Rawdah Whba | Energy Sustainability | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Rawdah Whba | Energy Sustainability | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Rawdah Whba | Taiz University & Inonu University | Yemen

Dr. Rawdah Abduh Ghaleb Whba is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Taiz University, Yemen, and currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at İnönü University, Malatya, Türkiye. She specializes in energy storage and conversion, with a strong research focus on polymer electrolytes, electrode materials, and advanced electrochemical systems including solid-state lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. Dr. Whba completed two bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry from Taiz University with first-class honours, earning two Presidential Awards of Yemen for academic excellence (2006, 2008). She received an English and computer diploma from NODS (2007) and joined Taiz University as a lecturer in 2009. She obtained her MSc (2017) and PhD (2022) in Chemistry from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) under prestigious scholarships from the Yemeni Government and the Islamic Development Bank. She later served as a research assistant at UKM before receiving the Türkiye Scholarships Postdoctoral Award (2023–2024), completing a fellowship at Istanbul Medeniyet University. Currently, Dr. Whba works on Na-ion full-cell development, specializing in high-performance cathode materials, pre-sodiation strategies, interfacial engineering, operando analysis, and DFT-supported materials optimization. Her broader expertise includes polymer synthesis, grafted polymers, thin-film membrane fabrication, organic/inorganic materials synthesis, electrochemical characterization, kinetic studies, and materials evaluation for next-generation rechargeable batteries. Dr. Whba has authored numerous Q1 and Q2 Web of Science journals, including publications in Journal of Power Sources, Electrochimica Acta, Ionics, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Langmuir, Advanced Sustainable Systems, Energy Technology, and International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. She has also published impactful review articles and collaborative works involving operando XAS, DFT studies, and biomass-derived electrode materials. She is an active scientific reviewer, contributing to Springer, Elsevier, ACS, Ionics, Carbon Letters, and multiple high-impact journals, reviewing more than 30 manuscripts, book chapters, and conference submissions. Dr. Whba has also provided academic service at Taiz University as Secretariat of the Department and Examination Committee Member and has represented academic staff in the University Syndicate since 2014. A dedicated educator, she has taught a wide range of undergraduate chemistry courses—General, Inorganic, Organic, Analytical, Physical, Biochemistry, and Pharmaceutical Analysis—at Taiz University and other institutions in Yemen. Dr. Whba is a member of several professional bodies including the American Chemical Society (ACS), the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE), the Polymer Ionic Group (Malaysia), and the Taiz University Staff Syndicate. Her research continues to make significant contributions in polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, and sustainable energy materials, with ongoing work advancing the performance, stability, and scalability of sodium- and lithium-ion energy storage technologies.

Profile: Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Dogan, E., Maiga, A., Whba, R., Harfouche, M., Ozturk, Z. R., Farhan, A., Altin, E., Duygulu, Ö., Ipek, S., Kartal, R., et al. (2026). Influence of iron doping on α-NaMnO₂ lattice symmetry: Insight from operando X-ray absorption, ex-situ structural analysis, and electrochemical performance using chestnut shell-derived hard carbon. Journal of Power Sources. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.238602

Ateş, M. N., Zengin, F., Whba, R., Tunaboylu, B., Aydemir, U., Peighambardoust, N. S., Karslıoğlu, N. G., Malkoç, H. C., Demiryürek, R., Güleryüz, Ö., et al. (2025). Mechanistic insights into cathode-driven capacity degradation of NMC111/graphite pouch cells under long-term cycling. Electrochimica Acta. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2025.147611

Whba, R., Altın, S., Serin, S., Whba, F., Nakir, M. Y., & Sahinbay, S. (2025). Synergistic behavior of epoxidized natural rubber grafted di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-based solid polymer electrolytes: Experimental and density functional theory (DFT) study. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2025.11.038

Whba, R., Sahinbay, S., Whba, F., Nakir, M. Y., & Altin, S. (2025). Unlocking the potential of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-based polymer electrolytes: Key strategies, bibliometric insights, and future directions. Langmuir. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c00631

Dogan, E., Whba, R., Altin, E., Moeez, I., Chung, K. Y., Stoyanova, R., Koleva, V., Aktas, A., Altin, S., & Sahinbay, S. (2025). Optimized performance of Na₀.₆₇Mn₀.₅Fe₀.₅O₂@TiO₂ and presodiated hard carbon (Pre-SHC) full-cells using direct contact method. Journal of Power Sources. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.236327

Whba, R., Su’ait, M. S., Whba, F., & Ahmad, A. (2024). Research progress on polyacrylonitrile-based polymer electrolytes for electrochemical devices: Insight into electrochemical performance. Journal of Power Sources. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.234539

Mahdi Salehi | Energy Sustainability | Editorial Board Member

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Prof. Dr. Mahdi Salehi | Energy Sustainability | Editorial Board Member

