You Qiang | Nanotechnology for Renewable Energy | Best Faculty Award

Prof. Dr. You Qiang | Nanotechnology for Renewable Energy | Best Faculty Award

Professor | University of Idaho | United States

Dr. You Qiang, a distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of Idaho, has dedicated over four decades to pioneering research in nanoparticles and nanomaterials, with a particular focus on nanoclusters, nanocomposites, and their magnetic, optical, and transport properties. He received his B.S. in Engineering Physics from Hefei University of Technology, China, an M.S. in Physics from Harbin Institute of Technology and the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, and his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Freiburg, Germany. His professional journey includes significant roles as Research Scientist and Senior Scientist at the University of Freiburg, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and since 2002, a progressive career from Assistant to Full Professor at the University of Idaho, where he also holds an adjunct appointment in Nuclear Engineering. Dr. Qiang’s research interests lie in the synthesis and characterization of advanced nanomaterials and their application to nuclear energy, radiation detection, and radioactive waste separation, integrating fundamental physics with practical technological solutions. His research skills span experimental synthesis, advanced spectroscopy, ion irradiation studies, and nanoscale materials characterization, contributing to high-impact publications in JACS, Nanoscale, Environmental Science & Technology, Advanced Functional Materials, and Journal of Physical Chemistry C. Beyond his scholarly output, he has demonstrated strong leadership as President of the Idaho Academy of Science and Engineering, organizer and chair of multiple international conferences, and editorial board member for leading journals. His dedication to mentorship has been recognized with multiple Alumni Awards for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentorship, underscoring his commitment to training the next generation of scientists. Dr. Qiang’s academic impact is substantial, with his growing recognition reflected in 2,906 citations, 97 documents, and an h-index of 27, demonstrating his influential role in advancing nanomaterials and nuclear energy research.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | LinkedIn

Featured Publications

1. Haberland, H., Mall, M., Moseler, M., Qiang, Y., Reiners, T., & Thurner, Y. (1994). Filling of micron‐sized contact holes with copper by energetic cluster impact. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, 12(5), 2925–2930. Cited by: 540

2. Wang, C. M., Baer, D. R., Thomas, L. E., Amonette, J. E., Antony, J., & Qiang, Y. (2005). Void formation during early stages of passivation: Initial oxidation of iron nanoparticles at room temperature. Journal of Applied Physics, 98(9), 094308. Cited by: 331

3. Wang, C., Baer, D. R., Amonette, J. E., Engelhard, M. H., Antony, J., & Qiang, Y. (2009). Morphology and electronic structure of the oxide shell on the surface of iron nanoparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(25), 8824–8832. Cited by: 290

4. Qiang, Y., Antony, J., Sharma, A., Nutting, J., Sikes, D., & Meyer, D. (2006). Iron/iron oxide core-shell nanoclusters for biomedical applications. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 8(3), 489–496. Cited by: 262

5. Baer, D. R., Amonette, J. E., Engelhard, M. H., Gaspar, D. J., Karakoti, A. S., Kuchibhatla, S. V. N. T., & Qiang, Y. (2008). Characterization challenges for nanomaterials. Surface and Interface Analysis, 40(3–4), 529–537. Cited by: 189

Jun Seo Kim | Nanotechnology for Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Jun Seo Kim | Nanotechnology for Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Graduate Researcher | Gachon University | South Korea

Mr. Jun Seo Kim is a Graduate Researcher at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Gachon University, South Korea, specializing in perovskite-based optoelectronic devices. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree with a focus on developing cesium-controlled triple-cation perovskite thin films for next-generation deep-ultraviolet (DUV) photodetectors. His professional experience includes extensive hands-on work in solution processing, thin-film deposition, and advanced characterization techniques such as XRD, UV–vis spectroscopy, and electrical performance measurements, which have enabled him to design and validate scalable processes for stable perovskite devices. His research interests include mixed-cation perovskite stability, photolithography-free patterning for UVC sensing applications, and improving material performance for industrial safety and optoelectronic applications. Mr. Jun Seo has authored an SCI-indexed journal article in MDPI Applied Sciences, demonstrating significant improvements in device stability and sensing performance through an innovative two-step post-treatment process. His ongoing project explores photolithography-free patterning techniques for perovskite thin films, aiming to simplify device fabrication and broaden practical applications. Although early in his academic career, Mr. Jun Seo has shown strong research potential by successfully bridging materials science and device engineering. He is actively preparing further publications, aiming for Q1-indexed journals and expanded international collaborations to enhance his global research impact. Awards and honors include recognition for his high-quality research contribution through acceptance in a reputable SCI journal at the master’s level, showcasing his commitment to advancing optoelectronics research. Mr. Jun Seo aspires to continue his academic journey toward a Ph.D., focusing on scalable perovskite device technologies, mentorship of junior researchers, and contributing to international conferences.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publication

