Dr. Ali Altuntepe | Hydrogen Energy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ali Altuntepe | Hydrogen Energy | Best Researcher Award

Sivas of Science and Technology university, Turkey.

Dr. Ali Altuntepe is a Turkish researcher and materials scientist specializing in experimental condensed matter physics, thin film technology, and two-dimensional materials. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, his work focuses on hydrogen storage, graphene synthesis, and solar cell enhancement. He is passionate about integrating nanomaterials in renewable energy applications and continues to contribute significantly to the scientific community through numerous high-impact publications and collaborative projects.

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🎓 Education

Dr. Ali Altuntepe has pursued his entire academic journey in Mechanical Engineering at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, where he demonstrated a consistent dedication to advanced research in materials science and energy systems. He recently completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (2019–2024) with an outstanding GPA of 9.74/10.00. His doctoral thesis focused on the "Investigation of Hydrogen Storage Potential of Two-Dimensional Materials, Metal Hydrides, and Their Compositions," reflecting his deep engagement with sustainable and cutting-edge energy technologies. Prior to this, he earned his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (2017–2019), achieving a GPA of 90.09/100, with a thesis centered on the "Synthesis of Doped and Pristine Graphene." His academic foundation was laid with a Bachelor's degree in the same field (2012–2017), where he graduated with a GPA of 3.35/4.00. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Altuntepe has cultivated expertise in nanomaterials, hydrogen storage systems, and graphene synthesis, positioning him as a strong contributor to both academic and applied research in clean energy and material innovation.

🧑‍🏫 Experience

Dr. Altuntepe has extensive experience in thin film synthesis and characterization. His work includes growing doped and pristine graphene, investigating 2D materials like MoS₂, WS₂, LiH, and NaH, and applying these materials in PEM fuel cells and solar cells. He has presented at international conferences and co-authored a book chapter on sustainable materials in solar technology.

🔬 Research Interests

Graphene and TMDs (MoS₂, WS₂) synthesis

Hydrogen storage materials

Solar cell enhancement using 2D materials

Thin film deposition techniques (CVD, PVD, E-beam)

Materials characterization (XRD, SEM, Raman, XPS, etc.)

Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs)

Integration of nanomaterials into composite and optoelectronic systems

🏆 Awards & Achievements

Co-authorship in a prestigious Elsevier publication:
Sustainable Materials Solutions for Solar Energy Technologies (2021)

Oral presentations at international conferences including ICSM and MSNG

High citation record with over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles

📚 Selected Publications

☀️ Advanced Solar Cell Materials

1. Boron Doped Graphene and MoS₂-Based Ultra-Thin Schottky Junction Solar Cell

Journal: Optical Materials (May 2025)
DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2025.116828
Highlights:

Integrates boron-doped graphene with MoS₂ to form an ultra-thin Schottky junction.

Aims to enhance charge transport and light absorption.

Promising for lightweight and high-efficiency PV applications.

2. Nitrogen Doped Single Layer Graphene for CZTS-Based Thin Film Solar Cells

Journal: Optical Materials (2024)
DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2024.115167
Highlights:

Uses nitrogen doping to tune electronic properties of graphene.

Applied in CZTS (Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide) solar cells — known for being earth-abundant and non-toxic.


💨 Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cells

3. Optimizing Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Performance Using Carbon-Based Materials

Journal: Hydrogen (March 2025)
DOI: 10.3390/hydrogen6020022
Highlights:

Studies effects of surface area and pressure on carbon-based hydrogen storage.

Bridges material design with real-world performance in fuel cells.

4. Hydrogen Storage Capacity of Two-Dimensional MoS₂

Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2024)
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.12.120
Highlights:

Focus on MoS₂ for reversible hydrogen storage.

Explores adsorption behavior on 2D surfaces.

