Mr. Ahmad Usman | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ahmad Usman | Sustainable Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ahmad Usman | Cranfield University | United Kingdom

Mr. Ahmad Usman is a dedicated PhD student at Cranfield University specializing in coating and corrosion science, with a strong focus on developing advanced materials to protect critical components in power plants under demanding conditions. His research encompasses the fireside-corrosion behavior of thermally sprayed and Ni-based coatings in challenging environments, including chlorine-rich combustion atmospheres, and investigates oxidation, erosion, and wear mechanisms at the microscopic level. Mr. Usman has contributed to advancing knowledge on thermal spray coatings through both academic and industry projects, including his role as Group Innovation Engineer at Welding Alloys Group, UK, and collaborations with the National High Temperature Surface Engineering Centre. He has co-authored book chapters on self-healing elastomers and polymeric paints and coatings, highlighting his expertise in functional polymers. His research interests include real-time monitoring of coating degradation, modeling corrosion kinetics in waste-to-energy (WtE) environments, and optimizing thermal spray coatings to resist high-temperature corrosion, erosion, and wear damage. With a growing citation record and an h-index of 2, Mr. Usman is an active member of the Institute of Corrosion and the Pakistan Engineering Council, demonstrating his commitment to both academic excellence and industrial innovation, while consistently exploring innovative solutions to extend the lifespan and reliability of critical energy infrastructure.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Usman, A., Syed, A., Isern Arrom, L., Nicholls, J., & Cordero, M. (2024, September 5). Degradation of novel coating systems for heat exchanger materials for WtE power plant applications [Conference poster]. EUROCORR 2024, Cranfield University.

Rehan, Z. A., & Usman, A. (2023). Polymeric paints and coatings. In Advanced Functional Polymers. Springer.

Zubair, Z., Usman, A., & Hafeez, A. (2023). Self-healing elastomers. In Advanced Functional Polymers. Springer.

Usman, A. (2021, December 8). Fabrication of low emissivity paint thermal/NIR radiation insulation for domestic applications [Conference poster]. 1st International Conference of Polymers and Composites (ICPC-2021).

Usman, A., Isern Arrom, L., Nicholls, J., Cordero, M., & Syed, A. U. (2025). Fireside corrosion behavior of thermally sprayed coatings for waste-to-energy power plant applications. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance.

Mr. Yohannes Shuka Jara | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yohannes Shuka Jara | Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yohannes Shuka Jara | Borana University | Ethiopia

Mr. Yohannes Shuka Jara is a dedicated lecturer and researcher in the Department of Chemistry at Borana University, Ethiopia, with a strong academic and professional trajectory in physical chemistry and sustainable nanotechnology. Currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Messina, Italy, he holds an MSc in Physical Chemistry from Hawassa University and a BSc in Chemistry from Dilla University. His professional experience includes serving as Lecturer of Physical Chemistry at Borana University, Chief-in Laboratory Chemist, and Senior Lab Technical Assistant at Madda Walabu University, where he contributed significantly to research and laboratory management. His research primarily focuses on the green synthesis of nanoparticles and metal oxide semiconductors for sustainable applications, including green energy conversion, electrochemical and bio-nano sensors, catalysis design, and environmental remediation. Notable projects include biosynthesized N-Zn co-doped CuO nanoparticles for photocatalytic dye degradation, polyaniline-coated nanocomposites for enhanced microbial fuel cell efficiency, and activated carbon from Vernonia amygdalina for water purification. With 50 citations across 49 documents and an h-index of 2, Mr. Jara actively engages with the scientific community through platforms such as ORCID, ResearchGate, Scopus, and LinkedIn, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing sustainable chemistry and nanotechnology solutions.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Jara, Y. S., Mohammed, E. T., & Mekiso, T. T. (2025). Biosynthesized pure CuO, N-CuO, Zn-CuO, and N-Zn-CuO nanoparticles for photocatalytic activity: Enhanced optical properties through bandgap engineering. Next Materials.

Shuka, Y. (2025). Investigation of energy efficiency in a zeolite-water adsorption solar cooling system utilizing locally sourced materials for the conservation chamber. Physical Science International Journal.

Eyoel, T., Shuka, Y., Tadesse, S., Tesfaye, T., Mengesha, M., & Mert, S. O. (2025). Green energy: Power generation improvement in microbial fuel cells using bio-synthesized polyaniline-coated Co3O4 nanocomposite. International Journal of Energy Research.

