Lijun Chen | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Lijun Chen | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Northeast Electric Power University, China

Professor Lijun Chen is a seasoned academic and applied researcher at Northeast Electric Power University, bringing over three decades of expertise in automation, thermophysical measurement, and power plant monitoring systems. 🚀 With early technical training at Fuji Electric (Japan) and a strong industrial foundation at Dalian Huaying High-Tech Co., he seamlessly bridges theory with real-world application. His scholarly portfolio boasts 50+ journal publications 📚 (with 20+ indexed by EI and others in SCI), and six national invention patents that reflect his innovation-driven mindset. ⚙️ He has led multiple national and provincial projects, combining academic research with industrial consulting to optimize thermal power systems. A Senior Member of the China Metrology Society, his dedication is evident through a career filled with impactful collaborations, cutting-edge research, and enduring contributions to the energy sector. 🔧 His work continues to empower sustainable and efficient energy technologies across China and beyond. 🌏

Professional Profile 

Scopus

🎓 Education

Professor Lijun Chen’s educational journey is deeply rooted in engineering excellence. 🌱 He enhanced his technical knowledge through automation testing training at Fuji Electric, Japan (1991–1992), where he gained exposure to international standards and modern industrial practices. This early international training laid the groundwork for a future in advanced automation and instrumentation. He continued sharpening his skills with hands-on industry experience before entering academia. 📐 His educational pursuits were not just theoretical but focused on practical solutions for real-world problems in power systems. His academic foundation, supplemented by immersive industrial exposure, uniquely positions him as a knowledge leader in thermophysical measurement and energy systems. 🔋 The fusion of global learning and domestic execution in his educational journey symbolizes his balanced and forward-thinking approach to engineering education and research. 📊

👨‍💼 Professional Experience

Professor Chen’s professional voyage is an exemplar of bridging industry with academia. 🏭 From 1995 to 1997, he worked at Dalian Huaying High-Tech Co., developing automation solutions for complex power systems. Following this, from 1997 to 2001, he continued innovating at the Institute of Electronic Engineering Technology, sharpening his expertise in electronic control. Since 2001, he has been a cornerstone of the School of Automation Engineering at Northeast Electric Power University. 🧑‍🏫 There, he has led or collaborated on numerous high-impact projects, integrating research with engineering applications. His leadership in thermal power plant control systems has shaped provincial-level R&D initiatives and academic–industry partnerships. 🧠 His work with national and horizontal industry projects exemplifies how academic insight can directly solve operational challenges in the energy sector. 🔌

🔬 Research Interest

Lijun Chen’s research is centered on cutting-edge thermal measurement and automation in power engineering. 🌡️ His core interests span thermophysical parameter estimation, combustion optimization, and defect detection in high-frequency electromagnetic equipment. 🔎 These focus areas have significant industrial value, particularly in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and reliability of thermal power plants. His work addresses critical challenges in energy management and environmental control, making his innovations especially relevant in the current era of carbon reduction and sustainable engineering. 🌍 Professor Chen’s ability to combine hardware innovation with control algorithms demonstrates his multi-disciplinary reach across automation, electronics, and thermodynamics. His projects often involve both modeling and experimental validation, ensuring practical applicability. 📊 His collaborations with institutes and enterprises are further proof of his commitment to solving industry-grade problems with scientifically sound solutions. ⚛️

🏅 Award and Honor

Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Chen has been recognized with multiple provincial science and technology awards, a testament to the real-world impact of his work. 🏆 His patents—six granted at the national level—underscore his creative contributions to the field of power system automation and thermal engineering. 📜 His consistent participation in government-funded and industry-sponsored projects not only highlights his technical capability but also his leadership in driving research innovation. He is a Senior Member of the China Metrology Society and plays a notable role in the Jilin Province Electrical Engineering Society, reflecting his influence in professional circles. 🤝 His efforts have significantly elevated the performance of thermal power systems, earning him peer recognition and respect. His honors are not just awards—they are reflections of decades of dedicated research, innovation, and service to the field. 🔧💡

📚 Publications Top Note 

1. Title: The Feasibility Study on Pulverized Coal Mass Concentration Measurement in Primary Air of Plant Using Fin Resonant Cavity Sensor
Authors: Hao Xu, Yiguang Yang, Lijun Chen, Hongbin Yu, Junwei Cao
Year: 2024
Type: Conference Paper
Source: IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC)
Citations: 0 (as of the latest data)
Summary:
This study explores the application of a fin resonant cavity sensor to measure the mass concentration of pulverized coal in the primary air system of power plants. The authors designed and experimentally validated a resonant cavity-based sensor for real-time and high-flow environment monitoring. Results indicate the method’s strong potential for improving combustion efficiency and operational safety in thermal power systems.


