Northwestern Polytechnical University | China

Dr. Zhen Zhang is a distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and subsequently held roles as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Researcher at the same institution. Recognized as a Shaanxi Province High-Level Talent, Young Talent of Xi’an Association for Science and Technology, and Aoxiang Overseas Scholar, Prof. Zhang is a leading researcher in the field of energy electrocatalysis, with more than 5,500 citations, 14 ESI highly cited papers, and an H-index of 38.

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Strengths for the Awards✨

Prof. Zhen Zhang exemplifies excellence in materials science and energy electrocatalysis. With a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo and a robust academic trajectory, he has made pioneering contributions to confined electrocatalytic materials. His exceptional research productivity—over 50 SCI-indexed publications, including in top-tier journals like JACS, Advanced Materials, and Angewandte Chemie—alongside 14 ESI Highly Cited Papers, H-index of 38, and 5,500+ citations, clearly demonstrate profound scientific influence. His leadership in 16 competitive research projects, including national and industrial collaborations, speaks to both his technical depth and applied impact. Furthermore, his involvement in prestigious international collaborations and multiple editorial roles solidify his standing as a thought leader in his field.

🎓 Education

Prof. Zhang pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Waterloo, Canada, where he specialized in electrocatalytic materials and energy systems. His academic foundation laid the groundwork for innovative research in CO₂ reduction, hydrogen production, and advanced battery technologies. His global educational exposure significantly enhances his scientific perspective.

🧪 Experience

Prof. Zhang has a rich and varied research background, including appointments as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Researcher at the University of Waterloo before returning to China. He now serves as a full Professor at Northwestern Polytechnical University, where he leads multiple national and provincial-level research initiatives. His industrial consultancy includes a 30 million RMB project on fuel cell power generation.

🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry and Materials Science

Prof. Zhang’s research centers on energy electrocatalytic materials and devices, especially focusing on CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂RR), oxygen/hydrogen evolution and reduction reactions (OER/ORR, HER/HOR). His work facilitates the development of fuel cells, electrolyzers, and metal-air batteries for sustainable energy production ⚡. His innovations in confined electrocatalytic systems are advancing next-generation energy devices.

🏆 Awards

Prof. Zhang has received numerous prestigious honors, including the Advanced Materials Award from the International Association of Advanced Materials, Canadian Mitacs Accelerate Award, and the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad. He is also a Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society and Chinese Materials Research Society. These accolades underscore his contributions to materials science and global energy sustainability 🌟.

📚 Publications

Microporous framework membranes for precise molecule/ion separations
H. Dou, M. Xu, B. Wang, Z. Zhang, G. Wen, Y. Zheng, D. Luo, L. Zhao, A. Yu, …
Year: 2021 | Citations: 285
Constructing multifunctional solid electrolyte interface via in-situ polymerization for dendrite-free and low N/P ratio lithium metal batteries
D. Luo, L. Zheng, Z. Zhang, M. Li, Z. Chen, R. Cui, Y. Shen, G. Li, R. Feng, …
Year: 2021 | Citations: 279
Quasi-Covalently Coupled Ni–Cu Atomic Pair for Synergistic Electroreduction of CO₂
J. Zhu, M. Xiao, D. Ren, R. Gao, X. Liu, Z. Zhang, D. Luo, W. Xing, D. Su, A. Yu, …
Year: 2022 | Citations: 244
Revealing the rapid electrocatalytic behavior of ultrafine amorphous defective Nb₂O₅–x nanocluster toward superior Li–S performance
D. Luo#, Z. Zhang# (co-first author), G. Li, S. Cheng, S. Li, J. Li, R. Gao, M. Li, …
Year: 2020 | Citations: 237
Template-guided synthesis of Co nanoparticles embedded in hollow nitrogen doped carbon tubes as a highly efficient catalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries
Q. Zhou, Z. Zhang, J. Cai, B. Liu, Y. Zhang, X. Gong, X. Sui, A. Yu, L. Zhao, …
Year: 2020 | Citations: 218
Synergistic engineering of defects and architecture in binary metal chalcogenide toward fast and reliable lithium–sulfur batteries
D. Luo, G. Li, Y.P. Deng, Z. Zhang, J. Li, R. Liang, M. Li, Y. Jiang, W. Zhang, …
Year: 2019 | Citations: 216
Rational design of tailored porous carbon-based materials for CO₂ capture
Z. Zhang, Z.P. Cano, D. Luo, H. Dou, A. Yu, Z. Chen
Year: 2019 | Citations: 213
Regulation of outer solvation shell toward superior low‐temperature aqueous zinc‐ion batteries
Q. Ma, R. Gao, Y. Liu, H. Dou, Y. Zheng, T. Or, L. Yang, Q. Li, Q. Cu, R. Feng, …
Year: 2022 | Citations: 212
“Two Ships in a Bottle” Design for Zn–Ag–O Catalyst Enabling Selective and Long-Lasting CO₂ Electroreduction
Z. Zhang, G. Wen, D. Luo, B. Ren, Y. Zhu, R. Gao, H. Dou, G. Sun, M. Feng, …
Year: 2021 | Citations: 200
Nano-crumples induced Sn-Bi bimetallic interface pattern with moderate electron bank for highly efficient CO₂ electroreduction
B. Ren, G. Wen, R. Gao, D. Luo, Z. Zhang, W. Qiu, Q. Ma, X. Wang, Y. Cui, …
Year: 2022 | Citations: 191

