Dr. Yalini Devi Neelan | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yalini Devi Neelan is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Milano, Italy, in the Thermoelectric’s Laboratory, where she focuses on the preparation and characterization of nanostructured silicon for thermoelectric applications. Her key responsibilities include preparing nanostructured materials, examining their physicochemical characteristics, and studying their Seebeck coefficient, electrical, and thermal conductivity to calculate the figure of merit (ZT). Prior to this, she was a Postdoctoral Researcher at Chungnam National University, South Korea, where she worked on nanostructured oxide-based materials for antibiotic degradation and battery applications, analyzing their photodegradation and electrochemical properties. Dr. Neelan also served as a Research Associate at Anna University, India, where she focused on energy harvesting and storage applications, preparing oxide-based nanomaterials and managing communications with funding agencies. During her Ph.D. at Anna University, she investigated nanostructured strontium titanate-based oxide thermoelectric materials for energy harvesting from waste heat. Additionally, she collaborated with Shimomura Laboratory at Shizuoka University, Japan, to enhance the thermoelectric power factor of nanostructured SrTiO3 through Gd and Nb co-substitution. Earlier in her academic journey, Dr. Neelan was a project student at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, where she developed graphene oxide-based strain sensors for motion monitoring. Her diverse research experiences reflect her strong expertise in nanomaterials and energy applications.

Energy harvesting applications, particularly in thermoelectrics, focus on converting waste heat into usable electrical energy, thus promoting sustainable energy solutions. The synthesis of nanomaterials plays a crucial role in this field, as nanostructured materials exhibit enhanced thermoelectric properties due to their unique physical and chemical characteristics. These materials are engineered to optimize energy conversion efficiencies, allowing for effective harvesting from various heat sources. Additionally, advancements in energy storage applications complement energy harvesting by ensuring that the harvested energy can be effectively stored and utilized when needed. By integrating innovative synthesis techniques and exploring novel nanomaterials, researchers aim to improve the performance and efficiency of thermoelectric devices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.