lecturer | North University | China

Huifang Niu, born in September 1986, is a Lecturer at North University of China with a strong academic background in automation and intelligent systems. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Automation and her M.S. in Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Systems from Mongolian University, Hohhot, China, in 2010 and 2013 respectively. In 2023, she completed her Ph.D. in Complex System Modeling and Simulation at North University of China. Her current research focuses on the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction of complex systems, an important area in predictive maintenance and reliability engineering. As an active researcher and educator in electrical engineering, she has published three SCI-indexed journal articles and continues to contribute to the advancement of intelligent system modeling and predictive analytics. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges automation, simulation, and intelligent diagnostics, positioning her as a promising figure in applied engineering research.

Education

Huifang Niu has pursued a progressive academic path in engineering and intelligent systems. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Automation from Mongolian University, Hohhot, China in July 2010, laying the foundation for her expertise in control systems and automation technologies. She continued at the same institution to obtain her Master’s degree in Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Systems in July 2013, where she delved deeper into machine learning and intelligent algorithms. Most recently, she completed her Ph.D. in Complex System Modeling and Simulation from North University of China, Taiyuan, in June 2023, with a research focus on predictive modeling and the remaining useful life (RUL) of complex systems. Her academic journey reflects a strong.

Professional Experience

Huifang Niu is currently serving as a Lecturer at North University of China, where she is actively involved in both teaching and research within the field of electrical engineering. Her professional work centers on the prediction of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of complex systems, a vital area in the domains of system reliability and intelligent maintenance. With a strong academic foundation and research focus, she contributes to the academic development of undergraduate and postgraduate students while also engaging in scholarly research. Her role bridges theory and application, combining complex system modeling with real-world engineering challenges. Through her work, she continues to expand her expertise in automation, intelligent diagnostics, and predictive system analysis.

Research Interests

Huifang Niu’s research interests lie at the intersection of complex system modeling, intelligent diagnostics, and predictive maintenance. She is particularly focused on the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction of complex systems, which plays a crucial role in improving system reliability, optimizing maintenance strategies, and reducing operational risks in industrial settings. Her work leverages techniques from pattern recognition, machine learning, and simulation modeling to develop accurate and efficient predictive models. Driven by real-world engineering challenges, her research aims to enhance the performance, safety, and longevity of automated and intelligent systems, contributing meaningfully to the fields of electrical engineering, system reliability, and intelligent systems design.

Awards and Honors

As an emerging scholar in the field of intelligent systems and predictive maintenance, Huifang Niu has begun to establish her academic footprint through SCI-indexed publications and her contributions to complex system modeling. While she has not yet been widely recognized with major national or international awards, her recent completion of a Ph.D. in 2023 and her ongoing research work position her as a strong candidate for future honors. Her dedication to high-quality research, teaching excellence, and contributions to the engineering community suggest that further academic and professional recognition is likely as she continues to advance her scholarly career.

Conclusion

Hiufang Niu shows promising early-career researcher qualities, especially with a recent Ph.D. and specialized work in predictive modeling for complex systems. Her academic progression, SCI-indexed publications, and focused research direction provide a strong foundation. However, for a highly competitive “Best Researcher Award,” the scope and impact of contributions could be further enhanced.

Zhongqiang ZHANG | Engineering and Technology | Best Researcher Award

Mr Zhongqiang ZHANG, Jiangsu University, China

Prof. Zhongqiang Zhang is a leading academic in mechanical engineering, currently serving as Professor and Associate Dean at Jiangsu University, China. With a career rooted in advanced fluid dynamics, nanoengineering, and smart materials, he has consistently contributed groundbreaking research recognized both nationally and internationally 🌏🔬. His global exposure includes visiting scholar roles at prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley and Mississippi State University, enhancing his research vision and collaborations. He is renowned for his pioneering work in nanofluidics, surface wettability, graphene membranes, and bioinspired designs 🌡️🧪. Prof. Zhang’s projects, funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, span from intelligent liquid manipulation to smart environmental robots. A prolific author, he has numerous Q1 publications in high-impact journals 📚🌟. With prestigious awards such as the ICCES Outstanding Young Researcher Award, his achievements reflect both innovation and leadership, making him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🏆💡.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Education

