Mr. Chibuzo Nwabufo Okwuosa | Fault Detection | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Chibuzo Nwabufo Okwuosa | Fault Detection | Best Researcher Award

Kumoh National Institute of Technology, South Korea.

Okwuosa Chibuzo Nwabufo is a Research Ph.D. Scholar at Kumoh National Institute of Technology 🇰🇷, South Korea, specializing in Mechanical Engineering. With a strong foundation in machine learning, deep learning, and real-time fault diagnostics, his work emphasizes bridging theoretical innovation with industrial application. Chibuzo is passionate about Prognostics and Health Management (PHM), Explainable AI (XAI), and digital twin technologies, aiming to create smart, AI-driven maintenance systems for next-generation industries.

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🎓 Education

Chibuzo earned both his Master’s and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Kumoh National Institute of Technology, South Korea. His academic focus has been consistently rooted in intelligent fault diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring technologies.

💼 Experience

With over four completed and two ongoing research projects, Chibuzo has hands-on experience in both academia and industry. Notable projects include real-time diagnostics for diaphragm pumps, fault analysis in induction motors, and zinc phosphating coating processes. He has collaborated on industry-sponsored projects and led initiatives involving advanced data-driven solutions for predictive maintenance.

🔬 Research Interests

His key research domains include:

🔧 Prognostics and Health Management (PHM)

🤖 Machine Learning & Deep Learning

🧠 Explainable AI (XAI)

🌐 Digital Twin Technologies

⚙️ Real-time Fault Diagnostics

🏆 Awards & Grants

Chibuzo’s research has been supported by prestigious Korean government grants:

IITP Innovative Human Resource Development for Local Intellectualization

ITRC Program (MSIT, Korea)
These grants facilitated collaborations with industry leaders and funded cutting-edge research in diagnostics and manufacturing innovation.

📚 Selected Publications

🆕 Optimizing Defect Detection on Glossy and Curved Surfaces Using Deep Learning and Advanced Imaging Systems

📅 2025-04-13 | Sensors
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/s25082449
👨‍🔬 Contributors: Joung-Hwan Yoon, Chibuzo Nwabufo Okwuosa, Nnamdi Chukwunweike Aronwora, Jang-Wook Hur
📌 Application of deep learning and high-resolution imaging for defect detection on challenging industrial surfaces.


⚙️ A Spectral-Based Blade Fault Detection in Shot Blast Machines with XGBoost and Feature Importance

📅 2024-10-09 | Journal of Sensor and Actuator Networks
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/jsan13050064
👨‍🔬 Contributors: Joon-Hyuk Lee, Chibuzo Nwabufo Okwuosa, Baek Cheon Shin, Jang-Wook Hur
📌 Fault detection in mechanical components using spectral features and XGBoost.


🔍 Transformer Core Fault Diagnosis via Current Signal Analysis with Pearson Correlation Feature Selection

📅 2024-02-29 | Electronics
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/electronics13050926
👨‍🔬 Contributors: Daryl Domingo, Akeem Bayo Kareem, Chibuzo Nwabufo Okwuosa, Paul Michael Custodio, Jang-Wook Hur
📌 Intelligent transformer fault diagnosis using statistical signal analysis and feature engineering.


Enhancing Transformer Core Fault Diagnosis and Classification through Hilbert Transform Analysis of Electric Current Signals

📅 2024-01-18 | Preprint
🔗 DOI: 10.20944/preprints202401.1371.v1
👨‍🔬 Contributors: Daryl Domingo, Akeem Bayo Kareem, Chibuzo Nwabufo Okwuosa, Paul Michael Custodio, Jang-Wook Hur
📌 Preprint focusing on enhanced signal processing for electrical fault classification.


🧠 An Intelligent Hybrid Feature Selection Approach for SCIM Inter-Turn Fault Classification at Minor Load Conditions Using Supervised Learning

📅 2023 | IEEE Access
🔗 DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3266865
👨‍🔬 Contributors: Chibuzo Nwabufo Okwuosa, Jang-Wook Hur
📌 Machine learning-based fault classification in squirrel cage induction motors under low-load conditions.

