Thi Dinh Ta | Materials Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Thi Dinh Ta | Materials Engineering | Best Researcher Award

University of Wollongong | Australia

Dr. Thi Dinh Ta is a Part-time Lecturer and Research Scientist specializing in Tribology, Lubrication Engineering, and Computational Mechanics at the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia. With over 12 years of combined industry and academic experience, he has made significant contributions to advanced lubricant development, sustainable manufacturing, and nanotechnology applications in mechanical systems. His interdisciplinary research bridges molecular dynamics simulations, experimental tribology, and industrial problem-solving, earning recognition through ARC grants, international collaborations, and high-impact publications.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  1. Outstanding Research Contributions

    • High-Impact Publications: 30+ peer-reviewed papers in Q1/Q2 journals (e.g., Tribology InternationalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces), with 500+ citations and an h-index of ~12.

    • Interdisciplinary Innovation: Pioneering work in nanolubrication, tribochemistry, and sustainable manufacturing, bridging molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with industrial applications (e.g., ARC-funded projects on eco-friendly lubricants).

    • Key Findings: Demonstrated the role of iron oxides in tribofilm formation (2022) and designed adaptive lubricants for hot rolling (2020), directly impacting energy-efficient manufacturing.

  2. Leadership in Competitive Grants

    • Secured $760K+ in research funding as CI/PI, including:

      • ARC Discovery Project DP240102945 ($631K, 2024–2026) on green lubricants.

      • NSFC Grant (RMB 580K, 2021–2023) as Principal Investigator.

    • Collaborated globally (Denmark, China) via CAS President’s Fellowship (2021).

  3. Academic & Industrial Impact

    • Teaching & Mentorship: Lectured advanced courses (Finite Element Methods, CFD) and supervised 4 PhD completions.

    • Industry Relevance: Developed solutions for Zn-air batteries (DTU) and offshore gas platforms (PetroVietnam).

  4. Recognition & Outreach

    • Invited talks at Leeds-Lyon Symposium and World Tribology Congress.

    • Awards: 1st Class Honors (2011), PhD Scholarship (2012).

Education 🎓📖

  • PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2012–2017)

    • University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia

    • Thesis: “Tribological Behavior of Thin-Film Lubricants in Metal Forming Processes”

  • Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Aeronautical Engineering (2006–2011)

    • Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam

    • Graduated with 1st Class Honors

Professional Experience 💼🔧

Academic & Research Roles

  • Part-time Lecturer (2024–Present)

    • University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia

    • Courses: Mechanics of Solids (ENGG251), Manufacturing Engineering Principles (MECH382)

  • Research Fellow (2022–2024)

    • Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Copenhagen

    • Focus: Electrolyte design for Zn-air batteries, sustainable energy materials

  • Associate Research Fellow (2016–2022)

    • University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia

    • Key Projects: ARC Discovery & Linkage grants on adaptive lubricants, pipeline coatings

Industry Experience

  • Technical Engineer (2011–2012)

    • PetroVietnam Technical Services (PTSC M&C)

    • Role: Mechanical design for offshore gas platforms (Su Tu Trang Field Project)

Research Interests On Materials Engineering 🔍

  1. Advanced Lubrication Science

    • Nano-tribology, boundary lubrication, high-temperature tribofilms.

  2. Computational Tribochemistry

    • Ab initio and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of lubricant-surface interactions.

  3. Sustainable Manufacturing

    • Eco-friendly lubricants for cold/hot rolling (e.g., ARC DP240102945).

  4. Energy Materials

    • Electrolytes for batteries (Zn-air), corrosion-resistant coatings.