2. Title: Research on Finite-Time Consensus of Multi-Agent Systems
Authors: Lijun Chen, Yu Zhang, Yuping Li, Linlin Xia
Year: 2019
Type: Journal Article
Source: Journal of Information Processing Systems (JIPS)
DOI: 10.3745/JIPS.01.0039
Citations: 1 (confirmed from source journal; citation count may vary on other platforms)
Summary:
This paper proposes a novel consensus protocol that enables finite-time convergence in second-order multi-agent systems. By incorporating the gradient of a global cost function into the standard consensus model, the authors enhance coordination speed and robustness among agents. Theoretical analysis using Lyapunov functions, homogeneity theory, and graph theory supports the method’s effectiveness. Simulations demonstrate superior performance in leader–follower scenarios.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Professor Lijun Chen exemplifies the model of a research-driven innovator and dedicated academic. 📘 With a career spanning research, teaching, consultancy, and invention, he has contributed immensely to the advancement of thermal power automation and measurement systems. His ability to transform theoretical concepts into tangible industrial solutions highlights his value as both a scholar and engineer. 🔬 His multi-patented technologies and SCI-indexed publications reflect a commitment to quality, while his work with industry partners showcases practical relevance. With unwavering focus and passion for thermodynamics, automation, and sustainability, Professor Chen continues to shape the future of smart thermal energy systems in China and beyond. 🌱 His legacy is one of bridging knowledge with innovation, inspiring a new generation of researchers and engineers. 🌟

Khushboo Singh | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Khushboo Singh | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Research Fellow at University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Dr. Khushboo Singh 🎓🔬 is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney 🇦🇺. With 10+ years of experience in academia, defence, and industry, she specializes in high-power millimetre-wave antennas 🚀📡. Her collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has earned her national recognition, including the prestigious Eureka Prize 🏆. Passionate about cutting-edge tech, she also works on space, maritime, and mobile satellite communication systems 🌌🌊📶. A dedicated mentor and leader, Dr. Singh actively supports women in STEM 💪👩‍🔬 while advancing Australia’s research landscape through innovation and excellence 🌟.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Google Scholar

🔹 Education & Experience 

🎓 Education:

  • 📍 Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronics Engineering | Macquarie University, Australia | 2021

  • 📍 M.Sc. (Research) in Electronics & Communication | LNMIIT, India | 2014 | CPI: 9/10

  • 📍 B.Tech in Electronics & Communication | SHIATS, India | 2012 | CPI: 9.7/10

💼 Experience:

  • 👩‍🔬 Postdoctoral Research Fellow | UTS | Nov 2023 – Present

  • 👩‍🏫 Research Associate | UTS | Nov 2020 – Oct 2023

  • 🌏 Visiting Researcher | IIT-Kanpur | Mar – May 2023

  • 🧠 Technical Researcher | Electrotechnik Pty Ltd. | Nov 2019 – Mar 2020

  • 🎓 Casual Tutor | Macquarie University | 2017, 2024

  • 👩‍🏫 Guest Lecturer | Swami Rama Himalayan University | 2015 – 2016

  • 👩‍🏫 Assistant Professor | Pratap Institute, India | 2014 – 2015

🔹 Professional Development 

Dr. Singh is a passionate leader in research and professional mentoring 🌟. She serves as a mentor in multiple STEM programs 👩‍🔬🤝 including Women in Engineering and WiSR at UTS, encouraging female participation in science and technology 👩‍💻👩‍🔬. As award chair for the 2025 Australian Microwave Symposium 🏅 and a past session organizer for major IEEE and EuCAP conferences, she actively contributes to the global antenna research community 🌐📡. She also provides project supervision, peer reviews, and guidance to students and engineers, playing a key role in shaping future tech talent and research direction 🚀🧑‍🔬.

🔹 Research Focus 

Dr. Singh’s research centers on high-power, metasurface-based millimetre-wave antennas 📡⚡ with beam-steering and in-antenna power-combining features. Her work has major applications in defence, space, maritime, and satellite communications 🛰️🚢. She collaborates with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to design antennas suited for compact, power-constrained environments 🛠️. Her contributions enable better surveillance, radar, and communication systems in mission-critical scenarios 🎯. She is also exploring inter-satellite link antennas and intelligent surfaces for next-gen wireless communication 🌐📶, cementing her role at the intersection of advanced electromagnetics, microwave engineering, and national security defense systems 🛡️.

