Prof. zhuangzhuang Zhang – Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells – Best Researcher Award

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Prof. zhuangzhuang Zhang – Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells – Best Researcher Award

Yan’an University, China

Author Profile

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🎓 Educational Background

Prof. Zhuangzhuang Zhang is an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at Yan’an University. He earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Catalysis from Northwest University. With a strong foundation in catalysis and energy research, he has dedicated his career to exploring innovative solutions for coal conversion and solid waste resource utilization.

🔍 Research Focus

Prof. Zhang specializes in the clean and efficient conversion of coal, with a primary focus on low-rank coal pyrolysis and coal-based solid waste resource utilization. His research aims to develop sustainable and high-value applications for coal-derived materials, contributing to environmentally friendly and energy-efficient solutions. His work integrates both fundamental scientific research and industrial applications, ensuring that his findings benefit both academia and industry.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

Recognized for his outstanding research contributions, Prof. Zhang has received multiple prestigious awards. These include the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Young Science and Technology in the Shaanxi Petrochemical Industry, as well as the First Prize in the Shaanxi Petrochemical Science and Technology Award, where he was the first contributor. Additionally, he secured the First Prize in the Third High-Value Patent Cultivation Competition of Yan’an City. His dedication to scientific excellence has also led to his selection in the Special Support Program of “Three Qin Talents” in Shaanxi Province and recognition as a Young Science and Technology Star of Shaanxi Province.

🔬 Leadership and Professional Roles

Prof. Zhang plays a vital leadership role as the Deputy Director of the Yan’an Energy-Yanbian University Comprehensive Energy Industry Technology Research Institute in Shaanxi Province. His leadership extends to his role as the leader of the Coal-based New Materials Innovation Team in Yan’an City, where he spearheads research initiatives focused on developing advanced coal-based materials. His work contributes to the technological advancements in energy conversion and material science, benefiting both academic research and industrial applications.

📜 Professional Memberships

Prof. Zhang is actively involved in professional organizations that drive scientific advancements in chemistry and coal research. He is a member of the Chinese Chemical Society and the Chinese Coal Society, where he collaborates with other experts to enhance the understanding and application of coal-based technologies.

Notable Publications📑

📑Charge carriers oriented accumulation in MoS₂/Cd₀.₅Mn₀.₅S Schottky junctions for highly efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution

Authors: C. Ruan, Chenxi; K. Gao, Kaixing; Q. Wang, Qian; Y. Tian, Yu; Z. Zhang, Zhuangzhuang

Journal: Separation and Purification Technology

Year: 2025

📑Hydroxyl Groups in Hexagonal Boron Nitride Enhance the Performance of Plasma-Catalyzed CH₄ and H₂O Conversion to Methanol

Authors: L. Tian, Long; X. Han, Xinyou; X. Liu, Xiang; C. Dai, Chengyi; X. Ma, Xiaoxun

Journal: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

Year: 2025

Dr. Bjorn Hasa | PEM Water Electrolysis | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Bjorn Hasa | PEM Water Electrolysis | Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Toyota Research Institute of North America,  United States

Profiles

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Education & Academic Journey 🎓

Bjorn obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Patras, Greece, in 2018, where he also earned his M.S. and B.S. in Physics from the same institution. His academic journey was marked by a strong focus on electrochemical activity and material synthesis, setting the stage for his groundbreaking research.

Research Experience 🔍

As a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Delaware, USA, Bjorn worked on cutting-edge research investigating CO2 electroreduction mechanisms and improving CO electrolyzer performance for co-production of ethylene and acetate. He developed an operando technique for high reaction rate analysis and explored the influence of NOx impurities on CO2 reduction efficiency. His research on N2-doped catalysts for HER further advanced the field of sustainable energy.

During his Graduate Research Assistant role at the University of Patras, Bjorn contributed significantly to the development of electrochemical catalysts and hydrogen production from alcohol electrolysis. He also studied corrosion resistance in dual-phase steels, showcasing his versatility across various materials and processes.

Earlier in his career, Bjorn explored water purification and biofuel production during his time at the Research Institute of Chemical Engineering and High-Temperature Chemical Processes (ICE-HT) and volunteered at the University of Iowa, studying carbon support structures for hydrogen evolution.

