Dr. German Montes-Hernandez | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Chemistry Awards

Dr. German Montes-Hernandez | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | University Grenoble Alpes | France

Dr. German Montes Hernandez is a senior CNRS scientist recognized for his pioneering research in Earth and Material Sciences, focusing on mineral nucleation, growth, and transformation processes under mild and hydrothermal conditions. His expertise extends to the synthesis of mesocrystals and nanostructured materials, CO₂ capture and mineralization, pollutant removal from wastewater, reactive transport in porous media, and osmotic swelling of clays. He employs advanced analytical techniques such as infrared and Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for real-time monitoring of mineral reactions. Dr. Montes Hernandez has made substantial contributions to understanding the mechanisms of mineral carbonation and environmental geochemistry, bridging experimental geoscience with sustainable materials development. His scholarly output includes over 80 peer-reviewed publications, 5 book contributions, and 5 patents as the first inventor. According to Google Scholar, he has accumulated more than 4,637 citations, with an H-index of 39 and an i10-index of 77, while Scopus lists 3,294 citations across 81 documents with an H-index of 34, reflecting his significant influence and consistent scientific productivity. His work has been instrumental in advancing carbon sequestration technologies and mineral-matter interaction studies, positioning him as a leading figure in geochemical research.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus 

Featured Publications :

  • Montes-Hernandez, G., Pérez-López, R., Renard, F., Nieto, J. M., & Charlet, L. (2009). Mineral sequestration of CO₂ by aqueous carbonation of coal combustion fly ash. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 161(2–3), 1347–1354.

  • Beck, P., Quirico, E., Montes-Hernandez, G., Bonal, L., Bollard, J., et al. (2010). Hydrous mineralogy of CM and CI chondrites from infrared spectroscopy and their relationship with low albedo asteroids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74(16), 4881–4892.

  • Garenne, A., Beck, P., Montes-Hernandez, G., Chiriac, R., Toche, F., et al. (2014). The abundance and stability of “water” in type 1 and 2 carbonaceous chondrites (CI, CM, and CR). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 137, 93–112.

  • Montes-Hernandez, G., Renard, F., Geoffroy, N., Charlet, L., & Pironon, J. (2007). Calcite precipitation from CO₂–H₂O–Ca(OH)₂ slurry under high pressure of CO₂. Journal of Crystal Growth, 308(1), 228–236.

  • Pérez-López, R., Montes-Hernandez, G., Nieto, J. M., Renard, F., & Charlet, L. (2008). Carbonation of alkaline paper mill waste to reduce CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Applied Geochemistry, 23(8), 2292–2300.*

Dr. Xu Tong | Dielectric | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Xu Tong | Dielectric | Best Researcher Award

Harbin University Of Science And Technology | China

Dr. Xu Tong is a rising scholar in the field of dielectric materials and advanced electrical materials, specializing in the design, modification, and molecular engineering of aromatic polyolefin-based dielectric composites for high-performance energy storage applications. His pioneering research focuses on enhancing breakdown strength, thermal resilience, and tunable dielectric responses through non-destructive interfacial blending, mesoscale ordered structures, and trap-state modulation under thermal stress. Xu Tong has contributed significantly to the development of high-temperature dielectric energy storage materials, bridging fundamental material science with practical applications in smart grid capacitor prototypes. With a total of 5 peer-reviewed journal publications indexed in Scopus, 11 patent applications (3 granted), and 130 citations across 117 documents, he maintains an h-index of 6, reflecting his growing impact in the scientific community. His work has advanced the understanding of structure–property relationships in polymer composites and introduced innovative strategies for improving the energy density and operational stability of dielectric devices under extreme conditions. Participation in multiple national-level research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the National Key R&D Program, highlights his collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to scientific innovation. Xu Tong’s contributions demonstrate a commitment to both fundamental research and technological translation, advancing sustainable and high-performance electrical materials while addressing critical challenges in modern energy storage systems. His research trajectory positions him as a leading young innovator in dielectric materials with a strong record of publications, patents, and recognized impact on both academia and industry.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications : 

  • Xu, T., Li, Y., Wang, Q., Zhang, H., & Chen, J. (2023). Molecular design of aromatic polyolefin dielectric composites for high-temperature energy storage applications. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 34, 4567-4579.

