Yang Chen | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Yang Chen | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yang Chen | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award | PhD Candidate | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Hong Kong 

Mr. Yang Chen is a dedicated researcher in environmental and energy economics whose work integrates advanced computational methods with policy-relevant environmental analysis, contributing significantly to the understanding of carbon emissions, pollution control, and sustainability transitions. Mr. Yang Chen’s academic foundation is rooted in his doctoral studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he specializes in environmental modelling, causal complexity analysis, and machine-learning–assisted prediction systems. His education equips him with strong analytical abilities in econometrics, environmental impact assessment, and data-driven research methodologies, forming the backbone of his scholarly identity. Professionally, Mr. Yang Chen has engaged in several completed and ongoing research projects involving interdisciplinary teams and multi-institutional networks, allowing him to contribute to innovative work addressing global environmental and energy challenges. His research interests include carbon emission modelling, renewable energy policy evaluation, environmental pollution dynamics, and the application of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) combined with SHAP-based machine-learning frameworks, reflecting his commitment to methodological innovation and complex-systems thinking. Mr. Yang Chen’s research skills span statistical modelling, causal inference, policy impact analysis, machine learning for environmental prediction, scientific writing, and peer-review activities for high-impact journals, strengthening his role as a rising scholar in sustainability research. His publication record includes approximately ten papers in reputable JCR Q1 journals such as Building and Environment, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Earth’s Future, Journal of Cleaner Production, and Journal of Environmental Management, demonstrating consistent scholarly productivity. In addition to journal articles, Mr. Yang Chen has contributed as an editorial board member to two academic books published by leading Chinese presses, reflecting recognition of his expertise. His citation metrics, including more than two hundred citations, an h-index of six, and multiple i10-index publications, further underscore the growing influence of his work. Although he is early in his career and has not yet accumulated major awards, Mr. Yang Chen’s recognition as a reviewer for top journals and his authorship in high-impact platforms demonstrate his academic credibility and emerging leadership within the research community. In conclusion, Mr. Yang Chen exemplifies the qualities of a forward-looking environmental economist whose combination of methodological innovation, strong publication output, and commitment to interdisciplinary sustainability research positions him for significant future contributions to global climate policy, environmental modelling, and academic leadership.

Profile:  ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  1. Chen, Y., Luo, L., Feng, W., Wu, J., & Cai, W. (2025). Progressive prediction of embodied carbon emissions across stages of schematic design with machine learning. Journal of Cleaner Production. (Citations: 3)

  2. Chen, Y., Guo, X., Yi, W., Hong, J., & Wen, Q. (2025). Synergistic pollution and carbon reductions from the China National Sustainable Communities Pilot Policy. Energy. (Citations: 5)

  3. Zheng, S., Chen, Y., Hong, J., & Pu, Y. (2025). Global climate policy effectiveness analysis: Evidence from 49 countries, 1951–2018. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. (Citations: 2)

  4. Chen, Y., Hong, J., Wen, Q., Yi, W., & Zheng, S. (2024). The Janus-faced role of renewable energy development in global carbon reduction under renewable energy policies. Earth’s Future. (Citations: 12)

  5. Chen, Y., Lai, T., Hong, J., & Teng, Y. (2023). Path analysis of regional carbon lock-in and unlocking from a qualitative comparative perspective. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Advancement of Construction Management and Real Estate. (Citations: 1)

  6. Chen, Y., Zhao, Z., Yi, W., Hong, J., & Zhang, B. (2023). Has China achieved synergistic reduction of carbon emissions and air pollution? Evidence from 283 Chinese cities. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. (Citations: 18)

  7. Chen, Y., Hong, J., Tang, M., Zheng, Y., Qiu, M., & Ni, D. (2022). Causal complexity of environmental pollution in China: A province-level fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. (Citations: 40)

 

Zhongjun Yan | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zhongjun Yan | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zhongjun Yan | Energy and Sustainability | Associate Professor | Hunan University of Humanities Science and Technology | China

Dr. Zhongjun Yan is a distinguished scholar and lecturer at the School of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Hunan University of Humanities, Science and Technology. His professional journey reflects an enduring commitment to advancing renewable energy systems, sustainable heating and cooling technologies, and innovative energy storage methods. With strong academic credentials and a growing body of impactful research, Dr. Zhongjun Yan has established himself as an emerging leader in energy engineering. His work bridges theoretical modeling, computational methods, and experimental studies, enabling both scientific innovation and practical applications. He has become a significant contributor to the field of energy storage and solar-based systems, earning recognition through quality publications and participation in national-level and institutional research projects.

Professional Profile 

Education

Dr. Zhongjun Yan earned his doctoral degree in Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning Engineering from Hunan University, where his research was focused on the unconstrained melting process of phase change materials and the enhancement of heat transfer in thermal storage systems. His education combined advanced computational modeling, simulation techniques, and experimental validation, shaping a comprehensive expertise in sustainable energy. The doctoral thesis he completed contributed directly to the understanding of thermal storage efficiency and optimization methods in hot water tanks, providing new directions for future energy system development. This academic foundation has been critical to his current research on solar heating, air-conditioning, and the performance of energy storage units.