✅ Conclusion

🌟 Prof. Zhen Zhang is a visionary in the field of energy electrocatalysis, combining scientific innovation with a strong record of international collaboration. His pioneering work on confined electrocatalytic materials addresses critical challenges in catalyst performance, contributing to cleaner and more efficient energy systems. With a strong academic foundation, over 5,500 citations, prestigious awards, and leadership in over 16 major projects, Prof. Zhang exemplifies excellence and innovation, making him a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🏅.

Neetu Yadav | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 16/06/202516/06/2025 by Forensic Scientist

Ms. Neetu Yadav | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Department of Physics, University of Lucknow | India

Neetu Yadav is a passionate and dedicated researcher specializing in Material Science, with a keen interest in humidity and gas sensors. Born on April 18, 1996, in India, she currently resides in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. Her academic journey, combined with a growing list of publications, reflects her commitment to advancing sensor technology through nanomaterials and transition metal oxides. With excellent research, communication, and analytical skills, Neetu brings a multidisciplinary approach to scientific inquiry, bridging physics, chemistry, and materials engineering.

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Strengths for the Awards✨

Ms. Neetu Yadav exemplifies the profile of an emerging researcher in the domain of material science and sensor technology. Her ongoing Ph.D. research at the University of Lucknow focuses on transition metal oxides for gas and humidity sensing applications, a field of significant relevance to environmental monitoring and industrial safety. Despite being at an early stage of her career, she has already co-authored 10+ peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals such as Applied Surface Science, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, and Physica E, with multiple articles indexed in Scopus and cited internationally.

Her collaborative projects and contributions to interdisciplinary studies involving nanostructures, thin films, irradiation effects, and sensor fabrication underscore her technical competence. She has also co-authored book chapters published by Springer and other academic platforms, indicating her global academic reach. Moreover, her participation in national and international conferences, workshops, and symposiums, as well as involvement in outreach activities like essay competitions and inter-university sports, highlights her holistic development.

🎓 Education

Neetu Yadav is presently pursuing her Ph.D. in Material Science from the Department of Physics, University of Lucknow, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of transition metal oxides for sensor applications. She completed her Master’s in Physics (2019) from the same university with a second division. Prior to that, she earned her B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (2017) from Kumaun University, securing a first division. She also completed her Intermediate and High School from Rajeev Gandhi Navodaya Vidhyalaya, both with top ranks.

🧪 Experience

Neetu has developed hands-on experience through intensive lab work, workshops, and conferences. Her current research explores optical and structural properties of advanced materials, focusing on their applications in gas and humidity sensing. She has actively participated in experimental setups involving thin-film deposition, surface modification via ion irradiation, and nanomaterial synthesis — enriching her technical proficiency and collaborative skills.

🔍 Research Interests On Materials Science

Her research interests center around the synthesis and structural characterization of transition metal oxides, sensor device fabrication, thin films, and ion beam irradiation effects. She aims to enhance sensor performance for environmental monitoring by manipulating nano-scale properties of oxides like MoO₃, WO₃, SnO₂, and CuO. Her interdisciplinary curiosity also extends into nanotechnology’s societal and ethical dimensions. 📊

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Neetu received an Honorable Mention in the All India Essay Writing Event (2016), organized by Shri Ram Chandra Mission & the UN Information Centre. She has also earned accolades in district-level and inter-parliamentary volleyball tournaments. Her involvement in academic events and diverse interests from chess to painting reflect a well-rounded personality.

