Mujahid Aziz | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Mujahid Aziz | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Cape Peninsula University of Technology | South Africa

Professor Mujahid Aziz is a distinguished academic and research leader serving as the Assistant Dean: Learning & Teaching in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in South Africa. In this leadership role, he oversees and enhances academic excellence across eight departments within the faculty, which collectively serve nearly 10,000 students, including a growing cohort of postgraduate scholars. As a champion of academic transformation, Prof. Aziz is deeply committed to promoting innovative teaching practices, curriculum modernization, and student-centered learning within engineering education. His leadership is instrumental in aligning the faculty’s academic strategies with industry relevance, sustainability goals, and the national development agenda. With over 23 years of experience as an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Prof. Aziz has established himself as a transformative educator, researcher, and mentor. His academic journey reflects a sustained dedication to advancing both the theoretical and practical dimensions of environmental and chemical engineering. Throughout his career, he has supervised numerous postgraduate students and contributed to the development of engineering curricula that integrate sustainability, innovation, and applied research. His pedagogical philosophy emphasizes experiential learning and the development of problem-solving skills essential for addressing real-world engineering challenges, particularly in water and environmental systems. As the Principal Investigator of the Environmental Engineering Research Group (EERG), Prof. Aziz leads multidisciplinary research focused on sustainable water and wastewater treatment technologies. His work is internationally recognized, with publications in high-impact journals such as Desalination, MDPI Membranes, MDPI Water, and Environmental Processes. Recent research endeavors have explored cutting-edge methods for biofouling mitigation in polyamide thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes, particularly through polymer grafting and nanoparticle coating. These innovations are pivotal for improving the treatment of municipal bioreactor secondary effluent and enhancing the efficiency and longevity of membrane systems used in desalination and wastewater reuse. Prof. Aziz’s research portfolio is characterized by a strong interdisciplinary approach that bridges materials science, chemical process design, and environmental sustainability. His areas of specialization encompass membrane technology, wastewater reuse, electrochemical and adsorption processes, brine management, and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems. His work addresses critical environmental challenges associated with water scarcity and industrial pollution, offering viable pathways for circular water economies and resource recovery. His pursuit of innovation in micropollutant removal, membrane fouling control, and electro-oxidation for water reuse reflects his vision of achieving sustainable and intelligent environmental engineering solutions. Through his academic leadership, pioneering research, and commitment to mentorship, Prof. Mujahid Aziz continues to make a profound impact on the future of engineering education and sustainable water technology development in South Africa and beyond.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Aziz, M., & Ojumu, T. (2020). Exclusion of estrogenic and androgenic steroid hormones from municipal membrane bioreactor wastewater using UF/NF/RO membranes for water reuse application. Membranes, 10(3), 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10030037

Aziz, M., & Kasongo, G. (2021). The removal of selected inorganics from municipal membrane bioreactor wastewater using UF/NF/RO membranes for water reuse application: A pilot-scale study. Membranes, 11(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11020104

Myburgh, D. P., Aziz, M., Roman, F., Jardim, J., & Chakawa, S. (2019). Removal of COD from industrial biodiesel wastewater using an integrated process: Electrochemical oxidation with IrO₂–Ta₂O₅/Ti anodes and chitosan powder. Environmental Processes, 6(4), 819–840. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40710-019-00393-5

Kasongo, G., Steenberg, C., Morris, B., Kapenda, G., Jacobs, N., & Aziz, M. (2019). Surface grafting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GA) to improve resistance to fouling of aromatic polyamide thin film composite reverse osmosis membranes. Water Practice & Technology, 14(3), 614–624. https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2019.042

Chakawa, S., & Aziz, M. (2021). Investigating the result of current density, temperature, and electrolyte concentration on COD subtraction of petroleum refinery wastewater using response surface methodology. Water, 13(6), 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060835

Aziz, M., & Kasongo, G. (2019). Scaling prevention of thin film composite polyamide reverse osmosis membranes by Zn ions. Desalination, 464, 76–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2019.04.006

