Emrah Şık | Circular Economy | Research and Development Achievement Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Emrah Şık | Circular Economy | Research and Development Achievement Award

Professor | Istanbul Technical University | Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Emrah Şık, a faculty member at İstanbul Technical University, is a specialist in cleaner production technologies, resource efficiency, industrial symbiosis, wastewater treatment and reuse, nutrient recovery, electrochemical processes, and circular resource management. He holds B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry with a focus on environmental and industrial applications, completing all higher education at leading Turkish universities. His professional career includes academic leadership and extensive research experience as a project manager, senior researcher, and collaborator on numerous national, international, and industry-funded initiatives addressing ballast water treatment, microplastic pollution, chemical recovery from wastewater, feasibility studies for nutrient recovery, and the development of innovative purification technologies. He has directed and contributed to strategic projects on cleaner production audits, resource efficiency guidelines, precious metal recovery, zero-waste sludge management, and circular economy solutions in maritime and industrial sectors. His research contributions span experimental development, process optimization, and applied environmental technologies, reflected in his project leadership, scholarly output, and impact on policy- and industry-oriented sustainability practices. He has received a Research and Development Achievement Award in recognition of his scientific and technological contributions. Throughout his career, he has been involved in education and training initiatives, interdisciplinary collaborations, and consultancy activities supporting sustainable industrial transformation. Dr. Şık’s professional engagement also includes participation in expert networks, adherence to international standards in environmental management, and contributions that strengthen the integration of cleaner production and resource-efficient approaches across sectors.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Kuram, E., Ozcelik, B., Demirbas, E., Şik, E., & Tansel, I. N. (2011). Evaluation of new vegetable-based cutting fluids on thrust force and surface roughness in drilling of AISI 304 using Taguchi method. Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 26(9), 1136–1146.

2. Ozcelik, B., Kuram, E., Demirbas, E., & Şik, E. (2011). Optimization of surface roughness in drilling using vegetable-based cutting oils developed from sunflower oil. Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, 63(4), 271–276.

3. Ozcelik, B., Kuram, E., Demirbas, E., & Şik, E. (2013). Effects of vegetable-based cutting fluids on the wear in drilling. Sadhana, 38(4), 687–706.

4. Şik, E. (2009). Bitkisel tabanlı yağlardan metal kesme sıvısı eldesi ve karakterizasyonu (Master’s thesis, Gebze Institute of Technology).

5. Author(s) missing. (2025). Driving potential of nanotechnological ‘softening’ approaches for the maritime industry: Application, preference, and prospects. Nanosistemi Nanomateriali Nanotehnologii.

Dr. Emrah Şık’s work advances sustainable industrial transformation by developing innovative cleaner production, wastewater recovery, and circular resource management technologies that reduce environmental burdens and optimize resource efficiency. His contributions support science-based policy, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and promote globally relevant solutions for pollution reduction and sustainable maritime and manufacturing practices.

Chuan Hu | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Chuan Hu | Environmental Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | Southeast University | China

Strengths for the Award

  1. High Citation Impact: With a total of 1,553 citations and an h-index of 18, Chuan Hu demonstrates significant influence in his research field. His i10-index of 24 further indicates the depth and impact of his work, with many papers being highly cited.
  2. Prolific Publications: Chuan Hu has authored numerous high-impact papers in reputable journals, such as Nature Communications, Angewandte Chemie, and Advanced Materials. His work on anion exchange membranes for fuel cells and water electrolysis has garnered wide recognition and citations, showcasing his expertise in developing high-performance materials for clean energy technologies.
  3. Research Focus and Innovation: His research addresses critical challenges in energy conversion and storage, focusing on creating durable and efficient anion exchange membranes. His innovative approach in utilizing novel polymers and crosslinking strategies highlights his contributions to advancing the field.
  4. Consistency in Quality: The consistent publication of high-quality papers since 2018, along with steady citations growth, reflects his sustained productivity and the relevance of his research in a rapidly evolving field.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader Research Applications: While Chuan Hu’s research is specialized and impactful, expanding the application scope of his work beyond anion exchange membranes could further enhance his recognition. Engaging in interdisciplinary research areas, such as environmental sustainability or biomedical applications of his materials, might broaden his influence and citation base.
  2. Collaborations and Networking: Increasing collaborations with international researchers or institutions might amplify his work’s visibility and impact. Engaging in more collaborative projects could lead to novel insights and higher recognition in global research communities.
  3. Public Engagement and Outreach: To increase the societal impact of his research, more public engagement through talks, workshops, or popular science articles could be beneficial. Raising awareness about the importance of fuel cell technology and clean energy could further underscore the real-world impact of his research.