📚 Publications

Below are selected publications showcasing Neetu Yadav’s contributions to materials science and sensor technology:

Gamma irradiation induced surface modification of V₂O₅ thin films, Applied Surface Science, 2025 — cited by researchers for its relevance to sensor enhancement mechanisms.
Analysis of nanostructured Bi₂O₃-doped MoO₃, Materials Today: Proceedings, 2024 — contributed to optical and humidity sensor evaluation.
Room temperature LPG sensing of Ag-doped CuO:SnO₂, Physica E, 2024 — investigated gas sensing efficiency.
Effects of 100 MeV Ni⁷⁺ ion irradiation on MoO₃ thin films, Nuclear Instruments and Methods B, Oct 2024.
Enhanced hydrogen gas sensing with Ag-doped WO₃, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2023.
SnO₂@ZnO based chemiresistor for Ammonia sensing, Materials Chemistry and Physics, Dec 2023.
Yttrium-Cerium oxide sensor for H₂ detection, Engineering Proceedings, 2023.
NiO and SnO₂ nanoparticles for humidity sensing, Interactions, 2022.
XRD studies of sol-gel derived SnO₂, Int. Conf. on Materials Processing & Applications, 2023.
120MeV Ni⁷⁺ irradiation effects on WO₃, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2025.

📘 Book Chapters:

Influence of Temperature on Humidity Sensor (2023), in IIP Series Vol. 3.
Nanotechnology: Social Acceptance & Privacy (2024), Springer.
Role of Nanotechnology in Sensor Fabrication (2023), IIP Series Vol. 3.

🧠 Conclusion

Neetu Yadav stands out as a promising researcher whose work embodies academic rigor, technical innovation, and societal relevance. Her deep focus on material-based sensors and her contributions through high-impact publications and active participation in global scientific discussions make her an outstanding candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” in Forensic Scientist Awards. 🌟 Her fusion of scientific creativity, hands-on experimentation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration demonstrates not only academic excellence but a steadfast commitment to real-world impact.

Zhixiong Cai | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 17/04/202517/04/2025 by Forensic Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhixiong Cai | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Minnan Normal University | China

Zhixiong Cai is an Associate Professor and Master’s Supervisor at the College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental Science at Minnan Normal University, located in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, China. With expertise in luminescent materials and electrocatalysis, he has gained a reputation for his impactful research and academic contributions. His work primarily focuses on advancing materials science, particularly in the context of energy conversion and storage.

Professional profile👤

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Strengths for the Awards✨

Solid Educational Background: He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Xiamen University and has participated in a joint training program, which suggests a deep academic foundation.
Research Expertise: His research interests in luminescent materials and electrocatalysis are highly relevant and cutting-edge in chemistry and environmental science.
International Exposure: Zhixiong Cai was a visiting scholar at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), providing him with global exposure and collaborative opportunities.
Impressive Publication Record: He has published several high-impact papers, including in prestigious journals like Angewandte Chemie and Nano Energy, demonstrating his contribution to significant advancements in his field.
Awards and Recognition: Receiving the Youth May Fourth Medal and other competition honors reflects his excellence and recognition from academic and professional communities.

Education:

Dr. Cai earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Xiamen University in June 2018, having completed his Master’s in Chemistry through a joint program between Fuzhou University and Xiamen University in 2014. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Fuzhou University. During his career, he spent time as a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Riverside in 2017, further expanding his research horizons and collaborations internationally.

Experience:

Dr. Cai’s academic career began in September 2018 as a Lecturer at Minnan Normal University. By July 2019, he was promoted to Associate Professor at the same institution. His research interests have led him to participate in various national and international projects, contributing to the development of advanced chemical materials and applications.

Research Interests On Materials

Dr. Cai’s research primarily focuses on luminescent materials and electrocatalysis. His work aims to enhance energy conversion efficiencies and develop sustainable materials for a variety of applications, including renewable energy technologies. He is particularly interested in the development of high-performance catalysts and materials for environmental and energy-related solutions.

