Haimin Li | Advanced Materials Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Haimin Li | Advanced Materials Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Southwest Petroleum University | China

Prof. Haimin Li is a distinguished researcher and Associate Professor at the School of New Energy and Materials, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, China. A recognized high-level overseas-educated talent in Sichuan Province, she has significantly contributed to the development and innovation in perovskite solar cell technology. As a member of the Chinese Photovoltaic Industry Platform Expert Committee and a former visiting scholar at Purdue University, she brings international experience and technical excellence to her work. Dr. Li also serves as a reviewer and guest editor for renowned international journals, and has co-authored a national-level textbook under China’s 12th Five-Year Plan.

Author Profile👤

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Prof. Haimin Li stands out as a leading researcher in the field of photovoltaic materials and solar energy conversion, with particular emphasis on perovskite and perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. Her academic credentials are robust, having earned a Ph.D. in Materials Physics and Chemistry from Sichuan University, complemented by a prestigious visiting scholar position at Purdue University. Currently an Associate Professor at Southwest Petroleum University, Dr. Li has amassed a rich portfolio of research achievements.

She has co-authored over 50 SCI-indexed publications, with many appearing in top-tier journals such as Advanced Materials, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and Applied Surface Science. Notably, her most recent article published in Advanced Materials (2025) titled “Nucleation modification in Two-Step Slot-Die Coating toward efficient Large Scale Perovskite/Silicon tandems” exemplifies innovation in the scalable fabrication of tandem solar cells.

Prof. Li’s active engagement in multimillion-RMB national and provincial research projects, including major grants from the Sichuan Province and the Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau, showcases her leadership in high-impact, real-world scientific initiatives. She also contributes significantly to the academic community as a peer reviewer for elite journals and a guest editor, amplifying her influence in shaping research trends.

🎓 Education

Prof. Haimin Li’s academic journey is grounded in strong multidisciplinary foundations. She earned her Ph.D. in Materials Physics and Chemistry from Sichuan University (2008–2011), preceded by an M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry from Chengdu University of Technology (2003–2006), and earlier, a diploma in Environmental Monitoring (1997–2000) from the same institution. Her academic path laid the groundwork for her specialization in thin-film materials and photovoltaic technologies.

💼 Experience

Prof. Li currently serves as an Associate Professor at Southwest Petroleum University (2020–present), where she previously held academic positions as Lecturer and Associate Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering. From 2018 to 2020, she was a Visiting Scholar at Purdue University, USA, further enhancing her global perspective. Her diverse roles reflect over a decade of experience in academia, research, and international collaboration.

🔬 Research Interests On Advanced Materials Engineering

Prof. Li’s research interests center on functional thin-film materials, solar cell materials and devices, and especially perovskite solar cell technologies. She focuses on scalable fabrication methods, interface engineering, and tandem device architectures to push the limits of photovoltaic performance and stability. Her work aims to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation energy solutions, including flexible solar cells and perovskite/silicon tandem cells.

🏆 Awards

Prof. Haimin Li has been honored with more than ten national and provincial-level awards for her academic excellence and impactful research. Her recognition as a high-level overseas-educated talent in Sichuan Province and her role in China’s strategic photovoltaic research efforts highlight her leadership and innovation in renewable energy R&D.

📚 Publications

  1. Li, H., et al. Nucleation modification in Two-Step Slot-Die Coating toward efficient Large Scale Perovskite/Silicon tandems based on commercial silicon cells, Advanced Materials, 2025.
    Cited by upcoming studies on scalable perovskite fabrication.

  2. Wei, Y., Tang, Y., Li, H.*, et al. Decreased Hysteresis Benefited from Enhanced Lattice Oxygen and Promoted Band Alignment with Electron Transport Layer Modification in Perovskite Solar Cells, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2025, 17:11278–11286.
    Widely cited in electron transport engineering research.

  3. Li, H.*, et al. Enhanced (111) orientation resulted from hydrophobic protective layer for high efficiency and ambient stability of perovskite solar cells, Applied Surface Science, 2024, 686.
    Cited by works on moisture-resistant perovskite devices.

  4. Tang, Y., Lei, Y., Li, H.*, et al. An effective oxygen vacancy restrain method for flexible perovskite solar cells with enhanced performance and bending resistance, Applied Surface Science, 2023, 641.
    Referenced in flexible photovoltaic development.

  5. Gong, X., Li, H.*, et al. Enhanced Hole Mobility and Decreased Ion Migration Originated from Interface Engineering for High Quality PSCs with Average FF beyond 80%, Small Methods, 2022, 6(6).
    Frequently cited in interface optimization strategies.

🔚 Conclusion

Prof. Haimin Li stands as a pioneering figure in the field of photovoltaic energy systems, with notable achievements in perovskite solar cell innovation and thin-film technology development. Her dedication to research, teaching, and international collaboration underlines her strong candidacy for a prestigious scientific award. Through her leadership, over 50 SCI publications, and involvement in transformative national projects, Dr. Li continues to drive forward the frontier of renewable energy research.

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.