Sumanta Acharya is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Illinois Tech's Armour College of Engineering. His career spans computational methods, experimental fluid mechanics, and combustion, with affiliations including ASME, AIAA, and ASTFE. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1982) M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota (1980) B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (1978) A leading expert in thermal and fluid sciences, Acharya focuses on gas turbine heat transfer, turbulence modeling, and advanced cooling systems. His work integrates Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with experimental validation for applications in biofuels , hydrogen combustion , and phase change materials . Recent publications highlight innovations in Brayton cycle integration, impingement cooling, and aerothermal performance optimization. Awarded by ASME, AIAA, and LSU, his honors include the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award (2011) and ASME Fellow (1999). He has contributed to key committees, including the ASME Heat Transfer Division Executive Committee and the Department of Energy's University Turbine Systems Research program. Researcher to Know, Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (2022) ASME Dedicated Service Award (2019) AIAA Thermophysics Award (2015) Contact: sacharya1@illinoistech.edu | Phone: 312.567.3701
Mika Järvinen serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University, leveraging fundamental sciences—physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and numerical modeling—to address cross-sector energy challenges. His research spans sustainable bioenergy and inter-linked circular economy systems integrating energy, materials, and environmental considerations across biomass, pulp/paper, metallurgy, and waste-to-energy industries. His expertise centers on sustainable bioenergy and circular economy frameworks, utilizing numerical modeling to optimize combustion engineering and metallurgical processes. By maintaining diverse industrial engagement, he ensures research continuity during economic fluctuations while advancing black liquor spraying technologies and energy-material-environment synergies. This approach enables flexible, physics-based solutions for complex industrial energy conversion problems. Professor Järvinen's 2025 publications reveal a cohesive focus on renewable energy systems operating within planetary boundaries, spanning carbon capture (calcium looping), low-temperature heat engines, and comprehensive textbook development. His work integrates solar, wind, bioenergy, and storage technologies into holistic frameworks that balance technical innovation with ecological constraints, emphasizing system-level sustainability over isolated component optimization. His scientific recognition includes: Best Dissertation Award (2002) from Helsinki University of Technology's Department of Machine Technology for research on black liquor droplet conversion Resonate Award (2015) from Caltech University's Resnick Institute As lead of the Energy Conversion and Systems research group, he directs projects bridging fundamental modeling with industrial applications while developing educational resources for next-generation energy engineers. His laboratory work emphasizes experimental validation of numerical models across combustion, metallurgical, and biomass conversion processes.
Hugo de Lasa is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Ontario. He holds a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering (1968) from Universidad Nacional del Sur, Argentina, and a Doctoral degree (1971) from Université de Nancy, France. Research Focus: Catalysis, Photocatalysis, Chemical Reactor Engineering, Fluidization, Biomass Gasification Awards: Research Excellence Prize (1998), Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (2000), Medal of Research and Development (2000), Doctor Honoris Causa (2004, 2018) His work spans chemical reactor design , photocatalytic hydrogen production , and fluidized bed technologies . Recent publications highlight machine learning applications in chemical equilibrium modeling and CO2 capture using microalgae. He founded the Chemical Reactor Engineering Centre (CREC) and Recat Technologies Inc. , a university spin-off commercializing reactor innovations. Awards include the Vanguard Award (2019) and Commemorative Issue in Catalysts Journal (2020). His research has generated 389 peer-reviewed publications , 14 patents , and over 10,000 citations .
Steven Rogak is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Applied Science. He holds a P.Eng. license and degrees including a B.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from UBC, and M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Caltech. P.Eng., University of British Columbia B.A.Sc., University of British Columbia M.Sc., Ph.D., California Institute of Technology His research focuses on aerosol science, particularly solid nanoparticles from combustion processes, their climate and health impacts, and mitigation strategies. Key areas include: Soot morphology and transport properties Engine emission reduction via fuel injectors Indoor air filtration systems Membrane-based energy exchangers Atmospheric particulate analysis The 15 most recent articles span experimental and theoretical studies on soot characterization, membrane technologies, and aerosol dynamics, with applications in climate modeling, healthcare ventilation, and sustainable materials. Collaborations include Westport Innovations and interdisciplinary teams. Rogak leads the Aerosol Laboratory at UBC, where he applies fluid mechanics and heat transfer fundamentals to address environmental and health challenges. He emphasizes experimental rigor and welcomes graduate students with expertise in these areas.
