Prof. Dr. Dimitrinka Nikolova | Alkaline Electrolyzes | Innovative Research Award

Institute of Catalysis, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria

Prof. Dr. Dimitrinka Nikolova is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Catalysis, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, with extensive expertise in heterogeneous catalysis and hydrogen energy technologies. Since 2016, he has led the development and industrial implementation of non-noble and base metal anodic catalysts for alkaline fuel cells, alongside advancing cathode catalysts for green ammonia synthesis and bifunctional HER/OER systems. He currently serves as Project Manager of national and international clean hydrogen initiatives, including projects under the Bulgarian National Recovery and Sustainability Plan and collaborations with GenCell Ltd., Israel. As President of the Bulgarian Catalysis Society and member of the Executive Board of the HITMOBIL Centre of Competence, he actively contributes to clean energy innovation and policy-oriented research. His work focuses on nano-sized supported metal and oxide catalysts for environmental protection, hydrogen production, CO conversion, methanation, and sustainable fuel technologies. With a PhD in Chemistry and decades of research experience, he is also a reviewer for leading international journals in catalysis, energy, and hydrogen technologies.

Mr. Yi Cui | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Stanford University, United States.

Mr. YI Cui is a Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University. He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). YI's research delves into the cutting-edge fields of materials science, particularly focusing on phase segregation dynamics in mixed halide perovskites and twisted epitaxial growth of gold nanodiscs in 2D materials. His innovative work has earned him recognition in the field of nanotechnology and energy materials.

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Education 🎓

YI Cui is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, California, under the guidance of Professors Yi Cui and Bob Sinclair (Jan. 2021 - Jun. 2025). Prior to this, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, where he was part of the prestigious Special Class for the Gifted Young, Department of Chemical Physics (Aug. 2016 - Jun. 2020).

Experience 💼

YI Cui has worked on groundbreaking research projects, including studying phase segregation dynamics in mixed halide perovskites using advanced cryo-EM techniques and pioneering twisted epitaxial growth methods for nanodiscs in 2D materials. His projects span from energy materials to nanotechnology, making significant contributions to understanding the behavior of materials at the atomic level. He has gained extensive research experience through collaborations with top professors at Stanford and USTC, focusing on the development of innovative materials for energy applications.

Research Interests 🔬

Phase segregation dynamics in mixed halide perovskites, particularly through cryogenic electron microscopy.

Twisted epitaxial growth of gold nanodiscs within twisted bilayer 2D materials, such as molybdenum disulfide.

Investigation of advanced materials for energy storage, such as lithium metal batteries and solid-state electrolytes.

Developing novel techniques for characterizing and manipulating materials at the atomic and nanoscale.

Publications Top Notes📚

Design Principles of Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphases for Lithium-Metal Anodes, Cell Reports Physical Science, 2020
Contributors: Yu Zhiao, Cui Yi, Bao Zhenan. Link

Transient Voltammetry with Ultramicroelectrodes Reveals the Electron Transfer Kinetics of Lithium Metal Anodes, Adv. Energy Lett., 2020, Contributors: Boyle David, Kong Xian, Pei Allen, Rudnicki Paul, Shi Feifei, Huang William, Bao Zhenan, Qin Jian, Cui Yi. Link

Atomic-level insights into strain effect on p-nitrophenol reduction via Au@Pd core-shell nanocubes as an ideal platform
Journal of Catalysis, 2020-01-01, Contributors: Cui, Yi; Ma, Kaibo; Chen, Zhao; Yang, Jinlong; Geng, Zhigang; Zeng, Jie. Link

Dynamic Structure and Chemistry of the Silicon Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Visualized by Cryogenic Electron Microscopy, Matter, 2019, Contributors: Huang William, Wang Jiangyan, Braun R Michael, Zhang Zewen, Li Yuzhang, Boyle T David, McIntyre C Paul, Cui Yi. Link

Dimitrinka Nikolova | Alkaline Electrolyzes | Innovative Research Award

Prof. Dr. Dimitrinka Nikolova | Alkaline Electrolyzes | Innovative Research Award

Institute of Catalysis, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria

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