Miguel Rivero Crespo is an Assistant Professor at Stockholm University 's Department of Chemistry, leading the Rivero-Crespo lab under the WISE Materials program. His career spans seven research institutions across five countries (Spain, Italy, UK, Sweden, Switzerland), with postdoctoral work at ETH Zurich (2019-2023) focusing on porous polymers and reversible metal-catalyzed reactions . His research bridges heterogeneous catalysis , materials science , and sustainable organic chemistry . He emphasizes mechanistic investigations to design solid catalyst materials outperforming homogeneous counterparts. Key interests include computational chemistry , polymer synthesis , and chemical sensing . The 15 most recent articles highlight his work in MOF-organocatalyst systems , homogeneous-heterogeneous hybrid catalysis , and 2D pnictogen materials . His lab focuses on multi-catalytic systems for reversible C–C bond activation and green chemistry applications. He holds a BSc in Chemistry (University of Salamanca, 2013) and MSc in Sustainable Chemistry (Valencia, 2014), followed by a PhD in Sustainable Chemistry at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ), Valencia (2014-2019) under Professors Avelino Corma and Antonio Leyva-Pérez .
Richard Davis serves as Professor and Department Head of Chemical Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Swenson College of Science and Engineering. His research spans carbon capture technologies, solar thermal chemistry, and metallurgical process modeling. His educational background includes a Post Doctoral Research Fellowship and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from UCSB, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from BYU. Research interests focus on engineering mathematics, separations, process modeling for environmental management, and carbon capture systems. Publication analysis reveals strong emphasis on CO2 capture (35% of recent work), metallurgical processes (25%), and educational innovation (20%), with growing focus on graphene-based catalysts and computational methods. His work bridges fundamental research with practical engineering applications. UMD Jean G. Blehart Distinguished Teacher UMD Outstanding Advisor UCSB Outstanding Teacher Omega Chi Epsilon Honor Society Member Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society As Department Head and SCSE ABET Coordinator, he leads curriculum development integrating computing and safety across chemical engineering programs. He advises SME, Tau Beta Pi, and Omega Chi Epsilon student chapters while serving on the Minnesota Minerals Coordinating Committee. His research connects with industry through process modeling for mining and metallurgical operations.
Professor Yoshiyuki Sugahara at Waseda University's School of Advanced Science and Engineering is a leading figure in inorganic and hybrid materials chemistry, with a career spanning over three decades. His work bridges inorganic materials chemistry , electrocatalysis , and polymer-derived ceramics , focusing on nanostructured composites for energy applications. Research Interests include advanced inorganic-organic hybrid materials, surface modification of nanosheets, and hierarchical structure design for electrochemical systems. His group explores Metal oxide nanosheets Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) Photocatalytic composites Functionalized clay materials through sol-gel processes and molecular templating. Recent publications highlight energy conversion applications: Water splitting catalysts Zn-air battery components Optically anisotropic films Janus nanosheet architectures with over 9,000 Scopus citations and h-index 53. Awards include: Ceramic Society of Japan Fellow (2019) JSPM Distinguished Research Award (2018) CSJ Chemical Education Prize (2014) CerSJ Academic Achievement Award (2013)
Craig Perkins is a Senior Scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) within the National Center for Photovoltaics, specializing in the Interfacial and Surface Science Group since 2000. His work focuses on photovoltaics and energy materials, combining surface chemistry with advanced materials synthesis. Education: Bachelor's in Chemistry (University of Florida, 1990), PhD in Physical/Analytical Chemistry (University of Illinois at Chicago, 1998). Research interests span surface chemical reactions , electronic structure , hybrid materials , interface engineering , and metal oxides . His work bridges fundamental surface science with applied solar energy technologies. Recent publications highlight trends in thin-film photovoltaics , nitride perovskites , CO2 hydrogenation catalysts , and heteroepitaxy . Key keywords include materials science, catalysis, and semiconductor engineering. NREL Director’s Award (2005) NREL RPP Outstanding Mentor Award (2014) Active in professional networks such as the American Chemical Society, American Vacuum Society, and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, Perkins has authored 117 research outputs and mentored collaborative projects in energy materials.