1. Kim, J. S., Kim, S., & Choi, H. W. (2025). The effect of Cs-controlled triple-cation perovskite on improving the sensing performance of deep-ultraviolet photodetectors. Applied Sciences, 15(14), 7982.

Bawoke Mekuye Getnet | Nanotechnology for Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Bawoke Mekuye Getnet | Nanotechnology for Renewable Energy | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer | Mekdela Amba University | Ethiopia

Dr. Bawoke Mekuye Getnet is an Ethiopian physicist, lecturer, and researcher known for his impactful contributions to condensed matter physics, nanoscience, nanomaterials, and diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS). He holds a B.Sc. in Physics from Dilla University and an M.Sc. in Physics from Debre Markos University, building a strong foundation in theoretical and computational physics. He serves as Lecturer and Coordinator of the College of Natural and Computational Sciences at Mekdela Amba University, where he leads academic coordination and teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students, drawing on earlier experience as a secondary school physics teacher that shaped his passion for inspiring future scientists. His research spans computational modeling of high Curie temperature in ferromagnetic semiconductors, size-dependent optical properties of nanomaterials, energy system dynamics, and antibacterial mechanisms of metallic nanoparticles, supported by expertise in Python, MATLAB, dielectric function analysis, nanomaterial simulations, scientific writing, and peer review. Dr. Bawoke has published in leading journals such as Nano Select, Frontiers in Physics, Energy Science & Engineering, Advances in Condensed Matter Physics, and IET Nanobiotechnology, contributed book chapters and systematic reviews, and serves as a peer reviewer for prominent journals including ACS Omega and Solid State Communications. Beyond research, he has conducted teacher training programs, delivered software workshops for physics graduates, and presented at major conferences on computational investigations of ferromagnetic semiconductors. His honors include the prestigious Best Researcher Award (International Top Research Award) in recognition of his commitment to advancing physics research and education. Dedicated to promoting innovation, knowledge sharing, and capacity building in Ethiopia and beyond, Dr. Bawoke aspires to expand Q1 journal publications, foster global research collaborations, and engage as a keynote speaker and editorial board member, positioning him to play a transformative role in nanotechnology, semiconductor physics, and energy research while inspiring future generations of researchers.

Profile: Google Scholar | Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile

Featured Publications

Mekuye, B., & Abera, B. (2023). Nanomaterials: An overview of synthesis, classification, characterization, and applications. Nano Select, 4(8), 486–501. Cited by: 501

Mekuye, B. (2023). The impact of size on the optical properties of silver nanoparticles based on dielectric function. Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials Annual Volume 2024. Cited by: 18

Girma, A., Abera, B., Mekuye, B., & Mebratie, G. (2024). Antibacterial activity and mechanisms of action of inorganic nanoparticles against foodborne bacterial pathogens: A systematic review. IET Nanobiotechnology, 2024(1), 5417924. Cited by: 14

Girma, A., Alamnie, G., Bekele, T., Mebratie, G., Mekuye, B., & Abera, B., et al. (2024). Green-synthesised silver nanoparticles: Antibacterial activity and alternative mechanisms of action to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens: A systematic literature review. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 17(1), 2412601. Cited by: 10

Girma, A., Mebratie, G., Mekuye, B., Abera, B., Bekele, T., & Alamnie, G. (2024). Antibacterial capabilities of metallic nanoparticles and influencing factors. Nano Select, 5(12), e202400049. Cited by: 9