Iman Asadi | Engineering | Best Paper Award

Dr. Iman Asadi | Engineering| Best Paper Award

Dr. Iman Asadi | University for Continuing Education Krems |Austria

Dr. Iman Asadi, Ph.D., is a committed and multifaceted researcher in the built environment and materials science, currently advancing the field as a Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in Austria and a Visiting Researcher in Australia. Rooted in a solid foundation in mechanical engineering, Dr. Asadi has cultivated expertise spanning thermal behavior of cementitious materials, indoor environmental quality, and the integration of sustainable and waste-derived components into construction practices. Driven by a passion for merging experimental rigor with sustainable innovation, Dr. Asadi pursues interdisciplinary projects across continents, contributing to greener building systems through both applied research and scholarly collaboration..

Profile

Googlescholar

Education

Dr. Asadi’s academic trajectory began with a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree earned at Azad University of Iran, laying a strong technical foundation in thermofluid systems. The pursuit of specialized knowledge continued with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University Tenaga Nasional in Malaysia, where the focus was on indoor environmental quality consciousness in air-conditioned buildings. Culminating with a Ph.D. in Building Science and Performance from University of Malaya, Dr. Asadi’s doctoral research rigorously evaluated the thermal properties of cementitious mortars incorporating sustainable byproducts, thereby bridging fundamentals of heat transfer with sustainable material development.

Experience

Dr. Asadi’s professional path weaves across academia and applied research. After roles as mechanical designer and research assistant in Iran and Malaysia, he progressed to postdoctoral positions including at the University of Tehran, emphasizing building envelope thermal dynamics and energy modeling. At NTNU in Norway, he explored porosity in cement-based materials via CT scanning and analyzed freeze–thaw durability in sustainable concrete. Since mid-2023, he has served as a Senior Postdoc in Krems, Austria, overseeing projects in manure phosphorus analytics and silicon recovery from photovoltaic panels, and since late 2024, he has expanded his research scope as a Visiting Researcher in Melbourne, Australia, focusing on fire-resistant and phase change materials.

Research Interests

Dr. Asadi’s research lies the thermal characterization and sustainability of cement-based materials, emphasizing the integration of industrial byproducts and PCMs to optimize building performance. His interests include the microscopic and macroscopic porosity of mortars, analyzed through CT-based 3D image processing, as well as heat-transfer phenomena in cementitious media. He is deeply invested in innovating resilient building envelopes, improving indoor environmental quality, and pioneering circular-economy approaches—such as phosphorus recovery and silicon recycling—while advancing methods to assess and enhance material durability, environmental impact, and thermal efficiency.

Awards

Dr. Asadi’s innovative research has been recognized through multiple prestigious accolades. His proposal on geopolymer composites incorporating waste and PCMs earned the European Commission’s Seal of Excellence in consecutive years, underscoring its high scientific and societal merit. Earlier, his inventive work in Malaysia was celebrated with gold awards at both the international research innovation exposition and the invention, design, and innovation competition. Additionally, he was a winner of his university’s three-minute thesis contest and has been supported by national and university-level research grants, including from the National Elites Foundation of Iran and various Malaysian funding bodies.

Publications Top Notes

Thermal conductivity of concrete – A review

Journal: Journal of Building Engineering
Authors: I. Asadi, P. Shafigh, Z.F.B.A. Hassan, N.B. Mahyuddin

Concrete as a thermal mass material for building applications – A review

Journal: Journal of Building Engineering
Authors: P. Shafigh, I. Asadi, N.B. Mahyuddin

Thermal properties of cement mortar with different mix proportions

Journal: Materiales de Construcción
Authors: P. Shafigh, I. Asadi, A.R. Akhiani, N.B. Mahyuddin, M. Hashemi

A review on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy consumption in building based on occupant behavior

Journal: Facilities
Authors: I. Asadi, N. Mahyuddin, P. Shafigh

Drying shrinkage properties of expanded polystyrene (EPS) lightweight aggregate concrete: A review

Journal: Case Studies in Construction Materials
Authors: M. Maghfouri, V. Alimohammadi, R. Gupta, M. Saberian, P. Azarsa

Conclusion

Dr. Iman Asadi exemplifies the modern researcher: globally mobile, deeply interdisciplinary, and observant of both micro-scale physical processes and macro-scale sustainability challenges. With a rich background in mechanical and building sciences, he seamlessly merges experimental materials work—such as thermal testing and CT image-based porosity analysis—with applications ranging from environmental quality improvements to resource-recycling innovations. His recognized achievements, international collaborations, and robust publication record position him as an influential contributor to evolving sustainable and resilient built-environment solutions.

Yunyun Liu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yunyun Liu | Environmental Science | Best Researcher Award

Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, China

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Yunyun Liu began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the School of Material Science and Chemical Engineering at Tianjin University of Science and Technology (2003–2007). Her passion for sustainable technologies led her to pursue a Master's degree in Pulp and Paper Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Gaosheng Wang at the same institution, completed in 2010. Her academic pursuit culminated in earning a Doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at South China Agricultural University (2013–2016) under the guidance of Prof. Jun Xie, equipping her with robust interdisciplinary skills combining molecular biology and biomass engineering.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Liu’s professional career took root at the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where she served as a Research Associate in the Biomass Energy Bio-Chemical Conversion Lab from 2010 to 2017. Here, under the mentorship of Prof. Zhenhong Yuan, she honed her expertise in bioenergy research. In 2017, she transitioned into academia, accepting a position as an Associate Professor in the Power Engineering Department at the Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, where she continues to contribute significantly in both teaching and research capacities.