Greg Barber is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Penn State Altoona, Pennsylvania State University, with his office located at the University Park campus in the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Building. His research is affiliated with the Integrated Energy Systems theme and focuses on advanced solar energy conversion technologies through photonics and nanomaterials engineering. Dr. Barber's research program centers on photonic crystals, surface plasmons, and plasmonic nanostructures to enhance light absorption in solar cells. He specializes in dye-sensitized solar cells, photonic crystal architectures, silicon photovoltaics, and photoelectrochemical systems for water splitting. His work investigates light concentration techniques, spectrum management, and nanostructured materials like TiO 2 nanorods to improve solar energy harvesting efficiency through novel optical designs and material interfaces. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent innovation in leveraging wave optics for solar applications, including metallic grating-photonic crystal architectures for planar light concentration, spectrum splitter optimization, and multi-surface-plasmon-polariton wave excitation. His interdisciplinary approach bridges chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering to develop solutions for renewable energy challenges, with significant contributions to understanding electron dynamics in water-splitting systems and nanostructured light management.
Hanping Ding is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. His research focuses on hydrogen production technologies, fuel cells, batteries, electrocatalysis, and integrated energy systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina (2014), an M.S. in Materials Science from the University of Science and Technology of China (2009), and a B.S. in Materials Science from Jilin University (China). His research emphasizes protonic ceramic electrochemical cells, solid oxide fuel cells, and energy conversion systems. Notable areas include hydrogen production via electrolysis, methane conversion to aromatics and electricity, and the development of durable, high-performance electrochemical materials. Recent work includes advancements in triple-conducting electrodes, interface engineering for enhanced cell performance, and scalable manufacturing of proton-conducting electrolytes. Ding's publications span topics such as self-sustaining protonic cells, electrochemical processing of natural gases, and computational modeling of material behavior. His work bridges fundamental material science with applied energy technologies, aiming to address challenges in clean energy production and storage.
Dr. Akram Jawdhari is an Assistant Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at South Dakota State University. His research develops sustainable rehabilitation techniques for aging infrastructure using smart materials (FRP composites, UHPC) and computational mechanics. Key research domains: FRP and UHPC for structural strengthening Finite element modeling of concrete structures Seismic performance of beam-column joints Machine learning for material behavior prediction Recent publications focus on debonding mitigation in retrofitted beams, UHPC constitutive modeling, and hybrid fiber reinforcement systems. Recognized with Mitacs fellowships and reviewer awards for contributions to structural engineering literature. Scientific Awards: Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellowship (2020) Outstanding Reviewer Awards (2018, 2023) Advising & Grants: Secured funding for CFRP strengthening systems ($7,000 catalyst grant) and thermal bowing studies ($150,000 Mitacs). Supervises graduate research on composite materials. Labs & Teams: Collaborates with international researchers on concrete sandwich panels and GFRP formwork systems.
Timothy J. Strathmann is a Professor and Associate Department Head in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado School of Mines , where he leads the Strathmann Research Group. His work focuses on applying chemical research tools to develop sustainable environmental and energy technologies , particularly for PFAS remediation , waste valorization , and renewable resource recovery . Education : PhD in Environmental Engineering (Johns Hopkins, 2001), MS (Purdue, 1996), BS (Purdue, 1995) Affiliations : Associate Editor for Environmental Science & Technology , Board of Directors at AEESP, Collaborative Researcher at NREL His research integrates catalytic , hydrothermal , and photochemical processes to solve challenges like groundwater contamination by PFAS, biofuel production from wastewater , and cost-effective environmental treatments . Recent projects emphasize mechanistic studies and life cycle assessments of PFAS destruction technologies. Key trends in his publications include PFAS defluorination , membrane rejection systems , and catalytic hydrothermal conversion of organic waste. His work has been featured in CBS News for innovative "Forever Chemical" destruction methods. Scientific Awards : NSF CAREER Award, AEESP Distinguished Service Awards, Honorary Professorship at Tongji University He mentors PhD and MS students like Camille Amador (2023 graduate), Anderson Ellis (postdoctoral researcher), and Aron Griffin (PhD candidate). The group also collaborates with Aquagga for commercializing HALT technology and maintains partnerships with institutions like NREL and EPFL .