Mr. Zhongqiang Zhang 🎓 is a dedicated scholar in the field of engineering mechanics with a strong academic foundation in mechanical engineering. He began his academic journey at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University of Technology 🏫 in Zibo, PR China, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree between September 2000 and June 2004. Demonstrating a passion for research and innovation, he continued his education by pursuing a Ph.D. at the Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology (DUT) 🧠🔧 in Dalian, PR China. From September 2004 to December 2010, under the supervision of Professor Hong-Wu Zhang 👨‍🏫, he developed advanced knowledge and skills in engineering mechanics. His academic path reflects a strong commitment to excellence in mechanical sciences and a drive for contributing to technological advancement. Mr. Zhang’s educational background laid a solid foundation for his future research and professional achievements in engineering. 🚀📘

Experience

Mr. Zhongqiang Zhang is a distinguished professor and Associate Dean at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangsu University, PR China (🇨🇳), serving since July 2020. With a solid academic foundation and deep expertise, he previously held the position of Associate Professor at the same institution from December 2010 to June 2020. His international academic engagements include a prestigious stint as a Visiting Scholar at the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California-Berkeley (🇺🇸), from October 2018 to January 2020, under the supervision of Shao-Fan Li 🌉. Earlier in his career, he expanded his research exposure as a Visiting Ph.D. student at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS), Mississippi State University (🇺🇸), from May 2008 to January 2009 🚗🔬. Mr. Zhang’s academic journey reflects a strong commitment to innovation, global collaboration, and mechanical engineering excellence 🌍📘🔧.

Honors and Awards

Mr. Zhongqiang Zhang has earned numerous accolades throughout his distinguished academic and research career. In 2023, he received the prestigious ICCES Outstanding Young Researcher Award 🏅, recognizing his significant contributions to the field. He was also honored with the First Prize of Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province in 2020 🧪🏆. His dedication to education was acknowledged in 2016 when he was named an Outstanding Young Backbone Teacher under the Jiangsu Blue and Blue Project 📘👨‍🏫. In 2015, he secured the Third Prize in the Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Award 🥉🔬. As a rising scholar, he was recognized as a Young Academic Leader of Jiangsu University in 2013 🎓🌟. His scholarly excellence was evident early on, with his doctoral dissertation being awarded Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation by both Liaoning Province and Dalian University of Technology in 2012 📜🎖️. In 2009, he won the 6th China Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award, showcasing his early potential and innovation.

Research Projects

Mr. Zhongqiang Zhang has led and contributed to multiple cutting-edge research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China 🇨🇳. As Project Leader, he spearheaded a 2023–2026 project focused on the continuous capturing and cross-scale collection of fuel bubbles driven by structure-wetting coupling gradients (RMB 550,000) 🔬💧. From 2019–2022, he explored self-driven droplet behaviors on graphene-covered gradient textured substrates (RMB 630,000) 🌡️⚛️. Earlier, he investigated electro-mechanical coupling in fluid nano-devices based on low-dimensional carbon materials (2015–2018, RMB 800,000) 🔋📉. His 2012–2014 study examined boundary slip in nanochannels influenced by temperature-velocity coupling gradients (RMB 260,000) 🧪🌡️. Additionally, he plays a key role (R2) in a major project (2023–2025) developing an energy self-supply, rigid-flexible coupling robot for intelligent water environment sensing, funded at RMB 3,000,000 🤖🌊. His research reflects deep expertise in nanofluidics, material science, and robotics, addressing vital scientific and environmental challenges.

Research Focus

Dr. Zhongqiang Zhang’s research focuses on nanofluidics, smart materials, and advanced surface engineering, with a strong emphasis on liquid transport, separation, and water harvesting technologies. His work leverages graphene membranes, conical micro-arrays, and textured surfaces to achieve breakthroughs in desalination, fluid dynamics, and droplet manipulation 🌊🧪. He explores slip boundary conditions, programmable surfaces, and self-driving liquid motion, often through molecular dynamics simulations and experimental validations ⚙️💡. His publications in top-tier journals like Science Advances, Chemical Engineering Journal, and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces highlight innovations that overcome classic trade-offs like permeability-selectivity limits 🚿🔬. Dr. Zhang also contributes to the development of smart haptic electronic skins and temperature-responsive materials for microfluidics and environmental applications 🤖🌡️. Overall, his interdisciplinary approach connects physics, materials science, and engineering to pioneer next-gen nanotechnologies for efficient water management and soft robotics 💧.