Ikechi Ukaegbu | Energy Harvesting | Research Excellence Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Ikechi Ukaegbu | Energy Harvesting | Research Excellence Award

Assistant Professor at University of West Alabama | United States

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ikechi Ukaegbu is an accomplished researcher recognized for impactful contributions to electrical engineering, silicon photonics, optoelectronics, and photonics-based radar systems. His research addresses critical challenges in high-speed optical interconnects, secure wireless communications, autonomous vehicle sensing, and energy-harvesting technologies for IoT applications. Through a strong integration of device design, system modeling, and experimental validation, his work has advanced both fundamental knowledge and practical engineering solutions. His scholarly impact is reflected in a strong Scopus profile with 114 publications, 386 citations, and an h-index of 10, demonstrating sustained research excellence and international recognition.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

400

200

100

50

0

Citations
386

Documents
114

h-index
10

Featured Publications


Energy 4.0: towards IoT applications in Kazakhstan

B. Satuyeva, C. Sauranbayev, I.A. Ukaegbu, H.K. Nunna – Procedia Computer Science, 2019 (Cited by 38)

Perovskite PV energy harvesting system for uninterrupted IoT device applications

Y. Olzhabay, A. Ng, I.A. Ukaegbu – Energies, 2021 (Cited by 35)

Virtual power plant in Industry 4.0: Strategic planning of emerging VPP in Kazakhstan

M. Kenzhina, I. Kalysh, I. Ukaegbu, S.K. Nunna – ICACT, 2019 (Cited by 24)

The fourth industrial revolution: Towards Energy 4.0 in Kazakhstan

A. Alimkhan, A. Makhambayev, I.A. Ukaegbu – ICACT, 2019 (Cited by 24)

Towards the application of blockchain technology for smart grids in Kazakhstan

D. Orazgaliyev, Y. Lukpanov, I.A. Ukaegbu, H.S.V.S.K. Nunna – ICACT, 2019 (Cited by 22)

Helmi Nasraoui | Energy Consumption | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Helmi Nasraoui | Energy Consumption | Research Excellence Award

Doctoral Researcher at The National Higher Engineering School of Tunis (ENSIT) | Tunisia

Mr. Helmi Nasraoui’s research reflects a strong commitment to advancing intelligent manufacturing through the integration of artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, and robust design methodologies. His Scopus-indexed journal publication demonstrates effective use of Artificial Neural Networks and Gaussian Process Regression to predict energy consumption in AM-FDM processes, addressing sustainability and process optimization challenges. Complementary conference publications expand this work to rheology variation analysis and HVAC energy modeling, reinforcing the practical relevance of his research. Collectively, these contributions highlight methodological rigor, innovation, and industrial applicability. His Scopus profile records 1 indexed journal publication, multiple conference papers, an emerging citation record, supporting his suitability for the Research Excellence Award.

Professional Profiles

Featured Publications


Use of the RDPP-SF Method to Analyze Rheology Variation in an AM-Cement-Based
M. Amdouni, H. Nasraoui, M. A. Rezgui, A. Trabelsi –
Advances in Additive Manufacturing: Materials, Processes, and Applications, 2025


Applying the ANN and the GPR Models to Predict Energy Consumption for AM-FDM of Isovolumetric Mechanical Components
H. Nasraoui, A. Trabelsi, M. A. Rezgui –
Concurrent Engineering, Article ID: 1063293X251371108, 2025

Saadi Berri | Hydrogen Storage | High-Temperature Metallurgy Award

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Dr. Saadi Berri | Hydrogen Storage | High-Temperature Metallurgy Award

Senior Lecturer at University of M’Sila | Algeria

Dr. Saadi Berri is a distinguished materials scientist specializing in computational and theoretical investigations of metallic and intermetallic compounds for high-temperature applications. His research employs first-principles calculations and density functional theory to explore the mechanical, magnetic, optical, and thermoelectric characteristics of advanced alloys, perovskites, and hydrides. Through systematic modeling of high-temperature phase stability, electronic structure, and thermodynamic responses, Dr. Berri provides predictive insights crucial for developing energy-efficient materials. His studies on Heusler and perovskite-type compounds have clarified the origin of half-metallicity, spin polarization, and thermal conductivity in ferromagnetic and thermoelectric systems. Additionally, his hydrogen storage analyses of borohydrides and complex hydrides advance the understanding of lightweight energy carriers suitable for extreme environments. He has published 69 peer-reviewed papers, amassing 2,131 citations and attaining an h-index of 26 on Scopus, underscoring his consistent research impact. His theoretical frameworks contribute substantially to the advancement of metallurgical science, particularly in the domain of high-temperature performance and functional material design.

