Zehra Gülten Yalçın | Green Corrosion Inhibitors | Best Research Article Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Zehra Gülten Yalçın | Green Corrosion Inhibitors | Best Research Article Award

Doctor Lecturer at Çankırı Karatekin University | Turkey

Dr. Zehra Gülten Yalçın is a Doctor Lecturer in the Department of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, at Çankırı Karatekin University, specializing in Chemical Engineering. Her academic work focuses on energy systems, environmental and sustainable processes, and materials science and technologies, reflecting her commitment to innovation and sustainability within engineering disciplines. She has made significant contributions through her research on corrosion inhibition, recycled polymer materials, biogas efficiency, and the development of polyurethane-based composites incorporating industrial waste. Dr. Yalçın’s studies often integrate advanced thermodynamic, surface, and mechanical analyses, contributing to a deeper understanding of material behavior and environmental performance. Her research has been featured in reputable international journals such as Petroleum Science and Technology, Journal of Current Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (JoCREST), and the Black Sea Engineering and Science Journal. In addition to her publications, she has presented numerous papers at international conferences, addressing topics such as solar energy production, risk analysis in hazardous chemical processes, and waste management innovations. Dr. Yalçın’s interdisciplinary expertise also extends to the application of machine learning in chemical process optimization, advancing sustainable engineering practices through data-driven methodologies. Her scientific achievements have been recognized through academic incentive awards from Çankırı Karatekin University, underscoring her excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. With a strong dedication to the advancement of sustainable chemical technologies, Dr. Yalçın continues to contribute to the global scientific community through impactful research that bridges theory with industrial application. Her forward-thinking approach and integration of environmental awareness into chemical engineering make her a prominent academic voice in the pursuit of cleaner and more efficient technological solutions.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Hussein, M. Y., Yalçın, Z. G., Yaqoob, G. B., & Dağ, M. (2025). Investigation of the corrosion‐inhibition effect of Turkish coffee extract on L-80 carbon steel in 15% HCl: Thermodynamic and surface analyses.

Günay, K., & Yalçın, Z. G. (2025). Maximizing biogas yield in anaerobic digestion: A response surface methodology approach.

Dağ, M., Aydoğmuş, E., Arslanoğlu, H., Yalçin, Z. G., & Barlak, S. (2025). Development of polyurethane‐based composites with salt clay and industrial wastes as fillers: Corrosion, mechanical properties, and machine learning insights.

Dağ, M., Aydoğmuş, E., Arslanoğlu, H., & Yalçın, Z. G. (2025). Exploring role of polyester composites in biocomposites for advanced material technologies: A comprehensive review.

Arslan, S., Yalçın, Z. G., Dağ, M., & Akın, M. B. (2024). The role of carbon in lead-acid batteries: Applications, challenges, and future opportunities. Uluslararası Batı Karadeniz Mühendislik ve Fen Bilimleri Dergisi.

Pıçakçı, E., & Yalçın, Z. G. (2023). Effects of high level of lead (II) oxide (PbO) usage on accumulator and response surface method.

Dağ, M., Aydoğmuş, E., Yalçin, Z. G., & Arslanoğlu, H. (2023). Diatomite reinforced modified safflower oil-based epoxy biocomposite production: Optimization with RSM and assessment of outcomes by ANN.

Pengfei Wang | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Pengfei Wang | Environment | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant Professor Southern University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Pengfei Wang is a Research Assistant Professor at the Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China, where he has been actively engaged in advanced research on energy and environmental engineering since 2021. He obtained his Ph.D. in Energy and Power Engineering from Dalian University of Technology in 2019, under the supervision of Professor Yongchen Song, and completed a visiting research program at the University of Western Australia’s Energy Research Centre in 2017. Prior to his current role, Dr. Wang served as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Physics at SUSTech, working with Chair Professor Yusheng Zhao on multiphase hydrate systems and neutron technology applications. His research spans natural gas hydrate exploitation, hydrate-based hydrogen storage, and offshore CO₂ geological sequestration, focusing on the thermodynamics, kinetics, and multiphase flow behavior in porous media. Dr. Wang has made notable contributions to understanding the interaction between hydrate structures and nanoconfinement effects for energy conversion and carbon capture applications. He has published 82 SCI-indexed papers, including several in high-impact journals such as Chemical Reviews, Chemical Engineering Journal, and Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, along with holding 8 authorized invention patents and 1 software copyright. His work has been cited 1,829 times by 1,403 documents, reflecting an h-index of 24, underscoring his academic impact and global recognition within the field. He has been honored with the Shenzhen Overseas High-Level Talent “Peacock Plan” Award, and received multiple academic distinctions including the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Liaoning Province and the Wiley China Annual Open Author Award. Dr. Wang’s ongoing research aims to develop sustainable hydrate technologies for energy transition and carbon neutrality strategies in offshore and industrial contexts. With his strong interdisciplinary background and innovative approach, he continues to advance the frontiers of energy storage, climate engineering, and environmental sustainability.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

Wang, P., Chen, Y., Teng, Y., An, S., Li, Y., Han, M., Yuan, B., Shen, S., Chen, B., Han, S., et al. (2024). A comprehensive review of hydrogen purification using a hydrate-based method.

