Size Ai | Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Awards

Mr. Size Ai | Engineering | Research Excellence Award 

Harbin Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Size Ai, currently a PhD researcher at the Harbin Institute of Technology, is an emerging scholar in the field of mechanical metamaterials and advanced structural design. Holding a PhD in Mechanics from Harbin Institute of Technology, Dr. Ai has developed strong expertise in the design, modeling, and steady-state analysis of mechanical metamaterials, focusing particularly on negative stiffness structures, multi-stable metastructures, and pneumatic actuators with tunable mechanical responses. His academic journey reflects a commitment to high-quality research, having published three SCI-indexed papers in top-tier JCR Q1 journals such as Thin-Walled Structures and Engineering Structures. His works include: “Analysis of Negative Stiffness Structures with B-spline Curved Beams” (Thin-Walled Structures, 2024), “Design and Analysis of an Origami-Embedded Multi-Stable Metastructure with Shape Reconfiguration” (Engineering Structures, 2025), and “Deep Learning-Based Structural Design and Mechanical Properties Analysis of Pneumatic Actuators with Tunable Multistability” (Thin-Walled Structures, 2025). These publications highlight Dr. Ai’s ability to integrate theoretical modeling, simulation optimization, deep learning techniques, and experimental validation to solve complex challenges in structural mechanics. He has contributed significantly to ongoing national research through his involvement in the National Natural Science Foundation of China project (Grant No. 12372041), which further demonstrates his active engagement in advancing scientific knowledge. One of Dr. Ai’s major contributions includes developing a configuration parameterization method based on B-spline curves to customize negative stiffness characteristics in metamaterials. Additionally, he proposed a steady-state switching strategy using reconfigurable energy barrier elements, enabling precise control over multi-stability and shape transformation in engineered structures. His work successfully demonstrates, through combined theory, simulations, and experiments, the feasibility of programmable mechanical behavior after forming—an advancement with promising applications in soft robotics, adaptive structures, vibration isolation, and smart materials. Dr. Ai’s research continues to attract academic attention, with citations indexed in the Web of Science database. He maintains a strong ethical commitment to research integrity, with no consultancy projects, patents, or books yet undertaken. While he currently holds no editorial appointments, professional memberships, or formal collaborations, his research trajectory shows excellence, independence, and innovation, positioning him as a competitive candidate for the Research Excellence Award. Dr. Ai affirms that all submitted information is accurate, verifiable, and supported by relevant research links, including: 10.1016/j.tws.2025.114287 and 10.1016/j.tws.2023.111418. He fully agrees to the terms, policies, and responsibilities associated with this award nomination and submits this application with the highest level of integrity.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Ai, S., Xie, Z., & Wei, J. (2025, November). Deep learning-based structural design and mechanical properties analysis of pneumatic actuators with tunable multistability.

Ai, S., Hou, S., Wei, J., & Xie, Z. (2025, October). Design and analysis of an origami-embedded multi-stable metastructure with shape reconfiguration.

Hou, S., Wei, J., Ai, S., & Tan, H. F. (2025, March). Broadband nonlinear vibration isolation for a friction dynamic system via quasi-zero stiffness isolator.

Bian, S., Ai, S., Wei, J., & Qingxiang, J. (2025, March). Structural design and performance analysis of large inflatable solar membrane reflector.

Ai, S., Wei, J., Xie, Z., & Tan, H. F. (2023, November). Analysis of negative stiffness structures with B-spline curved beams.

Abu Farzan Mitul | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Awards

Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Leidos | United States

Dr. Abu Farzan Mitul is an accomplished researcher and educator specializing in opto-electronic device fabrication, fiber optic sensing technologies, and nanostructured thin-film materials. His research bridges the intersection of photonics, materials science, and advanced sensing systems — contributing to innovations that enhance environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and biomedical diagnostics. Dr. Mitul earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), USA, where he designed and developed advanced fiber Bragg grating sensors and thin-film photonic devices for multi-parameter sensing applications. His earlier academic training includes a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Applied Physics, Electronics, and Communication Engineering from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Throughout his career, Dr. Mitul has collaborated with leading U.S. research institutions and agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DoD), and NASA, focusing on next-generation optoelectronic and energy-efficient sensing systems. His extensive publication record spans high-impact journals and international conferences in photonics, sensor technology, and materials characterization. In addition to his research, Dr. Mitul has served as a faculty member and laboratory instructor, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in electronics, photonics, and experimental physics. He is passionate about advancing interdisciplinary research in fiber optic sensing, MEMS/NEMS devices, photonic integrated systems, and nanotechnology-driven device engineering. Dr. Mitul continues to explore innovative pathways toward miniaturized, high-sensitivity photonic systems with applications across environmental, aerospace, and biomedical fields — aligning cutting-edge materials research with sustainable technological development.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar | Linkedin

Featured Publications

Adhikari, N., Dubey, A., Khatiwada, D., Mitul, A. F., Wang, Q., Venkatesan, S., & Qiao, Q. (2015). Interfacial study to suppress charge carrier recombination for high efficiency perovskite solar cells. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 7(48), 26445–26454. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b08343

Rana, G. M. S. M., Khan, A. A. M., Hoque, M. N., & Mitul, A. F. (2013, December). Design and implementation of a GSM based remote home security and appliance control system. In 2013 2nd International Conference on Advances in Electrical Engineering (ICAEE) (pp. 291–295). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICAEE.2013.6750340

Khatiwada, D., Venkatesan, S., Adhikari, N., Dubey, A., Mitul, A. F., Mohammad, L., … & Qiao, Q. (2015). Efficient perovskite solar cells by temperature control in single and mixed halide precursor solutions and films. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 119(46), 25747–25753. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b08667

Mitul, A. F., Mohammad, L., Venkatesan, S., Adhikari, N., Sigdel, S., Wang, Q., … & Qiao, Q. (2015). Low temperature efficient interconnecting layer for tandem polymer solar cells. Nano Energy, 11, 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.10.030

Venkatesan, S., Ngo, E. C., Chen, Q., Dubey, A., Mohammad, L., Adhikari, N., … & Qiao, Q. (2014). Benzothiadiazole-based polymer for single and double junction solar cells with high open circuit voltage. Nanoscale, 6(12), 7093–7100. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4NR00606H

Islam, M. M., Rafi, F. H. M., Mitul, A. F., Ahmad, M., Rashid, M. A., & Malek, M. F. B. A. (2012, May). Development of a noninvasive continuous blood pressure measurement and monitoring system. In 2012 International Conference on Informatics, Electronics & Vision (ICIEV) (pp. 695–699). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIEV.2012.6317425