Conclusion:

Chuan Hu’s research portfolio demonstrates excellence in the development of innovative materials for energy conversion technologies. His strong citation metrics, impactful publications, and focused research on anion exchange membranes make him a compelling candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.” By expanding his research applications and enhancing collaborative efforts, he could further solidify his position as a leading researcher in his field. His work not only contributes to scientific advancements but also aligns with global efforts towards sustainable and renewable energy solutions, making him highly deserving of recognition for his contributions.

📜 Short Bio

Chuan Hu is an associate professor at the School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, China. He specializes in water treatment, functional polymer synthesis, anion exchange membranes, fuel cells, and water electrolysis. With a strong background in both academia and research, Chuan Hu has made significant contributions to the field of high-temperature fuel cells and water treatment technologies.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

  • Doctorate in Chemical Engineering (2019-2022) from Hanyang University, South Korea, under the supervision of Prof. Young Moo Lee.
  • Master’s in Chemistry (2016-2019) from Xiamen University, China.
  • Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering (2012-2016) from Guangxi University, China.

💼 Experience

  • Associate Professor at Southeast University, China (March 2024 – Present).
  • Postdoctoral Researcher at Hanyang University, South Korea (September 2022 – March 2024), focusing on advanced materials for fuel cells and water electrolysis.

🔬 Research Interests

Chuan Hu’s research focuses on water treatment technologies, the synthesis of functional polymers, and the development of anion exchange membranes for fuel cells. His work aims to enhance the efficiency and durability of fuel cells and water electrolysis systems, addressing key challenges in renewable energy conversion and storage.

🏆 Awards

  • Best Paper Presentation Award at The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Fall Meeting, 2022, for his work on stabilizing the catalyst layer in durable alkaline membrane fuel cells.

📚 Publications

  1. “Triptycene branched poly(aryl‐co‐aryl piperidinium) electrolytes for alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells and water electrolyzers”Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023, 63 (e202316697). Link
    Cited by: Explores advanced materials for increased efficiency in alkaline membrane systems.
  2. “High free volume polyelectrolytes for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers with a current density of 13.39 A cm−2 and a durability of 1000 h”Advanced Science, 2023, 11(5): 2306988. Link
    Cited by: Demonstrates enhanced durability in water electrolyzers with innovative polyelectrolytes.
  3. “Advanced patterned membranes for efficient alkaline membrane electrolyzers”ACS Energy Letters, 2024, 9: 1219-1227. Link
    Cited by: Introduces new patterned membranes for better performance in electrolysis.
  4. “Stabilizing the catalyst layer for durable and high-performance alkaline membrane fuel cells and water electrolyzers”ACS Central Science, 2024, 10: 603-614. Link
    Cited by: Key insights into catalyst stabilization for long-term fuel cell applications.
  5. “Durable multiblock poly(biphenyl alkylene) anion exchange membranes with microphase separation for hydrogen energy conversion”Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023, 62: e202311509. Link
    Cited by: Develops microphase separation techniques for robust membrane performance.
  6. “Poly(Alkyl-Terphenyl Piperidinium) Ionomers and Membranes with an Outstanding Alkaline-Membrane Fuel-Cell Performance of 2.58 W cm-2”Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2021, 60 (2). Link
    Cited by: Breakthrough in ionomer development for high-power fuel cells.
  7. “Effects of hydrophobic side chains in poly(fluorenyl-co-aryl piperidinium) ionomers for durable anion exchange membrane fuel cells”Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2023, 11 (2031). Link
    Cited by: Investigates the role of hydrophobic modifications in membrane stability.
  8. “Multi-cation crosslinked anion exchange membranes from microporous Tröger’s base copolymers”Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2018, 6(27). Link
    Cited by: Focuses on crosslinking methods for enhancing membrane strength.
  9. “Dual hydrophobic modifications toward anion exchange membranes with both high ion conductivity and excellent dimensional stability”Journal of Membrane Science, 2020, 595 (117521). Link
    Cited by: Combines conductivity and stability through dual hydrophobic modifications.
  10. “Rigid crosslinkers towards constructing highly-efficient ion transport channels in anion exchange membranes”Journal of Membrane Science, 2021, 619 (118806). Link
    Cited by: Introduces rigid crosslinkers for superior ion transport efficiency.