William Chueh is a Professor in the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Energy Science & Engineering at Stanford University. He serves as Director of the Precourt Institute for Energy and Faculty Director of the Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program. His research focuses on redox-active materials for energy storage, conversion, and carbon-neutral energy cycles. Education: PhD, Materials Science, Caltech (2010) BS, Applied Physics, Caltech (2005) Research Interests: Energy storage and conversion systems (batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers) Multi-scale electrochemical and chemical reaction dynamics Materials design rules for redox-active solids Thermodynamic frameworks for sustainable energy Publication Trends: His work spans fundamental materials synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and modeling of redox reactions. Key themes include solar thermochemical cycles, ceria-based systems for CO2/H2O conversion, and advanced battery technologies. Scientific Honors: Outstanding Young Investigator Award (MRS, 2018) Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2016) Sloan Research Fellowship (2016) CAREER Award (NSF, 2015) Advising: He advises students in energy technologies, materials science, and electrochemistry, including doctoral and master’s candidates. Contact: wchueh@stanford.edu
Dr. Krishnan Mahesh is a Professor at the University of Michigan with joint appointments in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He serves as Director of the Center for Naval Research and Education and leads the Computational Fluids Laboratory, where he develops advanced numerical methods for simulating multi-physics turbulent flows. Education: Ph.D. (1996), M.S. (1990) from Stanford University, B.Tech (1989) from IIT Bombay Leadership: Director, Center for Naval Research and Education (2022-present) His research focuses on high-fidelity simulations of turbulent flows with applications in marine propulsors, multiphase systems, cavitation, hydroacoustics, superhydrophobic surfaces, biofouling, fluid-structure interaction, and flow stability. His group develops the MPCUGLES software for unstructured grid simulations on parallel computing platforms. Recent work examines cavitation dynamics , tip vortex flows , and roughness-induced transition in complex marine and aerospace systems. His 15 most recent articles demonstrate expertise in LES/DNS of multi-physics flows, with emphasis on marine propulsion, bubble collapse, and turbulent noise prediction. Scientific Honors: 2021 AIAA Best Paper Award 2018 Fulbright Scholar 2017 Marine Propulsors Symposium Best Paper 2011 APS Fellow 2010 Taylor Award for Distinguished Research He mentors numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with collaborative projects spanning jet in crossflow analysis, gas turbine simulations, and shock-turbulence interactions. His research receives funding from ONR, NSF, and international naval programs.
Prof. Gabriela Hug is a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, serving as Deputy Head of the Department and Deputy Head of the Power Systems and High Voltage Lab. She leads the Energy Science Center (ESC) and holds adjunct roles at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on modeling, control, and optimization of electric power systems for sustainable energy transitions. Education: PhD in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich (2004–2008) MSc in Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich (1999–2004) Research Interests: Her work addresses challenges in smart grid integration, renewable energy systems, and advanced control strategies. Key areas include vehicle-to-grid technologies, distribution network optimization, and energy storage system planning. She emphasizes data-driven approaches and collaborative frameworks for grid resilience and flexibility. Key Achievements: Recipient of the 2019 ALEA Award (ETH Zurich) NSF Career Award (2013) IEEE Outstanding Young Engineer Award (2013) Leadership & Roles: Co-Director, NCCR Automation (Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research) Board Chair, Energy Science Center (ESC) Adjunct Faculty, Carnegie Mellon University Labs & Teams: Power Systems Laboratory (ETH Zurich) Energy Science Center (multi-disciplinary research hub)
Dr. Gloria Milena Monsalve Bravo is an Advanced Queensland Industry Research Fellow and lecturer at The University of Queensland's School of Chemical Engineering, where she develops novel multiscale simulation techniques combining molecular simulations with macroscopic physics-based modeling to solve complex energy and environmental problems. Her interdisciplinary work bridges applied mathematics and engineering to improve understanding of phenomena in complex systems across chemical, biomedical, and ecological applications. Her research focuses on: Multiscale simulation techniques for complex systems Molecular simulations coupled with macroscopic modeling Gas permeation and separation in mixed-matrix membranes Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in mathematical models Applied mathematics for engineering problems Dr. Monsalve Bravo's publication record demonstrates a strong trajectory in membrane technology and computational modeling. Her recent work has advanced understanding of gas transport in novel membrane materials, particularly mixed-matrix membranes, with applications in carbon capture and hydrogen storage. She has made significant contributions to theoretical frameworks for modeling permeation in finite-sized composite systems and developed Bayesian approaches for analyzing parameter uncertainty in sorption predictions. Her research bridges fundamental science with practical applications in energy and environmental engineering. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through research funding including: ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Wastes (2024-2029) Tailor-made composite membranes for greenhouse gas capture (2023-2026) through Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships Dr. Monsalve Bravo actively mentors PhD students on cutting-edge projects related to membrane technology, catalyst development, and waste conversion. She collaborates extensively across disciplines, as evidenced by her diverse publication record spanning chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental applications.