Publications:

Porous cobalt oxide nanoplates enriched with oxygen vacancies for oxygen evolution reaction
- Authors: W Xu, F Lyu, Y Bai, A Gao, J Feng, Z Cai, Y Yin
- Year: 2018
- Cited by: 504
Advances in enzyme-free electrochemical sensors for hydrogen peroxide, glucose, and uric acid
- Authors: X Chen, G Wu, Z Cai, M Oyama, X Chen
- Year: 2014
- Cited by: 414
AuPd bimetallic nanoparticles decorated on graphene nanosheets: their green synthesis, growth mechanism and high catalytic ability in 4-nitrophenol reduction
- Authors: X Chen, Z Cai, X Chen, M Oyama
- Year: 2014
- Cited by: 207
An ultrasensitive and reversible fluorescence sensor of humidity using perovskite CH₃NH₃PbBr₃
- Authors: W Xu, F Li, Z Cai, Y Wang, F Luo, X Chen
- Year: 2016
- Cited by: 174
Green synthesis of graphene–PtPd alloy nanoparticles with high electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation
- Authors: X Chen, Z Cai, X Chen, M Oyama
- Year: 2014
- Cited by: 151
Ultrafine palladium nanoparticles grown on graphene nanosheets for enhanced electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide
- Authors: X Chen, Z Cai, Z Huang, M Oyama, Y Jiang, X Chen
- Year: 2013
- Cited by: 130
A sensitive bisphenol A voltammetric sensor relying on AuPd nanoparticles/graphene composites modified glassy carbon electrode
- Authors: B Su, H Shao, N Li, X Chen, Z Cai, X Chen
- Year: 2017
- Cited by: 120
PtPd nanodendrites supported on graphene nanosheets: a peroxidase-like catalyst for colorimetric detection of H₂O₂
- Authors: X Chen, B Su, Z Cai, X Chen, M Oyama
- Year: 2014
- Cited by: 108
Electrodeposition‐Assisted Synthesis of Ni₂P Nanosheets on 3D Graphene/Ni Foam Electrode and Its Performance for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production
- Authors: Z Cai, X Song, Y Wang, X Chen
- Year: 2015
- Cited by: 88
Synthesis of bimetallic PtPd nanocubes on graphene with N, N-dimethylformamide and their direct use for methanol electrocatalytic oxidation
- Authors: X Chen, Z Cai, X Chen, M Oyama
- Year: 2014
- Cited by: 85

Conclusion:

Dr. Zhixiong Cai is an accomplished researcher and educator, with a deep commitment to advancing the fields of luminescent materials and electrocatalysis. His academic achievements, robust publication record, and numerous accolades underscore his dedication to driving forward scientific discovery and innovation. As an active member of the academic community, his work continues to have a significant impact on material sciences and energy applications.

Swastika Banerjee | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Posted on 21/02/2025 by Forensic Scientist

Assist. Prof. Dr. Swastika Banerjee | Materials | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | India

Dr. Swastika Banerjee is a distinguished computational chemist and materials scientist, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at IIT Roorkee, India. With a strong research background in theoretical chemistry and materials informatics, she has made significant contributions to energy storage, electrochemistry, and computational materials design. Her work integrates advanced simulation techniques to develop novel materials for sustainable energy solutions.

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Strengths for the Awards✨

✅ Diverse Research Experience – With multiple postdoctoral positions at UC San Diego, University of Luxembourg, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Shenzhen University, Banerjee has gained international exposure and collaborated with world-class researchers.

✅ Impactful Publications – Her research is published in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), Advanced Functional Materials, and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, demonstrating strong research impact. Many of these papers are as a corresponding author, indicating leadership in her field.

✅ Strong Contributions to Energy Storage and Materials Science – Her computational work on lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and solid electrolytes contributes significantly to advancing next-generation energy storage solutions, which are crucial for sustainable energy applications.

✅ Research Grants & Fellowships – She has secured competitive research grants such as the EMR-II/ASPIRE Grant (2024), Faculty Initiation Grant (IIT Roorkee, 2022), Core Research Grant (SERB, DST, India, 2022), and was offered the Ramanujan Fellowship and Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship.

✅ Patents & Innovations – A patent on “Chlorine-based sodium solid electrolyte” highlights her ability to translate research into practical applications, an essential factor for the award.

✅ Recognized Expertise – She serves as a reviewer for high-impact journals (Angewandte Chemie, Chemistry of Materials, Joule, Nature Communications), showcasing her standing in the scientific community.

Education 🎓

Dr. Banerjee obtained her Ph.D. from the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore (2011-2017). Prior to that, she earned an M.Sc. in Chemistry from IIT Kharagpur (2009-2011), securing the 3rd rank in her batch, and a B.Sc. in Chemistry (Hons) from The University of Burdwan (2006-2009), where she achieved the 1st rank in her university.

