Kirubakaran Annamalai | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Kirubakaran Annamalai | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

National Institute of Technology Warangal | India

Dr. Kirubakaran Annamalai, Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, is a distinguished researcher in Power Electronics, Renewable Energy Systems, and Distributed Generation, with a primary focus on the design, analysis, and implementation of multilevel inverters, DC-DC and DC-AC converters, grid-tied photovoltaic systems, and power quality improvement techniques. He has made significant contributions to quasi-Z-source and switched-capacitor-based inverter topologies, emphasizing high efficiency, reduced device counts, leakage current minimization, and real-time control using DSP, FPGA, and dSPACE platforms. Dr. Kirubakaran Annamalai has published 70 peer-reviewed articles, accumulating 1,563 citations with an h-index of 14 (Scopus), in top international journals such as IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics, and Springer’s Journal of Electrical Engineering, and has presented extensively at IEEE and global conferences. He has authored multiple book chapters on advanced power electronics for solar PV and hybrid renewable systems, demonstrating his expertise in sustainable energy technologies. He has successfully led and collaborated on research projects funded by SERB, DST-FIST, SPARC, and SIRE, with budgets ranging from Rs. 2.8 Lakhs to over Rs. 94 Lakhs, focusing on innovative converter designs, smart grid laboratories, and electric vehicle applications, and holds patents on transformer less multilevel inverters. Dr. Kirubakaran Annamalai has supervised numerous Ph.D. and M.Tech scholars, advancing frontier research in power electronics. Recognized for his research excellence through the SIRE Fellowship 2023, multiple IEEE Best Paper Awards, editorial contributions, conference chairing, and active membership in IEEE, ISTE, and other professional bodies, he continues to drive innovation in inverter topologies, grid integration strategies, and renewable energy systems, making a lasting impact on modern power conversion technologies.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

  • Palakurthi, R., & Kirubakaran, A. (2025). DSP controlled single-phase two-stage five-level inverter for high-efficiency grid-connected photovoltaic systems. Electrical Engineering, 108(1).

  • Palakurthi, R., & Kirubakaran, A. (2025). Rapid prototyping of FPGA controlled common ground single-phase transformerless five-level inverter using Xilinx System Generator. IEEE Latin America Transactions, 23(7), 609–618.

  • Kalyan Singh, K., & Kirubakaran, A. (2025). Single-phase five-level common ground transformerless switched capacitor inverters for PV applications with double gain. In 2025 Fourth International Conference on Power, Control and Computing Technologies (ICPC2T).

  • Barzegarkhoo, R., Kirubakaran, A., Pereira, T., Liserre, M., & Siwakoti, Y. P. (2024). Improved T-type and ANPC multilevel converters by means of GaN-based T-cell branch and bidirectional device. In IECON 2024 – 50th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society.

  • Kirubakaran, A., Barzegarkhoo, R., & Liserre, M. (2024). A new single-phase dual-mode active neutral point-clamped five-level inverter for renewable applications. In 2024 Third International Conference on Power, Control and Computing Technologies (ICPC2T).

Elżbieta Radziszewska-Zielina | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Elżbieta Radziszewska-Zielina | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Cracow University of Technology | Poland

Prof. Dr. Elżbieta Radziszewska-Zielina is a distinguished researcher from Politechnika Krakowska, Krakow, Poland, widely recognized for her pioneering work in civil engineering, sustainable construction management, and intelligent systems for project engineering. Her research bridges technical innovation, computational modeling, and sustainability principles to enhance efficiency, environmental responsibility, and resilience in the built environment. She has published 59 scientific papers indexed in Scopus, which have collectively received 838 citations, yielding a Scopus h-index of 20, reflecting her strong academic influence and international recognition. Her studies focus on modern construction materials, energy-efficient building technologies, blue-green infrastructure, and systemic approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in urban construction. Her innovative use of computational techniques—including type-1 and type-2 fuzzy logic, stochastic networks, multi-criteria decision analysis, and optimization algorithms—has advanced the understanding and practical application of complex construction processes. Prof. Dr. Elżbieta Radziszewska-Zielina’s notable research outputs include the development of decision-support systems for construction planning, models for adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and optimization frameworks for nearly zero-energy buildings. She has contributed to key international research and educational projects funded by the National Science Centre (NCN), National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), Horizon 2020, and other European programs. Her editorial leadership includes guest editing special issues in Sustainability, Polymers, and Open Engineering, and serving on the boards of Archives of Civil Engineering and Selected Scientific Papers – Journal of Civil Engineering.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

  • Kania, E., Radziszewska-Zielina, E., & Śladowski, G. (2020). Communication and information flow in Polish construction projects. Sustainability, 12(21), 9182. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219182

  • Radziszewska-Zielina, E., & Śladowski, G. (2017). Supporting the selection of a variant of the adaptation of a historical building with the use of fuzzy modelling and structural analysis. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 26, 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2017.02.007

  • Radziszewska-Zielina, E., Śladowski, G., & Sibielak, M. (2017). Planning the reconstruction of a historical building by using a fuzzy stochastic network. Automation in Construction, 84, 242–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.09.005

  • Radziszewska‐Zielina, E. (2010). Methods for selecting the best partner construction enterprise in terms of partnering relations. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 16(4), 510–520. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2010.57

  • Korytárová, J., Hanák, T., Kozik, R., & Radziszewska–Zielina, E. (2015). Exploring the contractors’ qualification process in public works contracts. Procedia Engineering, 123, 276–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.10.084

