Reza Alayi | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Reza Alayi | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Academic Researcher Award

Head of the Department at Islamic Azad University | Iran

Assist. Prof. Dr. Reza Alayi is a distinguished academic and researcher recognized for his pioneering contributions to energy systems engineering, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable power generation. As an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanics at the Islamic Azad University, Germi Branch, he has established a strong reputation in advancing hybrid renewable systems, thermodynamic optimization, and clean energy integration. His research spans a wide array of interdisciplinary domains including photovoltaic thermal systems, hydrogen production, biomass utilization, microgrids, and waste-to-energy conversion, all directed toward achieving global sustainability and low-carbon development. With a prolific publication record in high-impact international journals such as Sustainability, Clean Energy, Physics of Fluids, and International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Dr. Alayi has made significant scholarly contributions that bridge theory with industrial application. Beyond authorship, he serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for numerous scientific journals, reflecting his deep engagement in the global scientific community. His analytical work on energy, exergy, and economic performance of renewable systems continues to inform innovative energy transition strategies, particularly for regions pursuing efficient and eco-friendly technologies. Known for his collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach, Dr. Alayi has co-authored research with international experts, fostering academic networks across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. His academic leadership, innovative vision, and commitment to advancing renewable energy research position him as an influential figure driving the evolution of sustainable mechanical and energy engineering worldwide.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Haghmoradkhani, A., Alayi, R., & Assad, M. (2025, July 23). Thermodynamic investigation and optimization of a low-concentrating photovoltaic thermal collector.

Hadi Bonab, S., Hosseinzadeh, H., Alayi, R., Mitrovic, Z., & Hosseini, S. (2025, March 21). Geraghty-L-contraction type Darbo’s fixed point theorems with an applications.

Mohammad, S. I., Vasudevan, A., Al‐hedrewy, M., Abdullah, M., Ballal, S., Singh, A., Singh, S., Rapeti, S. R., & Alayi, R. (2025, January). Hybrid biomass and natural gas combined cycles: Performance and economic analysis.

Zhang, J., Su, Z., Meng, J., Yao, Y., & Alayi, R. (2025, January). Techno‐economic and sensitivity analysis of a hybrid concentrated photovoltaic/thermal system and an organic Rankine cycle to supply energy to sports stadiums.

Alayi, R., & Ebazadeh, Y. (2025, January 24). Modelling and control of a hybrid renewable energy based hydrogen and electricity production and storage systems.

Mingxuan Gu | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Carbon Capture and Storage Award

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Dr. Mingxuan Gu | Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage | Best Carbon Capture and Storage Award

Assistant Research Fellow at Chengdu University of Technology | China

Dr. Mingxuan Gu is an accomplished Assistant Research Fellow specializing in the geological storage of carbon dioxide at Huairou National Laboratory, Beijing. He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Resources and Geological Engineering and a strong academic foundation in exploration technology and petroleum engineering. His research focuses on multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging, reservoir evaluation, and the integration of artificial intelligence with physical meaning constraints for advanced subsurface analysis. Dr. Gu’s innovative contributions have significantly advanced the understanding and quantitative evaluation of fluid components in complex geological formations, particularly through the use of 2D and multidimensional NMR spectra. His scholarly work has been featured in leading international journals such as Marine and Petroleum Geology, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Energy & Fuels, and Computers and Geosciences. He has also presented his findings at prestigious global conferences, reflecting his engagement with the international scientific community. Dr. Gu has authored 12 research documents, which have collectively received 84 citations across 55 citing documents, demonstrating the growing recognition and impact of his work. He holds an h-index of 6, reflecting the quality and influence of his scholarly contributions in the field. His research emphasizes practical applications in carbon storage and reservoir characterization, contributing to cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Through his dedication to advancing NMR-based methodologies and his commitment to sustainable subsurface exploration, Dr. Gu continues to establish himself as a leading researcher in the intersection of artificial intelligence, petrophysics, and carbon sequestration.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Jin, G. (2021). A machine-learning based quantitative evaluation of the fluid components on T2-D spectrum.

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Xiao, L. (2021). A novel method for NMR data denoising based on discrete cosine transform and variable length windows.

Gu, M., Xie, R., Jin, G., et al. (2021). A hybrid compression method for the NMR data based on Window Averaging and Discrete Cosine Transform.

