Ikechi Ukaegbu | Energy Harvesting | Research Excellence Award

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)

Syed Awais Ali | Carbon Capture | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Syed Awais Ali | Carbon Capture | Research Excellence Award

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS | Malaysia

Mr. Syed Awais Ali demonstrates notable research excellence in advanced nanomaterials for sustainable energy and environmental applications. The research focuses on MXenes, low-cost nanomaterials, phase change materials, thermal energy storage, carbon capture, and hydrogen production technologies, addressing key challenges in decarbonization and clean energy systems. The work integrates materials synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation to develop scalable, high-impact solutions. Scholarly impact is reflected through 19 Scopus-indexed publications, accumulating 322 citations, and achieving a Scopus h-index of 10, indicating consistent research productivity and strong citation influence. These achievements collectively support the Mr. Syed Awais Ali ‘s suitability for the Research Excellence Award.

Citation Metrics (Scopus)

400

300

100

50

0

Citations
322

Documents
19

h-index
10

Featured Publications

Mudassir Hussain Tahir | Pyrolysis | Best Researcher Award

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

Saadi Berri | Hydrogen Storage | High-Temperature Metallurgy Award

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

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