Prof. Richard L. Peters is a Professor and Head of the Chair of Tree Growth and Wood Physiology at the Technische Universität München (TUM) since 2024. His research focuses on tree physiology, wood formation, and climate-forest interactions. He holds a doctorate summa cum laude from the University of Basel (2018) and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Science (WSL) and Ghent University. His work integrates forest ecology, dendrochronology, and ecophysiology to address climate change impacts on forests. Education: B.Sc./M.Sc. in Biology at Utrecht University, Ph.D. from University of Basel (2018). Key career steps include a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) fellowship at Ghent University and coordination of the Swiss Canopy Crane II project (2021). Research Interests: Tree water-use strategies, drought tolerance mechanisms, carbon allocation dynamics, and the physiological basis of tree growth. He leads interdisciplinary projects to monitor forest responses to environmental stress using tools like the TreeNet network. Awards: Early Postdoc Mobility Fellowship (SNSF, 2019), Doctorate summa cum laude (2018). Contributions: Authored >180 publications, co-developed the datacleanr R package for ecological data processing, and pioneered methods linking tree-ring data with climate models. His work emphasizes the need for better observational data to improve vegetation models.
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.
Associate Professor Ng Bing Feng leads research in Additive Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, and Thermofluids at Nanyang Technological University's School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. As Cluster Director for Smart & Sustainable Building Technologies at NTU's Energy Research Institute, he oversees projects spanning energy-efficient cooling technologies, advanced filtration systems, and bio-inspired materials. His interdisciplinary work integrates advanced manufacturing with environmental engineering, focusing on sustainable solutions for air quality management and thermal regulation. Current research explores radiative cooling technologies, acoustic agglomeration for emissions control, and crashworthy structures via biomimetic design. Professor Ng's publications demonstrate consistent innovation in multi-scale manufacturing and fluid dynamics, with growing emphasis on sustainable urban technologies. Methodologies combine experimental fluid dynamics with computational modeling and AI-driven design. Leadership Roles: Cluster Director, Energy Research Institute @ NTU Principal Investigator for multiple industry collaborations in sustainable materials Research Output: 42+ publications in high-impact journals Multiple patents in filtration technologies and cooling systems
Dr Santiago Romero-Vargas Castrillon is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment and the School of Engineering. He previously held positions at the University of Minnesota and Yale University. His research focuses on membrane technology, environmental nanomaterials, and biofouling mitigation. Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering (Princeton University), postdoctoral research at Yale, and degrees from McGill University and University of Western Ontario. Research interests include colloid science, membrane separations, and 2D nanomaterial applications. Key projects involve developing novel cleaning processes for water treatment membranes and studying bioadhesion mechanisms using AFM. Recent awards include RSE Young Academy membership and EPSRC funding. He actively supervises PhD students and collaborates with industry partners like Panton-McLeod.