🔹 Awards & Honors 

🏆 Awards & Honors:

  • 🥇 Winner – 2024 ICEAA – IEEE APWC Best Paper Award

  • 🏅 Winner – 2023 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science for Safeguarding Australia

  • 👏 Finalist – 2025 AUS SPACE Academic Research Team of the Year

  • 👩‍🚀 Finalist – 2024 ADM Women in Defence (R&D Category)

  • 🧪 Finalist – 2022 UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence

  • ⭐ Top 200 Reviewer – IEEE Transactions on Antennas & Propagation (2023)

  • 🥇 Winner – 2019 IEEE NSW Outstanding Student Volunteer

  • 💰 Winner – CHOOSEMATHS Grant by AMSI & BHP Foundation (2017)

  • 🎓 Scholarships – iRTP (2017–2020), LNMIIT Research Stipend (2012–2014)

Publication Top Notes

📘 1. Controlling the Most Significant Grating Lobes in Two-Dimensional Beam-Steering Systems with Phase-Gradient Metasurfaces

  • Authors: K. Singh, M.U. Afzal, M. Kovaleva, K.P. Esselle

  • Journal: IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

  • Volume/Issue: 68(3), Pages 1389–1401

  • Year: 2019

  • Citations: 86

  • DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2019.2940403

  • Highlights:

    • Introduced techniques to control dominant grating lobes in 2D beam-steering.

    • Employed phase-gradient metasurfaces to steer beams without complex feed networks.

    • Achieved low sidelobe levels and improved directivity.

    • Combined analytical modeling with full-wave electromagnetic simulations.

📗 2. Designing Efficient Phase-Gradient Metasurfaces for Near-Field Meta-Steering Systems

  • Authors: K. Singh, M.U. Afzal, K.P. Esselle

  • Journal: IEEE Access

  • Volume: 9, Pages 109080–109093

  • Year: 2021

  • Citations: 34

  • DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3102204

  • Highlights:

    • Focused on near-field applications such as wireless power transfer.

    • Proposed a method to optimize phase response for compact metasurfaces.

    • Improved phase accuracy and minimized aperture size.

    • Demonstrated via simulations and measured prototypes.

📙 3. State-of-the-Art Passive Beam-Steering Antenna Technologies: Challenges and Capabilities

  • Authors: F. Ahmed, K. Singh, K.P. Esselle

  • Journal: IEEE Access

  • Volume: 11, Pages 69101–69116

  • Year: 2023

  • Citations: 28

  • DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3285260

  • Highlights:

    • Comprehensive review of passive beam-steering technologies.

    • Covers reconfigurable metasurfaces, mechanical rotation, and tunable materials.

    • Discusses energy efficiency, low-cost manufacturing, and practical limitations.

    • Key insight for researchers targeting 6G, IoT, and wearable tech.

📕 4. Evaluation Planning for Artificial Intelligence-Based Industry 6.0 Metaverse Integration

  • Author: K. Singh

  • Conference: Intelligent Human Systems Integration (IHSI 2023)

  • Year: 2023

  • Citations: 27

  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-28032-0_40

  • Highlights:

    • Discusses AI-driven frameworks for integrating Industry 6.0 with the metaverse.

    • Addresses human-system interaction, digital twins, and smart automation.

    • Proposes an evaluation roadmap for real-time metaverse-industrial synergy.

    • Useful for future cyber-physical systems and smart manufacturing.

📒 5. Accurate Optimization Technique for Phase-Gradient Metasurfaces Used in Compact Near-Field Meta-Steering Systems

  • Authors: K. Singh, M.U. Afzal, K.P. Esselle

  • Journal: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group)

  • Volume: 12, Article 4118

  • Year: 2022

  • Citations: 20

  • DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08057-8

  • Highlights:

    • Developed a precise numerical optimization technique for metasurface design.

    • Reduced phase errors, enabling high-accuracy near-field beam control.

    • Achieved better performance in compact and portable systems.

    • Practical for radar, medical imaging, and wireless power applications.

Conclusion

Dr. Khushboo Singh exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher — innovative, impactful, and committed to scientific excellence. Her exceptional track record in antenna technology for defense and space applications, combined with her leadership in mentoring and research supervision, makes her a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her research is not only scientifically robust but also socially and nationally significant, particularly in safeguarding technological frontiers of Australia.

She is a role model for aspiring researchers, especially women in STEM, and a worthy recipient of such an honor.