Yang, M., Wu, M., Yang, Z., Wang, P., Chen, B., & Song, Y. (2024). Behaviors of hydrate cap formation via CO₂–H₂O collaborative injection: Applying to secure marine carbon storage.

Yuan, B., Han, M., Li, Y., Wang, P., Xu, J., Yin, W., Kang, L., Tong, X., Han, S., Zhu, J., et al. (2024). Effect of organic matter with various carbon chain lengths on methane hydrate formation: Kinetic, thermodynamic, and microstructural studies.

Wang, P., Li, Y., Sun, N., Han, S., Wang, X., Su, Q., Li, Y., He, J., Yu, X., Du, S., et al. (2024). Hydrate technologies for CO₂ capture and sequestration: Status and perspectives.

Teng, Y., Li, Y., Huang, T., Chen, Y., Wang, P., Wang, B., An, S., Li, Y., Han, S., Zhu, J., et al. (2024). Hydrogen purification via hydrate-based methods: Insights into H₂–CO₂–CO hydrate structures, thermodynamics, and kinetics.

Emanuela Drago | Health Safety and Environment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Emanuela Drago | Health Safety and Environment | Best Academic Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at University of Genoa | Italy

Emanuela Drago is a dedicated researcher in chemical and process engineering, specializing in sustainable materials and innovative active food packaging technologies. Currently serving as a Researcher (RTDA) at the University of Genoa, she integrates expertise in polymer science, green processing, and bioengineering. Her international research experience includes a visiting position at Imperial College London, where she developed biodegradable sensors for food quality monitoring. Through extensive collaborations across Europe and the U.S., she has contributed to advancing biodegradable polymers, supercritical fluid technologies, and biosensor integration in packaging. Her work bridges environmental sustainability with industrial applicability, earning recognition for innovation and scientific excellence.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Emanuela Drago earned her Ph.D. in Chemical, Materials and Process Engineering from the University of Genoa in 2023, focusing on the development of innovative active food packaging biomaterials through eco-friendly technologies. She holds a Master’s degree in Chemical and Process Engineering, where she explored microparticle production via spray drying and computational fluid dynamics simulation. Her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (2015) involved studying functional foods and probiotic applications. Earlier, she completed a Classical Studies high school diploma, enhancing her analytical and multidisciplinary thinking. This robust academic foundation underpins her research in sustainable materials, food packaging, and advanced process engineering.

Experience

Emanuela Drago has amassed diverse research and academic experience in chemical engineering, bioengineering, and materials science. She is currently an RTDA researcher at the University of Genoa and has served as a postdoctoral fellow on systemic resilience models for pandemic-related risk management. Internationally, she was a Visiting Researcher at Imperial College London, developing biodegradable sensors for agri-food applications. Her collaborative projects span sustainable packaging, supercritical fluid processing, and bio-based polymers. She has co-supervised multiple theses, contributed to European Commission-funded initiatives, and served as a reviewer for scientific journals. Her work consistently integrates innovation, sustainability, and industrial problem-solving.

Research Interest

Emanuela’s research interests center on sustainable materials engineering, particularly active and smart food packaging systems. She specializes in biodegradable polymers, supercritical fluid processing, biosensors, and the valorization of agri-food waste into functional materials. Her work explores the interplay between material science and process optimization to enhance packaging performance, food safety, and environmental sustainability. She is also interested in green processing technologies that align with circular economy principles. Beyond packaging, she engages in interdisciplinary research that intersects bioethics, process engineering, and environmental impact assessment, ensuring that her innovations contribute to both technological advancement and societal benefit.

Award

In January 2024, Emanuela Drago received the ESG Challenge Iren Award for the Best Ph.D. Thesis on sustainability and ESG challenges, recognizing her outstanding contribution to developing eco-friendly active packaging solutions. This award highlights her commitment to integrating environmental responsibility into engineering innovation. Her research outcomes not only advance academic knowledge but also provide scalable, industry-ready solutions for food preservation and waste reduction. This achievement underscores her ability to address global sustainability goals through practical and scientifically rigorous methods, positioning her as an emerging leader in sustainable chemical and process engineering.

Publication Top Notes 

Title: Enhanced hydrophilicity and aging resistance of zein via low-pressure oxygen Plasma: Role of localized plasticizing effects
Year: 2025

Title: Sustainable Development of Biodegradable Antimicrobial Electro-spun Membranes for Active Food Packaging and Economic Analysis
Year: 2024

Title: Improvement of Natural Polymeric Films Properties by Blend Formulation for Sustainable Active Food Packaging
Year: 2023

Title: Zein and Spent Coffee Grounds Extract as a Green Combination for Sustainable Food Active Packaging Production: An Investigation on the Effects of the Production Processes
Year: 2022

Title: Unsteadiness and resolution effects in experimentally verified simulations of a spray drying process
Year: 2022

Conclusion

Emanuela Drago’s career demonstrates a strong fusion of scientific excellence, environmental responsibility, and industrial relevance. Her academic achievements, research collaborations, and award-winning work in sustainable food packaging reflect a consistent drive to address pressing global challenges. With expertise spanning materials science, process engineering, and green technologies, she has made significant contributions to advancing the circular economy and food safety. Through publications, international collaborations, and mentorship roles, she continues to inspire innovation in chemical engineering. Her trajectory positions her as a rising leader whose work will have enduring impact on both industry and academia.