Ville Vuorinen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Aalto University. His research focuses on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in energy technology, particularly using Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) and hybrid LES-RANS approaches with OpenFOAM. Research Interests: Combustion, Turbulence, Hydrogen, Emission Reduction, Biofuels, Marine Engine Hydrodynamics, Primary Atomization, Liquid Cooling. His team explores hydrogen-enriched flames, ammonia combustion, two-phase flows, and virus transmission modeling. Article Trends : Recent work spans hydrogen pre-ignition in engines, LES of ammonia/methanol flames, aerosol transmission in choir rehearsals, atomic layer deposition conformality, underwater noise analysis, and techno-economic waste-to-hydrogen systems. Keywords include combustion modeling, sustainable energy, and cross-disciplinary CFD applications. Scientific Awards Teknologiateollisuus ry Diesel- ja kaasumoottoritoimialaryhmän tunnustusapuraha (2010) Collaborations : Works closely with experimentalists. Advisees include Shervin Karimkashi Arani, Parsa Tamadonfar, Ossi Kaario, and others. Research impacts energy-efficient ships, marine engines, and biomedical applications.
Yali Tang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), specializing in fluid dynamics and transport phenomena within multiphase flows and physicochemical conversions . Her work targets Iron Power technology , green steel production , and alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen generation, combining advanced computational models with experimental validation . Education: Master's in Chemical Engineering from Sichuan University (2011) PhD in Mechanical Engineering at TU/e (2015) with Prof. Hans Kuipers Research Interests: She focuses on interphase interactions , interfacial transport mechanisms , and high-resolution simulations (down to 40 nm mesh) to predict bubble coalescence and film dynamics. Her studies on hydrogen bubble growth , dendritic iron formation , and gas distribution in electrolyzers aim to refine reactor design and industrial processes. Collaborations with industrial partners ensure practical applicability of her computational models. Recent Publications: Her 2025 work includes dimensional analysis of liquid film formation, solutal Marangoni effects in electrolysis, and X-ray validation of gas distribution models. Earlier studies (2020–2023) cover defluidization behavior of iron fines, CFD-DEM modeling of raceways, and acoustic field applications in particle dynamics. Labs & Collaborations: She leads computational efforts within the Power & Flow group under Prof. Niels Deen, contributing to the EIRES Research cluster. Her work bridges academic research with industrial innovation in fluid dynamics and energy transition technologies.
Prof. Waldemar Kolanus leads the Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology department at the University of Bonn's Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) . His research bridges immunoregulation , stem cell dynamics , and metabolic stress responses in immune cells. Unit 2 member at LIMES Principal investigator in SFB 704 and ImmunoSensation Cluster Leads a multidisciplinary lab with postdocs, PhD students, and technical staff His work focuses on intracellular signaling pathways connecting immune activation to tissue homeostasis, particularly through: Cytohesin proteins in integrin-mediated adhesion and migration TRIM71 in stem cell regulation and congenital hydrocephalus High-salt environments affecting macrophage function Publication trends show expertise in immune cell migration , genetic models , and chemical inhibition , with frequent use of mice and zebrafish for in vivo studies. Key articles explore: TRIM71's dual role in auditory development and germ cell maintenance Cytohesin family's Golgi regulation and insulin signaling Ruxolitinib's off-target migration inhibition of dendritic cells Contact details: Address: LIMES Institute, Carl-Troll-Straße 31, Bonn Email: kolanus.sekretariat@uni-bonn.de Phone: +49 228 73-62788
Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (NTU), specializing in numerical modeling and simulation. With a background as Research Manager at A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing, his work spans materials science, nanotechnology, and aerospace engineering. Current focus on graphene-based desalination membranes Expertise in molecular dynamics simulations Investigates nanoscale fluid mechanics and structural dynamics Recent publications highlight advancements in energy-efficient electrodialysis, smart robotics, and nonlinear vibration analysis. His interdisciplinary approach integrates computational methods with experimental validation in additive manufacturing and soft material mechanics.