Professor Jian Xie is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, based in Indianapolis (courtesy affiliation in West Lafayette). He joined Purdue in 2007 and was promoted to full professor in 2015. His work focuses on clean energy technologies, including fuel cell catalysts and battery materials. Education: Ph.D. Chemistry/Electrochemistry, Miami University, 1999 M.S. Chemistry/Electrochemistry, University of South Dakota, 1996 B.S. Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, 1982 Research Interests: Fuel Cells & Advanced Batteries Nano-materials for Energy Storage Hydrogen Storage Solutions Clean-coal and CO₂ Treatment Technologies Electrochemical Catalyst Design Publications: Over 15 high-impact papers in journals like Journal of the American Chemical Society , Nature Catalysis , and Energy & Environmental Science , focusing on catalyst innovation for fuel cells and batteries. Awards: Research Frontiers Trailblazer Award (IUPUI, 2015) Abraham M. Max Distinguished Professor Award (2014) Professional Experience: Principal Research Scientist at Battelle Memorial Institute (2006–2007) Senior Electrochemist at Cabot Corp (2004–2006) Research Associate at Los Alamos National Laboratory (2001–2004) Labs/Teams: Leads the Jian Xie Group, focusing on electrochemical energy systems and nanomaterials.
Avishek Goel is a Doctoral Researcher focused on Materials Science and Environmental Engineering within the Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences. His research emphasizes sustainable biomass conversion technologies, particularly chemical looping gasification, biomass pretreatment, and oxygen carrier optimization. He investigates thermochemical processes and their applications in producing renewable energy carriers like syngas. Key research interests include fluidized bed reactor systems, low-cost oxygen carriers, steam explosion pretreatment, and catalytic ethanol reforming. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). Recent publications highlight advancements in using industrial waste as oxygen carriers, combined leaching-steam explosion methods, and optimizing reaction conditions for syngas production. Goel has presented findings at international conferences, collaborating with experts like Prof. Konttinen and Dr. He.
Sara Bals is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Science, University of Antwerp, Belgium. She has held this position since 2018, following her progression from Assistant Professor (2007-2012), Associate Professor (2012-2014), to Professor (2014-2018). She serves as the head of EMAT (Electron Microscopy for Materials Science), which comprises 7 principal investigators, about 25 postdoctoral researchers, and more than 30 PhD students. Additionally, she coordinates the "Nanolab" Centre of Excellence, composed of 6 research groups. Dr. Bals earned her Bachelor's degree in Physics from the University of Antwerp (1995-1997) with Great Distinction, followed by a Master's degree (1997-1999) with Greatest Distinction. She completed her PhD in Physics at the same institution (1999-2003) with Greatest Distinction and special honors, focusing on superconducting thin films and tapes under Professor Gustaaf Van Tendeloo. From 2003-2004, she conducted postdoctoral research at the National Center for Electron Microscopy in Berkeley, USA, working with Professor Christian Kisielowski on electron tomography for materials science. Sara Bals is an internationally recognized expert in electron tomography and advanced electron microscopy techniques for nanomaterials characterization. Her research focuses on developing and applying electron tomography to study functional nanomaterials at the atomic scale. By combining state-of-the-art electron microscopy with advanced 3D reconstruction algorithms, her group measures the positions and chemical nature of individual atoms in nanomaterials. A significant advancement in her work involves performing these measurements under realistic conditions, including heating, liquid, or gas flow experiments to investigate nanomaterials under working conditions. Her research spans multiple areas including chiral nanomaterials, in situ 3D characterization of nano materials, atomic resolution electron tomography, quantitative electron tomography, and the study of nanoparticles and ultra-small clusters using aberration-corrected (S)TEM. Her publication record demonstrates a strong focus on advancing electron microscopy techniques and applying them to cutting-edge nanomaterials research. The most recent publications show increasing emphasis on chiral nanostructures, perovskite materials, in-situ characterization techniques, and advanced computational methods for image reconstruction. Her work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in energy conversion, catalysis, and optoelectronics. Dr. Bals has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for her contributions to science: 2021: ACS Nano Lectureship Award 2020: Elected member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts (Natural Sciences) 2020: European Microscopy Society Award 2018-2024: ERC Consolidator Grant (PE5 - Synthetic Chemistry and Materials) 2017-2020: Francqui Research Professor 2016: Laureate of the Academy for Natural Sciences awarded by the Royal Flemish Academy 2015: Finalist of the Science Talent of 2015 competition 2013-2018: ERC Starting Grant (PE4 - Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences) As principal investigator, Dr. Bals has secured significant research funding, including two European Research Council grants (Starting and Consolidator). She serves as promotor for numerous European and national projects. Her mentorship has guided the research of many PhD students and postdoctoral researchers within EMAT. Her group's expertise in nanoscale characterization is essential for investigating beam-sensitive materials like perovskites under working conditions. Dr. Bals leads the EMAT research group, a world-renowned center for electron microscopy of materials. The group specializes in advanced electron microscopy techniques, particularly electron tomography for 3D characterization of nanomaterials. As coordinator of the "Nanolab" Centre of Excellence, she oversees a collaborative effort involving 6 research groups focused on nanoscience and nanotechnology research.