 

 

 

Dr. Eider Barba | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Eider Barba | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain.

Dr. Eider Barba Balda is a dedicated professional in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, with a disciplined and efficient approach to teaching and research. With over four years of experience in physical training for sports teams and a passion for optimizing athlete performance, she is currently developing her doctoral thesis on sleep optimization for professional athletes. Her commitment to education, innovation, and excellence defines her as a leader in the field of sports sciences.

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Education 🎓

Eider Barba Balda’s educational journey reflects her unwavering commitment to advancing expertise in sports sciences and athlete performance. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sports Sciences at UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, where her research focuses on optimizing sleep for improved athletic performance. Alongside her doctoral studies, she is engaged in an Advanced Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition (online), emphasizing healthy eating trends tailored for athletes. Eider holds a Master’s in Physical and Sports Activity Science (2021) from UPV/EHU, specializing in research on sports performance, and a Degree in Physical and Depth Activity Sciences (2020) from the same institution, where she earned an academic excellence award. Additionally, she is pursuing a Master in Resistance Training (online, MSA Training), honing her expertise in endurance sports. This diverse academic foundation underscores her dedication to integrating scientific knowledge with practical applications in sports training and nutrition.

Professional Experience 🏅

Eider Barba Balda’s professional experience showcases her specialization in physical training and her dedication to advancing sports performance. As a Physical Trainer at Real Sociedad Fútbol S.A.D. (2020–2024), she has focused on optimizing performance for professional rowing athletes. Her expertise extends to youth training, having served as a Trainer at Urkirolak (2018–2019), where she taught rowing techniques to children and adolescents in various categories. Additionally, she has contributed as an Assistant Fitness Trainer, supporting training programs for men's first teams and women's youth teams. Eider’s role as a Research Collaborator in R&D projects reflects her commitment to integrating innovation and scientific advancements into the sports field.

Research Interests 🔬

💤 Sleep and Recovery Strategies

Eider's research delves into optimizing athlete performance by enhancing recovery through sleep. Her doctoral thesis focuses on the pivotal role of sleep in improving physical and mental performance for professional athletes.

🏋️‍♀️ Sports Performance Enhancement

Eider specializes in methods to enhance sports performance, including training load management and competition strategies, particularly for rowing athletes and team sports.

🥗 Dietary and Nutritional Interventions

With a focus on dietary trends and nutritional science, Eider researches how balanced nutrition and diet optimization impact athlete well-being and performance.

🏃‍♂️ Endurance Training Methodologies

Eider is passionate about endurance sports, studying techniques to improve stamina and long-term athletic output, which is evident in her ongoing Master’s in Resistance Training.

🧩 Bridging Research and Practice

Eider strives to connect academic insights with real-world applications, ensuring that her findings contribute directly to advancing professional sports training and athlete care.

Awards 🏆

Academic Excellence Award (2020): Recognized for outstanding performance during her undergraduate studies in Sports Sciences.

Publications 📚

Comparison of External Load During Pre-Match Warm-Up Among Different Age Categories From the Same Football Professional Club, Journal: Kinesiology (2024), Contributors: David Casamichana, Eider Barba, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura, Oier Agirrezabalaga, Julen Castellano. Link

Match Peak Speeds, Maximum Accelerations, and Maximum Decelerations Differ in Young Football Players: Expression of Maximal Capacities is Dependent on Match Context, Journal: Sport Sciences for Health (June 2024), Contributors: Hugo Silva, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura. Link

 

 

Dr. Mohammad Reza Samadi | Manufacturing |  Best Faculty Award

Dr. Mohammad Reza Samadi | Manufacturing |  Best Faculty Award

Faculty of Mechanics Department, Technical and Vocational University, Tehran, Iran

Dr. Mohammad Reza Samadi is an esteemed academic and researcher in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Manufacturing and Production. Holding a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, he has extensive experience in areas like welding, non-destructive testing (NDT), and advanced manufacturing processes. His impressive portfolio includes numerous certifications in Biotechnology, Materials and Metallurgy, and Industrial Inspection. As an award-winning researcher, Dr. Samadi has contributed significantly to the academic and industrial spheres through his research in nanocomposites, friction stir welding, and laser welding.

