Corina Birleanu | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Corina Birleanu | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award 

Prof. Corina Birleanu | Engineering and Technology | Full Professor at Technical University of Cluj-Napoca | Hypothesis Achievement Award

Prof. Corina Birleanu is a distinguished University Professor and PhD Supervisor in Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN), Romania, with an academic and professional career spanning more than three decades in teaching, research, and institutional leadership. Prof. Corina Birleanu earned her Mechanical Engineering degree in Machine Building Technology from the Polytechnic Institute of Cluj-Napoca in 1986 and completed her Doctor of Science between 1992 and 1998 at UTCN, specializing in advanced tribological research focused on the theoretical and experimental behavior of alumina-based ceramic tribosystems under contact pressure. Since joining UTCN as a teaching staff member in 1992, Prof. Corina Birleanu has progressed through all academic ranks, serving as Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor, and has held numerous senior leadership roles including Chancellor of the University Senate, Vice Dean for Internationalization, Director of the Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Production Management, and currently Head of the Tribology Laboratory and coordinator of the Machine Elements and Tribology research group.

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Featured Publications

Tribological Performance of SAE 10W-40 Engine Oil Enhanced with Thermally Treated TiO₂ Nanoparticles
– Lubricants, 2025 
Leveraging Centralized Procurement for Digital Innovation in Higher Education: Institutional Capacity and Policy Gaps in Romania
– Administrative Sciences, 2025 
Basalt vs. Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymers: A Statistical Comparison of Tribological Performance Under Dry Sliding Conditions
– Journal of Composites Science, 2025 
Tribomechanical Analysis and Performance Optimization of Sustainable Basalt Fiber Polymer Composites for Engineering Applications
– Technologies, 2025 
Comparative Study on Consumers’ Behavior Regarding Water Consumption Pattern
– Water (Switzerland), 2025 
Impact of CuSn10 Powder on Mechanical Properties and Tribological Performance of Novel Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Hybrid Composites
– Polymers, 2025 
The Effect of Fiber Weight Fraction on Tribological Behavior for Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
– Polymers, 2025 
Enhanced Tribological and Mechanical Properties of Copper-Modified Basalt-Reinforced Epoxy Composites
– Polymers, 2025
An Aluminum U-Shaped Electro-Thermally Actuated Microgripper: Simulation and Fabrication
– Conference Paper, 2025 

Alex Gautier Tsopgo | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award

Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award | PhD candidate | Northwest University | China

Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo is a Renewable Energy Engineer and emerging scholar whose work integrates advanced engineering, community-centered development, and policy innovation to accelerate sustainable electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Renewable Energy from the University of Maroua (2012–2015), a Master of Engineering in Renewable Energy from the National Advanced School of Engineering, Cameroon (2015–2017), and is currently a PhD Researcher in Solar Thermal Energy Storage at Northwest University, China (2023–Present), where he is developing a comprehensive computational model for comparing and optimizing solar thermal energy storage systems to mitigate intermittency challenges in utility-scale renewable deployment. Professionally, Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo has accumulated over four years of hands-on experience delivering last-mile electrification solutions, notably serving as a Renewable Energy Engineer at Renewable Energy Innovators Cameroon, where he led the deployment of more than 237 kWp of distributed solar systems with 433 kWh of battery storage, electrifying over 500 households, powering micro-enterprises and social infrastructure, and achieving high system availability through community-based operations and maintenance frameworks. His work also contributed directly to Cameroon’s first mini-grid licensing framework, demonstrating his capacity to bridge technical design and regulatory advancement. Earlier, as an Energy Consultant for multiple municipalities, Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo conducted techno-economic feasibility studies for hydrokinetic systems and pioneered inclusive village savings models that mobilized over 300 members to finance productive energy assets, while his consulting roles with TAGUS Drone, ELYON Polytechnique, and ERECE SARL focused on optimizing grid-tied solar installations and conducting energy audits that reduced consumer costs. His research interests span solar thermal energy storage, multi-objective optimization, renewable energy systems modeling, mini-grid and off-grid electrification, and the socio-technical dynamics of energy access in emerging markets, supported by strong research skills in computational modeling, optimization frameworks, techno-economic analysis, and interdisciplinary systems design. Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo’s research skill set is complemented by technical competencies in PVSyst, HOMER, RETScreen, Aspen Plus, and project development methodologies, alongside demonstrated leadership through global youth ambassadorships, academic facilitation, and humanitarian engagement. His awards and recognitions include certifications from international institutions, leadership acknowledgments, and professional training in environmental and social impact assessment and public–private partnerships, collectively underscoring a career defined by technical rigor, ethical engagement, and scalable impact. In conclusion, Mr. Alex Gautier Tsopgo represents a new generation of renewable energy leaders whose integrated expertise positions him to contribute meaningfully to global energy transitions and sustainable development.