Paul Drude Institute for Solid State ElectronicsGermany
Jun Liu is a distinguished scientist and academic, serving as a Battelle Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and holding the position of Campbell Chair Professor at the University of Washington. His career spans over three decades in materials science and energy storage research, with significant leadership roles including Director of the Battery500 Consortium, a major DOE initiative focused on developing next-generation battery technologies. Dr. Liu earned his Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Hunan University, followed by a Master's degree in Ceramic Engineering and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, both from the University of Washington. His educational background provided the foundation for his extensive career in advanced materials development. Dr. Liu's research focuses on the development, synthesis, and characterization of new materials for energy applications, with particular emphasis on battery technologies. His work spans lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur systems, redox flow batteries, and magnesium-based energy storage solutions. He has pioneered approaches to improve energy density, cycle life, and safety of battery systems through innovative materials design and interface engineering. Analysis of Dr. Liu's recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical battery applications, with particular attention to lithium metal anodes, solid electrolyte interphases, and high-energy battery systems. His research increasingly addresses the challenges of translating laboratory discoveries into commercially viable battery technologies, with growing emphasis on pouch cell development and real-world performance metrics. Distinguished Inventor of Battelle (2007) PNNL's Inventor of the Year (2012, 2016) Electrochemical Society Battery Division Technology Award DOE EERE Exceptional Achievement Award PNNL Lifetime Achievement Award Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow of the Materials Research Society Member of the Washington State Academy of Science Dr. Liu has secured substantial research funding through his leadership of the Battery500 Consortium and other DOE initiatives. He has mentored numerous researchers and students throughout his career, contributing to the development of the next generation of energy storage scientists. His research group at PNNL collaborates extensively with academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry partners to advance battery technology. Dr. Liu leads the Battery500 Consortium, a major collaborative effort involving multiple national laboratories, universities, and industry partners focused on developing lithium-metal batteries with significantly higher energy density than current technologies. His research group at PNNL maintains state-of-the-art facilities for materials synthesis, characterization, and battery testing, enabling comprehensive investigation of next-generation energy storage systems.
Prof. Dr. Taner Akbay is a faculty member at Yeditepe University, Faculty of Engineering , Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering. He has held academic positions at institutions including Kyushu University, Oita University, and Imperial College London. Education: PhD in Materials Engineering (1993, Imperial College London); Master’s (1989) and Bachelor’s (1986) degrees from Middle East Technical University. His research spans Materials Engineering , Metallurgy , and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) , with a focus on oxide ion conductivity, laser surface treatment, and phase transformations. Recent work explores photocatalysis , anion intercalation , and CO2 reduction using computational and experimental approaches. Key article trends include SOFC optimization (2004–2009), strain effects on catalysts (2015–2020), and dual-carbon battery technology (2016–2020). His work bridges fundamental metallurgy and advanced energy materials . Scientific Awards: Postdoctoral Research Sponsorship Award (EPSRC, UK) JSPS Fellowship (Japan) Daiwa Adrian Prize (2016, UK) PhD Studentship at Imperial College (European Commission) He has supervised multiple PhD and Master’s theses, including projects on dual-carbon batteries , microwave absorption nanocomposites , and rare earth recovery . Administrative roles include Head of Department (2020–2021). Non-University Experience: Worked with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (2001), Çolakoğlu Metalurji (2010), and National Research Council Canada (2009).
Anne BOUTIN is a Research Director at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Professor at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris, France. She leads the Department of Chemistry at ENS, focusing on the thermodynamics of confined fluids and molecular simulations of porous materials like metal-organic frameworks (MIL-53, ZIF-8) and zeolites. Education: Habilitation (1999), PhD in Chemical Physics (1992), Graduate of École Normale Supérieure (1992), MSc (1990) – all from University of Paris XI, Orsay. Positions: CNRS Research Fellow (1994–2009, University of Paris XI; 2009–present, ENS), Visiting Scientist at UC Santa Barbara (1999), Postdoctoral at Imperial College London (1993–1994). Research spans thermodynamic modeling of adsorption-induced structural transitions, polarizable force fields for charged materials, fluid dynamics in nanopores, and stability analysis of flexible frameworks. Google Scholar highlights recent work on electrolyte intrusion (2023) and defect impacts in zeolites (2023). Publications emphasize computational approaches to water confinement , gas separation , and material flexibility . Her 41+ peer-reviewed articles reflect expertise in Monte Carlo , molecular dynamics , and force field development . Awards: Nathalie Demassieux PhD Award (1993) CNRS Bronze Medal (1999) Legion of Honor (2017) Teaching: Statistical thermodynamics. Students: Supervised 17 PhD/postdoc directions.
