Chengcheng Hu | 2D Materials and Beyond | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Chengcheng Hu | 2D Materials and Beyond | Research Excellence Award

Northeastern University | China

Dr. Chengcheng Hu is a computational materials scientist specializing in theoretical and first-principles investigations of advanced energy materials. Her research centers on the rational design of two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures for next-generation alkali metal–ion batteries. Using density functional theory and electrochemical modeling, she explores interfacial mechanisms governing ionic transport, mechanical stability, and charge storage performance. Dr. Chengcheng Hu has published peer-reviewed articles in high-impact SCI-indexed journals such as Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers and Electrochimica Acta. Her work contributes to establishing predictive computational frameworks that guide experimental development of high-rate, durable battery anodes. She also actively serves as a reviewer for international journals in electrochemistry and materials science, supporting the advancement of rigorous computational research.

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Featured Publications


Rapid room-temperature H2S detection based on Bi2S3/CuO heterostructures: the synergy of increased surface-adsorbed oxygen and a heterojunction effect

– Chengcheng Hu; Meiling Yu; Zhenze Zhou; Chenda Wei; You Wang; Juanyuan Hao · Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 2025

Monika Dhanda | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Monika Dhanda | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology | India

Dr. Monika Dhanda, affiliated with Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Sonipat, India, is a distinguished researcher whose scientific pursuits lie at the intersection of nanomaterials, electrochemistry, and sustainable energy technology. Her research centers on the synthesis, structural modification, and electrochemical evaluation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and metal derivative nanocomposites for cutting-edge energy storage systems, particularly supercapacitors and hybrid energy devices. Through advanced material engineering, she investigates how the synergistic integration of metal oxides, conducting polymers, and carbon-based nanostructures enhances charge storage capacity, rate capability, and cyclic durability. With 23 Scopus-indexed publications, 261 citations, and an h-index of 10, Dr. Monika Dhanda has established a significant academic footprint in the field of energy materials. Her works, published in renowned journals such as Journal of Energy Storage, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Materials Science and Engineering B, and Solid State Ionics, have contributed to the development of high-performance, cost-effective, and eco-friendly electrode materials. Her recent research emphasizes optimizing the physicochemical and electrochemical behavior of ternary and doped nanocomposites, achieving superior energy and power densities for next-generation technologies. Beyond publication excellence, she has successfully completed multiple research projects, holds a patent under process, and actively engages in interdisciplinary collaborations in energy materials and applied nanoscience. Dr. Monika Dhanda’s overarching vision is to pioneer sustainable materials that drive global clean energy transformation and promote technological innovation in electrochemical energy storage.

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Featured Publications

  1. Jhanjhariya, N., Ahlawat, S., Thakran, M., Khokher, S., Arora, R., Dhanda, M., & Lata, S. (2025). One-dimensional FeVO₄/MWCNT composite electrode to procure an asymmetric supercapacitor device with superior parameters in Na₂SO₄ electrolyte: Synthesis and energy applications. New Journal of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4nj04951a

  2. Arora, R., Dhanda, M., Yadav, M., Rao, V. S., Pahuja, P., Ahlawat, S., Nehra, S. P., & Lata, S. (2025). Nanoscale energy: Unveiling the super-capacitive prowess of graphitic carbon nitride–carbon dots–yttria as GCY nanocomposites for sustainable energy electrode. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-024-06117-9

  3. Manisha, Qaeemy, M. T., Dhanda, M., Lata, S., Kumar, H., & Sharma, A. (2025). Optimization of Nb₂O₅/g-C₃N₄/PPy as an electrode material for prevailing electrochemical performance. Frontiers in Energy Research. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2025.1511271

  4. Thakran, M., Khokher, S., Ahlawat, S., Jhanjhariya, N., Pahuja, P., Dhanda, M., Yadav, M., Bhaskaran, & Lata, S. (2025). Biowaste utilisation to fabricate corrosion retarding nanofiller MA/LS (mango kernel ash/lauric acid treated SiO₂) blended epoxy coating for low alloyed carbon steel in saline medium. Materials Chemistry and Physics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2024.130179

  5. Pahuja, P., Yadav, M., Arora, R., Dhanda, M., Yadav, M. K., Jhaa, G., Satija, A., Kumar, S., & Lata, S. (2025). Polyvinyl pyrrolidone oxime-TiO₂-phenylalanine composite as a moderate corrosion resistant over low-carbon steel surface in marine environment: Computational, synthesis and electrochemical findings. Journal of the Indian Chemical Society. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jics.2025.101598

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.

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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.