Bramhaiah Kommula | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Bramhaiah Kommula | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Bramhaiah Kommula | St. Joseph’s University Bangalore | India

Dr. Bramhaiah Kommula is an accomplished researcher and academic currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. His research embodies a multidisciplinary approach at the intersection of nanomaterials, photochemistry, and sustainable energy, with a focus on developing advanced functional luminescent nanomaterials for energy conversion, storage, and environmental remediation. Dr. Kommula earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Mangalore University in 2018 under the supervision of Dr. Neena S. John at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, where he investigated the “Synthesis and Properties of Graphene-Based Hybrid Materials Employing Chemical Routes.” Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Kommula pursued postdoctoral research at prestigious institutes including IISER Berhampur (2019–2022) with Dr. Santanu Bhattacharyya and IISER Mohali (2022–2024) with Prof. Ujjal K. Gautam. His postdoctoral work focused on the design and engineering of carbon-based nanostructures and their photocatalytic applications in solar fuel generation, hydrogen evolution, and selective organic transformations. He also contributed to the development of metal-free, waste-derived carbon dots and explored their photophysical properties for green hydrogen production, CO₂ reduction, and photoinduced organic catalysis. Dr. Kommula’s current research at St. Joseph’s University integrates nanomaterial synthesis, photophysical studies, and energy applications, emphasizing sustainable approaches to convert plastic waste into high-value carbon dots (CDs) and utilize them as efficient metal-free photocatalysts. Dr. Kommula has also authored several book chapters published by Springer Nature and holds a provisional Indian patent on graphitic carbon dots. Dr. Kommula’s research excellence has been acknowledged through several prestigious fellowships, including Institute Postdoctoral Fellowships from IISER Mohali and IISER Berhampur, and DST Senior and Junior Research Fellowships. His scientific leadership is evident in his ongoing supervision of three Ph.D. students and his submission of major national funding proposals under ANRF and DST schemes aimed at developing sustainable photocatalytic systems for hydrogen and value-added chemical production. Overall, Dr. Bramhaiah Kommula’s research exemplifies innovation-driven science that bridges materials chemistry and renewable energy technologies. His long-term goal is to pioneer eco-friendly nanomaterials that transform environmental waste into useful resources, contributing significantly toward achieving sustainable energy solutions and carbon-neutral technologies for the future.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Kommula, B., & Sriramadasu, V. K. (2025). Room temperature red phosphorescence enabled by alkali treatment in niobium carbide-derived carbon dots. Journal of Luminescence, 274, 121591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2025.121591

Roy, R. S., Sil, S., Mishra, S., Banoo, M., Swarnkar, A., Kommula, B., De, A. K., & Gautam, U. K. (2025). Layer width engineering in carbon nitride for enhanced exciton dissociation and solar fuel generation. ACS Materials Letters, 7(4), 1385–1393.

Mandal, R., Biswal, J. R., Kommula, B., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2025). 2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2‴‐Quaterthiophene nanoparticles and single-walled CNT composite: An organic nanohybrid for solar H₂ production and simultaneous photoreformation of plastic wastes. ChemCatChem, 17(3), e202500307.

Kommula, B., & Gautam, U. K. (2025). A two-step strategy for residue-free chemical conversion of plastic waste to carbon dots: Upscaling and solvent recycling prospects. Carbon, 234, 119960.

Dutta, B., Kommula, B., Kanwar, K., Gautam, U. K., & Sarma, D. (2025). Oxygen-harvesting carbon dot photocatalysts for ambient tandem oxidative synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones. Green Chemistry, 27(1), Article D5GC00962F.

Kommula, B., Kanwar, K., & Gautam, U. K. (2024). Waste polyethylene-derived carbon dots: Administration of metal-free oxidizing agents for tunable properties and photocatalytic hyperactivity. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16(31), 39470–39481.