Experience

In his role as a lecturer, Dr. Zhongjun Yan has undertaken responsibilities that extend across teaching, mentoring, and research. His involvement in the Outstanding Youth Program of the Hunan Provincial Department of Education reflects his growing leadership in energy-related projects. He has contributed to the design and execution of research focusing on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), unconstrained melting phenomena, and heat transfer enhancement. His academic service also includes guiding students in advanced research methodologies and promoting innovation in energy storage and renewable systems. Moreover, Dr. Zhongjun Yan has presented his work at respected international conferences, where he has shared novel findings on the performance of phase change materials. Through these engagements, he has built professional connections that have broadened his collaborative network in the global energy research community.

Research Interest

Dr. Zhongjun Yan’s research interests lie at the intersection of renewable energy systems, thermal engineering, and phase change materials. His primary focus is on the heat transfer performance and optimization of phase change materials to improve the efficiency of thermal energy storage. He has dedicated extensive work to developing new approaches for enhancing the functionality of solar heating water systems and solar air-conditioning systems. Additionally, his research explores innovative modeling techniques to simulate unconstrained melting behaviors, allowing for more accurate predictions of system performance. His long-term vision is to create energy storage and distribution methods that can significantly reduce reliance on non-renewable resources and address the growing global demand for sustainable solutions.

Award

Dr. Zhongjun Yan has been actively involved in award-nominated research programs, most notably recognized through the Outstanding Youth Program by the Hunan Provincial Department of Education. This recognition highlights his innovative contributions to the study of energy storage systems and his leadership potential in advancing renewable technologies. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of engineering solutions in energy efficiency positions him as a strong candidate for international recognition and professional excellence awards.

Selected Publications

  • Performance enhancement of cylindrical latent heat storage units in hot water tanks via wavy design, Renewable Energy, published 2023, 55 citations.

  • A hybrid method for modeling the unconstrained melting of phase change material in hot water tanks, Energy and Buildings, published 2022, 38 citations.

  • Unconstrained melting of phase change material in cylindrical containers inside hot water tanks: Numerical investigation and effect of aspect ratios, Journal of Energy Storage, published 2022, 42 citations.

  • Impact of ultrasound on the melting process and heat transfer of phase change material, presented at International Conference on Applied Energy, published 2018, 27 citations.

Conclusion

Dr. Zhongjun Yan has made meaningful contributions to the field of renewable energy and thermal systems engineering. His work has advanced the knowledge of phase change materials, enhanced the performance of energy storage units, and contributed to the improvement of solar-based heating and cooling technologies. His consistent research output in respected journals, combined with his active role in academic projects and presentations at international conferences, highlights his professional dedication and scientific influence. Dr. Zhongjun Yan is not only a promising researcher but also a mentor and contributor to the broader academic and energy community. With a strong trajectory of impactful research and leadership potential, he represents the qualities of innovation, academic excellence, and societal contribution that make him highly deserving of recognition through this award nomination.

 

Jonathan Ruiz Esquius | Energy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jonathan Ruiz Esquius | Energy | Best Researcher Award

ComFuturo Research Fellow, Carbon Science and Technology Institute, Spain

Jonathan Ruiz Esquius is a dynamic researcher specializing in nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion. Currently a ComFuturo Research Fellow at the Instituto Nacional del Carbón in Oviedo, Spain, he has a rich background in catalysis and electrochemical applications. With a passion for sustainable energy solutions, Jonathan’s innovative contributions have propelled advancements in oxygen evolution catalysts and hydrogen production materials. 🌍🔬

Publication Profile

ORCID

Education

Jonathan has cultivated his expertise in nanotechnology and chemistry through rigorous academic training, with a focus on the development of electrocatalysts for clean energy technologies. His journey reflects a strong foundation in materials science and nanotechnology, with an eye toward addressing global energy challenges. 🎓📘

Experience

Jonathan’s career spans top institutions, including his role as a ComFuturo Research Fellow at Instituto Nacional del Carbón (2023-present). He has also served as a Research Fellow at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga, Portugal, where he focused on energy storage and conversion nanomaterials. Earlier, he was a Research Assistant at Cardiff University’s School of Chemistry, contributing to the field of electrocatalysis. 🏛️⚡

Research Focus

Jonathan’s research is driven by a commitment to developing advanced electrocatalysts for energy conversion, with a particular focus on hydrogen production and oxygen evolution reactions. His work involves the design of high-entropy materials and mixed-metal oxides to improve efficiency and sustainability in energy processes. His cutting-edge research supports the development of clean energy technologies. ⚙️🌱

Awards and Honours

Jonathan’s innovative research contributions have earned him recognition in the scientific community, notably his appointment as a ComFuturo Research Fellow. His achievements in electrocatalysis and energy storage underline his commitment to advancing sustainable technologies. 🏅✨

Publications Top Notes

“Self-supported FeCoNi(OHy)Ox oxy-hydroxide doped with Cr and Cu as robust low-loading catalyst for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction” was published in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy in October 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.160.
“Mixed iridium-nickel oxides supported on antimony-doped tin oxide as highly efficient and stable acidic oxygen evolution catalysts” appeared in Materials Futures in December 2023 DOI: 10.1088/2752-5724/ad16d2.
“High entropy materials as emerging electrocatalysts for hydrogen production through low-temperature water electrolysis” in Materials Futures DOI: 10.1088/2752-5724/accbd8.