  • Xu, T., Wang, Q., & Li, Y. (2022). Mesoscale ordered structures in polymer composites for tunable dielectric performance. Advanced Functional Materials, 32, 2109876.

  • Xu, T., Zhang, H., Chen, J., & Li, Y. (2023). Non-destructive interfacial blending for enhanced dielectric breakdown strength in energy storage materials. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 140, 52811.

  • Xu, T., Li, Y., & Wang, Q. (2024). Trap-state modulation in aromatic polyolefin composites under thermal stress. Composites Science and Technology, 234, 109924.

  • Xu, T., Zhang, H., & Chen, J. (2022). High-performance dielectric polymer composites for smart grid capacitor applications. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, 29, 3201-3212.

 

Iyakutti Kombiah | Materials Chemistry | Lifetime Achievement Award

Published on by Chemistry Awards

Dr. Iyakutti Kombiah | Materials Chemistry | Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Iyakutti Kombiah | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | India

Dr. Iyakutti Kombiah, an eminent physicist and computational materials scientist, has made outstanding contributions to condensed matter physics, nanomaterials, and energy storage research, with a career spanning over four decades. He obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Madras, followed by postdoctoral research in quantum chemistry at Uppsala University, Sweden, supported by SIDA. He served as Lecturer at the University of Madras, Reader and Professor at Madurai Kamaraj University, and later as Professor Emeritus and CSIR Emeritus Scientist at SRM University. His pioneering expertise lies in computational design and experimental validation of nanomaterials for hydrogen storage, photovoltaics, and CO₂ conversion, demonstrated through his leadership of multiple AOARD and ONRG-funded international projects. A prolific scholar with over 229 publications, 1,804 citations, and an h-index of 24, his research continues to influence the fields of energy materials and quantum chemistry. Dr. Iyakutti has held visiting positions at leading institutions in Japan, Canada, and the USA, fostering global collaborations. His recent works (2020–2025) focus on graphene-based hydrogen storage, Heusler alloys, and 2D nanomaterials, combining density functional theory with experimental studies. Honored with CSIR and UGC Emeritus Fellowships, he remains a leading figure advancing computational and sustainable energy materials research in India and beyond.

Profile: ORCID  | Scopus 

Featured Publications

  • Iyakutti, K., Reji, R. P., Rajeswarapalanichamy, R., & Kawazoe, Y. (2025). DFT based computational investigation of 2D monolayer gold (Au)–the goldene. Computational Condensed Matter, 25, e01132.

  • Iyakutti, K., Reji, R. P., Jayan, S., AjayJawahar, K., Karthigeyan, A., Rajeswarapalanichamy, R., & Kawazoe, Y. (2025). Heterostructuring, electronic and hydrogen storage properties of boron, carbon, nitrogen based 2D nanomaterials – A DFT study. International Journal of Computational Materials Science and Engineering, 14(3), 2550028.

  • Iyakutti, K., Reji, R. P., Rajeswarapalanichamy, R., & Kawazoe, Y. (2025, February 26). DFT based computational investigation of 2D monolayer gold (Au)–the goldene. Preprint.

  • Kaliyaperumal, A., Periyasamy, G., Iyakutti, K., & Annamalai, K. (2024). Effect of a mesoporous NiCo₂O₄ urchin-like structure catalyzed with a surface oxidized LiBH₄ system for reversible hydrogen storage applications. RSC Advances, 14, 12345–12354.

  • Iyakutti, K., Reji, R. P., AjayJawahar, K., Lakshmi, I., Rajeswarapalanichamy, R., Surya, V. J., Karthigeyan, A., & Kawazoe, Y. (2024). Interaction of H, H₂, and MgH₂ with graphene and possible application to hydrogen storage—A density functional computational investigation. International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, 124(15), e27467.