Shiqun Wu | Renewable Energy Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Shiqun Wu | Renewable Energy Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr Shiqun Wu, East China University of Science and Technology, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shiqun Wu is a rising star in the field of photocatalysis and molecular activation. He earned his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry from East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), where he is currently serving as an Associate Professor at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering. With over 20 SCI-indexed publications and 10+ patents, Dr. Wu is known for his pioneering work in atomic-level catalyst design aimed at addressing energy and environmental challenges. His contributions focus on the green transformation of CH₄, CO₂, and N₂ in alignment with China’s “carbon peaking and neutrality” strategy. Recognized with multiple prestigious awards, including Shanghai’s “Rising Star” Talent Program and national innovation grants, Dr. Wu also actively mentors young scientists. His innovative approach and sustained research excellence make him a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Shiqun Wu began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry at the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) from 2012 to 2016. Demonstrating academic excellence and research potential, he pursued a Ph.D. at ECUST (2016–2021), under the mentorship of Prof. Jinlong Zhang, a foreign academician of the European Academy of Sciences. During his doctoral studies, Dr. Wu developed advanced photocatalytic materials and published in top-tier journals such as JACS and Angew. Chem. His doctoral thesis laid the groundwork for molecular transformation through atomic-level engineering, particularly for carbon-neutral strategies. After completing his Ph.D., he continued as a postdoctoral fellow at ECUST (2021–2024), further advancing his specialization in photocatalytic activation of small molecules. Dr. Wu’s academic training emphasizes high-impact research and innovation, positioning him as a leading scholar and educator in applied chemistry and environmental catalysis.

Experience

Dr. Wu has built an impressive academic career at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), where he has progressed from student to Associate Professor. From 2021 to 2024, he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow, collaborating with Prof. Jinlong Zhang on projects involving atomic-level catalyst design and molecular transformation. In June 2024, he was appointed as an Associate Professor at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering at ECUST. His current academic responsibilities include leading national research projects, mentoring graduate students, and contributing to the development of photocatalysis as a transformative solution for energy and environmental sustainability. His academic service includes roles in national youth scientific committees and editorial boards. Dr. Wu’s experience bridges cutting-edge research and practical implementation, demonstrating leadership in China’s national “dual-carbon” strategy and contributing to sustainable innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Research Projects

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shiqun Wu has garnered significant recognition and support for his outstanding research contributions through a series of prestigious grants and fellowships 💼💡. He is currently a recipient of the First-Class Discipline Construction Grant from ECUST, valued at 250,000 CNY, supporting his ongoing research initiatives 🧪📘. Additionally, he is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) – Young Scientists Fund with 300,000 CNY, and is part of the Shanghai “Rising Star” Talent Program (Sailing Plan) with 200,000 CNY 🏅🚀. His earlier achievements include the highly competitive Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program, for which he was awarded 630,000 CNY, and the Shanghai “Super Postdoc” Incentive Program, receiving 300,000 CNY 💰🎓. Furthermore, he successfully completed the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Tier 1) grant, amounting to 120,000 CNY 📜🔬. These accolades reflect his dynamic potential and commitment to advancing chemical research in China and beyond 🌍🔍.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Shiqun Wu has received numerous prestigious awards that reflect his excellence and innovation in research. These include the Gold Award (Shanghai Region, 2024) and Bronze Award (National Final, 2023) in the China International University Student Innovation Competition, where he served as first advisor. He also won the Gold Award at the 9th China “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Shanghai, 2023). As a postdoctoral researcher, he was honored with the Shanghai “Super Postdoc” Incentive, Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program, and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Tier 1). Notably, he was selected as an Outstanding Graduate of Shanghai (2021) and received the National Graduate Scholarship (2019) and ACS Graduate Research Achievement Prize (Third Prize, 2019). His recognitions demonstrate a consistent track record of academic leadership, mentorship, and innovative research in energy conversion and carbon neutrality.

Research Focus

Dr. Wu’s research centers on the design and mechanism-driven control of photocatalytic materials for energy conversion and environmental remediation. His work particularly targets the green transformation of inert molecules such as methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrogen (N₂)—key to achieving carbon neutrality and energy sustainability. He engineers catalysts at the atomic level, optimizing surface active sites and promoting selective molecule activation under solar irradiation. Dr. Wu’s approach integrates nanotechnology, material science, and physical chemistry, supported by his deep understanding of spin polarization, molecular orbital engineering, and reaction kinetics. With over 20 SCI publications in journals like JACS, Angew. Chem., Adv. Mater., and Chem, his work contributes significantly to catalytic innovations that reduce greenhouse gases and enhance renewable energy utilization. He also leads national and regional grants and participates in the development of China’s energy strategy through fundamental and application-oriented research.