Skills & Expertise 🧪

Bjorn possesses advanced technical skills in deposition methods, electrochemical characterization, and physicochemical analysis. His proficiency in tools such as cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and chromatography has contributed to his comprehensive understanding of complex electrochemical systems.

Awards & Recognition 🏆

Bjorn’s dedication and contributions to the field have earned him several prestigious awards, including the 2021 ISE Travel Award, and scholarships from the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT) and the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI). He is an active member of organizations like the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Catalysis Club of Philadelphia (CCP), and the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE).

Publications Top Noted📄

  • Title: Porous transport layer influence on overpotentials in PEM water electrolysis at low anode catalyst loadings
    • Authors: Hasa, B., Aryal, U.R., Higashi, S., Zenyuk, I.V., Zhu, G.
    • Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
    • Year: 2025
  • Title: Three-dimensional simulation of high temperature ion-pair PEM fuel cell integrated with agglomerate sub-model of cathode catalyst layer
    • Authors: Aryal, U. R., Hasa, B., Zhu, G.
    • Journal: Energy Conversion and Management
    • Year: 2025
  • Title: Electrosynthesis of ethylene glycol from C1 feedstocks in a flow electrolyzer
    • Authors: Xia, R., Wang, R., Hasa, B., Ma, X., Jiao, F.
    • Journal: Nature Communications
    • Year: 2023
  • Title: In Situ/Operando Characterization Techniques of Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction
    • Authors: Hasa, B., Zhao, Y., Jiao, F.
    • Journal: Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
    • Year: 2023
  • Title: Benchmarking anion-exchange membranes for electrocatalytic carbon monoxide reduction
    • Authors: Hasa, B., Cherniack, L., Xia, R., Bae, C., Jiao, F.
    • Journal: Chem Catalysis
    • Year: 2023

Assoc Prof Dr. Zhihong Liu, Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells, Best Researcher Award

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Assoc Prof Dr. Zhihong Liu, Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells, Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Zhihong Liu, Taiyuan University of Technology, China

Profile

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⭐Summary

Assoc Prof Dr. Zhihong Liu is an Associate Professor at Taiyuan University of Technology and a postdoctoral researcher at the Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation. His expertise lies in resource and energy recovery from waste biomass, hydrogen recovery in electro-fermentation, and nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from waste activated sludge. His innovative research and contributions have been recognized with several awards.

🎓Education

Bachelor’s Degree - Taiyuan University of Technology (2011-2015)
Doctoral Degree - Taiyuan University of Technology (2015-2020)

👨‍🏫Professional Experience

Associate Professor - Taiyuan University of Technology (Dec 2022 - Present)
Lecturer - College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology (Jan 2021 - Dec 2022)
Postdoctor - Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation (Present)

🔬Research Interests

🌱 Resource and Energy Recovery - Waste biomass
⚡ Hydrogen Recovery - Electro-fermentation
💧 Nitrogen and Phosphorus Recovery - Waste activated sludge

🏆Awards and Achievements

 Outstanding Doctoral Thesis of Shanxi Province (2020)
 Best Paper Award, ABBS (2022)
 Science and Technology Cooperation Award of Shanxi

🌍Professional Memberships

Ecological Environment Protection Industry Association of Changzhi City

Publications📚

"Weakened Mn–O bond in Mn–Ce catalysts through K doping induced oxygen activation for boosting benzene oxidation at low temperatures"

Authors: Chen, X., Wang, X., Jia, Z., Wang, M., Liang, M.

Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Year: 2024

"Insights into the effect of nitrate photolysis on short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation system: Performance and mechanisms"

Authors: Liu, Z., Cui, Z., Guo, Z., Yue, X., Zhou, A.

Journal: Water Research

Year: 2024

"Sulfate-reducing bacteria decreases fractional pressure of H2 to accelerate short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge fermentation assisted with zero-valent iron activated sulfite pretreatment"

Authors: Hu, H., Liu, S., Li, D., Yue, X., Liu, W.

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Year: 2024

"Efficient phosphate and hydrogen recovery from sludge fermentation liquid by sacrificial iron anode in electro-fermentation system"

Authors: Qiang, H., Liu, Z., Yin, X., Yue, X., Zhou, A.

Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

Year: 2024

"Selective colonization of multifunctional microbes that facilitates caproate production in microbial electrosynthesis system"

Authors: Wang, Y., Cheng, S., Varrone, C., Wang, A., Liu, W.

Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

Year: 2024

"Syntrophic Joint of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Hydrogen-Producing Acetogen Stimulated Methane Production from Waste Activated Sludge Digestion"

Authors: Wu, H., Zhou, A., Duan, Y., Liu, W., Yue, X.

Journal: Fermentation

Year: 2024

 

 

Dr. Xunjin Zhu, Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells, Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Xunjin Zhu, Renewable Energy and Fuel Cells, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Hong Kong Baptist University, China

Professional Profile

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🌟Summary

  • Dr. Xunjin Zhu, currently a Professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has established a distinguished career in chemistry with a focus on sustainable energy and nanomedicine. His work in porphyrin/phthalocyanine-based semiconductors and nanomedicines has garnered significant recognition, including multiple U.S. patents and numerous publications in top-tier journals.

🎓 Education

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University (2003–2006)
  • M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry, Wuhan University (1999–2002)
  • B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology (1993–1997)

👨‍🏫 Professional Experience

  • Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2024–Present)
  • Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University (2019–2024)
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University (2013–2019)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University (2010–2013)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Georgia Institute of Technology (2008–2010)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas at Austin (2006–2008)

🔬 Research Interests

  • 🌱 Sustainable Energy and Carbon Neutrality
    Dr. Zhu’s research focuses on porphyrin/phthalocyanine-based semiconductors for applications such as photovoltaics, photocatalytic water-splitting, and CO2 reduction.
  • 🧬 Nanomedicines
    He explores porphyrin/phthalocyanine-based nanomedicines for photoacoustic imaging and photodynamic/photothermal cancer therapy.

📜 Patent Highlights

  1. Porphyrin Photosensitizer and Cobaloxime Cocatalyst (US Patent 2023/0051807 A1, 2023)
  2. Design and Synthesis of Porphyrin Materials for Organic Photovoltaics (US Patent 10,236,457 B2, 2019)
  3. Carbon Quantum Dots for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (US Patent 10,369,221 B2, 2019)

💰 Research Grants

  • NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme: HK$1,244,750 (2023) 🌟💼
  • General Research Fund: HK$666,512 (2021) 📊💡
  • Innovation and Technology Fund: HK$4,047,645 (2019) 🚀🔬
  • Key Research Partnership Scheme: HK$666,667 (2022) 🤝🔍
  • State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces: RMB¥200,000 (2022) 🧪🏢

Publication Top Noted📝

  • Article: The 2nd Asian Conference on Porphyrins, Phthalocyanines and Related Materials
    • Authors: Zhu, G.; Yang, Z.; Li, S.; Xie, Y.; Jiang, J.
    • Journal: Chinese Chemical Letters
    • Volume: 35
    • Issue: 7
    • Year: 2024
  • Article: Large-Area Fabrication of Hexaazatrinaphthylene-Based 2D Metal-Organic Framework Films for Flexible Photodetectors and Optoelectronic Synapses
    • Authors: Song, J.; Liu, C.-K.; Piradi, V.; Wong, W.-Y.; Yan, F.
    • Journal: Advanced Science
    • Volume: 11
    • Issue: 13
    • Year: 2024
  • Article: Self-assembly of Pt(ii)-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin via F⋯F interaction for efficient cocatalyst-free photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
    • Authors: Bodedla, G.B.; Piradi, V.; Thor, W.; Zhu, X.; Wong, W.-Y.
    • Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
    • Volume: 12
    • Issue: 5
    • Year: 2023
  • Article: Design of AIEgen-based porphyrin for efficient heterogeneous photocatalytic hydrogen evolution: Special Collection: Aggregation-Induced Processes and Functions
    • Authors: Bodedla, G.B.; Imran, M.; Zhao, J.; Zhu, X.; Wong, W.-Y.
    • Journal: Aggregate
    • Volume: 4
    • Issue: 5
    • Year: 2023
  • Article: In situ Electropolymerized 3D Microporous Cobalt-Porphyrin Nanofilm for Highly Effective Molecular Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide
    • Authors: Wang, C.; Chen, Y.; Su, D.; Zhan, D.; Zhu, X.
    • Journal: Advanced Materials
    • Volume: 35
    • Issue: 38
    • Year: 2023