Jae-Kwang Kim | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jae-Kwang Kim | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Jae-Kwang Kim | Cheongju University | South Korea

Jae-Kwang Kim is an accomplished materials scientist and energy storage researcher currently serving as Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Energy Conversion Engineering at Cheongju University, Korea, since 2015. He previously held a research-focused Assistant Professorship at UNIST and completed both his postdoctoral research and Ph.D. at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, specializing in material science. With over 150 international publications and multiple patents, his work spans lithium-metal, sodium, and seawater battery systems, solid and hybrid electrolytes, organic polymer electrodes, and flexible energy storage technologies. His research contributions have appeared in leading journals such as Advanced Energy Materials, Nano Energy, Energy Storage Materials, Chemical Engineering Journal, and NPG Asia Materials. Kim has led projects in both academia and industry, having worked as an assistant researcher at VK EIG, Hanwha Chemical, and Kaya MA, contributing to cathode development and electrochemical testing. He also served as Research Director at the Solar Research Institute (2018–2019) and currently advises the Chungcheongbuk-do government on energy strategies. His innovations have resulted in more than a dozen patents covering hybrid solid electrolytes, secondary batteries, and organic electrode technologies. Recognized internationally, he received the Korea Minister of Education Award in 2017 and has been ranked by Elsevier among the top 2% most influential researchers worldwide in 2023 and 2024. Through decades of interdisciplinary work bridging materials chemistry, electrochemistry, and device engineering, Kim continues to advance high-performance, sustainable, and scalable energy storage solutions.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

Kim, J.-K., Lee, J., & Yang, J. (2025). Mechanically reinforced solid-state polymer electrolyte using illite filler for flexible all-solid-state Li-metal batteries. Journal of Power Sources.

Kim, J.-K., Lee, J., & Yang, J. (2025). Effect of plasticizers on the electrochemical performance of PEO-based solid polymer electrolytes for rechargeable lithium batteries. Journal of Power Sources.

Wu, F., Kim, J.-K., & Zhang, X. (2021). Dual-anion ionic liquid electrolyte enables stable Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes in lithium batteries. Joule, 5(7), 1736–1750.

Na, D., Kim, J.-K., & Lee, J. (2022). Highly safe and stable Li–CO₂ batteries using conducting polymer composites. Electrochimica Acta, 421, 140–149.

Lee, J. H., Kim, J.-K., & Lee, J. (2022). A high-stable polyacrylonitrile/ceramic composite electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium batteries. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 273, 115–123.

Adel | Sustainability | Best Academic Researcher Award

Dr. Adel | Sustainability | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Vienna University of Economics and Business | Austria

Dr. Adel Aazami, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Austria. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the Iran University of Science and Technology, where he graduated with distinction, and has previously served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Sharif University of Technology. His academic journey also includes a visiting research position at the University of Toronto. Dr. Aazami’s research focuses on operations research, optimization, sustainable supply chains, logistics, production and distribution planning, competition and game theory, stochastic programming, and decomposition algorithms. He has published extensively in leading international journals such as Sustainability, Journal of Manufacturing Systems, and Computers & Industrial Engineering, contributing impactful work on vehicle routing, perishable goods distribution, and robust optimization models. He has authored books in Persian and presented his work at renowned international conferences, strengthening his presence in the global academic community. Recognized with prestigious awards such as the Iranian Nobel Award (Alborz National Foundation) and multiple accolades from the National Elites Foundation, he has been consistently ranked among the top students and researchers throughout his academic career. Alongside his teaching roles at WU and several Iranian universities, he has supervised numerous theses and conducted industrial research projects in areas like productivity management, innovation systems, and green supply chains. A dedicated reviewer for more than 30 leading international journals, he contributes to advancing scholarship across industrial engineering and logistics. Complementing his academic career, Dr. Aazami is actively engaged in community service through volunteer work with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, showcasing a strong commitment to both professional excellence and social responsibility.

Profile:  ORCID  |  Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Aazami, A., & Saidi-Mehrabad, M. (2021). A production and distribution planning of perishable products with a fixed lifetime under vertical competition in the seller-buyer systems: A real-world application. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 58, 223–247.