Richard D. Noble is a Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on advanced membrane technologies for gas and liquid separations, with particular expertise in ionic liquids, liquid crystals, and the application of external fields for selective separations. He maintains an active laboratory in Cristol Chemistry (room 357) and collaborates extensively with Professor Doug Gin on many research projects. Noble received his BE and ME from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1968 and 1969 respectively, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in 1976. His educational background in engineering has provided a strong foundation for his research in chemical engineering and materials science. Professor Noble's research program centers on three interconnected areas. His primary focus is on ionic liquids for gas separations , where he evaluates various ionic liquids and complexation chemistry to tailor material properties to specific feed mixtures. He explores composite polymer/IL structures and incorporation of complexation chemistry and zeolites, and has developed specialized apparatus to measure gas solubility and diffusivity in ionic liquids. This work is conducted in collaboration with Professor Doug Gin. His second research thrust involves the use of external fields for selective separations . Noble studies how electric or light energy can enhance separation processes by changing binding affinity of complexing agents. His notable achievement is an electrochemical pump with no moving parts that produces pressures exceeding 20 atm, with applications in lab-on-a-chip and micro-scale devices. He also develops charged polymer structures for membrane separators with wide temperature and chemical stability. His third major area focuses on liquid crystals organized to form nanostructured polymer network films. These cross-linked stable films are evaluated for nanofiltration applications, particularly in water filtration including treatment of water from fracking operations. This work often intersects with his ionic liquids research, creating composite structures with potential applications in electrochemical pumps. Noble's publication record from 2017-2019 shows consistent focus on membrane technologies for separation processes, with increasing sophistication in membrane design incorporating ionic liquids, liquid crystals, and novel materials like pillar[5]arenes. His work demonstrates a clear trend toward addressing practical industrial challenges, particularly in natural gas purification (CO 2 /CH 4 separation) and environmental applications (treatment of fracking wastewater). His collaborations have produced high-impact work published in top journals including Nature Materials , Journal of Membrane Science , and Angewandte Chemie . Professor Noble has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his contributions: AIChE Institute Service to Society Award (2005) Alfred T. and Betty E. Look Professor of Chemical Engineering (2005-present) Multiple Outstanding Graduate Teaching Awards from the Chemical Engineering Department (2006-2008) ACS Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Division Fellow (2007) CU Boulder Inventor of the Year (2008) Barrer Lecture at Penn State University (2008) Fellow at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (2009-2012) Robert L. Stearns Award from CU Alumni Association (2010) Chair d'Excellence Pierre de Fermat at Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse (2010) AIChE Institute Excellence in Industrial Gas Technology Award (2010) And numerous others through 2015 While specific grant details aren't provided, Noble's extensive publication record with multiple co-authors suggests active research mentoring and well-funded projects. His work on sophisticated apparatus and high-quality publications indicates substantial research support. His collaborations, especially with Doug Gin, suggest a strong research group environment focused on membrane science and separation technologies. Professor Noble's research operates at the intersection of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science. His laboratory includes facilities for membrane fabrication, gas separation testing, and characterization of novel materials. The development of specialized apparatus for measuring gas properties in ionic liquids suggests dedicated equipment for fundamental property measurements. His work on electrochemical pumps indicates capabilities in microfluidics and device fabrication, with the collaborative nature of his research suggesting a team approach to tackling complex separation challenges.
Mohamed Beshir is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. His research focuses on fire safety engineering, urban fire spread in informal settlements, and enhancing resilience in low- and middle-income communities. He teaches courses such as Fundamentals of Fire Safety Engineering and Fire Dynamics I , contributing to advanced engineering education. Education : PhD in Fire Safety Engineering, University of Edinburgh (2022). Professional Experience : Previously worked as a fire engineer at a leading UK consultancy, addressing fire safety in residential, retail, and historical buildings. Prof. Beshir’s research interests include fire and smoke dynamics, combustion modeling, compartment fires, and fire safety resilience. His work addresses environmental and economic sustainability in construction, alongside human behavior in fire scenarios. His scientific contributions span fire dynamics in informal settlements, wind effects on flashover, and energy harvesting technologies. He has received awards like the Sheldon Tieszen Student Award (2020) and the Best MSc Thesis Poster award (IMFSE, 2017). Teaching : CIVE 5609/IPIS 5504 (Fire Safety Engineering), CIVE 5610 (Fire Dynamics I). Collaborations : Worked with researchers like R. Walls, Y. Wang, and D. Rush on large-scale fire experiments and CFD modeling.
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.