Gu, M., Xie, R., Jin, G., et al. (2021). Quantitative evaluation for fluid components on 2D NMR spectrum using Blind Source Separation.

Gu, M., Xie, R., & Xiao, L. (2021). Two-step inversion method for NMR relaxometry data using norm smoothing and artificial fish swarm algorithm.

Pietro Falciglia | Environmental Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pietro Falciglia | Environmental Engineering | Best Review Paper Award

Associate Professor at University of Catania, Italy

Dr. Pietro Paolo Falciglia is an Associate Professor of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering at the University of Catania, Italy. His expertise lies in environmental remediation technologies, particularly microwave-based treatments for contaminated soils, sediments, and groundwater. Over the last two decades, Dr. Falciglia has contributed extensively to advancing sustainable solutions for hazardous waste management. He is also a researcher at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, focusing on the remediation of radionuclide-contaminated environments. His academic and research activities span experimental innovation, field-scale applications, and scientific dissemination, making him a respected figure in environmental engineering and sustainable environmental practices.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Falciglia received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Salerno. He previously completed a five-year Laurea degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on hydraulics at the University of Catania , followed by a second-level MSc in Solid Waste Management and Remediation of Polluted Sites at the Superior School of the University of Catania. His academic training integrates classical engineering fundamentals with emerging environmental technologies, forming the basis for his innovative research and teaching in remediation processes and waste treatment systems.

Experience

Dr. Falciglia has served as an Associate Professor at the University of Catania. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor and Researcher in Sanitary and Environmental Engineering and held various academic roles between 2004 and 2018, including research fellow and contract professor. He also collaborated with international institutions, including the University of Cambridge, where he conducted advanced research on permeable reactive barriers for soil remediation. His consultancy experience as a professional engineer further enhances his ability to bridge academic knowledge with practical environmental challenges.

Research Interest

Dr. Falciglia’s research focuses on advanced remediation technologies for polluted environments. He specializes in the use of microwave and UV treatments for hydrocarbon- and radionuclide-contaminated soils and sediments. He has explored innovative permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), electrokinetic decontamination, and surfactant-enhanced techniques. His work also includes the application of drones for monitoring radioactive contaminants and modeling radiation shielding materials. Dr. Falciglia’s projects frequently address emerging pollutants and sustainability, including PFAS removal and the reuse of volcanic ash for environmental engineering purposes, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches and practical solutions to real-world contamination problems.

Award

Throughout his career, Dr. Falciglia has received recognition for his academic and scientific contributions. He was selected as a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge on a prestigious Soil Mix Remediation Technology (SMiRT) project funded and  His involvement in multiple PRIN (Progetti di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale) initiatives in Italy highlights his leadership in collaborative environmental research. Furthermore, he has led and contributed to nationally and internationally funded projects addressing microwave remediation, PFAS treatment, and sediment decontamination. His role as editor and reviewer for leading journals underscores the trust placed in him by the scientific community.

Publication Top Notes

Dr. Falciglia has authored over 100 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters.

  1. Microwave regeneration of granular activated carbon saturated with PFAS, Water Research.

  2. Remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated marine sediments by thermal desorption, Chemosphere.

  3. MW-based regenerating permeable reactive barriers: Proof of concept, Chemosphere.

  4. Field technical applicability and cost analysis of MW-PRBs for Cs-contaminated groundwater, Journal of Environmental Management.

  5. Microwave heating coupled with UV-A for PAH removal in marine sediments, Chemical Engineering Journal.

  6. Environmental life cycle assessment of citric acid-enhanced MW heating, Science of the Total Environment.

  7. Review on microwave heating for remediation applications, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review.

Conclusion

Dr. Pietro Paolo Falciglia exemplifies excellence in environmental engineering through his pioneering research, educational leadership, and commitment to sustainability. His scientific innovations have significantly influenced remediation technology development, particularly in microwave-based and integrated treatment systems. As an academic, mentor, and project leader, he continues to shape the future of sustainable waste and contamination management. Dr. Falciglia’s work directly impacts environmental restoration strategies, offering scalable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solutions. His nomination is a testament to his long-standing dedication to advancing environmental science and engineering for the benefit of both human health and the ecosystem.