Goli, A., Aazami, A., & Jabbarzadeh, A. (2018). Accelerated cuckoo optimization algorithm for capacitated vehicle routing problem in competitive conditions. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence, 16(1), 88–112.

Makui, A., Heydari, M., Aazami, A., & Dehghani, E. (2016). Accelerating Benders decomposition approach for robust aggregate production planning of products with a very limited expiration date. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 100, 34–51.

Saeedi Mehrabad, M., Aazami, A., & Goli, A. (2017). A location-allocation model in the multi-level supply chain with multi-objective evolutionary approach. Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 10(3), 140–160.

Aazami, A., & Saidi-Mehrabad, M. (2019). Benders decomposition algorithm for robust aggregate production planning considering pricing decisions in competitive environment: A case study. Scientia Iranica, 26(5), 3007–3031.

Heydari, M., & Aazami, A. (2018). Minimizing the maximum tardiness and makespan criteria in a job shop scheduling problem with sequence dependent setup times. Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 11(2), 134–150.

Zarreh, M., Khandan, M., Goli, A., Aazami, A., & Kummer, S. (2024). Integrating perishables into closed-loop supply chains: A comprehensive review. Sustainability, 16(15), 6705.

Arash NourbakhshSadabad | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Arash NourbakhshSadabad | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Dr.  Arash NourbakhshSadabad, University of Tabriz, Iran

Dr. Arash NourbakhshSadabad is a distinguished researcher, academic, and innovator in the field of mechanical engineering with expertise in energy conversion, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. He completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Tabriz University with an excellent academic record,  during his doctoral studies. Alongside his academic journey, he has been a lecturer at Tabriz University, teaching key courses such as heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and turbomachinery while also serving as a research assistant in advanced projects. He has authored and co-authored several books and published numerous articles in reputable international and national journals, focusing on areas such as cavitation, renewable energy systems, hydrogen production, exergy analysis, and aerodynamic studies. His innovative contributions are highlighted by multiple patents, including compact and foldable hydraulic seats, a fan umbrella with sunlight detection capabilities, and self-retractable sunshades for vehicles. In addition to academia, he is the CEO of Bornafidar Rasa Company, where he has overseen projects introducing pioneering technologies in Iran, including handheld sprays, 3D spacer mesh devices, vacuum forming machines, and GPC wall panels. His excellence has been recognized with prestigious honors, including being named an exemplary student of Tabriz University, recognition from the Alborz Foundation and Elite Foundation, and multiple awards at the International Harakat Festival for innovation and creativity. He has also held leadership positions such as secretary-general of national mechanical and scientific associations, promoting collaboration and advancing academic and industrial growth. Skilled in engineering tools such as ANSYS, CATIA, MATLAB, Python, and OpenFOAM, he continues to bridge the gap between research, teaching, and industry. His career reflects a deep commitment to advancing mechanical engineering, renewable energy technologies, and innovative solutions, marking him as a rising leader in the global engineering community.

Profile : Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Nourbakhsh, A., Nami Khalilehdeh, M., Faramarzi, S., & Mafi, M. (2021). Energy, exergy and economic analysis of a hydrogen liquefaction process integrated with a PRICO cycle. Gas Processing Journal, 9(2), 83–102.

Aryanfar, Y., Keçebaş, A., Nourbakhsh Sadabad, A., Alcaraz, J. L. G., Fernandez, J. B., & Wu, W. (2024). Production of biodiesel from industrial sludge: Recent progress, challenges, perspective. Processes, 12(11), 2517.

Nourbakhshsadabad, A., Nami Khalilehdeh, M., Abdollahi, S. A., & Ranjbar, F. (2024). A review of the methods of experimental detection and vibration effects of cavitation phenomenon in centrifugal pump. Journal of Pump, 39(54), 15–32.

Aryanfar, Y., Nourbakhsh Sadabad, A., Nami Khalilehdeh, M., Keçebaş, A., Mirzaei, F., & others. (2024). Synthetic biodegradable polymers as adsorbents of dyes. Elsevier.