Tesfaye, T., Shuka, Y., Tadesse, S., Eyoel, T., & Mengesha, M. (2025). Improving the power production efficiency of microbial fuel cell by using biosynthesized polyaniline-coated Fe3O4 as pencil graphite anode modifier. Scientific Reports.

Jara, Y. S., Mekiso, T. T., & Washe, A. P. (2024). Highly efficient catalytic degradation of organic dyes using iron nanoparticles synthesized with Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract. Scientific Reports.

Mengesha, M., Shuka, Y., Eyoel, T., & Tesfaye, T. (2024). Novel biomaterial-derived activated carbon from Lippia adoensis (Var. Koseret) leaf for efficient organic pollutant dye removal from water solution. American Journal of Applied Chemistry, 12(2), 11.

Jara, Y. S., & Gari, A. N. (2023). The impact of land use types on soil physicochemical properties and agricultural productivity: A case of Gojera Kebele, Dinsho District, South Eastern Ethiopia. Research Square.

Prof. Yangjun Zhang | Energy Storage Solutions | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yangjun Zhang | Energy Storage Solutions | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yangjun Zhang | Tsinghua University | China

Prof. Yangjun Zhang, Hubei Province, is a distinguished scholar in aeroengine engineering. He earned his doctoral degree from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and completed postdoctoral research at Tsinghua University. He advanced through academic ranks to become a full professor. His pioneering contributions span aerothermodynamics, turbocharging systems, and turboelectric power systems. Prof. Zhang developed China’s first high-pressure ratio turbocharging system and the first turbo-electric fan engine. He has published hundreds of papers, written several books, and holds numerous national and international patents. He currently serves in leading academic and professional committee roles worldwide.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education and Experience

Prof. Yangjun Zhang received his doctoral degree in aeroengine engineering from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. After completing his postdoctoral work at Tsinghua University, he entered academia as an associate professor and later became a full professor. Over the course of his career, he has conducted groundbreaking research in turbomachinery aerothermodynamics and advanced power systems. His achievements include innovations in turbocharged engines and the development of turboelectric propulsion systems. He now serves as the executive deputy director of the State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Green Vehicle and Mobility, while remaining a global leader in propulsion and energy research.

Summary Suitability

Prof. Yangjun Zhang is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award, recognized for his pioneering contributions to aeroengine engineering, turbomachinery aerothermodynamics, and advanced power systems. His research bridges fundamental science and engineering applications, significantly advancing both the automotive and aerospace sectors.Prof. Zhang’s early research uncovered novel flow mechanisms in turbocharged engine systems, leading to innovative methods that enhanced compressor stability. These breakthroughs enabled the successful development of China’s first high-pressure ratio turbocharging system.

Professional Development

Prof. Yangjun Zhang has advanced the field of propulsion through academic leadership, innovative research, and professional service. He has published extensively, authored multiple books, and secured a wide range of patents. His editorial role as one of the editors-in-chief of the International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems highlights his global academic influence. In addition, he holds prominent leadership positions in major scientific and engineering societies, including chairing committees on new energy power technology and serving as vice chair of professional organizations in engineering thermophysics. His leadership has fostered international collaboration and strengthened academic and industrial progress.

Research Focus

Prof. Yangjun Zhang focuses on aerothermodynamics of turbomachinery and advanced power systems with applications in aerospace and automotive industries. His early work revealed new flow mechanisms in turbocharged engine systems and introduced innovative methods to enhance compressor stability. His more recent research explores turboelectric power systems, where he developed integrated design methods for turbomachines and electric machines with multiphysics coupling. His achievements include high-power-density motor cooling innovations using flat heat pipes and the concept of a variable cycle fuel cell turbo-electric engine. He led the creation of China’s first high-pressure ratio turbocharging system and the first turbo-electric fan engine.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Yangjun Zhang has received numerous prestigious awards for his exceptional contributions to engineering. His honors include recognition from leading international engineering societies for best research papers, medals for outstanding innovation, and national awards for scientific and technological progress. His achievements have also been celebrated with distinguished engineer awards and prizes for excellence in industry applications. These accolades reflect his global influence and leadership in propulsion, turbomachinery, and advanced power systems research, establishing him as a highly respected authority and one of the most impactful scholars in his field.

Publication Top notes

Title: ME-NN: a modal-enhanced neural network for ducted fan flow fields and performance modeling under complex environments
Year: 2024

Conclusion

Prof. Yangjun Zhang’s sustained research excellence, groundbreaking innovations, and international leadership make him a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work not only pushes the boundaries of propulsion and energy systems but also strengthens global collaboration and technological progress, embodying the very spirit of this distinguished recognition.