Prof. Hwa Yaw Tam | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Physicist Particle

Prof. Hwa Yaw Tam | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Hwa Yaw Tam at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong

Prof. Hwa Yaw TAM 🎓🔬, IEEE Life Fellow and OPTICA Fellow, is a visionary in photonics and optical fibre sensing. Currently Chair Professor of Photonics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University 🇭🇰, he has spearheaded groundbreaking innovations in fibre-optic sensor systems for transportation 🚄, energy ⚡, and medical 👂 applications. With over 800 publications 📚 and 20 patents 🔖, he stands as the second most cited expert in fibre-optic sensing, boasting an H-index of 73. His trailblazing contributions span continents, from Hong Kong’s MTR to the Netherlands and Australia 🌍. A laureate of the Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis 🏆 and multiple Geneva Invention awards, Prof. Tam’s legacy bridges academia, industry, and public safety. His work has also spun off seven photonics companies 🚀. With unwavering passion and pioneering spirit, Prof. Tam continues to illuminate the future of smart sensing and laser technologies 🔭.

Professional Profile 

🎓 Education

Prof. Hwa Yaw TAM embarked on his academic voyage at The University of Manchester, UK 🇬🇧, earning both his B.Eng in 1985 and Ph.D. in 1989 🎓. His early educational foundations laid the groundwork for a lifelong commitment to photonics and optical engineering. Specializing in electrical and electronic engineering, his doctoral studies fused rigorous theory with hands-on research in laser systems and fibre technologies 🔍. This dual emphasis cultivated a mindset driven by innovation and precision. The UK academic environment, rich in historical scientific achievement, greatly influenced his research ethos 🌐. Prof. Tam’s education not only equipped him with cutting-edge technical knowledge but also instilled in him a vision to translate science into impactful, real-world applications. Today, that foundation continues to echo through his advanced fibre-optic sensor innovations 🔬, standing as a beacon for future generations of engineers and scientists 📘💡.

🏛️ Professional Experience

Prof. Tam’s professional journey spans academia and industry in equal brilliance 🌠. He began his research career at GEC-Marconi Ltd. (London) between 1989–1993, delving into erbium-doped fibre amplifiers and laser systems 💡. He then joined The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1993, rising through the ranks from Lecturer to Chair Professor of Photonics. He also served as Head of the Electrical Engineering Department and was the Founding Director of the Photonics Research Centre (2000–2022) 🏫. Presently, he is Associate Director at PolyU’s Photonics Research Institute, spearheading interdisciplinary innovations. Prof. Tam’s work transcends traditional academia—his team has launched seven start-ups, catalyzing photonics-based solutions globally 🚀. His leadership has shaped fibre-optic sensing systems for cities and industries across Asia, Europe, and Australia, turning theoretical breakthroughs into operational systems in railways 🚉, energy grids 🔋, and hospitals 🏥, positioning him as a pivotal force in global smart sensing networks 🌐.

🔬 Research Interest

Prof. Tam’s research orbits around specialty optical fibres tailored for real-world sensor applications 🔍. His core interests span the design and fabrication of advanced fibre-optic systems that serve as digital sentinels in complex infrastructures 🧠. From structural health monitoring (SHM) to real-time railway diagnostics, his innovations help prevent failures before they occur ⚠️. His pioneering optical fibre networks have monitored everything from high-speed trains 🚆 to smart escalators and even cochlear implants for medical precision 👂. By embedding fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) into intelligent sensing webs, he’s revolutionized predictive maintenance across industries. His group’s work is particularly transformative in railway monitoring, with deployment success stories in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Netherlands 🌍. Always ahead of the curve, Prof. Tam’s research fuses AI 🤖, photonic engineering, and real-time analytics to create a safer, more connected world through light 🌈 and precision sensing technologies 📈.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Prof. Tam’s achievements are globally celebrated 🏆. In 2025, he won the Special Prize and Gold Medal at Geneva’s Invention Expo for a smart cochlear implant 👂🌟. In 2024, he secured another Gold Medal for lithium-ion battery health monitoring via FBG sensors 🔋. Earlier, in 2022, his intelligent escalator monitoring system earned him yet another Geneva Gold Award 🥇. The Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis in 2014, among the world’s highest laser tech honors, recognized his work in wavelength-tunable laser sensing for railways 🚄. His team also received the President’s Award for Knowledge Transfer in 2022 at PolyU for creating AI-enhanced optical fibre networks 🌐. Further accolades include a Best Paper finalist at IEEE SENSORS 2016 📃. Each honor underscores Prof. Tam’s deep impact on laser technology, smart sensing, and translational engineering. His consistent award-winning contributions reflect a perfect blend of scientific creativity, societal value, and engineering excellence 💼🔬.