Ashwani K. Gupta is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, holding the Minta Martin Professorship in Engineering. He serves as Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Professor at the Institute of Physical Science and Technology, and Affiliate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering. With over 45 years of experience in combustion engineering since graduating from Southampton University in 1970, Gupta has established himself as a leading authority in advanced combustion technologies. Dr. Gupta earned his Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield in 1973, followed by a D.Sc. from the same institution in 1986 and another D.Sc. from Southampton University in 2013. His academic journey includes six years at MIT as a research staff member and three years at Sheffield University as an independent research worker before joining the University of Maryland in 1983. Gupta's research focuses on revolutionizing combustion technology through innovations in swirl flows, high-temperature air combustion (HiTAC), and distributed combustion systems. His pioneering work on 'colorless distributed combustion' has enabled ultra-low emission combustion processes with significant applications in gas turbine engines and waste-to-energy conversion. His research spans biofuels, CO2 utilization, sulfur chemistry, waste conversion, and advanced laser diagnostics, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy and environmental protection. Analyzing his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on waste-to-energy conversion, biomass processing, and CO2-assisted technologies. Gupta's work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward sustainable energy solutions, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence for combustion optimization and emission control. His research bridges fundamental combustion science with practical engineering applications for cleaner energy systems. Among Gupta's numerous accolades are: Election to Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2023) Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society (2020) Recognition as one of the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University (2022-2024) Multiple prestigious medals from ASME and AIAA including the Soichiro Honda Medal (2018) and AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award (2014) Honorary doctorates from three international universities Gupta has secured substantial research funding throughout his career, resulting in over 850 technical papers, three books, 18 edited books, and 22 book chapters. He has delivered over 100 plenary/keynote/invited presentations at international conferences. His mentorship has shaped numerous graduate students who continue to contribute to the field of combustion engineering. Gupta directs the Combustion Laboratory at the University of Maryland, which serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in sustainable combustion technologies. The Combustion Laboratory, under Gupta's leadership, has become a center of excellence for advanced combustion research, particularly in distributed combustion systems, waste-to-energy conversion, and alternative fuels. The lab maintains strong collaborations with industry partners and international research institutions, facilitating technology transfer and practical implementation of research findings. Gupta's team employs state-of-the-art diagnostics and computational tools to advance fundamental understanding while developing practical engineering solutions for cleaner energy systems.
James Tinjum is a Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering. His interdisciplinary expertise spans geotechnical, geological, environmental, transportation, and sustainable energy engineering. Education PhD 2006, University of Wisconsin-Madison MS 1995, University of Wisconsin-Madison BS 1993, University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Interests Professor Tinjum’s research integrates energy geotechnics with environmental sustainability. He investigates wind energy site design, district-scale geothermal heating/cooling systems, beneficial reuse of industrial byproducts (e.g., coal-combustion residuals, cement kiln dust), life-cycle environmental analysis, and remediation of contaminated sites. Additional focus areas include thermal conduction in unsaturated soils, landfill liner performance, and PFAS management in Wisconsin. Recent Research Directions His 2020–2024 publications reveal a strong emphasis on geothermal system performance , wind-turbine foundation–soil interaction , and emerging contaminant transport (PFAS, chromium). Fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing (FO-DTS) is a recurring enabling technology, applied to both geothermal borefields and landfill covers. Life-cycle assessment methodologies are consistently employed to quantify environmental benefits of renewable energy and waste-reuse strategies. Scientific Awards 2018 Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2003 ASCE Zone III Practitioner Advisor of the Year 2002 ASCE Wisconsin Section Outstanding Young Engineer Teaching & Mentoring Professor Tinjum teaches core geotechnical courses (Soil Mechanics, Foundation Systems) alongside specialized offerings in wind-energy balance-of-plant design and sustainable systems engineering capstone. He supervises numerous master’s and doctoral students through GLE 790/890 research credits each semester. Labs & Teams He directs field-scale instrumentation campaigns at two wind-turbine sites and multiple campus/district geothermal installations, leveraging fiber-optic sensing networks and thermal response testing to advance energy geotechnics.
Professor Carl Edward Rasmussen is affiliated with the University of Cambridge , where he focuses on Machine Learning , Probabilistic Inference , Decision Making , and Reasoning Under Uncertainty . His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in robotics, control systems, and computational biology. Academic Affiliation: University of Cambridge Academic Role: Professor His research emphasizes scalable Gaussian process methods, Bayesian system identification, and reinforcement learning. Recent projects include transfer learning for antibacterial discovery , graph neural processes for molecular functions , and efficient variational inference techniques . Key themes in his publications highlight uncertainty quantification , model generalization , and nonparametric approaches . Notable Scientific Contributions Advancements in sparse Gaussian process hyperparameter estimation Framework for Bayesian system identification in dynamic systems Hybrid models combining transformers and Gaussian processes
Marcus Herrmann is a Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University's School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy. He is also affiliated with the Center for Negative Carbon Emissions. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, multiphase flows, atomization processes, and numerical methods for discontinuous interfaces. Herrmann holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University (2001) and a Diplom (1995). His career includes a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University's Center for Turbulence Research (CTR) and a visiting scientist position at the University of Technology Eindhoven, Netherlands. He has secured major grants from NASA, NSF, and industry partners like Honeywell, focusing on atomization modeling, supersonic crossflows, and turbulence simulations. Research interests span computational fluid dynamics, multiphase flow simulation, and LES/DNS methodologies. His recent work emphasizes high-fidelity numerical techniques for particle-resolved simulations and phase interface dynamics. Teaching includes courses like MAE 561 (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and MAE 384 (Advanced Math Methods for Engineers). He actively advises students through research and dissertation roles. Notable projects include modeling wax deposition in pipelines and developing novel approaches for interface dynamics in turbulent flows. His work bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with industrial applications like combustion systems and porous media modeling.