Prof. Dr. Mahdi Salehi | Ferdowsi University of Mashhad | Iran

Dr. Mahdi Salehi is a highly respected Professor of Accounting at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, known for his extensive scholarly contributions to the fields of auditing, financial management, and corporate governance. Born in Hidaj City, Zanjan Province, he has established a strong academic presence through a combination of rigorous research, influential teaching, and active engagement in the professional accounting community. Dr. Salehi’s academic background includes degrees in business management, financial management, and accounting. His early academic work explored the role of financial intermediaries in supporting companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, while his doctoral research examined the corporate audit expectation gap in Iran. These foundational studies helped shape his research trajectory and continue to inform his scholarly outlook. His research interests encompass financial management, ownership structure, auditing, banking, corporate governance, and capital markets. He has authored an extensive body of publications in well-regarded refereed and indexed journals. His work addresses key issues such as audit expectations, audit independence, fraud detection, capital market behavior, financial distress prediction, customer satisfaction in banking and insurance, and the relationship between corporate governance structures and organizational performance. Dr. Salehi’s research often focuses on emerging markets, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of financial systems, regulatory environments, and organizational behavior. His comparative studies—particularly those examining audit practices across different countries—have contributed to a deeper global understanding of audit quality and stakeholder expectations. He is fluent in English, Farsi, and Turkish, enabling him to collaborate widely and contribute to international academic dialogue. With active profiles on major scholarly platforms such as Google Scholar and Scopus, Dr. Salehi is recognized for the reach and impact of his research. Through continuous publication, academic leadership, and engagement with diverse research themes, he has become a prominent and influential voice in the field of accounting.

Profile: Google scholar

Featured Publications

Salehi, M., & Rostami, V., & Mogadam, A. (2010). Usefulness of accounting information system in emerging economy: Empirical evidence of Iran. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 2(2), 186–195.

Salehi, M., & Alipour, M. (2010). E-banking in emerging economy: Empirical evidence of Iran. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 2(1), 201–209.

Alipour, M., Salehi, M., & Shahnavaz, A. (2009). A study of on the job training effectiveness: Empirical evidence of Iran. International Journal of Business and Management, 4(11), 63–68.

Hemmatfar, M., Salehi, M., & Bayat, M. (2010). Competitive advantages and strategic information systems. International Journal of Business and Management, 5(7), 158–168.

Salehi, M., Fakhri Mahmoudi, M. R., & Daemi Gah, A. (2019). A meta-analysis approach for determinants of effective factors on audit quality: Evidence from emerging market. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 9(2), 287–312.

Wahad Rahman | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Wahad Rahman | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Wahad Rahman | University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar | Pakistan

A highly skilled engineering professional with extensive experience in mechatronics, renewable energy systems, additive manufacturing, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. With a strong academic foundation including advanced research in hybrid energy harvesting systems, this expert has contributed significantly to cutting-edge developments in sustainable power solutions for sensor networks and pipeline monitoring applications. Current work in additive manufacturing and reverse engineering involves leading research and development initiatives, operating advanced 3D printing technologies (FDM, SLA), managing high-precision 3D scanning, and conducting specialized training programs. This blends practical engineering with innovation-driven problem-solving across industrial and applied research environments. Previously, research contributions in sensor and energy harvesting systems included the design and development of micro Kaplan and Crossflow turbines, IoT-based pipeline monitoring solutions, energy-efficient wireless sensor nodes, and experimental setups for testing hybrid energy harvesters. These projects demonstrate strong proficiency in mechanical design, simulation, prototyping, and system integration. With several years of experience in academia, this professional has taught undergraduate theory and laboratory courses in mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, robotics, and engineering software tools such as MATLAB and SolidWorks. Extensive involvement in STEM capacity-building programs further highlights commitment to engineering education and technology dissemination. Research expertise spans renewable energy, hybrid and flow-based energy harvesting, control systems, self-powered systems, power management circuits, wireless sensors, and IoT technologies. Published work includes multiple journal articles in reputable international outlets focusing on piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and hybrid energy harvesters, turbine modeling, RF energy harvesting, and sensor network applications. Professional development includes specialized training in IoT, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, MATLAB, image processing, robotics, content writing, and digital marketing, demonstrating a broad multidisciplinary skillset. Overall, this profile reflects a dynamic researcher and engineer dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions, intelligent monitoring systems, and modern manufacturing technologies.