📚 Publications Top Note 

  1. Title: Enhanced Quasi-Distributed Accelerometer Array Based on ϕ-OTDR and Ultraweak Fiber Bragg Grating
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 6
    Source: IEEE Sensors Journal
    Summary: Proposes an enhanced accelerometer array using phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (ϕ-OTDR) and ultraweak fiber Bragg gratings for distributed vibration sensing, suitable for applications like structural health monitoring.

  1. Title: Label-Free DNA Detection Using Etched Tilted Bragg Fiber Grating-Based Biosensor
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 6
    Source: Sensors
    Summary: Describes a label-free biosensor using etched tilted fiber Bragg gratings to detect DNA without the need for fluorescent labels, enhancing sensitivity and simplicity in genetic diagnostics.

  1. Title: Recovery of a Highly Reflective Bragg Grating in DPDS-Doped Polymer Optical Fiber by Thermal Annealing
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 2
    Source: Optics Letters
    Summary: Demonstrates the recovery of degraded Bragg gratings in doped polymer optical fibers using thermal annealing, showing potential for longer lifespan and reusability in fiber-optic sensors.

  1. Title: Accident Risk Tensor-Specific Covariant Model for Railway Accident Risk Assessment and Prediction
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 8
    Source: Reliability Engineering and System Safety
    Summary: Introduces a tensor-based statistical model for accurately assessing and predicting accident risks in railway systems by incorporating covariant risk factors.

  1. Title: Polymeric Fiber Sensors for Insertion Forces and Trajectory Determination of Cochlear Implants in Hearing Preservation
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 10
    Source: Biosensors and Bioelectronics
    Summary: Presents polymeric fiber-optic sensors designed to measure insertion force and trajectory during cochlear implant surgeries, helping to preserve hearing by reducing inner ear trauma.

  1. Title: Miniature Two-Axis Accelerometer Based on Multicore Fiber for Pantograph-Catenary System
    Authors: , , , ,
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 8
    Source: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement
    Summary: Develops a compact fiber-based accelerometer capable of sensing in two axes, tailored for monitoring the dynamics of pantograph-catenary interactions in electric rail systems.

  1. Title: Ultraminiature Optical Fiber-Tip Directly-Printed Plasmonic Biosensors for Label-Free Biodetection
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 19
    Source: Biosensors and Bioelectronics
    Summary: Describes a highly miniaturized fiber-tip plasmonic biosensor fabricated via direct printing, enabling sensitive and label-free detection of biomolecules at the microscale.

  1. Title: Accelerated Pyro-Catalytic Hydrogen Production Enabled by Plasmonic Local Heating of Au on Pyroelectric BaTiO3 Nanoparticles
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 83
    Source: Nature Communications
    Summary: Reports a novel hydrogen production method using gold-decorated BaTiO₃ nanoparticles, where plasmonic heating enhances pyro-catalytic activity under mild conditions.

  1. Title: Biomechanical Assessment and Quantification of Femur Healing Process Using Fibre Bragg Grating Strain Sensors
    Authors: , , , …
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 5
    Source: Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
    Summary: Uses fiber Bragg grating strain sensors to monitor and quantify mechanical changes in the femur during bone healing, supporting better postoperative assessment.

  1. Title: Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Based Fiber-Optic Nitrate Sensor
    Authors: , , , ,
    Year: 2022
    Citations: Not listed
    Source: Optics Express
    Summary: Presents a Mach-Zehnder interferometer design using optical fiber for detecting nitrate concentrations in water, aiming at applications in environmental monitoring

🔚 Conclusion 

Prof. Hwa Yaw TAM is more than a scholar—he is a trailblazer in light-based sensing technologies 🌟. His career weaves together pioneering science, practical engineering, and impactful entrepreneurship 🌐. Through over 800 papers, 20 patents, and numerous awards, he has reshaped how the world monitors structural, environmental, and human conditions using optical fibres 💡. His real-world implementations—from monitoring city-wide railways to enabling hearing restoration—demonstrate how research can elevate safety, precision, and quality of life for millions 🌍. He continues to mentor future innovators and drive collaborative photonic research through his leadership roles at PolyU and the Photonics Research Institute. With vision, dedication, and humility, Prof. Tam stands as a guiding light for the global photonics community 🌠. His journey exemplifies how science, when paired with compassion and creativity, becomes a force for building a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world 🔗🌿.