Pibo Liu | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award | 13553

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Assoc Prof Dr. Pibo Liu | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Pibo Liu, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pibo Liu, from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a distinguished polymer chemist known for his pioneering work in precision polymerization. With a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and postdoctoral training at KAUST, he has advanced the field through the development of novel catalysts and functional materials. His research on rare-earth and Lewis acid catalysts has led to significant innovations in elastomer and fluorosilicone synthesis. With 38 SCI-indexed publications, 11 patents (4 granted), and active international collaborations, Dr. Liu’s contributions continue to shape the future of high-performance polymer materials.

Author Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Pibo Liu began his academic journey with a strong foundation in polymer science, earning his Ph.D. from Dalian University of Technology, one of China’s most reputable institutions for materials and chemical engineering. During his formative years, he demonstrated a keen interest in macromolecular chemistry and polymer architecture, distinguishing himself through a meticulous approach to scientific inquiry. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for a career dedicated to precision polymerization techniques, emphasizing innovation, scalability, and structural control.

Building upon this robust academic background, Dr. Liu pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Under the mentorship of renowned polymer scientist Professor Nikos Hadjichristidis, he honed his expertise in advanced polymer synthesis methodologies. This international exposure deepened his scientific perspective, provided access to world-class research facilities, and helped establish his identity in the global polymer research community.

Experience

Dr. Liu currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he leads several cutting-edge research projects. His professional trajectory reflects a harmonious blend of academic excellence and applied innovation. At DICP, Dr. Liu heads two major projects: one funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Program) and another under the Youth Innovation Program of the institute.

He has successfully completed three industry projects and is presently engaged in an ongoing corporate partnership, demonstrating his ability to translate academic research into practical industrial solutions. His contributions to academia and industry exemplify a dual commitment to theoretical advancements and technological applicability.

Research Focus

Dr. Liu’s research focuses on the design and development of novel polymerization techniques aimed at producing high-performance, specialty elastomer materials. He has made significant breakthroughs in catalytic polymer chemistry, particularly in the following areas:

  1. ⚙️ Rare-earth catalysts: Developed for controlling monomer sequences in cold-resistant and di-end-functionalized rubbers.

  2. 🌀 Anionic ring-opening polymerization: Devised for creating advanced fluorosilicone rubbers with improved thermal and chemical resistance.

  3. 🧲 Lewis acid catalysts: Enabled the selective ylide polymerization of complex structures like C3 polymers.

His work addresses longstanding challenges in structural control, functionality, and performance of elastomeric materials, offering viable solutions for industries ranging from aerospace to biomedical engineering. These contributions are not only academically valuable but also open pathways for commercial-scale polymer manufacturing.

Award and Recognition

Though early in his career, Dr. Liu’s work has already earned significant recognition. He has:

  • Published 38 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals such as Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Macromolecules, ACS Macro Letters, and Polymer Chemistry.

  • Achieved an H-index of 16 with over 569 citations according to Web of Science.

  • Filed 11 patents, out of which 4 have been granted, showcasing the patentable quality and industrial relevance of his work.

Publications

📘 Construction of PDMS-crosslinked tread composites that feature high energy-saving and anti-thermal oxidative performances – Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing (2025) – Cited by 1 article.
📘 Aluminum-Mediated Polymerization of Allylic Ylides toward α,ω-Functionalized C3 Polymers with Enhanced Nontraditional Intrinsic Luminescence – Macromolecules (2024) – Cited by 1 article.
📘 Synthesis of α,ω-End Functionalized Polydienes: Allylic-Bearing Heteroleptic Aluminums for Selective Alkylation and Transalkylation in Coordinative Chain Transfer Polymerization – Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2024) – Cited by 4 articles.

