Dr. Vivek Kumar | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vivek Kumar | Best Researcher Award

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi | India

Dr. Vivek Kumar is a physicist at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, School of Physical Sciences, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physics. His research focuses on quantum materials, quantum spin liquids, Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT). Dr. Kumar has made significant contributions to understanding phonon dynamics, fractional spin fluctuations, and quantum liquid behavior in low-dimensional magnetic and topological systems. His notable publications include works in Physical Review B, 2D Materials, Annalen der Physik, and Physica Status Solidi (RRL), exploring complex phenomena such as electron-phonon coupling, Mott transitions, and the interplay of topology with magnetism in van der Waals materials. He has authored 6 research documents, which have collectively garnered 33 citations from 28 sources, reflecting the growing recognition of his contributions within the condensed matter physics community. With an h-index of 4, Dr. Kumar continues to advance the understanding of correlated quantum systems through both experimental Raman studies and first-principles simulations. His research excellence underscores the pursuit of novel states of matter in two-dimensional materials, offering promising directions for future quantum technologies and materials innovation.

Profiles : Google Scholar | Orcid | Scopus

Featured Publications

Kumar, D., Kumar, V., Kumar, R., Kumar, M., & Kumar, P. (2022). Electron-phonon coupling, thermal expansion coefficient, resonance effect, and phonon dynamics in high-quality CVD-grown monolayer and bilayer MoSe₂. Physical Review B, 105(8), 085419. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.105.085419

Kumar, V., Kumar, D., Singh, B., Shemerliuk, Y., Behnami, M., Büchner, B., Aswartham, S., & Kumar, P. (2023). Fluctuating fractionalized spins in quasi-two-dimensional magnetic V₀.₈₅PS₃. Physical Review B, 107(9), 094417. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.107.094417

Singh, B., Kumar, D., Kumar, V., Vogl, M., Wurmehl, S., Aswartham, S., Büchner, B., & Kumar, P. (2021). Fractional spin fluctuations and quantum liquid signature in Gd₂ZnIrO₆. Physical Review B, 104(13), 134402. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.104.134402

Khan, N., Kumar, D., Kumar, V., Shemerliuk, Y., Selter, S., Büchner, B., Pal, K., Aswartham, S., & Kumar, P. (2024). The interplay of topology and antiferromagnetic order in two-dimensional van der Waals crystals of (NiₓFe₁₋ₓ)₂P₂S₆. 2D Materials, 11(3), 035018. https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/ad3e0a

Kumar, V., Shemerliuk, Y., Behnami, M., Büchner, B., Aswartham, S., & Kumar, P. (2025). Dynamics of phonons and magnetic continuum in thin flakes of V(1−X)PS₃. Physical Review Materials, 9(7), 076201. https://doi.org/10.1103/pb66-73sc

Assist. Prof. Dr. Akeem Adewale | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Akeem Adewale | Best Researcher Award

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso | Nigeria

Dr. Akeem Adekunle Adewale is a distinguished materials physicist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pure and Applied Physics at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia, following his M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Physics from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. With a prolific academic career, Dr. Adewale has authored 25 scientific documents, accumulated over 201 citations, and achieved an h-index of 9. His research focuses on computational materials science, density functional theory (DFT), nanotechnology, and optoelectronic and thermoelectric materials modeling. Dr. Adewale’s studies have significantly contributed to understanding the structural, electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of advanced materials such as perovskites, semiconductors, and nanocomposites. His works have been published in reputed journals including Materials Today Communications, Heliyon, Physica Scripta, and Computational Condensed Matter. Prior to his current role, he served as a Lecturer in Physics and Materials Science at Kwara State University, Nigeria. Dr. Adewale continues to advance frontiers in materials modeling for renewable energy and semiconductor technologies. His outstanding contributions to materials research position him as a leading scholar in the field of computational materials science.