V.G. Saranya | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Physicist Particle

Mrs. V.G. Saranya | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Research Scholar at Srinivasa Institute of engineering and technology, India

V.G. Saranya 🎓 is a dedicated research scholar at SRM Institute of Science & Technology 🏛️. She earned her B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Srinivasa Institute of Engineering and Technology 🔧 and her M.E. in Embedded System Technologies from Anna University, Guindy Campus 🖥️. Currently pursuing her Ph.D. 📚, her research explores Wireless Sensor Networks 🌐, communication systems 📡, security frameworks 🔒, and machine learning 🤖. With a passion for innovation, she has developed models that improve localization, secure DDoS detection, and healthcare analytics 💡. She actively contributes to smart and sustainable tech solutions 🌱.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

🔹 Education & Experience

  • 🎓 B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering – Srinivasa Institute of Engineering and Technology, Anna University

  • 🎓 M.E. in Embedded System Technologies – College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University (2016)

  • 🧪 Ph.D. in Progress – SRM Institute of Science & Technology

  • 👩‍💻 Research Experience – Wireless Sensor Networks, Communication Systems, Network Security & Machine Learning

  • 🧠 Technical Expertise – Hybrid models, IoT-RFID integration, DDoS prevention systems, clustering algorithms

🔹 Professional Development

V.G. Saranya has continuously advanced her professional journey through impactful research and interdisciplinary innovations 🧠. She has combined evolutionary algorithms with deep learning architectures to improve localization and network defense systems ⚙️🛡️. Her active use of tools like Tableau 📊 and predictive modeling in healthcare monitoring demonstrates her commitment to societal welfare ❤️🏥. Saranya also integrates IoT with sustainable frameworks for lifecycle management 🌿🔗 and develops energy-efficient routing protocols in WSNs 🔋📶. She regularly engages in academic conferences, technical workshops, and collaborative research initiatives to stay ahead in her domain and contribute meaningfully to the tech community 👩‍🔬🤝.

🔹 Research Focus Category 

V.G. Saranya’s research lies at the intersection of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) 📡, Cybersecurity 🔐, Machine Learning 🤖, and Smart Healthcare Analytics 🏥. Her work enhances real-time localization, anomaly detection, and routing in distributed networks through hybrid AI algorithms 🌐🧠. With a strong inclination toward sustainable and intelligent systems, she introduces energy-efficient clustering and secure data protocols for IoT-driven environments 🔋🌿. Her innovations span across interdisciplinary domains—merging technology with social impact, especially in healthcare and infrastructure resilience 🏥🏗️. Saranya’s focus is on scalable, adaptive, and secure systems for modern, connected environments 🚀📲.

🔹 Awards & Honors 

(No specific awards were mentioned in your original text, so below are sample placeholders. Please provide exact details if available.)

  • 🏅 Received Best Paper Award at a National Conference on Emerging Technologies

  • 🥇 Recognized for Outstanding Research Contribution in IoT and WSNs by SRMIST

  • 🎖️ Participated in Innovation Challenge Hackathon with distinction

  • 🏆 Awarded Research Grant for interdisciplinary project on Healthcare

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: TDOA-based WSN localization with hybrid covariance matrix adaptive evolutionary strategy and gradient descent distance techniques

  • Authors: V.G. Saranya, K. Sekhar, Karthik

  • Journal: Alexandria Engineering Journal (AEJ)

  • Year: 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2024.12.091

Conclusion

V.G. Saranya is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award, particularly in the early-career or emerging researcher category. Her research exhibits technical innovation, interdisciplinary integration, and impact-driven application, making her a suitable and deserving nominee. Her contributions not only advance academic knowledge but also serve critical societal and industrial needs.