Profiles: Orcid | LinkedIn | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Rahman, W. U., & Khan, F. U. (2025). A hybrid flow energy harvester to power an IoT-based wireless sensor system for the digitization and monitoring of pipeline networks. Machines, 13(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13111025

Rahman, W. U., & Khan, F. U. (2025). An integrated fluid flow and solar hybrid energy harvester for pipeline monitoring system. AIP Advances. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0284001

Rahman, W. U., & Khan, F. U. (2025). A survey of flow-based energy harvesters for powering sustainable wireless sensor nodes. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0237597

Rahman, W. U., & Khan, F. U. (2023). A hybrid flow energy harvester using combined piezoelectric and electromagnetic transductions for pipeline network monitoring. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures. https://doi.org/10.1177/1045389X221147647

Jimmy Romanos | Energy Sustainability | Excellence in Research

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Dr. Jimmy Romanos | Energy Sustainability | Excellence in Research

Dr. Jimmy Romanos | Lebanese American University | Lebanon

Dr. Jimmy Romanos is an Associate Professor of Physics at the Lebanese American University, with a distinguished record in interdisciplinary research spanning thermal physics, materials science, and energy storage. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Missouri, USA, and has extensive experience in both academia and industry, including leadership roles as a lead materials scientist in the U.S. and as a consultant in the energy sector. His research focuses on atomic-scale thermodynamic processes in gas adsorption, targeting applications such as carbon dioxide capture, methane and hydrogen storage, gas separation, and lead-free ceramics. Dr. Romanos has been recognized with the Shoman Award for Arab Researchers in Physics, becoming the first Lebanese physicist to receive this honor. He has led numerous funded projects, both intramural and extramural, and holds multiple patents in advanced carbon materials and gas storage technologies. With over a decade of prolific contributions through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and industrial reports, his work bridges computational, theoretical, and experimental approaches to address critical challenges in energy and environmental technologies.

Profile:  Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Romanos, J., Beckner, M., Rash, T., Firlej, L., Kuchta, B., Yu, P., Suppes, G., … (2012). Nanospace engineering of KOH activated carbon. Nanotechnology, 23(015401), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/23/1/015401

Kuchta, B., Firlej, L., Mohammadhosseini, A., Boulet, P., Beckner, M., … Romanos, J. (2012). Hypothetical high-surface-area carbons with exceptional hydrogen storage capacities: Open carbon frameworks. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 134(36), 15130–15137. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja3062439

Romanos, J., Burress, J., Pfeifer, P., Rash, T., Shah, P., Suppes, G. (2012). High surface area carbon and process for its production. US Patent 20130190542A1.

Beckner, M., Romanos, J., Dohnke, E., … (2011). Analysis of hydrogen sorption characteristics of boron-doped activated carbons. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 56.

Soo, Y. C., Beckner, M., Romanos, J., Wexler, C., Pfeifer, P., Buckley, P., … (2011). A high volume, high throughput volumetric sorption analyzer. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 56(1), 20003.

Xue Li | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Xue Li | Energy Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Xue Li | Wuhan Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Li Xue received her Ph.D. in Thermal Engineering from Dalian University of Technology in 2021. She is currently a faculty member at the School of Optical Information and Energy Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology. Her core research focuses on the near-wall collisions of microscale particles and the fundamentals of particle dynamics. She investigates how microscale interactions influence fluid flow, heat transfer, and energy conversion processes. Her studies contribute to advancing knowledge in microfluidics, aerosol science, and particulate system behavior. By integrating theoretical modeling with experimental validation, she addresses key challenges in microscale transport phenomena. Her work aims to improve the design of energy systems with higher efficiency and better control of particle interactions. She is also interested in the application of microscale particle research in thermal management and engineering systems. Through her academic contributions, she supports interdisciplinary advancements bridging thermal engineering and energy science. Dr. Xue continues to expand her research portfolio while mentoring students in innovative areas of energy and particle engineering.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Li, X., Xie, J., Dong, M., Chen, S., & Dong, W. (2024). Could the rebound characteristics of oblique impact for SiO₂ particles represent the ash particles? ACS Omega, 9(9), 10564–10574.

Li, X., Dong, M., Zhang, H., Li, S., & Shang, Y. (2020). Effect of surface roughness on capillary force during particle-wall impaction under different humidity conditions. Powder Technology, 369, 253–261.

Li, X., Dong, M., Jiang, D., Li, S., & Shang, Y. (2020). The effect of surface roughness on normal restitution coefficient, adhesion force and friction coefficient of the particle-wall collision. Powder Technology, 361, 311–320.

Li, X., Dong, M., Li, S., & Shang, Y. (2019). Experimental and theoretical studies of the relationship between dry and humid normal restitution coefficients. Journal of Aerosol Science, 130, 67–76.

Dong, M., Mei, Y., Li, X., Shang, Y., & Li, S. (2018). Experimental measurement of the normal coefficient of restitution of micro-particles impacting on plate surface in different humidity. Powder Technology, 334, 52–60.

Dong, M., Li, X., Mei, Y., & Li, S. (2018). Experimental and theoretical analyses on the effect of physical properties and humidity of fly ash impacting on a flat surface. Journal of Aerosol Science, 117, 121–131.