Profile:  ORCID

Featured Publications 

Tsopgo, A. G., Teng, H., Duan, Q., & Zheng, H. A. (2026). Probability-based multi-objective optimization framework for the selection of molten salts in thermal energy storage systems. Composites Part B: Engineering.

atieh ranjbar | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

atieh ranjbar | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr atieh ranjbar, Tafresh University, Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Atieh Ranjbar 🎓 is a chemical engineer specializing in nanocatalysts and CO2 conversion 🌱. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Isfahan (2020) and her M.Sc. from the University of Kashan 🏫. Her research focuses on reverse water gas shift (RWGS) and reforming reactions 🔬. Dr. Ranjbar has published extensively and presented at international conferences 🌍. She teaches reactor design, thermodynamics, and nanotechnology 📚. A recognized exceptional talent, she ranked 3rd in her Ph.D. program 🏅. Her interests include nanotechnology, heterogeneous catalysts, and lithium-ion batteries 🔋.

Publication Profile

google scholar

Education

Assist. Prof. Dr. Atieh Ranjbar holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering 🎓 from the University of Isfahan (2012-2020, GPA: 18.12/20), where her research focused on Ni-based nano-catalysts in reverse water gas shift reactions ⚗️. She earned her M.Sc. from the University of Kashan (2008-2011, GPA: 18.91/20), investigating the effect of Al2O3 to CaO ratios on nickel catalysts for dry reforming 🌡️. Dr. Ranjbar completed her B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering at the same university (2004-2008, GPA: 16.24/20). Her expertise lies in catalysis, nanomaterials, and advanced chemical processes, contributing significantly to the field of chemical engineering 🔬.

Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr.atieh ranjbar is a distinguished chemical engineer specializing in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics 🌡️📊. He teaches at Tafresh University and lectures at Qom and Hormozgan universities. His Ph.D. focused on Ni-promoted nanocatalysts for CO2 conversion into valuable chemicals 🌱⚙️. His research enhances CO2 recycling efficiency through nanocatalysts, boosting RWGS reaction performance. He also worked on hydrophilic nano LiMn2O4 for lithium-ion batteries 🔋 and nanocrystalline calcium aluminates for syngas production. Dr. Irankhah’s passion for innovation and teaching drives his contributions to advanced reactor design and chemical engineering education 🚀📚.

Honors and Awards

Assoc. Prof. Dr atieh ranjbar is a distinguished academic, ranked 3rd in his Ph.D. program among 10 candidates 🎓. In 2012, he was recognized as an exceptional talent and accepted as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Isfahan 🏛️. He also achieved 3rd place in his M.Sc. program among 15 students, showcasing his dedication to excellence 📚. In 2008, he was acknowledged as an exceptional talent among 60 students and accepted into the M.Sc. program at the University of Kashan 🌟. His academic journey reflects perseverance, talent, and a passion for higher education.

Presentations

Assoc. Prof. Dr atieh ranjbar has made significant contributions to chemical engineering through various oral and poster presentations 🎓🧪. He has presented at prestigious events like the International Chemical Engineering Congress (IChEC), discussing topics such as Ni-Fe catalysts on nano-Al2O3 for reverse water gas shift reactions (2018) and heat transfer in non-Newtonian fluids (2014) 🌡️🔬. His poster presentations at the National Applied Chemistry Congress (2019) explored Ni nanocatalysts and K-promoted alumina catalysts in key catalytic reactions ⚙️. His work emphasizes methane reforming, calcium aluminates, and nanocatalysts, reflecting his expertise in advanced materials and chemical processes 🌍🔥.

Research Focus

Assoc. Prof. Dr atieh ranjbar research focuses on developing advanced nickel-based catalysts for methane reforming and CO2 utilization 🔬🌱. His work explores catalyst support materials like nanocrystalline MgO, CaO, and Al2O3 to enhance efficiency in processes like dry reforming and the reverse water-gas shift reaction ⚙️🔥. By synthesizing catalysts with high surface areas and unique morphologies, he contributes to cleaner energy solutions and CO2 mitigation 🌍♻️. His studies also investigate the role of rare earth and alkali metals in boosting catalytic performance, reflecting a dedication to sustainable hydrogen production and greenhouse gas reduction 🚀🌐.

Publication Top Notes

Preparation of nickel catalysts supported on CaO. 2Al2O3 for methane reforming with carbon dioxide

Autothermal reforming of methane over Ni catalysts supported on nanocrystalline MgO with high surface area and plated-like shape

Reverse water gas shift reaction and CO2 mitigation: nanocrystalline MgO as a support for nickel based catalysts

Dry reforming reaction over nickel catalysts supported on nanocrystalline calcium aluminates with different CaO/Al2O3 ratios

Low temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline calcium aluminate compounds with surfactant-assisted precipitation method

Catalytic activity of rare earth and alkali metal promoted (Ce, La, Mg, K) Ni/Al2O3 nanocatalysts in reverse water gas shift reaction

Effect of MgO/Al2O3 ratio in the support of mesoporous Ni/MgO–Al2O3 catalysts for CO2 utilization via reverse water gas shift reaction