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Education🎓

Dr. Mohammad Reza Samadi completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Manufacturing and Production, solidifying his expertise in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. He also holds various international certifications in Biotechnology, Materials and Metallurgy, and Industrial Inspection, demonstrating his commitment to continuous professional development in the field of engineering.

Experience💼

With years of academic and industry experience, Dr. Samadi has excelled in research and teaching. He has authored several textbooks on welding processes, which are widely used in vocational and technical universities for training future engineers. His contributions extend beyond academia, as he is also engaged in applied research projects that enhance industrial manufacturing processes. Additionally, Dr. Samadi serves as a judge and reviewer for scientific conferences and technological projects, further cementing his role as a leader in the academic community.

Research Interests🔬

Welding & Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)🛠️
A significant portion of Dr. Samadi’s research focuses on welding processes, aiming to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, his work on non-destructive testing (NDT) seeks to advance the ability to assess the integrity of materials without damaging them, ensuring that manufactured products meet stringent safety and quality standards.

Nanocomposites in Manufacturing🔬
Dr. Samadi explores the application of nanocomposites, materials that combine nanoparticles with polymers or metals to create superior materials with enhanced properties like strength, flexibility, and resistance to wear. His research in this area supports innovations in manufacturing processes, leading to the creation of lighter, stronger, and more durable materials.

Laser Welding Technologies⚙️
Laser welding is another area of interest in Dr. Samadi's research, where he investigates the benefits and challenges of using laser technology for precise, high-quality welding. This technology has applications in industries requiring fine, high-performance manufacturing, including electronics and automotive production.

Bridging Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Applications🔗
Dr. Samadi's interdisciplinary approach bridges the gap between theoretical mechanical engineering and practical industrial applications. His research is not only focused on theoretical advancements but also on their real-world implementation, helping to optimize manufacturing efficiency and improve product quality across a variety of industries.

Awards🏆

Dr. Samadi has been recognized multiple times for his research excellence, including receiving the "Best Researcher" award at both the university and provincial levels.

He has also earned silver medals at international innovation festivals, such as the prestigious Silicon Valley International Festival.

His outstanding contributions to research have been acknowledged globally, with numerous awards for his scientific presentations at national and international conferences.

Publications Top Notes📚

Optimization of FFF process parameters to improve the tensile strength and impact energy of polylactic acid/carbon nanotube composite, Authors: Hardani, H., Afshari, M., Allahyari, F., Afshari, H., Medina, E.M.M. Published in: Polymer Engineering and Science, 2024, 64(10), pp. 5047–5060. Link

Investigation of the effect of sintering process parameters on the corrosion, wear and hardness of W–Cu composite, Authors: Selahshorrad, E., Alavi, S.A., Zangeneh-Madar, K., Yazdanshenas, M., Afshari, M. Published in: Sadhana - Academy Proceedings in Engineering Sciences, 2024, 49(3), 209. Link

Design and optimization of mechanical and electromagnetic properties of GFRP composite, Authors: Talei-Fard, E., Parsa, H., Afshari, M., Samadi, M.R., Afshari, H. Published in: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2024, 35(22), 1514. Link

Optimizing the sintering process parameters for simultaneous improvement of the compression strength, impact strength, hardness and corrosion resistance of W–Cu nanocomposite, Authors: Samadi, M.R., Zeynali, E., Allahyari, F., Zangeneh-Madar, K., Afshari, M. Published in: Modern Physics Letters B, 2024, 38(20), 2450169. Link

Studying the effects of FDM process parameters on the mechanical properties of parts produced from PLA using response surface methodology, Authors: Afshari, H., Taher, F., Alavi, S.A., Samadi, M.R., Allahyari, F. Published in: Colloid and Polymer Science, 2024, 302(6), pp. 955–970. Link