Diya Agrawal | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Diya Agrawal | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award 

Birla Institute of Technology and Science | India

Ms. Diya Agrawal is an exceptional dual-degree student pursuing M.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry and B.E. (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Hyderabad Campus (2021–2026), maintaining an outstanding CGPA of 9.4. With a strong interdisciplinary background bridging chemistry, chemical engineering, and data analytics, she exemplifies a new generation of researchers passionate about sustainable chemical technologies, carbon capture, and clean energy innovation. Her academic journey reflects a seamless integration of simulation-based process engineering, experimental chemistry, and techno-economic analysis — skills that have enabled her to contribute to advanced industrial and environmental research. Her technical proficiency encompasses Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, Python, MATLAB, SQL, and visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and Looker Studio. This versatile toolkit allows her to model complex processes, analyze large datasets, and develop digital solutions for chemical engineering systems. Her innovative approach to reactor and absorber design improved energy efficiency and conversion rates while ensuring process feasibility for sustainable fuel synthesis. In another project, she conducted a techno-economic analysis of biogas-to-bio-CNG conversion using Aspen Plus, where she optimized methane yield (>95%) and evaluated scale-up cost implications for industrial deployment. Her research on Novel Adsorbents for Direct Air Capture (DAC) further illustrates her ability to merge materials chemistry with process engineering. She synthesized amide-based Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) that demonstrated a 25% increase in CO₂ adsorption capacity, providing valuable insights into scalable carbon capture solutions. Complementing this experimental work, she also contributed to literature through her review on “Green Hydrogen Production Pathways for a Sustainable Future with Net Zero Emissions” published in Fuel (2023), where she analyzed over 400 studies to highlight advancements and challenges in the hydrogen economy. Her second publication, “Comparative Study of Modified Cu-BTC and ZIF-8 Adsorbents for CO₂ Capture” (Total Environment Engineering, 2025), has been recognized for its contribution to carbon capture research, garnering early citations in sustainability and materials science literature. To date, Ms. Agrawal has 2 peer-reviewed journal publications, accumulating over 35 citations and an h-index of 2, reflecting her growing research influence in the fields of carbon capture and green hydrogen production. Beyond research, Ms. Agrawal has demonstrated exemplary leadership and organizational acumen as the Vice-President of Alchemy, the BITS Chemistry Association, where she led a 25-member team to organize technical fests and academic outreach initiatives. Her excellence has been recognized through the Merit Scholarship (Top 2%) at BITS Pilani Hyderabad in 2025. Ms. Diya Agrawal stands out as a dedicated scholar and an emerging innovator, committed to advancing sustainable chemical processes through an integrated approach combining chemical engineering, environmental science, and data-driven analysis. Her strong research record, academic excellence, and leadership potential position her as a promising contributor to the global transition toward a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.

Profiles: Scopus | Linkedin

Featured Publications

Velagala, S. K. R., Aniruddha, R., Agrawal, D., Sabri, Y. M., Parthasarathy, R., & Sreedhar, I. (2025). Comparative study of modified Cu-BTC and ZIF-8 adsorbents for stable and enhanced direct air capture of CO₂. Total Environment Engineering.

 Agrawal, D., Mahajan, N., Singh, S. A., & Sreedhar, I. (2023). Green hydrogen production pathways for sustainable future with net zero emissions. Fuel.

Wei Liu | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Wei Liu | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

University of Jinan | China

Dr. Wei Liu is a dedicated researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Smart Materials and Engineering, University of Jinan, China. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2019 from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, following his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Qingdao University of Science and Technology in 2014 and 2011, respectively. Since joining the University of Jinan in 2019, Dr. Liu has actively contributed to both teaching and research, guiding seven master’s students and delivering core courses such as Organic Chemistry. In parallel, he has pursued postdoctoral research (2022–2025) while engaging as a special correspondent for the Shandong Province enterprise science and technology program, bridging academia and industrial innovation. Dr. Liu’s research primarily focuses on high-efficiency deep blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), the design and synthesis of rare-earth-based light conversion materials, and the crystal engineering of organic molecules, including polymorphs and co-crystals. His work aims to enhance the performance, efficiency, and sustainability of optoelectronic and photonic materials, with applications in advanced lighting, display technologies, and agriculture. He has led and participated in multiple scientific research projects, including the Science and Technology Program of the University of Jinan (as project leader), major university and provincial development programs, and industrial pilot studies on agricultural light conversion agents. A prolific scholar, Dr. Liu has authored or co-authored over 50 research publications in leading international journals such as Science Bulletin, Chemical Communications, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Dyes and Pigments, Ceramics International, and Nanomaterials. His notable studies include the development of Bi³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped phosphors for tunable light emission, non-doped sky-blue fluorescent OLEDs based on novel anthracene derivatives, and advanced photoluminescent materials for plant growth applications. His collaborative research on deep blue anthracene-based luminogens, published in Science Bulletin, has drawn attention for achieving exceptional efficiency and stability in OLED devices. Dr. Liu’s scientific achievements have been recognized with multiple honors, including the First Prize for Outstanding Scientific Research Achievement Award of Shandong Universities (2014), the First Prize of Science and Technology Award of Shandong University (2016), and the Excellent Master’s Thesis Award of Shandong Province (2015). In addition to journal publications, he holds patents such as An anthracene-based deep blue organic luminescent material with high efficiency and low roll-off (CN 111303009 B) and an international patent for a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based red light conversion agent (South Africa No. 2023/00481). Through his interdisciplinary research that integrates chemistry, materials science, and photonic engineering, Dr. Liu is advancing the development of next-generation luminescent materials and agricultural phototechnology. His ongoing projects aim to improve light utilization efficiency in both electronic and ecological systems, promoting sustainable solutions for modern energy and environmental challenges. As an educator and innovator, he continues to mentor young scientists and contribute to China’s strategic development in smart materials and optoelectronic technology.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Liu, M., Yang, C., Liu, W., Zhou, X., Liu, S., You, Q., & Jiang, X. (2024). Synthesis of Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺ co-doped Na₄CaSi₃O₉ blue-red light tunable emission phosphors for inducing plant growth. Ceramics International, 50, 9058–9069.

Lu, X., Liu, W., Kang, Z., Yang, C., Nie, Y., & Jiang, X. (2023). Efficient non-doped sky-blue fluorescent organic light emitting devices based on cyanopyridine-containing anthracene derivatives. Dyes and Pigments, 220, 111712.

Yang, C., Liu, W., You, Q., Zhao, X., Liu, S., Xue, L., Sun, J., & Jiang, X. (2023). Recent advances in light-conversion phosphors for plant growth and strategies for the modulation of photoluminescence properties. Nanomaterials, 13, 1715.

Guo, R., Liu, W., Ma, D., & Wang, L. (2021). Exceptionally efficient deep blue anthracene-based luminogens: Design, synthesis, photophysical, and electroluminescent mechanisms. Science Bulletin, 66, 2090–2098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2021.02.021

Liu, W., & Yang, W. (2013). Alkoxy-position effects on piezofluorochromism and aggregation-induced emission of 9,10-bis(alkoxystyryl)anthracenes. Chemical Communications, 49, 6042–6044.

Liu, W., & Yang, W. (2014). 2,6,9,10-Tetra(p-dibutylaminostyryl)-anthracene as a multifunctional fluorescent cruciform dye. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2, 9028–9034.