chains. Beyond academic outputs, she actively contributes to scientific capacity building, designing training programs that translate research findings into practical strategies for environmental protection and sustainable resource management. Her interdisciplinary expertise, supported by strong analytical skills, modelling competence, and commitment to community-oriented impact, demonstrates excellence in both research innovation and knowledge transfer. Given her publication record, citation performance, methodological rigor, and meaningful societal contributions, Dr. Konaré is highly suitable for the Research Excellence Award, representing a promising and impactful researcher advancing sustainability science within African and global contexts.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Konaré, Z. M., et al. (2025). Social life cycle assessment of industrial gold mining in Mali. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.

Konaré, Z. M., et al. (2024). Life cycle assessment of an industrial gold mining in Mali. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.

Konaré, Z. M., et al. (2023). Application of life cycle sustainability assessment in the gold mining sector: A systematic review. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.

Humaira Rashid Khan | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Humaira Rashid Khan | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Universiti Sains Malaysia | Pakistan

Dr. Humaira Rashid Khan is a highly accomplished materials scientist whose research excellence in energy storage, nanomaterials, and photoelectrochemical systems strongly aligns with the expectations of the Best Researcher Award. Her work spans advanced polymer electrolyte membranes, Li–air battery challenges, supercapacitor development, nanocomposite engineering, and ZnO-based photoanodes for solar-driven water splitting, demonstrating both depth and multidisciplinary impact. She has produced significant contributions as evidenced by her 118 Scopus citations, 4 Scopus-indexed documents, and an h-index of 3, while her broader scholarly footprint includes more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact Q1 and Q2 journals, book chapters with Springer and Elsevier, and major review articles framing the future of next-generation electrochemical devices. Her publications address critical bottlenecks in battery chemistries, propose innovative membrane-fabrication strategies, and report enhanced photocurrent densities through rational nanostructure engineering, reflecting both originality and practical relevance. Dr. Khan has consistently advanced the scientific understanding of charge-transfer mechanisms, thin-film fabrication, dopant-driven band-gap tuning, and nanostructured electrode performance, supporting the global transition toward clean and sustainable energy technologies. Her international postdoctoral research experience, collaborative projects, and contributions to device-level prototypes highlight her ability to translate complex materials science concepts into scalable solutions. Through her rigorous experimentation, mastery of electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, and sustained high-quality publication record, Dr. Khan demonstrates the research leadership, innovation, and scholarly influence that make her highly suitable for recognition under the Best Researcher Award category.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Khan, H. R., & Ahmad, A. L. (2025). Supercapacitors: Overcoming current limitations and charting the course for next-generation energy storage. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 141, 46–66. Cited by 149

Khan, H. R., & Ahmad, A. L. (2025). Vapor induced phase separation approach for fabricating high-performance PVDF-HFP/PEO polymer electrolyte membranes with improved electrochemical properties. Materials Today Communications, 42, 111330. Cited by 6

Shuja, F. S. A., Khan, H. R., Murtaza, I., Ashraf, S., & Yousra, … (2024). Supercapacitors for energy storage applications: Materials, devices and future directions: A comprehensive review. Journal of Alloys and Compounds. Cited by 89

Khan, M. S., Murtaza, I., Shuja, A., Fahad, S., Khan, M. W., Ahmmad, J., … Khan, H. R. (2024). Energy on-the-go: V2O5-pBOA-Graphene nanocomposite for wearable supercapacitor applications. Electrochimica Acta, 486, 144119. Cited by 14

Muhammad Shahid Khan, A. N., Murtaza, I., Shuja, A., & Khan, H. R. (2024). Tailored NiO-pBOA-GNP ternary nanocomposite: Advances in flexible supercapacitors and practical applications for wearable technology and environmental monitoring. Journal of Energy Storage, 86, 111128. Cited by 17