Awards & Honors 🏆🎖️

  • CAS President’s International Fellowship (2021, China)

  • PhD Scholarship (2012–2016, UOW)

  • 1st Rank in Aeronautical Engineering (2011, Vietnam)

Publications 📚

  • Evolution of microstructure, temperature and stress in a high speed steel work roll during hot rolling: Experiment and modelling
    Authors: GY Deng, Q Zhu, K Tieu, HT Zhu, M Reid, AA Saleh, LH Su, TD Ta, …
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 78

  • Adsorption of Normal-Alkanes on Fe(110), FeO(110), and Fe2O3(0001): Influence of Iron Oxide Surfaces
    Authors: TD Ta, AK Tieu, H Zhu, B Kosasih
    Year: 2015
    Citations: 66

  • A study of abrasive wear on high speed steel surface in hot rolling by Discrete Element Method
    Authors: HT Phan, AK Tieu, H Zhu, B Kosasih, Q Zhu, A Grima, TD Ta
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 60

  • Theoretical and experimental investigation of thermal and oxidation behaviours of a high speed steel work roll during hot rolling
    Authors: GY Deng, HT Zhu, AK Tieu, LH Su, M Reid, L Zhang, PT Wei, X Zhao, …
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 49

  • Tribological behavior of aqueous copolymer lubricant in mixed lubrication regime
    Authors: TD Ta, AK Tieu, H Zhu, Q Zhu, PB Kosasih, J Zhang, G Deng
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 46

  • Chemical origin of sodium phosphate interactions on iron and iron oxide surfaces by first principle calculations
    Authors: HTT Ta, AK Tieu, H Zhu, H Yu, TD Ta, S Wan, NV Tran, HM Le
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 41

  • GPS-based wireless ad hoc network for marine monitoring, search and rescue (MSnR)
    Authors: TD Ta, TD Tran, DD Do, HV Nguyen, YV Vu, NX Tran
    Year: 2011
    Citations: 29

  • First-principles study of the adsorption and depolymerization mechanisms of sodium silicate on iron surfaces at high temperature
    Authors: NV Tran, AK Tieu, H Zhu, HTT Ta, TD Ta, HM Le
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 26

  • Effect of adding soft Bi2O3 on structural modification and tribological regulation of Ni-5 wt% Al composite coating in wide temperatures range
    Authors: H Sun, G Yi, S Wan, P Shi, J Yang, ST Pham, AK Tieu, TD Ta
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 25

  • Computational tribochemistry: A review from classical and quantum mechanics studies
    Authors: HTT Ta, NV Tran, AK Tieu, H Zhu, H Yu, TD Ta
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 24

Conclusion 🌟

Dr. Thi Dinh Ta is a versatile researcher and educator whose work spans fundamental tribology, industrial applications, and sustainable technology development. His expertise in computational modeling, lubricant design, and energy materials positions him as a key contributor to next-generation manufacturing solutions. With a strong record of grants, publications, and mentorship, he continues to drive innovation in mechanical engineering.

Dhiraj Kumar Rana | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dhiraj Kumar Rana | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Fellow | Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | India

Dr. Dhiraj Kumar Rana is a distinguished researcher in Materials Science and Polymer Engineering, currently serving as a National Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. His research primarily focuses on multiphase polymeric and elastomeric materials, functional smart materials, and their applications in energy storage, wearable electronics, and soft robotics. With a strong academic foundation and extensive research contributions, Dr. Rana has made significant advancements in flexible charge storage materials and elastomeric nanocomposites.

Profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Extensive Research Experience – With a career spanning over two decades in physical chemistry and photochemistry, Professor Yang has made significant contributions to the field.
  • Innovative Research in Phototherapy – His work on photochemical probes, nanotechnology for drug-controlled release, and phototherapy (both photodynamic and photothermal therapy) is impactful in medical and pharmaceutical sciences.
  • High Research Output – He has published 46 SCI-indexed research articles, with recent publications in top-tier journals like Biomaterials and Analytical Chemistry.
  • Funded Research Projects – Successfully secured grants, including the National Natural Science Foundation (21473101).
  • Intellectual Property Contributions – Holds four patents, demonstrating his focus on innovation and real-world applications.

Education 🎓

Dr. Rana obtained his B.Sc. in Physics (Honours) from North Orissa University, Baripada, in 2008, followed by an M.Sc. in Physics from NIT Rourkela in 2010. He further specialized in Advanced Materials Science and Technology with an M.Tech. from NIT Durgapur in 2013. His Ph.D., awarded by NIT Durgapur in 2019, focused on Experimental Condensed Matter Physics, emphasizing electrical and magnetic properties of polymer multiferroic nanocomposites.