Featured Publications

Berri, S. (2021). Half-metallic and thermoelectric properties of Sr₂EuReO₆. Computational Condensed Matter, 28, e00586. Cited by 143

Berri, S. (2022). Thermoelectric properties of A₂BCl₆: A first-principles study. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 170, 110940. Cited by 134

Berri, S. (2015). First-principles study on half-metallic properties of the Sr₂GdReO₆ double perovskite. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 385, 124-128. Cited by 126

Berri, S. (2023). First-principles calculations to investigate structural, electronic, elastic, optical, and transport properties of halide double perovskites Cs₂ABF₆ (AB = BiAu, AgIr, CuBi, GaAu). Chemical Physics Letters, 826, 140653. Cited by 124

Berri, S., Ibrir, M., Maouche, D., & Attallah, M. (2014). Robust half-metallic ferromagnet of quaternary Heusler compounds ZrCoTiZ (Z = Si, Ge, Ga and Al). Computational Condensed Matter, 1, 26-31. Cited by 111

Vladimir Atanasov | Fuel Cell | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. Vladimir Atanasov | Fuel Cell | Excellence in Research Award

Team Leader at University of Stuttgart | Germany

Dr. Vladimir Milanov Atanasov is a distinguished researcher in polymer and membrane technology with more than 25 years of international experience in the field of chemical and polymer engineering. He currently serves as Team Leader for Polymer and Membrane Technology at the Institute of Chemical Process Engineering, University of Stuttgart. Born and educated in Bulgaria, he earned his M.Sc. in Organic and Analytical Chemistry from Sofia State University, followed by a Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. Müllen at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz. Dr. Atanasov has held several prestigious postdoctoral appointments, including at the MPI for Polymer Research, MPI for Solid State Research, and the University of Stuttgart, where his work focused on fuel cell and biomembrane applications. His expertise spans polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) preparation, advanced polymerization techniques, post-modification methods, and organic synthesis, particularly in phosphonated and sulfonated fluoro-arylenes and functionalized lipids. He is skilled in a wide range of characterization techniques, including EIS, DMA, NMR, MALDI-ToF, GPC, DSC, and FTIR. Dr. Atanasov has authored 33 scientific documents, including 35 peer-reviewed papers, and holds three patents. His contributions have been cited over 1,181 times, and his current Scopus profile reflects an h-index of 16. His ongoing research focuses on the development and characterization of novel polymer electrolyte membranes for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC), combining innovative materials and advanced film-forming techniques to enhance efficiency and durability in energy applications.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Feautured Publications

Atanasov, V., Knorr, N., Duran, R. S., Ingebrandt, S., Offenhäusser, A., & Knoll, W. (2005). Membrane on a chip: A functional tethered lipid bilayer membrane on silicon oxide surfaces. Biophysical Journal, 89(3), 1780–1788. Cited by: 250

Schuster, M., de Araujo, C. C., Atanasov, V., Andersen, H. T., Kreuer, K. D., & Maier, J. (2009). Highly sulfonated poly (phenylene sulfone): Preparation and stability issues. Macromolecules, 42(8), 3129–3137. Cited by: 204

Atanasov, V., Lee, A. S., Park, E. J., Maurya, S., Baca, E. D., Fujimoto, C., Hibbs, M., & others. (2021). Synergistically integrated phosphonated poly (pentafluorostyrene) for fuel cells. Nature Materials, 20(3), 370–377. Cited by: 198

Lim, K. H., Lee, A. S., Atanasov, V., Kerres, J., Park, E. J., Adhikari, S., Maurya, S., & others. (2022). Protonated phosphonic acid electrodes for high power heavy-duty vehicle fuel cells. Nature Energy, 7(3), 248–259. Cited by: 162

Atanasov, V., Atanasova, P. P., Vockenroth, I. K., Knorr, N., & Köper, I. (2006). A molecular toolkit for highly insulating tethered bilayer lipid membranes on various substrates. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 17(3), 631–637. Cited by: 94

Atanasov, V., & Kerres, J. (2011). Highly phosphonated polypentafluorostyrene. Macromolecules, 44(16), 6416–6423. Cited by: 93

Ling Ge | Energy and Fuels | Best Researcher Award

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Ling Ge | Energy and Fuels | Best Researcher Award

Wuhan University of Science and Technology |  China

Dr. Ling Ge is a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, specializing in advanced energy materials and energy storage technologies. Her research centers on the development and performance optimization of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), with a particular emphasis on engineering high-performance and highly stable vanadium electrolytes. She has been actively engaged in projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Science and Technology Innovation Talent Program of Hubei Province. Her contributions address one of the critical limitations in VRFB technology by expanding the operational temperature range of vanadium electrolytes, while simultaneously improving concentration levels, thus enhancing both stability and energy density. Ling Ge has published in leading journals, including Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering Journal, with 15 citations indexed in WOS. Her research has led to the development of new patents, such as electrolyte preparation methods based on composite acid media, and she has contributed to collaborative efforts in deploying a 10 kW vanadium redox flow battery–photovoltaic integrated system. Dedicated to innovation in sustainable energy storage, she has consistently demonstrated strong analytical and experimental skills in advancing electrolyte chemistry and system integration. With her proven record of impactful contributions, she positions herself as a promising young researcher and a strong candidate for recognition under the Best Researcher Award category.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publication

Ge, L., Liu, T., Zhang, Y., & Liu, H. (2025). Research of high temperature performance of vanadium electrolytes with sulfate-phosphoric mixed acid system. Chemical Engineering Journal, 468, 168239.

Ge, L., Liu, T., Zhang, Y., & Liu, H. (2024). Optimized the vanadium electrolyte with sulfate-phosphoric mixed acids to enhance the stable operation at high-temperature. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 18(2), 2377.

Ge, L., Liu, T., Zhang, Y., & Liu, H. (2023). Characterization and comparison of organic functional groups effects on electrolyte performance for vanadium redox flow battery. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering, 17(9), 1221–1230.