🧪 Research Focus and Scientific Contributions

Dr. Liu’s primary research interests lie in the efficient conversion of biomass and waste resources into biofuels and biomaterials, including biochar. Her work emphasizes biomass pretreatment techniques, high-solids enzymatic hydrolysis, C1 gas fermentation (CO/CO₂) for bioethanol production, and the development of biochar for supercapacitor electrodes. She also integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of these processes. Dr. Liu’s interdisciplinary approach bridges biochemical conversion with sustainability analysis, reflecting her commitment to cleaner, renewable energy solutions.

🧬 Technical Expertise and Methodologies

Throughout her career, Dr. Liu has mastered various conventional and advanced bioconversion techniques. These include thermal chemical processing, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation at high solids concentration, C1 gas utilization, and biochar synthesis and characterization. She is well-versed in process simulation and control, especially in the context of bioethanol fermentation, and proficient in LCA software tools for environmental analysis. Her laboratory acumen is coupled with field-scale experimental knowledge, offering a well-rounded perspective on both fundamental science and applied engineering.

📚 Teaching Experience and Academic Guidance

Since joining Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Dr. Liu has taken on active roles in undergraduate and graduate education, especially in guiding student research projects in energy systems and environmental engineering. Her dedication to academic mentorship has earned her Outstanding Thesis Supervisor Awards in 2025 for both Master's and Undergraduate Theses. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes integrating research with practical applications, fostering critical thinking in students across interdisciplinary boundaries.

🏆 Recognitions and Awards

Dr. Liu’s achievements have been acknowledged through numerous prestigious awards, including the First Prize of the Kudo Award (2016) at the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Research and recognition as an Excellent Doctoral Graduate at South China Agricultural University. She has also been honored multiple times for supervising award-winning theses and has received accolades at national and international conferences on bioenergy and sustainability. Her contributions continue to shape both scientific inquiry and academic mentorship.

📊 Research Projects and Leadership

Dr. Liu has led and contributed to numerous national and provincial research projects. She has been the Principal Investigator (PI) on projects funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province, the Xi'an Science and Technology Bureau, and the State Key Laboratory of Agro-bioresources. These projects focus on topics such as direct biomass-to-liquid fuel conversion, bioethanol process optimization, and rheological studies in enzymatic hydrolysis. Additionally, she has participated in major initiatives under China’s National High-Tech R&D Program (863 Plan) and the National Science and Technology Support Program, demonstrating her capacity for collaborative, high-impact research.

🌍 Academic Impact and Influence

Dr. Liu’s research has had a strong impact on the field of biomass energy technology, particularly in areas related to biofuel production and biochar applications. She has shared her insights at international symposia, such as the International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS) and the International Symposium on Biomass Utilization Technologies. Her academic work is recognized and cited in numerous publications, and she is actively contributing to the dialogue on renewable energy innovation in China and beyond.

📈 Academic Citations and Publications

While detailed citation metrics are not included here, Dr. Liu’s papers are featured in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, covering topics such as bioethanol process development, biomass enzymatic hydrolysis, and biochar-based energy materials. Her participation in key conferences and forums helps disseminate her work and fosters international collaboration in bioenergy research.

🧑‍🏫 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Liu’s academic and professional trajectory reflects a deep commitment to green technology, renewable energy, and sustainability. She continues to mentor the next generation of engineers and researchers while advancing the frontier of waste-to-energy conversion technologies. Her focus on life cycle environmental impact, coupled with her cross-disciplinary expertise, ensures that her work will contribute meaningfully to achieving China’s carbon neutrality goals and the global transition toward sustainable energy systems.

Selected Publications

  • Title: Life cycle environmental impact assessment of microalgae biodiesel derived from different processes
    Authors: Yunyun Liu, Rundong Xia, Yujing Wang, et al.
    Journal: Industrial Crops & Products
    Year: 2025

  • Title: Efficient bamboo biorefining based on liquid hot water pretreatment: Co-production of xylo-oligosaccharides and lignin-containing cellulose nanofiber films
    Authors: Miaomiao Ju, Yunyun Liu, Xinlong Sun, et al.
    Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
    Year: 2025

  • Title: Interpretable Machine Learning for Optimizing Carbon Source Design to Enhance Bioethanol Yield in Gas Fermentation
    Authors: Yunyun Liu, Chengcheng Feng, Chong Fang, et al.
    Journal: Fuel
    Year: 2025

  • Title: Product characteristics of supercritical water gasification via the preheating of hydrothermal flames: A detailed chemical kinetic simulation
    Authors: Yuejie Zhao, Fengming Zhang, Yunyun Liu, et al.
    Journal: Fuel
    Year: 2025

  • Title: Thermodynamic and exergy assessments of supercritical water gasification of oily sludge assisted by hydrothermal flame
    Authors: Yuxin Qiu, Yunyun Liu, Fengming Zhang, Weiqing Rong
    Journal: Energy
    Year: 2024