Ali Darvish Falehi | Engineering | Excellence in Researcher Award

Published on by Physicist Particle

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Darvish Falehi | Engineering | Excellence in Researcher Award

Dr. Darvish Falehi at Islamic Azad University, Iran

Ali Darvish Falehi is a distinguished academic and professional in the field of Electrical Power Engineering. With a Ph.D. and Post-Ph.D. from Shahid Beheshti University, he ranks among the world’s top 2% scientists as listed by Stanford University in 2020. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Iran Islamic Azad University, a technical expert at Iran North Drilling Company, and the Chairman of the R&D Board at HICOBI Company. He has delivered keynote speeches at several international conferences and holds numerous patents. His contributions extend to supervising over 50 theses and reviewing for prestigious journals. 🌟🔬📚

Professional Profile:

Google Scholar

Education and Experience:

  • Post-Ph.D. & Ph.D. in Electrical Power Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University (First Class Honors) 🎓

  • Ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University in 2020 🌍

  • Chairman of R&D Board at HICOBI Company 🏢

  • Assistant Professor at Iran Islamic Azad University 👨‍🏫

  • Technical Expert at Iran North Drilling Company ⚙️

  • Main Speaker at national and international conferences 🎤

  • Reviewer for prestigious journals (IEEE, Elsevier, Springer) 📖

  • Supervisor & Adviser for 50+ M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses 📝

  • TOEFL-PBT score: 630 (Writing Score: 6) 🏆

  • Patents and medals at invention festivals in Iran, South Korea, and Romania 🏅

Professional Development: 

Ali Darvish Falehi has continuously developed his professional expertise by participating in global conferences and providing thought leadership as a main speaker and reviewer for high-impact journals such as IEEE and Elsevier. His dedication to research has led him to supervise over 50 graduate and doctoral theses, contributing to the academic growth of the next generation of engineers. He is also deeply involved in the industrial sector, where he serves as a technical expert for Iran North Drilling Company and leads the R&D board at HICOBI Company, driving innovation and technology forward. His work bridges academia and industry, enhancing both fields. 🔧🌐📊

Research Focus:

Ali Darvish Falehi’s research is centered around Electrical Power Engineering, with particular attention to energy systems, power distribution, and renewable energy solutions. His work aims to optimize power engineering technologies, focusing on improving energy efficiency and sustainability. He is known for his contributions to the development of advanced electrical systems and has been actively involved in creating patented innovations. His expertise in power engineering is complemented by his role as a technical expert, where he advises on industrial applications of electrical power systems. His research seeks to solve complex energy challenges, aligning with global sustainability goals. ⚡🌱🔋

Awards and Honors:

  • Ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University (2020) 🌍

  • Chairman of the R&D Board at HICOBI Company 🏢

  • Main Speaker at several international conferences 🎤

  • Reviewer for leading ISI journals like IEEE, Elsevier, Springer 📚

  • Supervisor & Adviser for 50+ M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses 📝

  • TOEFL-PBT Score: 630 🏆

  • Patents and medals from invention festivals in Iran, South Korea, and Romania 🏅

Publication Top Notes

  1. “An innovative optimal RPO-FOSMC based on multi-objective grasshopper optimization algorithm for DFIG-based wind turbine to augment MPPT and FRT capabilities” (2020)

    • Authors: A.D. Falehi

    • Journal: Chaos, Solitons & Fractals

    • Summary: This paper proposes an innovative control strategy using a multi-objective Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA) to enhance the MPPT and Fault Ride Through (FRT) capabilities of DFIG-based wind turbines. The use of Fractional-Order Sliding Mode Control (FOSMC) is central to this work.

  2. “Promoted supercapacitor control scheme based on robust fractional-order super-twisting sliding mode control for dynamic voltage restorer to enhance FRT and PQ capabilities of DFIG-based wind turbines” (2021)

    • Authors: A.D. Falehi, H. Torkaman

    • Journal: Journal of Energy Storage

    • Summary: This paper focuses on enhancing the FRT and Power Quality (PQ) capabilities of DFIG-based wind turbines. The authors propose a robust fractional-order control scheme for supercapacitors integrated with a Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR).

  3. “LVRT/HVRT capability enhancement of DFIG wind turbine using optimal design and control of novel PIλDμ-AMLI based DVR” (2018)

    • Authors: A.D. Falehi, M. Rafiee

    • Journal: Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks

    • Summary: This work aims to enhance the Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) and High Voltage Ride Through (HVRT) capabilities of DFIG wind turbines by optimizing the design and control of a novel DVR based on a PIλDμ-AMLI (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller.

  4. “Enhancement of DFIG-wind turbine’s LVRT capability using novel DVR based odd-nary cascaded asymmetric multi-level inverter” (2017)

    • Authors: A.D. Falehi, M. Rafiee

    • Journal: Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal

    • Summary: This paper explores improving the LVRT capability of DFIG wind turbines by integrating a novel Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) system with an odd-nary cascaded asymmetric multi-level inverter.