Jun Liu | Engineering | Best Researcher Award | 13444

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jun Liu | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jun Liu, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jun Liu is an Assistant Professor and Master’s Supervisor in the Department of Thermal Engineering at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Thermophysics from Zhejiang University and specializes in CO₂ capture and utilization, solid waste treatment, multiphase flow and combustion simulation, and pollutant removal technologies. Dr. Liu has led multiple provincial-level research projects and published extensively in SCI and EI-indexed journals. His teaching focuses on boiler principles, operations, and clean combustion technologies.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jun Liu began his academic journey with a solid foundation in engineering and technology. In 2005, he enrolled at Shanxi University, where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Automation under the Department of Information Engineering. This initial exposure to systems control and engineering principles cultivated his interest in energy systems and laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in thermal engineering and environmental research. In 2009, he took a decisive step toward specializing in energy technologies by pursuing a Master’s degree in Fluid Machinery and Engineering at the School of Electric Power, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. Here, he honed his understanding of energy conversion systems, power plant operations, and machinery critical to thermal power generation. His passion for research and academic excellence led him to earn a Ph.D. in Engineering Thermophysics at the prestigious Zhejiang University from 2012 to 2016. This phase of his education sharpened his expertise in combustion processes, thermodynamic systems, and pollutant control, which later became key pillars of his professional and research identity.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Following the completion of his doctorate, Dr. Liu began his professional career at the Xi’an Thermal Power Research Institute Co., Ltd., Suzhou Branch in 2016. In this applied research environment, he gained hands-on experience in industrial-scale power systems and thermal processes, translating academic knowledge into practical solutions. In April 2019, Dr. Liu returned to academia, joining the College of Energy and Power Engineering at the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power as an Assistant Professor and Master’s Supervisor. His return marked a blend of academic vigor and industrial insight, enriching the university’s teaching and research capabilities.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Liu’s research spans several crucial areas within energy and environmental engineering:

  1. CO₂ Capture and Resource Utilization – He leads studies on innovative adsorbent materials and absorption technologies aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

  2. Solid Waste Treatment – His work on incinerator systems and waste-to-energy solutions contributes to sustainable waste management practices.

  3. Multiphase Flow and Combustion Simulation – By modeling combustion processes, he aims to optimize energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

  4. Pollutant Removal – His research explores integrated technologies for removing NOx, SOx, and other harmful emissions from combustion systems.

He has presided over several key provincial research projects, including studies on CO₂ adsorption kinetics, microencapsulated absorbents, and waste heat boiler performance. His work reflects a deep commitment

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

to both scientific innovation and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Liu’s contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards:

  • 🥇 First Prize, Boiler Science and Technology Award (2023), for his contributions to power generation technology for large mechanical grates.

  • 🥈 Second Prize, Henan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (2022), for his role in developing low-temperature waste heat recovery systems.

  • 🏆 First Prize, Excellent Scientific and Technological Paper Award by the Henan Province Office of Education (2021).

These accolades underscore his impactful research and its relevance to both academia and industry.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Liu has authored multiple peer-reviewed papers in SCI and EI indexed journals, reflecting the scientific merit and practical application of his research. His publication in Waste Management on flue gas recirculation and NOx emission control is especially noteworthy in the context of sustainable waste-to-energy practices. Moreover, his work influences not only fellow researchers but also policymakers and industry professionals seeking advanced environmental solutions. As a committed educator, he imparts knowledge through courses like Boiler Principle, Boiler Operation, and Clean Combustion and Pollutant Control. His teaching integrates the latest research findings, ensuring that students are prepared for real-world energy challenges.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Dr. Liu is poised to continue making substantial contributions to the fields of clean energy and environmental protection. His interdisciplinary approach, combining engineering thermophysics, environmental science, and applied technology, equips him to tackle emerging challenges such as carbon neutrality, smart power systems, and circular economy strategies for waste management. He is also likely to mentor the next generation of researchers, fostering innovation through student supervision, collaborative projects, and academic outreach. As climate concerns and energy demands rise globally, Dr. Liu’s expertise will remain critical in shaping sustainable technological pathways for the future.

📄 Publication Top Notes

Research Progress on the Occurrence Characteristics of AAEM Elements in Zhundong Coal

Author: W., Wang, Wei, X., Guo, Xinwei, X., Wu, Xiaojiang, … C., Fan, Cunjiang, L., Zhuo, Lanting

Journal: Dongli Gongcheng Xuebao /Journal of Chinese Society of Power Engineering

Year: 2025

The effect of air distribution on the characteristics of waste combustion and NO generation in a grate incinerator

Author:  J., Liu, Jun, Z., Xie, Zheng, B., Guo, Bingyu, … L., Bai, Li, J., Long, Jisheng

Journal: Journal of the Energy Institute .,

Year: 2024