Publication Top Notes

Ga-Doped and Pt-Loaded Porous TiO2–SiO2 for Photocatalytic Nonoxidative Coupling of Methane

Non‐oxidative Coupling of Methane: N‐type Doping of Niobium Single Atoms in TiO2–SiO2 Induces Electron Localization

Single-Atom High-Valent Fe(IV) for Promoted Photocatalytic Nitrogen Hydrogenation on Porous TiO2-SiO2

Construction of Single Ni Atom-Immobilized ZIF-8 with Ordered Hierarchical Pore Structures for Selective CO2 Photoreduction

Recent advances in photo-enhanced dry reforming of methane: A review

Noble‐Metal‐Free Materials for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Detection

High-density frustrated Lewis pairs based on Lamellar Nb2O5 for photocatalytic non-oxidative methane coupling

Wagd Ajeeb | Energy and Sustainability | Excellence in Research Award

Wagd Ajeeb | Energy and Sustainability | Excellence in Research Award

Dr Wagd Ajeeb, IST Tecnico Lisbon University, Portugal

Dr. Wagd Ajeeb 🎓⚙️ is a mechanical engineer specializing in energy systems and climate change. He earned his Ph.D. from Aveiro University, Portugal (2019), focusing on nanofluids in micro heat exchangers. With experience at IST Lisbon, the University of Padua, and IDMEC, he has contributed to cutting-edge projects on green hydrogen, synthetic biofuels, and thermal management. His research includes high-impact publications on nanofluids and renewable energy 🌱🔬. A member of leading R&D centers, he actively participates in scientific conferences and innovation forums. Passionate about sustainable energy, Dr. Ajeeb advances technologies for a cleaner future 🌍⚡.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Wagd Ajeeb 🎓 is a specialist in Energy Systems and Climate Change with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Aveiro University, Portugal (2015-2019) 🌍🔥. His thesis focused on convective heat transfer of non-Newtonian nanofluids in micro heat exchangers. He earned his M.Sc. in Thermal Machine Engineering from Tishreen University, Syria (2012-2015) ⚡💧, researching hydropower plant design at the 16-Tishreen Dam. His B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Albaath University (2007-2012) 🌬️🔧 explored wind energy potential in Syria. With strong expertise in renewable energy and thermal systems, he contributes to advancing sustainable engineering solutions. ⚙️💡

Employment

Dr. Wagd Ajeeb is a dedicated mechanical engineer and researcher at the Centre for Innovation, Technology, and Policy Research (IN+), IST Lisbon University, Portugal (2023–2024) 🔬⚙️. He collaborates with PRIO on the M-ECO2 project, focusing on green hydrogen and synthetic biofuels 🌿🔋. Previously, he worked at the University of Padua, Italy (2022–2023), researching fouling mitigation in heat exchangers with Hexxcell Ltd ❄️💧. His expertise spans nanofluids for advanced cooling (IST Lisbon, 2020–2022) and CFD simulations for Bosch’s Smart Green Homes project (University of Aveiro, 2019–2020) 🏡⚡. A member of the Syrian Engineers Syndicate, he also worked on renewable energy and power systems in Syria (2013–2015) ⚡🌍.

Research Focus

Dr. Wagd Ajeeb 🔬⚡ specializes in renewable energy, hydrogen production, and nanofluids for thermal applications. His research spans life cycle assessments of green hydrogen and renewable diesel 🌱🔋, published in high-impact Q1 journals. He investigates hydrogen production via alkaline electrolysis and its sustainability implications 🔄⚡. Additionally, he explores nanofluid properties, enhancing heat transfer efficiency in compact heat exchangers ❄️🔥. His work includes experimental and numerical studies on Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ nanofluids, optimizing thermal management solutions. Dr. Ajeeb’s contributions drive advancements in sustainable energy and innovative thermal technologies for a greener future 🌍🚀.

Awards

Dr. Wagd Ajeeb has been recognized for outstanding research contributions with prestigious awards 🌟. He received the Best Paper Award at the 8th World Congress on Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer (MHMT 2023) in Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹, showcasing his excellence in scientific innovation. His achievements continued in July 2024, when he was honored with the Best Research Presentation Award at the 9th International Conference on Green Energy Technologies (ICGET 2024) in Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪. These accolades highlight his dedication to advancing research in energy and heat transfer, reinforcing his impact in the scientific community 🔬🏆.

Association Member

Dr. Wagd Ajeeb is a researcher at the Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research (IN+) at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon 🇵🇹. He is also affiliated with the Mechanical Engineering Institute (IDMEC) at IST and the Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA) at the University of Aveiro ⚙️🔬. His research contributions extend to R&D teams of FCT, including the Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia (Jun 2020–Aug 2021) 🤖 and the Laboratório Associado de Energia, Transportes e Aeronáutica (July 2021–2023) ✈️⚡. His work focuses on advanced mechanical engineering and automation 🚀.

Scientific Activities

Dr. Wagd Ajeeb is an accomplished researcher in energy and fluid mechanics, actively contributing to international conferences and forums. 🌍⚡ He participated in the LARSyS 2024 Meeting and Be Next | Europe’s Decentralized Energy Innovation Forum in Lisbon. 🇵🇹🔋 In 2023, he attended the Eurogas Annual Conference, the IN+ 25 Years of Innovation event, and chaired a session at the 8th World Congress on Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer. 🎤📊 He has lectured at Lisbon University, Edinburgh Napier University, and Tishreen University. 🎓🔥 His expertise spans renewable energy, thermal fluids, and nanofluids, making significant contributions to global energy sustainability. 🌱💡

Publication Top Notes

Experimental investigation of heat transfer performance of Al2O3 nanofluids in a compact plate heat exchanger

Nanofluids in compact heat exchangers for thermal applications: A State-of-the-art review

Forced convection heat transfer of non-Newtonian MWCNTs nanofluids in microchannels under laminar flow

Performance evaluation of convective heat transfer and laminar flow of non-Newtonian MWCNTs in a circular tube

Experimental and numerical study of convective heat transfer and laminar flow of a MWCNTs nanofluid in a horizontal tube

Life cycle assessment of green hydrogen production through electrolysis: A literature review