Profiles : Scopus | Google Scholar | Research Gate | Orcid

Featured Publications

Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Adam, T., Yusuff, O. K., Ayinde, S. A., & Sanusi, Y. K. (2021). First principles calculations of structural, electronic, mechanical and thermoelectric properties of cubic ATiO3 (A= Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) perovskite oxide. Computational Condensed Matter, 28, e00562.

Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Adam, T., Joshua, T. M., & Durowoju, M. O. (2021). Optoelectronic behavior of ZnS compound and its alloy: A first principle approach. Materials Today Communications, 27, 102077.

Olatomiwa, A. L., Adam, T., Edet, C. O., Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Mohammed, M., Gopinath, S. C. B., & Hashim, U. (2023). Recent advances in density functional theory approach for optoelectronics properties of graphene. Heliyon, 9(3), e14279.

Sholagberu, A. A., Yahya, W. A., & Adewale, A. A. (2022). Pressure effects on the opto-electronic and mechanical properties of the double perovskite Cs₂AgInCl₆. Physica Scripta, 97(8), 085824.

Adewale, A. A., Chik, A., Zaki, R. M., Che Pa, F., Keat, Y. C., & Jamil, N. H. (2018). Thermoelectric transport properties of SrTiO₃ doped with Pm. Solid State Phenomena, 280, 3–8.

Yahya, W., Yahaya, A. A., Adewale, A. A., Sholagberu, A. A., & Olasunkanmi, N. K. (2023). A DFT study of optoelectronic, elastic and thermo-electric properties of the double perovskites Rb₂SeX₆ (X=Br, Cl). Journal of the Nigerian Society of Physical Sciences, 1418–1418.

Dr. Kousik Bera | Best Paper Award

Dr. Kousik Bera | Best Paper Award

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | India

Dr. Kousik Bera is a research scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, specializing in condensed matter physics, quantum materials, and spectroscopic techniques. He has authored 11 peer-reviewed publications, achieving over 45 citations with an h-index of 4, reflecting the quality and influence of his research. His work integrates Raman spectroscopy, ultrafast nonlinear optics, and quantum photonics to address key challenges in material science and quantum technology. Dr. Bera’s studies on wafer-scale hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) films have provided critical insights into the role of defects, wrinkles, and impurities in thermal transport, with implications for next-generation nanoelectronic devices. He has also contributed to the development of polarization-entangled photon sources using type-0 PPKTP crystals, advancing quantum communication and cryptography. His collaborative publications in Physical Review B, Journal of Applied Physics, Nanotechnology, Optical Materials, and Optics Communications highlight his multidisciplinary approach. With strong expertise in 2D materials, superconductivity, and quantum criticality, Dr. Bera’s research is paving the way for breakthroughs in photonic devices and quantum technologies. His academic productivity and impactful contributions make him a promising candidate for recognition and awards in physics and materials research.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publications

Bright source of degenerate polarization-entangled photons using type-0 PPKTP crystal: Effects of accidental coincidences
Optics Communications, 2025 – Demonstrated a high-brightness entangled photon source, relevant for quantum communication and cryptography.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering-based sensing and ultrafast nonlinear optical properties of silver–hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposites achieved by femtosecond laser ablation
Optical Materials, 2024 – Reported novel nanocomposites with enhanced SERS activity and nonlinear optical response for sensing applications.

Nanostructured bi-metallic Pd–Ag alloy films for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy-based sensing application
Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A, 2024 – Developed bimetallic alloy films for ultrasensitive SERS-based detection.

Decoupling the roles of defects/impurities and wrinkles in thermal conductivity of wafer-scale hBN films
Journal of Applied Physics, 2023 – Provided critical insights into thermal transport mechanisms in large-area hBN films.

Surface-phase superconductivity in a Mg-deficient V-doped MgTi₂O₄ spinel
Physical Review B, 2023 – Investigated unconventional superconductivity and surface effects in spinel oxides.