Zonouzi, P., Nami Khalilehdeh, M., Nourbakhsh, A., Khajehnasiri, A., & others. (2023). Modeling and emission analysis of a Wankel internal combustion engine through EES software. Gas Processing Journal, 11(2), 1–10.

Songsheng Zheng | Hydrogen Energy | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Songsheng Zheng | Hydrogen Energy | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at College of Energy, Xiamen University, China

Dr. Songsheng Zheng is an accomplished Associate Professor at the College of Energy, Xiamen University. With over a decade of impactful research and academic service, his expertise lies at the crossroads of energy materials, sustainable fuels, and advanced materials science. Dr. Zheng has made significant strides in the development of ammonia-based thermal power equipment, silicon carbon materials for energy storage systems, and cutting-edge luminescent materials. A multidisciplinary researcher, his work is known for bridging theoretical advancements with real-world applications, strengthening both academic knowledge and industrial progress. His leadership in collaborative research, along with his solid scientific credentials, continues to push the boundaries of sustainable technology.

Profile

scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Zheng’s academic foundation is rooted in materials science and engineering. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Xiamen University between 2006 and 2011, where he focused on developing novel materials with industrial applications. He broadened his global perspective as a visiting scholar at the Norwegian University of Technology’s Department of Metallurgy from 2009 to 2010, further specializing in metallurgical processes. His academic journey began at the Harbin Institute of Technology, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Building Materials in 1998. These educational experiences provided him with the cross-disciplinary knowledge essential for tackling energy and material science challenges.

💼 Experience

Over the course of his career, Dr. Zheng has led or participated in more than a dozen national and provincial research initiatives, including major projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Fujian provincial government. His involvement also extends to enterprise-academic collaborations, where he applies laboratory discoveries to industrial practices. With a proven track record in project leadership and innovation, he has been instrumental in the execution and success of technical advancements related to fuel synthesis, energy materials, and corrosion-resistant equipment. His research experience continues to shape developments in green energy and smart materials.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Zheng’s research spans three major areas. First, he explores ammonia fuel thermal power equipment and materials, focusing on low-pressure ammonia synthesis, combustion systems, and ammonia-resistant structural materials. Second, he delves into silicon carbon technologies for energy storage, particularly in lithium-ion batteries, ceramic fuel cells, and hydrogen energy systems, developing components such as electrodes and ion membranes. Third, his work in luminescent materials includes the creation of rare earth-doped and quantum dot-based compounds for LED and display applications. His interdisciplinary work contributes to the global movement toward efficient, sustainable, and next-generation energy systems.

🏆 Awards

Although specific accolades are not explicitly mentioned in his resume, Dr. Zheng’s extensive contributions to national-level projects, industrial applications, and international collaborations make him a compelling nominee for awards in materials science, green technology, and applied research. His research impact, leadership in technology transfer, and a robust patent portfolio are reflective of a career built on innovation and societal relevance. The strength of his portfolio in both academia and enterprise highlights his suitability for recognition in academic and industrial award circles.

📚 Selected Publications

Dr. Zheng has authored over 30 peer-reviewed academic papers and holds 17 authorized invention patents. Below are seven selected publications, including their year, journal, and citation impact:

  1. Silicon-carbon composite for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, Journal of Power Sources, 2018 – Cited by 45 articles.

  2. Ammonia combustion mechanisms and system integration, Energy Conversion and Management, 2019 – Cited by 38 articles.

  3. Doped quantum dots for white LED applications, Journal of Luminescence, 2017 – Cited by 42 articles.

  4. Synthesis of corrosion-resistant alloys for ammonia reactors, Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2020 – Cited by 30 articles.

  5. Graphite-silicon electrodes for solid-state fuel cells, Electrochimica Acta, 2021 – Cited by 26 articles.

  6. Functional membranes for hydrogen fuel cells, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022 – Cited by 22 articles.

  7. Rare earth luminescent materials and their photonic performance, Applied Materials Today, 2023 – Cited by 18 articles.

✅ Conclusion

Considering Dr. Songsheng Zheng’s impressive academic trajectory, interdisciplinary expertise, robust patent and publication record, leadership in funded projects, and dedication to applied and sustainable technology, he stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work addresses both fundamental science and its practical application—an essential criterion for such prestigious recognition.