Mark Martinez-Klimov is a researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Åbo Akademi University, Faculty of Science and Engineering. His work focuses on catalysis for sustainable energy and renewable fuel production, with an emphasis on heterogeneous catalysis, biomass conversion, and CO2 utilization. He is actively involved in experimental and kinetic studies of catalytic processes. Research Interests: His primary research areas include hydrodeoxygenation, dry methane reforming, combustion synthesis, and catalytic upgrading of bio-oil and biomass derivatives. He investigates catalyst design, deactivation mechanisms, and process optimization using advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. His work supports the development of cleaner energy technologies and circular chemical processes. The analysis of his recent publications (2021–2025) reveals a consistent focus on sustainable catalytic processes, particularly in renewable jet fuel production, hydrogenation of sugars, and CO2 valorization. His research spans both fundamental catalyst development and applied reaction engineering, often in continuous flow systems such as trickle bed reactors. The work integrates material science with chemical engineering principles to address challenges in energy transition. Scientific Awards: No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Advising and Grants: While specific students or grants are not listed, his collaborative publication pattern with senior researchers like Dmitry Murzin and Pavel Mäki-Arvela suggests involvement in major research projects, likely funded by national or EU-level grants. He appears to contribute to team-based research in catalysis and sustainable technologies, potentially mentoring junior researchers and PhD students within the group. Labs and Teams: Mark is part of a prominent catalysis research group at Åbo Akademi University, specializing in sustainable chemical processes. The team leverages advanced synthesis methods (e.g., solution combustion, impregnation) and characterization tools to develop novel catalysts for energy and environmental applications. Their work is highly collaborative, involving both national and international partners in the field of green chemistry and renewable fuels.
Jun Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo. His research focuses on advanced energy materials, nano/micro-mechanics, and self-powered systems, with applications in triboelectric energy harvesting and scanning probe microscopy. Education: PhD, Materials Engineering, University of Alberta (2018) MS, Materials Science, Shanghai University (2015) BE, Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang University (2012) Research Interests: Development of tribovoltaic and triboelectric systems for self-powered electronics Mechanical energy harvesting via dynamic heterojunctions and Schottky contacts 3D-printed hydrogel structures for energy absorption and flexible electronics Nanoscale characterization using atomic force microscopy Design of nanocomposite sensors and catalytic materials Publication Trends: His work emphasizes triboelectricity, nanoscale energy conversion, and sustainable materials. Recent articles explore bionic tactile sensing, tunable hydrogels, and quantum dynamics in sliding interfaces. Awards: SONY Faculty Innovation Award (2021) Nature Springer MINE Young Scientist Award (2020) International Contest of Applications in Nano/Micro Technology Prize (2013) Laboratory: Advanced Energy Materials and Nanomechanics Lab at University at Buffalo.
André Bardow is a Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich. His research focuses on energy systems optimization, life cycle assessment, computer-aided molecular design, and CO2 capture/utilization. Professor (ETH Zürich, 2020–present) Head of Institute of Technical Thermodynamics (RWTH Aachen University, 2010–2020) Visiting Professor (University of California, Santa Barbara, 2015/16) Part-time Director (Forschungszentrum Jülich, 2017–2022) Associate Professor (TU Delft, 2007–2010) Research Interests: His work spans energy and process systems engineering, with emphasis on sustainable technologies. Key areas include: Computer-aided molecular and process design Machine learning for chemical engineering Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) Life cycle assessment (LCA) of industrial processes Thermo-economic modeling of energy systems Multiphase equilibrium analysis Publication Trends: Recent articles focus on integrating machine learning with process design, optimizing CO2 capture in steel production, and advancing electrochemical cooling technologies. Subfields include sustainable plastics, ORC working fluids, and solvent mixture design. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Chemical Society Recent Innovative Contribution Award (EFCE, 2019) PSE Model-Based Innovation Prize (2018) Covestro Science Award (first recipient) Arnold-Eucken-Award (VDI-GVC) Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate, 2024) Advising and Grants: Professor Bardow mentors students in process optimization and leads projects like Systemic expansion of territorial CIRCULAR Ecosystems for end-of-life FOAM (Grant 101036854, EC).
