Corina Birleanu | Engineering and Technology | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Hypothesis

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 TiOâ‚‚ 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

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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.

Ayse Tugba Yapici | Engineering and Technology | Best Research Article Award

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Ms. Ayse Tugba Yapici | Engineering and Technology | Best Research Article Award

Ms. Ayse Tugba Yapici | Engineering and Technology | Best Research Article Award | Doctoral Researcher | Kocaeli University | Turkey 

Ms. Ayse Tugba Yapici is an emerging scholar in electrical engineering whose research bridges intelligent energy systems, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence–driven prediction technologies, reflecting her strong academic preparation and expanding scientific footprint. She earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering from Kocaeli University, where her doctoral studies centered on deep learning approaches for forecasting electric vehicle demand, charging behaviors, and integrated grid impacts. Prior to this, she completed her MSc in Electrical Engineering at Kocaeli University and her BSc in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Bulent Ecevit University, progressively building a foundation in power electronics, system modeling, and smart energy infrastructures. Professionally, Ms. Ayse Tugba Yapici has gained significant experience as a doctoral researcher contributing to multiple academic studies involving EV charging station optimization, boosting converter analyses, AI-based prediction models, and data-driven approaches for regional transportation planning. Her research interests span electric vehicle technologies, charging station planning, induction heating systems, renewable energy integration, IoT-based intelligent mobility frameworks, and machine learning algorithms including LSTM, GRU, and MLR for performance forecasting. She possesses strong research skills in deep learning model development, Python-based simulation, DigSilent-based power system design, MATLAB/Simulink modeling, geographical data mapping, algorithm optimization, and statistical evaluation metrics such as R², MSE, MAE, and DTW. Her body of work includes multiple SCI and Scopus-indexed publications addressing EV growth prediction, secure IoT frameworks for autonomous taxis, and comparative analyses of deep learning methods for charging time estimation. Ms. Ayse Tugba Yapici has been recognized within academic circles for her contributions to advancing sustainable mobility solutions and has received commendations for her research productivity and multidisciplinary collaborations within Türkiye. Her work continues to support improved policy development, smarter grid integration, and future-ready electric mobility infrastructures. She remains actively involved in scholarly dissemination through conference participation, collaborative studies with engineering experts, and mentorship of junior researchers. Through her growing publication record, analytical expertise, and commitment to advancing intelligent transportation systems, Ms. Ayse Tugba Yapici demonstrates strong potential for continued impact in electrical engineering research, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable energy development, smart city transitions, and technology-driven societal advancement.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Yapici, A. T., Abut, N., & Erfidan, T. (2025). Comparing the effectiveness of deep learning approaches for charging time prediction in electric vehicles: Kocaeli example. Energies. Year: 2025

  2. Yapici, A. T., & Abut, N. (2025). Geleceğe yönelik elektrikli araç ve şarj istasyonu sayılarının LSTM ve GRU derin öğrenme yöntemleri kullanılarak tahmin edilmesi: Kocaeli ili örneği. Politeknik Dergisi. Year: 2025

  3. Yapici, A. T., Abut, N., & Yildirim, A. (2025). Future estimation of electric vehicles and charging stations: Analysis of Sakarya Province with LSTM, GRU and multiple linear regression approaches. Applied Sciences. Year: 2025

  4. Yapici, A. T., & Abut, N. (2025). An intelligent and secure IoT-based framework for predicting charging and travel duration in autonomous electric taxi systems. Applied Sciences. Year: 2025

  5. Yapici, A. T., & Abut, N. (2024). Elektrikli araç devresinde kullanılan boost dönüştürücünün analizine farklı yaklaşımlar. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science. Year: 2024

  6. Yapici, A. T., & Abut, N. (2024). Elektrikli araç şarj istasyonu konum tasarımında, DigSilent yazılımı kullanılarak Kocaeli Üniversitesi Umuttepe Kampüsü için örnek uygulama. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science. Year: 2024

  7. Yapici, A. T. (2024). Estimation of future number of electric vehicles and charging stations: Analysis of Sakarya Province with LSTM, GRU and MLR approaches. Applied Sciences. Year: 2024

 

Dr. Nematollah Fouladi | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Nematollah Fouladi | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor | Iranian Space Research Center | Iran

Dr. Nematollah Fouladi is an accomplished aerospace engineer and an innovative researcher whose scientific vision and technical mastery have significantly contributed to advancements in the field of aerospace propulsion and fluid dynamics. He currently serves as a Researcher at the Iranian Space Research Center, Tehran, where he leads and collaborates on cutting-edge projects focusing on high-altitude testing facilities, supersonic exhaust diffusers, and aerodynamic system optimization. Dr. Fouladi obtained his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, one of the most prestigious engineering universities recognized for its excellence in research and education. His academic journey has been distinguished by a strong focus on computational and experimental fluid mechanics, turbulence modeling, and supersonic flow control, all of which reflect his unwavering dedication to precision and scientific advancement. Throughout his career, Dr. Fouladi has demonstrated outstanding analytical and research capabilities, successfully integrating advanced simulation techniques with practical experimentation to develop efficient and reliable aerospace propulsion systems. His research interests lie primarily in the areas of aerothermodynamics, gas dynamics, high-altitude testing methodologies, and aerospace cooling system design, which play a critical role in improving the performance, safety, and sustainability of aerospace technologies. In addition to his technical expertise, Dr. Fouladi exhibits a strong command of numerical modeling, data interpretation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), heat transfer analysis, and system integration, enabling him to contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations within international research networks. As an active contributor to scholarly communication, Dr. Nematollah Fouladi has authored 18 documents, garnered 109 citations, and achieved an h-index of 6, demonstrating his growing influence and recognition in the global aerospace research community. His works are published in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Physics of Fluids, Acta Astronautica, Aerospace Science and Technology, and Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering. These publications have provided valuable insights into high-speed flow behavior, diffuser performance, and nozzle optimization—offering practical solutions to aerospace challenges faced by industry and research institutions alike. Dr. Fouladi’s commitment extends beyond research as he actively participates in collaborative engineering projects, contributing to advancements in Iran’s aerospace infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives. His professional experience also includes involvement in experimental investigations that support national and international aerospace objectives, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable and forward-thinking engineer. He has demonstrated leadership qualities through mentoring emerging researchers, fostering innovation-driven research environments, and promoting scientific excellence across disciplines. Dr. Fouladi’s research skills encompass a comprehensive blend of theoretical analysis, computational proficiency, and experimental design—qualities that make his work both academically robust and practically relevant. His contributions have been recognized by academic and research communities, earning him honors and respect as a key figure in aerospace technology development.

Profile:  Google scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

  1. Fouladi, N. (2025). Cooling system design and analysis for high heat flux large dimension diffuser of a high-altitude test facility. International Journal of Thermofluids. (Cited by 5)

  2. Fouladi, N. (2024). Experimental evaluation of the influence of the diffuser inlet to nozzle exit cross sectional area ratio on pressure oscillation in a high-altitude test facility. Physics of Fluids. (Cited by 7)

  3. Fouladi, N. (2024). Gas dynamics at starting and terminating phase of a supersonic exhaust diffuser with a conical nozzle. Physics of Fluids. (Cited by 9)

  4. Fouladi, N. (2023). Experimental and comprehensive investigation of second throat diffuser area effect on ground test of a thrust optimized parabolic nozzle with different expansion ratios. Acta Astronautica. (Cited by 10)

  5. Fouladi, N. (2023). Starting transient analysis of second throat exhaust diffuser in high-altitude test of a thrust optimized parabolic nozzle. Physics of Fluids. (Cited by 6)