Zhongjun Yan | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

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 Profileย 

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 Yanโ€™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

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 Carbรณn 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. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ”ฌ

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. ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿ“˜

Experience

Jonathan’s career spans top institutions, including his role as a ComFuturo Research Fellow at Instituto Nacional del Carbรณn (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 Universityโ€™s School of Chemistry, contributing to the field of electrocatalysis. ๐Ÿ›๏ธโšก

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. โš™๏ธ๐ŸŒฑ

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. ๐Ÿ…โœจ

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.

Agnese Rapposelli | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Agnese Rapposelli | Energy and Sustainability | Best Researcher Award

Prof Agnese Rapposelli, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Italy

Dr. Agnese Rapposelli is a Senior Assistant Professor of Economic Statistics at “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, since November 2021. She holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from the same university and achieved National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor in 2017. Her research focuses on dynamic methodologies for evaluating complex systems, statistical models for spatial analysis, and the impact of environmental pollution on health ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“Š. Dr. Rapposelli has also been a visiting scholar at Warwick Business School and holds professional qualifications as a chartered accountant and accounting auditor.

Publication profile

google scholar

Education

๐ŸŽ“ Achieving academic excellence, I earned a Ph.D. in Statistics from “G. dโ€™Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, with a thesis on efficiency evaluation and Data Envelopment Analysis under Prof. Mauro Coliโ€™s guidance in April 2006. I previously completed a Laurea in Economics, summa cum laude, at the same university in July 2002, finishing in 3.5 years instead of 4. My high school journey culminated in a Scientific Lyceum diploma with a focus on lab courses and languages (French/English), scoring 54/60 in July 1998. Professionally, I am a certified Chartered Accountant since November 2012 and an Accounting Auditor since January 2014. ๐Ÿ“Š๐Ÿ“šโœˆ๏ธ

Experience

Dr. Agnese Rapposelli has been a dedicated lecturer at “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy. Since 2013, they have taught courses in Statistics, Econometrics, and Quantitative Methods, all held in English. ๐Ÿ“Š From 2019-2024, Dr. [Name] taught Statistics and Basic Econometrics for the PhD in Accounting, Management, and Business Economics program. ๐Ÿ“ˆ In 2014-2015, they lectured on Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Management and Business Administration. ๐Ÿ“š Additionally, in 2013-2014, they focused on Econometric Methods in Finance and Business Administration. ๐Ÿ“‰ Their commitment to education and expertise in these fields have made them a valuable asset to the university. ๐ŸŽ“

Research project

From 2024-2025, I serve as Principal Investigator for the University of Chieti-Pescara’s PRIN 2022 PNRR project on the circular economy through the lens of mathematics for signal processing ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ”„. In 2022, I investigated statistical models for spatial analysis ๐Ÿ“Š๐ŸŒ, and in 2021, I focused on spatial-temporal models to examine environmental pollution’s impact on human health ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿงฌ. From 2020 to 2019, my research analyzed corporate governance and financial performance ๐Ÿ“ˆ๐Ÿข. Earlier, from 2007-2013, I participated in evaluating complex systems ๐Ÿงฉ. In 2007-2008, I evaluated airline efficiency โœˆ๏ธ, and in 2002-2003, I worked on strategic planning and performance measurement for Air One SpA ๐Ÿ“‰๐Ÿ“Š.

Awards

From 2024-2025, I served as the Principal Investigator for the PRIN 2022 PNRR research project โ€œCircular Economy from the Mathematics for Signal Processing Perspectiveโ€ at the University of Chieti-Pescara. I received the Best ItAIS Conference Paper award for my study on carbon emissions and economic growth, presented in 2022. My work on waste sector efficiency earned special mentions at international workshops in 2021 and 2022. I also won the Best Track Award in 2021. In 2020 and 2019, I was ranked first in my department for MIUR research funds based on scientific production. ๐Ÿ“Š๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ†

Research focus

A Rapposelli’s research focuses primarily on environmental efficiency and waste management, as well as the inclusion of disabled individuals in the labor market. His work involves evaluating the joint environmental and cost performance of municipal waste systems, the impact of green technology and environmental policies on ecological footprints, and the efficiency of urban waste services. Additionally, Rapposelli has conducted significant research on the employment of disabled people in Italy, analyzing the effectiveness of laws and policies aimed at their inclusion. His studies employ methods such as data envelopment analysis to assess efficiency and policy implications. ๐ŸŒโ™ป๏ธ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿฆฝ๐Ÿ“Š

Publication top notes

Evaluating joint environmental and cost performance in municipal waste management systems through data envelopment analysis: Scale effects and policy implications

Improving waste production and recycling through zero-waste strategy and privatization: An empirical investigation

The impact of green technology innovation, environmental taxes, and renewable energy consumption on ecological footprint in Italy: Fresh evidence from novel dynamic ARDLย โ€ฆ

Monitoring environmental efficiency: an application to Italian provinces

Inclusion of disabled people in the Italian labour market: an efficiency analysis of law 68/1999 at regional level

Efficiency evaluation in an airline company: some empirical results

Employment of disabled people in the private sector. An analysis at the level of Italian Provinces according to article 13 of law 68/1999

The factors affecting Italian provincesโ€™ separate waste-collection rates: An empirical investigation

Assessing efficiency of urban waste services and the role of tariff in a circular economy perspective: An empirical application for Italian municipalities

Regional performance trends in providing employment for persons with disabilities: Evidence from Italy