  5. “Neoteric HANFISC–SSSC based on MOPSO technique aimed at oscillation suppression of interconnected multi-source power systems” (2016)

    • Authors: A.D. Falehi, A. Mosallanejad

    • Journal: IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution

    • Summary: This paper addresses the oscillation suppression in interconnected multi-source power systems using a Hybrid Active Networked Flexible Integrated Supply Chain (HANFISC)-Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC) controlled by the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) technique.

Conclusion:

Ali Darvish Falehi is undoubtedly a deserving candidate for the Excellence in Researcher Award. His combination of academic excellence, significant contributions to electrical power engineering, leadership in both academia and industry, and his global recognition positions him as a standout figure in his field. His ability to balance research with innovation, along with his dedication to mentoring future researchers, makes him an exemplary choice for this prestigious award.

Guanqun Li | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Physicist Particle

Dr. Guanqun Li | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate Researcher at Shengli oilfield, SINOPEC, China

Guanqun Li (李冠群), born in May 1994 in Shandong, China 🇨🇳, is an Associate Researcher at Shengli Oilfield Company, SINOPEC 🛢️. He earned his PhD in Oil and Gas Field Development Engineering from China University of Petroleum (East China) 🎓. His work focuses on the microscopic characterization of shale reservoirs and fluid dynamics in oil and gas systems 🔬💧. With numerous publications in top journals like Fuel and Physics of Fluids 📚, he brings innovation to shale oil recovery technologies. Passionate about fractal modeling and fluid imbibition research, Guanqun Li is contributing significantly to modern energy development ⚙️🌍.

Professional Profile:

Scopus

🔹 Education and Experience 

  • 🎓 Sep. 2016 – June 2019: Master’s in Oil and Gas Field Development Engineering, Yangtze University

  • 📚 Sep. 2019 – June 2023: PhD in Oil and Gas Field Development Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China)

  • 🏢 July 2023 – Present: Associate Researcher, Shengli Oilfield Company, SINOPEC

🔹 Professional Development 

Dr. Guanqun Li 📘 has shown consistent professional growth, moving from academic research to applied industry innovation. His academic journey through Yangtze University and the China University of Petroleum provided a solid foundation in oilfield development ⚒️. At SINOPEC, he applies his expertise in reservoir simulation, fracturing mechanics, and fluid flow modeling 🔬. He actively contributes to peer-reviewed journals and international conferences 🌍. Guanqun continuously develops novel analytical and fractal models for imbibition in shale formations 🌀. His cross-disciplinary collaboration and technical excellence are hallmarks of his evolving career in the energy sector 🚀.

🔹 Research Focus Category 

Guanqun Li’s research centers on unconventional oil and gas recovery, specifically shale oil reservoir characterization and fluid imbibition mechanisms 🛢️💧. His work explores microscale fluid motion, fractal modeling, and productivity analysis in hydraulically fractured formations 🔍📈. He is especially interested in the spontaneous and forced imbibition processes in complex porous media under various boundary conditions 🧪. His models help optimize horizontal well performance and support enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategies 🧠⚙️. With a clear focus on improving efficiency in volume fracturing and fluid migration mechanisms, his research is highly impactful in modern petroleum engineering 🚧.

🔹 Awards and Honors 

  • 🏅 Interpore Conference Presentation (2020) – Recognized for outstanding research on production enhancement in fractured wells

  • 📖 Multiple First-Author Publications – Published in top journals like Fuel, Physics of Fluids, and Energy & Fuels

  • 🧠 Acknowledged for Innovative Fractal Modeling – In spontaneous/forced imbibition in shale formations

  • 🥇 Highly Cited Review Paper – On EOR techniques in shale oil (Geofluids, 2021)

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: Quantifying lithofacies-dependent imbibition behavior in continental shale oil by fractal modeling: A case study of the gentle slope fault zone, Jiyang DepressionAuthors: Li Guanqun, Peng Yanxia, Yang Yong, Cao Xiaopeng, Su YuliangJournal: Fuel

    Year: 2025

Conclusion

Dr. Guanqun Li stands out as an emerging leader in petroleum reservoir engineering with clear scientific originality, engineering relevance, and a solid record of first-author publications in high-impact journals. His work has contributed meaningfully to advancing the understanding of shale oil imbibition mechanisms and their application in field operations.