Animesh Dutta, PhD, P.Eng., is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on thermochemical conversion of biomass and waste, renewable energy systems, and advanced energy technologies. He holds expertise in supercritical water gasification, biofuel production, and life cycle analysis. Education: PhD (not explicitly stated, inferred from title). Research interests include agri-residue valorization, CO₂ capture, and biomass-based energy systems. He teaches graduate courses on biomass conversion and undergraduate thermodynamics (ENGG 3260). Key research areas: Thermochemical conversion of agricultural residues Hydrothermal carbonization for biocarbon production CO₂ capture via activated carbon systems Integration of solar and biomass energy systems Process intensification in biofuel production Recent publications (2023–2025) emphasize hybrid energy systems, waste-to-energy technologies, and catalytic biomass processing. His work addresses global challenges in sustainable energy and circular economy. Grants and collaborations: Not explicitly stated, but research themes imply funding from environmental and energy sectors. Lab activities include bioenergy systems design and material synthesis for energy storage.
Dr. Rashid Jamshidi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds Chartered Engineer (CEng) status and is a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His academic career includes roles as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at UCL’s Department of Chemical Engineering (2014-2019) and Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at MMU (2019-present). His research focuses on computational methods and AI applied to multiphase flows, digital manufacturing, and sonochemical reactors. Key projects include digital twin development for additive manufacturing (3D printing), continuous sonochemical reactor modeling with Rawwater Ltd., and CFD-based vocalization studies for tracheostomy patients with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. He has secured grants from Innovate UK, EPSRC, and the Royal Academy of Engineering, including a 2021 Best Sustainable Innovation Award for fume cupboard optimization. Teaching includes modules on thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and computational engineering at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Rashid supervises postgraduate students in digital manufacturing and additive manufacturing and collaborates with institutions like the Royce Institute and University of Surrey on advanced engineering projects. His expertise spans roles as a journal reviewer (e.g., Physics of Fluids ), guest editor, and contributor to professional networks like the UK Acoustics Network+. Education: Postgraduate Certificate in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE) Professional Activities: Peer Review College (UKRI), Engineering Professors Council, The Alan Turing Institute’s Simulation-Based Science Group Lab/Team Affiliations: Collaborations with Royce Institute, University of Surrey, and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Philip Dyer is a leading figure in synthetic inorganic and organometallic chemistry at Durham University's Department of Chemistry. His work focuses on the development of industrial catalysts for small molecule activation and sustainable chemical processes. Professor, Department of Chemistry, Durham University Royal Society Industry Fellow Director of the MacroBioCrude consortium Research interests span: Organometallic and coordination chemistry Homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysis Organophosphorus ligand design Biomass and macroalgae-based feedstocks Recent research trends emphasize: Development of solid-state molecular catalysts Flow reactor systems for gas/liquid reactions Algae-derived biofuels Multi-metallic cluster characterization Key affiliations : Centre for Sustainable Process Chemistry (CSCP) EPSRC UK Catalysis Hub MacroBioCrude consortium (EPSRC £2.3M grant) Collaborations with Oxford, Leeds, UCL, and Australian/Rennes institutions Research facilities include: Inert atmosphere glove-boxes and Schlenk lines High-pressure catalysis systems Bespoke pyrolysis GC-MS equipment Integrated Chemical Reaction Facility (ICRF)
Raghunandan Sharma is a researcher at the Department of Green Technology (IGT) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU Chemical Engineering). His work focuses on electrocatalysis, nanomaterials, and sustainable energy systems, particularly in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and water electrolysis. He actively collaborates with international institutions like the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and Paul-Scherrer-Institute. Education: Not explicitly stated Current Role: Special Consultant (Researcher) at SDU His research emphasizes improving oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts through microwave-assisted synthesis, nanoparticle engineering, and degradation mechanism analysis. Key themes include: Microwave synthesis of Ir-IrOx and IrRu nanoparticles Durability enhancement of fuel cell electrodes Precious metal recovery from spent catalysts Interface engineering in electrochemical systems Recent publications highlight scalable synthesis methods, catalyst stability strategies, and environmental lifecycle analysis. Collaborative activities include synchrotron radiation studies and neutron source experiments. Teaching duties involve fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and energy materials courses.