5. Investigating Surface Area and Hydrogen Pressure Effects on LiH and NaH

Journal: Journal of Solid State Chemistry (2024)
DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2023.124483
Highlights:

Dives into metal hydrides (LiH and NaH).

Correlates structural properties with storage performance under different pressures.

 

 

Dr. Elitsa Petkucheva | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Elitsa Petkucheva | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

BAS - Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems, Bulgaria.

Dr. Elitsa Petkucheva is a dedicated hydrogen enthusiast committed to advancing clean energy solutions. With a robust background in engineering and a profound understanding of hydrogen fuel cells, she actively collaborates with industry leaders, government officials, and academic researchers to promote hydrogen-based applications across various sectors, including power generation, transportation, and industrial processes.

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🎓 Education

Dr. Elitsa Petkucheva holds an Executive MBA in Energy Management from the Swiss School of Business and Management Geneva, Switzerland, which she completed between March 2022 and May 2024. She earned her Ph.D. in Electrochemistry from the Acad. E. Budevski Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems (IEES) in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she conducted research from September 2013 to May 2018. Prior to that, she obtained an M.Sc. in Hydrogen Technologies from the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (UCTM) in Sofia, Bulgaria, graduating in June 2013. Dr. Petkucheva also holds a B.Sc. in Biotechnologies from UCTM, which she completed between September 2007 and September 2011.​

💼 Experience

Dr. Elitsa Petkucheva is currently serving as a Chief Assistant in Research and Development at the Institute of Electrochemistry and Energy Systems (IEES) within the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, a position she has held since July 2019. Prior to this role, she worked as a Research Assistant at IEES-BAS from September 2017 to July 2019. Additionally, she gained international research experience as a Research Associate at the Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Catalysis (LSCI) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, where she was involved in advanced research from January 2016 to January 2017.​

🔬 Research Interests

Hydrogen technologies

Electrocatalysis

Electrochemistry

Biotechnologies

Development of membrane electrode assemblies for PEM hydrogen systems

🏆 Awards

"Eurika" Foundation Honoree Diploma in the category "Young Inventor" (2021)

"Prof. Hristo Balarev" Award for prominent young scientist in the field of Inorganic Chemistry, Bulgarian Union of Chemists (November 2, 2020)

First Place in the category "Science and/or Technological Development" of the program "The Most Prominent Young People in Bulgaria 2020," part of the international movement Junior Chamber International (JCI) (May 6, 2020)

Acad. M. Drinov Prize 2020 for the best scientist (under 35 years) in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, in the category "Energy Resources and Energy Efficiency"

Zeno Karl Schindler Foundation Doctoral Exchange Grant (2016-2017)

📚 Selected Publications

An unconventional iron-nickel catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
F. Song, M. M. Busch, B. Lassalle-Kaiser, C. S. Hsu, E. Petkucheva, ...
ACS Central Science, 5(3), 558-568 (2019)Citations: 363

Ebonex supported iridium as anode catalyst for PEM water electrolysis
E. Slavcheva, G. Borisov, E. Lefterova, E. Petkucheva, I. Boshnakova
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 40(35), 11356-11361 (2015)Citations: 42

Gold-supported magnetron sputtered Ir thin films as OER catalysts for cost-efficient water electrolysis
E. Petkucheva, G. Borisov, E. Lefterova, J. Heiss, U. Schnakenberg, ...
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 43(35), 16905-16912 (2018)Citations: 29

Highly KOH doped para-polybenzimidazole anion exchange membrane and its performance in Pt/TinO2n−1 catalyzed water electrolysis cell
H. Penchev, G. Borisov, E. Petkucheva, F. Ublekov, V. Sinigersky, I. Radev, ...
Materials Letters, 221, 128-130 (2018)Citations: 13

Co-electrodeposition of iron and sulfur in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes
V. A. Majidzade, S. P. Mammadova, E. S. Petkucheva, E. P. Slavcheva, ...
Bulgarian Chemical Communications, 52, 73-78