Experience 🌍

Dr. Rana has held several research positions, including Junior Research Fellow at BIT Patna, Research Associate at NIT Durgapur, and Institute Post-Doctoral Fellow at IISER Mohali. Since 2022, he has been a National Post-Doctoral Fellow at IIT Delhi, contributing significantly to the development of novel polymeric materials for flexible electronics. His teaching experience includes courses in Engineering Physics and Advanced Physics at NIT Durgapur and Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University, Ranchi.

Research Interests On Materials🔬

Dr. Rana’s research encompasses a broad range of topics within Materials Science and Polymer Engineering. His expertise includes multiphase polymeric and elastomeric materials, dielectric and magnetic elastomers, flexible charge storage, nanomaterial synthesis (barium titanate, ferrite nanoparticles, graphene oxide, etc.), and applications in soft robotics and wearable electronics. He is proficient in advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM, and various electrical, dielectric, and thermal analysis methods.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Rana has been recognized for his contributions to materials science through prestigious fellowships, including the SERB-National Post-Doctoral Fellowship. His research achievements have also earned him accolades in the field of advanced functional materials.

Publications 📚

  • Title: Electrical and room temperature multiferroic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites doped with nickel ferrite nanoparticles
    Authors: DK Rana, SK Singh, SK Kundu, S Roy, S Angappane, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2019
    Citations: 67

  • Title: Electrical and magnetic properties of polyvinyl alcohol–cobalt ferrite nanocomposite films
    Authors: DK Rana, SK Singh, SK Kundu, RJ Choudhary, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2018
    Citations: 34

  • Title: Influence of microstructural alterations of liquid metal and its interfacial interactions with rubber on multifunctional properties of soft composite materials
    Authors: PS Banerjee, DK Rana, SS Banerjee
    Publication Year: 2022
    Citations: 26

  • Title: Relaxor ferroelectric behavior of “A” site deficient Bismuth doped Barium Titanate ceramic
    Authors: T Badapanda, V Senthil, DK Rana, S Panigrahi, S Anwar
    Publication Year: 2012
    Citations: 25

  • Title: An easy synthesis of carbon-supported silver–cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles to study the electrocatalytic performance in alkaline borohydride fuel cell
    Authors: S Dey, S Pramanik, P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2022
    Citations: 18

  • Title: Development of organic-inorganic flexible PVDF-LaFeO3 nanocomposites for the enhancement of electrical, ferroelectric and magnetic properties
    Authors: DK Rana, V Mehta, SK Kundu, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2020
    Citations: 18

  • Title: Enhanced multiferroic, magnetodielectric and electrical properties of Sm doped Lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
    Authors: SK Kundu, DK Rana, L Karmakar, D Das, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2019
    Citations: 15

  • Title: Enhancement of electrical and magnetodielectric properties of BiFeO3 incorporated PVDF flexible nanocomposite films
    Authors: DK Rana, SK Kundu, RJ Choudhary, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2019
    Citations: 14

  • Title: Surfactant-free synthesis of carbon-supported silver (Ag/C) nanobars as an efficient electrocatalyst for alcohol tolerance and oxidation of sodium borohydride in alkaline medium
    Authors: S Dey, P Chakraborty, DK Rana, S Pramanik, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2021
    Citations: 13

  • Title: Influence of manganese on multiferroic and electrical properties of lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles
    Authors: SK Kundu, DK Rana, A Banerjee, D Das, S Basu
    Publication Year: 2019
    Citations: 7

Conclusion 📊

Dr. Dhiraj Kumar Rana is an accomplished scientist whose research has significantly contributed to the advancement of functional and smart materials. His expertise in polymeric nanocomposites and energy storage applications continues to drive innovation in flexible electronics and soft robotics. With an impressive publication record and ongoing research at IIT Delhi, Dr. Rana remains at the forefront of cutting-edge materials science research.