Dr. Sun-Dong Kim | Water Electrolysis | Best Researcher Award

Chief at Korea Institute of Energy Research | South Korea

Dr. Sun-Dong Kim is a distinguished materials scientist from the Republic of Korea, renowned for his expertise in ceramic engineering, fuel cell systems, and clean hydrogen technologies. He obtained both his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in Ceramic Engineering from Yonsei University, Seoul. Dr. Kim began his professional career as a Principal Researcher at Hyundai Motor Corporation and later joined the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), where he currently serves as Chief and Head of the National Hydrogen Hub Laboratory. He has also contributed to academia as an Associate Professor at the University of Science and Technology and serves on the Board of Directors of the Korean Hydrogen & New Energy Society. With 47 Scopus-indexed publications and 1,505 citations, Dr. Kim holds an h-index of 22, reflecting his strong influence in the field of solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and high-temperature electrochemical systems. His work has appeared in top-tier journals such as Journal of Power Sources, Ceramics International, and Applied Energy. Beyond publications, Dr. Kim has been a key innovator in energy materials, contributing to over 70 patents in hydrogen production, electrochemical device engineering, and advanced fuel cell technologies, solidifying his leadership in advancing clean and sustainable hydrogen manufacturing research.

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Featured Publications

Kim, S. D., Hyun, S. H., Shin, M. Y., Lim, T. H., Hong, S. A., & Lim, H. C. (2005). Phase and microstructure stabilities of LiAlO₂ in molten Li/Na carbonate for molten carbonate fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 143(1–2), 24–29. Cited by 28 documents.

Hong, G., Kim, T. W., Kwak, M. J., Song, J., Choi, Y., Woo, S. K., & Kim, S. D. (2020). Composite electrodes of Ti-doped SrFeO₃–δ and LSGMZ electrolytes as both the anode and cathode in symmetric solid oxide fuel cells. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 846, 156154. Cited by 27 documents.

Choi, H. J., Na, Y. H., Kwak, M., Kim, T. W., Seo, D. W., Woo, S. K., & Kim, S. D. (2017). Development of solid oxide cells by co-sintering of GDC diffusion barriers with LSCF air electrode. Ceramics International, 43(16), 13653–13660. Cited by 26 documents.

Choi, H. J., Kim, T. W., Na, Y. H., Seo, D. W., Woo, S. K., Huh, J. Y., & Kim, S. D. (2018). Enhanced electrochemical performance of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells via an inner coating of Gd₀.₁Ce₀.₉O₂–δ nanosol in the porous NiFe-metal support. Journal of Power Sources, 406, 81–87. Cited by 25 documents.

Kim, S. D., Hyun, S. H., Lim, T. H., & Hong, S. A. (2004). Effective fabrication method of rod-shaped γ-LiAlO₂ particles for molten carbonate fuel cell matrices. Journal of Power Sources, 137(1), 24–29. Cited by 21 documents.

Dr. Xiaomi Zhou | Hydrogen Energy | Best Researcher Award

Doctor at Jining University | China

Dr. Xiaomi Zhou is a distinguished faculty member at the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jining University, whose research centers on next-generation energy materials and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). She has made notable contributions to the field through the development of molten hydroxide-based electrolytes that enable efficient operation at low temperatures, addressing one of the major limitations in traditional SOFC systems. Her innovative work on molten aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) as a high-performance electrolyte led to the creation of a bilayer structure (Al(OH)₃/SrTiO₃), facilitating superior proton conduction through a dynamic hydrogen-bonding network. Dr. Zhou’s research, supported by the Hundred Outstanding Talent Program of Jining University, has been published in leading international journals such as Ceramics International, where her paper “Molten Al(OH)₃ as an Innovative Electrolyte for SOFCs Below 500 °C” stands out as a significant scientific contribution. She has collaborated with prominent institutions including Hubei University, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, and Kaili University, enhancing interdisciplinary research and innovation in energy systems. According to her Scopus profile, Dr. Zhou has authored 12 publications, received 148 citations, and holds an h-index of 7, reflecting her growing influence in the materials and energy research community. Her pioneering studies on proton transport mechanisms via the Grotthuss process have substantially advanced the understanding of low-temperature SOFCs, paving the way for sustainable, high-efficiency fuel cell technologies with potential industrial and environmental benefits.

Profile: Scopus | Research Gate

Feautured Publications

Zhou, X., Niu, S., Tian, Q., Ma, X., Jing, Y., Fu, M., & Wang, B. (2025). Molten Al(OH)₃ as an innovative electrolyte for SOFCs below 500 °C. Ceramics International.

Chen, H., Zhong, D., Xia, C., Zhou, X., & Wang, B. (2025). Cr poisoned the LiNi₀.₈Co₀.₁₅Al₀.₀₅O₂−δ cathode and the alkaline Li impregnation to recover the performance of Cr poisoned solid oxide fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources.

Zhou, X., Zheng, D., Wang, Q., Xiang, Y., & Wang, B. (2023). In situ formation of Ba₃CoNb₂O₉/Ba₅Nb₄O₁₅ heterostructure in electrolytes for enhancing proton conductivity and SOFC performance. Journal of Materials Chemistry A. Cited by 5

Xiang, Y., Jiang, C., Zheng, D., Zhou, X., & Wang, B. (2022). Interlayer conducting mechanism in α-LiAlO₂ enables fast proton transport with low activation energy for solid oxide fuel cells. Electrochimica Acta, 431, 141208. Cited by 13