Experience 💼

Assistant Professor, IIT Roorkee (2022-Present)
Postdoctoral Associate, University of Luxembourg (Aug 2021 – Mar 2022)
Postdoctoral Associate, University of California San Diego, USA (Mar 2019 – Jul 2021)
Postdoctoral Researcher & Affiliate, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory & Shenzhen University, China (Jul 2017 – Feb 2019)
Research Associate, Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, India (Jan 2017 – Jun 2017)
Visiting Scientist, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Science, China (Nov 2016 – Dec 2016)

Research Interests On Materials🔍

Dr. Banerjee’s research focuses on computational materials science, exploring:

Non-local many-body dispersion interactions in materials
Electrochemistry and interfacial phenomena
Battery materials and energy storage solutions
Non-adiabaticity in chemical reactions
Thermoelectric properties of nanostructures
First-principles electronic structure theory
Algorithmic development for large-scale simulations
Materials informatics and data infrastructure

Research Contributions 🎯

Dr. Banerjee has advanced computational methods such as Density Functional Theory (DFT), Boltzmann Transport Equation modeling, and Non-Adiabatic Molecular Dynamics to study energy storage materials, excited state dynamics, and charge transport in semiconductors. Her theoretical insights have led to new frameworks for lithium superionic conductors and efficient electrode materials for next-generation batteries.

Awards & Recognitions 🏆

EMR-II/ASPIRE Grant, CSIR, India (2024)
Faculty Initiation Grant, IIT Roorkee (2022)
Core Research Grant, SERB, DST, India (2022)
Best Poster Awards at Chemical Frontiers (2015), Theoretical Chemistry Symposium (2014), Winter School on Frontiers in Materials (2014), and STCC-FC (2013)
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Award for securing 1st rank in The University of Burdwan (2010)
Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship for Postdoctoral Research (declined, 2021)
Ramanujan Fellowship (declined, 2021)
National Key R&D Program of China & National Natural Science Foundation of China Grants (2017)
Merit Scholarship, IIT Kharagpur (2010-2011)

Publications 📚

Rechargeable alkali-ion battery materials: theory and computation
- Authors: A Van der Ven, Z Deng, S Banerjee, SP Ong
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 255
A stable cathode-solid electrolyte composite for high-voltage, long-cycle-life solid-state sodium-ion batteries
- Authors: EA Wu, S Banerjee, H Tang, PM Richardson, JM Doux, J Qi, Z Zhu, …
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 196
Tunable Lithium-Ion Transport in Mixed-Halide Argyrodites Li6–xPS5–xClBrx: An Unusual Compositional Space
- Authors: SV Patel, S Banerjee, H Liu, P Wang, PH Chien, X Feng, J Liu, SP Ong, …
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 136
Possible application of 2D-boron sheets as anode material in lithium ion battery: A DFT and AIMD study
- Authors: S Banerjee, G Periyasamy, SK Pati
- Year: 2014
- Citations: 99
Bridging the gap between simulated and experimental ionic conductivities in lithium superionic conductors
- Authors: J Qi, S Banerjee, Y Zuo, C Chen, Z Zhu, MLH Chandrappa, X Li, SP Ong
- Year: 2021
- Citations: 84
Origin of the Order–Disorder Transition and the Associated Anomalous Change of Thermopower in AgBiS2 Nanocrystals: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study
- Authors: SN Guin, S Banerjee, D Sanyal, SK Pati, K Biswas
- Year: 2016
- Citations: 52
Anodic performance of black phosphorus in magnesium-ion batteries: the significance of Mg–P bond-synergy
- Authors: S Banerjee, SK Pati
- Year: 2016
- Citations: 49
Thermodynamics and kinetics of the cathode–electrolyte interface in all-solid-state Li–S batteries
- Authors: ML Holekevi Chandrappa, J Qi, C Chen, S Banerjee, SP Ong
- Year: 2022
- Citations: 46
Motif-based design of an oxysulfide class of lithium superionic conductors: Toward improved stability and record-high Li-ion conductivity
- Authors: S Banerjee, X Zhang, LW Wang
- Year: 2019
- Citations: 31
Synthetic control of structure and conduction properties in Na–Y–Zr–Cl solid electrolytes

Authors: E Sebti, J Qi, PM Richardson, P Ridley, EA Wu, S Banerjee, R Giovine, …
Year: 2022
Citations: 30

Conclusion 🔖

Dr. Swastika Banerjee is a leading scientist in the field of computational chemistry and materials science. With a deep understanding of first-principles simulations and data-driven materials design, she continues to push the boundaries of sustainable energy research. Through her academic and research contributions, she is shaping the future of next-generation energy storage and electronic materials development.