Sarat Mohapatra | Engineering | Innovative Research Award

Dr. Sarat Mohapatra | Engineering | Innovative Research Award

Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon | Portugal

Dr. Sarat Mohapatra is an accomplished marine researcher whose work bridges theoretical modeling, computational simulation, and experimental validation in the fields of hydroelasticity, ocean hydrodynamics, offshore aquaculture systems, and floating platform dynamics. His research primarily addresses complex fluid–structure interactions and the development of hydroelastic models for flexible and porous marine structures under combined wave and current conditions. With over 70 international publications in leading journals such as Ocean Engineering, Applied Ocean Research, Journal of Fluids and Structures, Physics of Fluids, and Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, his work has received significant global recognition, reflected in an h-index of 21 and more than 1,160 citations. Dr. Sarat Mohapatra has been a key contributor to several European and Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)-funded projects, focusing on hydrodynamic and hydroelastic analysis of large floating structures and wave energy systems. His recent studies include the development of analytical, numerical, and CFD-based models to predict wave-current interactions and improve the design of sustainable marine systems. In addition to his strong publication record, he has served as a journal reviewer, editorial contributor, and co-supervisor for doctoral and postgraduate research, promoting innovation and collaboration within marine technology. Through his pioneering contributions, Dr. Sarat Mohapatra continues to advance the understanding of ocean engineering phenomena, supporting innovations in marine renewable energy, offshore structure design, and environmentally resilient aquaculture technologies that contribute to the sustainable utilization of ocean resources.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar | ORCID | ResearchGate | Cienciavitae

Featured Publications

  • Mohapatra, S. C., Amouzadrad, P., & Guedes Soares, C. (2025). Recent developments in the nonlinear hydroelastic modeling of sea ice interaction with marine structures. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(8), Article 1410. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081410

  • Mohapatra, S. C., & Guedes Soares, C. (2025). Oblique wave analysis under current conditions on a floating flexible membrane. Physics of Fluids, 37(7), Article 072101. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0278003

  • Mohapatra, S. C., Guedes Soares, C., & Meylan, M. H. (2025). Three-dimensional and oblique wave-current interaction with a floating elastic plate based on an analytical approach. Symmetry, 17(6), Article 831. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17060831

  • Amouzadrad, P., Mohapatra, S. C., & Guedes Soares, C. (2025). Review on sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of hydrodynamic and hydroelastic responses of floating offshore structures. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(6), Article 1015. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13061015

  • Mohapatra, S. C., & Guedes Soares, C. (2025). Wave–current interaction with a deformable bottom in a three-dimensional channel. Physics of Fluids, 37(5), Article 052104. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0267255

Ziqiang Pi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ziqiang Pi | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ziqiang Pi is a dedicated and innovative Senior Engineer at BGRIMM Technology Group, where he focuses on advanced materials engineering. Since graduating in 2019 from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, he has specialized in alloy powders, thermal spraying, and laser cladding. His contributions have led to breakthroughs in wear-resistant coatings for mining equipment, significantly improving durability and performance.

Professional profile👤

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Technical Expertise and Research Focus:

    • Ziqiang Pi holds a strong academic background in Materials Science and Engineering, which aligns well with his current research.

    • His focused areas—alloy powder, laser cladding, and thermal spraying—are of significant industrial and academic relevance, especially for applications in mining and heavy industries.

  • Industry Impact and Practical Contributions:

    • The development and application of wear-resistant laser cladding coatings for mining equipment, which achieved 250% service life improvement, demonstrate real-world impact.

    • His work bridges the gap between fundamental research and practical application—an essential criterion for research excellence.

  • Research Output and Recognition:

    • Published 10 journal articles (including SCI/Scopus-indexed).

    • Holder of four patents, indicating a strong orientation toward innovation.

    • Led or participated in five major research projects, including national-level grants, suggesting a capacity to secure and manage competitive funding.

  • Professional Advancement:

    • Rapid progression to Senior Engineer by 2021—within two years of graduation—signals high professional competence and recognition by his institution.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Citation Index and Academic Visibility:

    • The citation index is not quantified in the application. Including h-index, total citations, or Google Scholar link would help assess academic influence.

    • No mention of keynote talks, invited lectures, or conference participation, which could enhance visibility in the research community.

  2. Editorial Roles and Collaborations:

    • No current editorial appointments or clear international collaborations are listed. These elements would strengthen his profile by showing leadership and global integration in the research community.

🎓 Education

Ziqiang Pi earned his Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing in July 2019. His education laid a strong foundation in metallurgy and materials innovation, propelling him into a research-driven engineering role at BGRIMM Technology Group.

🛠️ Experience

Since joining BGRIMM Technology Group post-graduation, Ziqiang has steadily risen in ranks, earning the title of Senior Engineer in 2021. He has managed and contributed to multiple national-level research projects funded by prestigious bodies like the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Key R&D Program. His work emphasizes industrial applications of coatings and materials processing. 🔍

🔬 Research Interests On Engineering

Ziqiang’s primary research interests include alloy powders, laser cladding, and thermal spraying. He is especially passionate about functional coatings that enhance the longevity and efficiency of heavy machinery in the mining sector. His innovative research bridges academic knowledge with industrial needs.

🏆 Awards

In recognition of his outstanding research and industrial contributions, Ziqiang Pi was promoted to Senior Engineer in 2021. His work has not only been acknowledged internally but has also garnered attention through national and provincial-level projects, reflecting his excellence and commitment to innovation.

📚 Publications

Ziqiang Pi has published 10 articles in reputable journals. Selected key publications include:

His publications reflect strong engagement with applied research that supports industrial innovation.

🔚 Conclusion

Ziqiang Pi exemplifies the synergy between engineering innovation and practical impact. His pioneering work in developing wear-resistant laser cladding coatings has directly enhanced mining equipment performance and longevity. With a consistent track record in research, publication, and project execution, he stands as a promising candidate for recognition in research excellence awards.