 

Hengfu Shui | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award | 13551

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Prof Dr. Hengfu Shui | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Hengfu Shui, Anhui University of Technology, China

Prof. Dr. Hengfu Shui is a renowned expert in coal chemistry and organic chemical engineering at Anhui University of Technology, China. With a Ph.D. from East China University of Science & Technology, his research spans coal liquefaction, clean utilization, and coal-derived materials. Over his distinguished career, he has served in multiple leadership roles, including Dean of the School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering and Vice President of the university. Dr. Shui has led and participated in numerous national and international research projects, including NSFC key grants, the 863 and 973 Programs, and Sino-Japanese collaborations. His pioneering work contributes significantly to energy science and chemical engineering.

Author Profile

Scopus

Education

Prof. Dr. Hengfu Shui’s academic journey began with a deep-rooted passion for energy and chemical engineering. In 1983, he entered the East China University of Science & Technology, majoring in Chemical Engineering for Energy Sources. During his undergraduate studies, he explored complex chemical processes, including molecular sieve adsorption and abruption, laying a strong foundation for his future research endeavors. After graduating in 1987, he pursued graduate education at the Anshan Research Institute for Thermal Energy (1990–1992), where he specialized in organic chemical engineering and focused on coal needle coke feedstock preprocessing techniques.

Determined to advance in research, he returned to his alma mater for his doctoral studies (1995–1997), where he developed expertise in solvent deasphalting of residues using mixed C4 solvents and in the modification of paving asphalt — a niche area crucial for the improvement of heavy oil processing and asphalt technology.

Experience

Dr. Hengfu Shui’s academic journey at Anhui University of Technology (AHUT) is a testament to his dedication and leadership in higher education. Beginning his career as a lecturer in 1987, he was promoted to associate professor in 1998 and achieved the rank of full professor by 2002. His administrative acumen and academic vision led him to occupy several key leadership positions within the university, including serving as Dean of the School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering from 2003 to 2012, Director of the Department of Scientific Research from 2012 to 2017, Dean of the Graduate School from 2017 to 2019, and since 2019, Vice President of AHUT. Complementing his domestic achievements, Dr. Shui also broadened his academic horizons internationally through a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at Tohoku University in Japan from 2000 to 2002. There, under the mentorship of Professor Iino Masashi, he conducted advanced research on coal structure and its aggregation behavior—critical to improving coal reactivity and conversion efficiency—thereby enhancing both his scientific perspective and international research collaborations.

Research Focus

Prof. Hengfu Shui’s research portfolio is both expansive and deeply impactful, particularly in the field of coal chemistry and clean energy transformation—an area of critical importance within China’s evolving energy and environmental framework. His primary research interests encompass coal liquefaction and clean utilization, coal tar pitch emulsification, coal needle coke production, and the study of coal structure and its aggregation behaviors. These focus areas not only address pressing scientific challenges but also offer practical pathways for optimizing fossil fuel use and minimizing environmental impact. Prof. Shui has led five major research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), including a key project, and has played a pivotal role in several high-profile national programs such as the 863 High-Tech Program, the 973 National Basic Research Program, and the Strategic Chinese-Japanese Joint Research Program. Additionally, he has contributed to an international cooperative project under Anhui Province. Through these efforts, Prof. Shui has been instrumental in advancing technologies for converting coal into cleaner fuels and high-value chemical products, thus promoting sustainable industrial practices and energy innovation.

His selection as a research fellow at Tohoku University and continued service as vice president of AHUT reflect the high regard in which he is held, both nationally and internationally.

Publications

📘 Enhancing the activity and sulfur tolerance of LaMnO3-based perovskite catalysts for VOCs total oxidation by tuning configurational entropy – Separation and Purification Technology (2025) – Cited by 3 articles.
📘 Temperature regulating the directional catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of lignin over a in situ topologically prepared NiRu/Al2O3 – Chemical Engineering Science (2025) – Cited by 2 articles.
📘 Relationship between pyrolytic sulfur migration behavior and structural composition of high-sulfur fat coal – Fuel (2025) – Cited by 3 articles
📘 Emerging Photothermal Materials from Lignin and Coal for Solar Vapor Generation – Advanced Functional Materials (2025) – Cited by 3 articles