Prof. Stefano Columbu | Best Research Article Award

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Prof. Stefano Columbu | Best Research Article Award

University of Cagliari | Italy

Stefano Columbu, Associate Professor at the University of Cagliari, is a distinguished researcher recognized with the Best Research Article Award for his contributions to mineralogy, petrography, geochemistry, and cultural heritage conservation. He has authored over 150 publications, including more than 90 in indexed international journals, with an H-index of 24, over 1,100 citations, and 50 Scopus-indexed documents.Dr. Columbu’s research focuses on the geochemical, mineralogical, and petrographic characterization of geomaterials, petroarchaeometric studies of archaeological artifacts, and the development of sustainable materials for restoration of historic monuments. He has conducted in-depth studies at key sites such as Villa Adriana, Tharros, Nora, and Forum Traiani, providing insights into the provenance, composition, and durability of ancient building materials.As a leader in national and international projects funded by PRIN, INTERREG, PON-AIM, and RAS L.7/2007, Dr. Columbu has advanced heritage science through innovative, non-destructive analytical methods. He also teaches courses in mining georesources, petroarchaeometry, and cultural heritage conservation, mentoring the next generation of geoscientists.The Stefano Columbu Best Research Article Award honors his exceptional research, high-impact publications, and contributions to preserving cultural heritage with scientifically rigorous and sustainable approaches.

Profiles :  Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Ramacciotti, M., Gallello, G., Columbu, S., Fancello, D., Díez-Castillo, A., García-Puchol, O., Pastor, A., & Cervera, M. L. (2023). Smartphone photos as a non-destructive approach to characterise siliceous artefacts. Science & Technology of Archaeological Research, 9(1), 1–15.

Montesano, G., Verde, M., Columbu, S., Graziano, S. F., Guerriero, L., Iadanza, M. L., Manna, A., Rispoli, C., & Cappelletti, P. (2022). Ancient Roman mortars from Anfiteatro Flavio (Pozzuoli, Southern Italy): A mineralogical, petrographic and chemical study. Coatings, 12(11), 1712.

Columbu, S., Depalmas, A., Brodu, G., Gallello, G., & Fancello, D. (2022). Mining exploration, raw materials and production technologies of mortars in the different civilization periods in Menorca Island (Spain). Minerals, 12(2), 218.

Columbu, S., Picchizzolu, G. M. F., & Cazzani, A. (2020). The construction materials and static-structural aspects of the Budello tower (Teulada, southwest Sardinia, Italy). In Proceedings of FORTMED 2020 (pp. 1–8).

Buosi, C., Columbu, S., Ennas, G., Pittau, P., & Scanu, G. G. (2019). Mineralogical, petrographic, and physical investigations on fossiliferous Middle Jurassic sandstones from central Sardinia (Italy) to define their alteration and experimental consolidation. Geoheritage, 11, 1417–1433.

Mr. Asif Khan | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Asif Khan | Best Researcher Award

University of Science and Technology Bannu KPK  | Pakistan

Dr. Asif Nawaz Khan is a Pakistani physicist and lecturer at the University of Science and Technology Bannu (USTB), specializing in computational materials science. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics at USTB, after completing an M.Phil. from Gomal University and an M.Sc. from Kohat University. Since 2009, he has been actively involved in teaching, supervising BS and M.Phil students, and guiding research in computational simulations and solar cell device modeling. His research focuses on the design and analysis of lead-free perovskite materials (3D and 2D) and their structural, optical, thermoelectric, elastic, thermodynamic, and phonon properties, along with molecular dynamics studies. He employs advanced simulation tools including WIEN2k, Quantum Espresso, CASTEP, and SCAPS-1D, and applies machine learning techniques for material property prediction. Dr. Khan has co-authored multiple high-impact publications, currently holding an h-index of 3 with 38 citations, reflecting his contributions to clean energy materials and sustainable photovoltaics. His work advances the understanding and development of efficient, stable, and multifunctional energy materials. Overall, Dr. Khan is committed to advancing computational materials research and training the next generation of scientists in energy and optoelectronic applications.

Profile : Google Scholar  

Featured Publications

Khan, A., Khan, N. U., Nawaz, A., Ullah, K., & Manan, A. (2024). A DFT study to explore structural, electronic, optical and mechanical properties of lead-free Na₂MoXO₆ (X= Si, Ge, Sn) double perovskites for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, 1240, 114834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comptc.2024.114834

Hosen, A., Mousa, A. A., Nemati-Kande, E., Khan, A. N., Abu-Jafar, M. S., … (2025). Systematic computational screening and design of double perovskites Q₂LiMH₆ (Q= K, Rb; M= Ga, In, Tl) for efficient hydrogen storage: A DFT and AIMD approach. Surfaces and Interfaces, 106608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2025.106608

Khan, A. N., Rabhi, S., Jehangir, M. A., Charif, R., Khan, N. U., Begagra, A., … (2025). Evaluating A₂SrGeI₆ (A= K and Rb) lead-free double perovskites: Structural, elastic, and optoelectronic insights for clean energy. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 174, 113949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2025.113949

Khan, N. U., Ghani, U., Khan, A., Khan, A. N., Ullah, K., Ali, R., & Fadhali, M. M. (2025). Theoretical insight into stabilities and optoelectronic properties of RbZnX₃ (X=Cl, Br) halide perovskites for energy conversion applications. Optical and Quantum Electronics, 57(1), 109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-025-04789-1

Rabhi, S., Khan, A. N., Chinoune, O., Charif, R., Bouri, N., Al-Qaisi, S., … (2025). Insight into NaSiCl₃: A lead-free perovskite for the next generation revealed by DFT and SCAPS-1D. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 27(25), 13490–13507. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CP02345A

Dr. Dahai Zheng | Innovative Research Award

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Dr. Dahai Zheng | Innovative Research Award

China University of Mining and Technology | China 

Dr. Dahai Zheng is an emerging researcher in environmental and energy engineering, currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu. He earned his Doctoral degree from the Beijing University of Technology in 2023, where he specialized in the field of environmental and energy systems. Earlier, he completed his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Technology from the China University of Mining and Technology in 2018 and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Safety from the North China Institute of Science and Technology in 2015. Dr. Zheng’s research focuses on solid waste management, including waste tire and waste plastic recycling, as well as process optimization for sustainable waste-to-energy technologies. He has authored 2 publications that have collectively received 42 citations, with an h-index of 1, reflecting his growing influence in the field of waste resource utilization. His recent work, published in the International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization (2023), investigates performance optimization in heavy-medium separation for steam coal. Dr. Zheng’s research contributes to the development of cleaner and more efficient waste treatment technologies. He is dedicated to advancing sustainable resource recovery and environmental protection through innovative engineering solutions.

Profiles : Orcid | Scopus

Featured Publications

Zheng, D., et al. (2023). Optimization of performance parameters and investigation of the heavy-medium separation column for the separation of 3–13 mm steam coal. International Journal of Coal Preparation and Utilization.