Dr. Ali Babakr | Materials for Energy Applications | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ali Babakr | Materials for Energy Applications | Best Researcher Award

Emerson | United States

Dr. Ali Babakr is a highly accomplished Senior Principal Metallurgist and Failure Analyst with over 15 years of global experience in metallurgy, corrosion science, electrochemistry, and advanced materials characterization. He holds both a Ph.D. and M.S. in Metallurgy from the University of Idaho, USA, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Huston-Tillotson University, USA. Currently serving as Senior Principal Metallurgist and R&D Engineer at Emerson in McKinney, Texas, Dr. Babakr leads enterprise-wide materials strategies that support innovation, cost efficiency, and product reliability across the organization. His career is distinguished by expertise in root cause failure analysis, welding and supplier qualification, coatings, and surface engineering, as well as deep knowledge of industry standards including ASTM, ISO, API, NACE, and ASME. Prior to his role at Emerson, he served as Senior Metallurgical Specialist at Dow Chemical Company and as Senior Failure Analysis Engineer at SABIC, where he developed solutions to critical materials challenges in petrochemical operations and trained engineering teams on international standards. He has directed numerous failure analysis investigations, corrosion studies, and hydrogen portfolio assessments, resulting in ~20% cost savings through innovative materials selection and process optimization. Dr. Babakr is recognized for mentoring global teams of scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, and guiding cross-functional collaborations between R&D, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory divisions. His work has significantly influenced product development pipelines and improved operational safety, particularly in harsh service conditions involving high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive media. With a strong focus on knowledge transfer, Dr. Babakr frequently leads technical training, supplier audits, and material qualification programs, ensuring robust compliance with international codes and standards. His expertise spans SEM, EDS, XRD, XRF, FTIR, and electrochemical analysis, enabling him to deliver actionable insights for failure prevention and performance improvement. Beyond his industrial impact, Dr. Babakr is committed to advancing the field of materials science through publication, patenting, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. He has authored and co-authored several technical reports and conference papers addressing metallurgy, corrosion mitigation, and coatings technology. His work bridges the gap between research and industrial practice, making him a key contributor to advancing global best practices in material reliability and sustainability. With his record of technical leadership, innovation, and mentoring, Dr. Babakr stands as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

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Featured Publication

Effect of Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Blended Natural Gas on Additive-Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel in Ambient Oil and Gas Environments

Prof DIBAKAR DATTA | Materials for Energy Applications | Energy Materials Recognition

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Prof DIBAKAR DATTA | Materials for Energy Applications | Energy Materials Recognition

🔬 Prof. Dibakar Datta is an Associate Professor at NJIT and a leading expert in ⚡ energy materials, 2D nanomaterials, and electrochemical systems. He earned his Ph.D. from 🏛️ Brown University with a focus on mechanics, physics, and chemistry. A former postdoc at 🌉 Stanford University, he has received prestigious honors like the 🏅 NSF CAREER Award and ASME “Rising Star.” Prof. Datta serves on editorial boards of top journals and leads cutting-edge research in 🔋 energy storage, 💻 multiscale modeling, and 🔎 materials recognition. His global academic exposure and interdisciplinary expertise make him a key innovator in sustainable technologies. 🌍🧪

Prof DIBAKAR DATTA, New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States

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Education 🎓

Prof. Dibakar Datta holds a Ph.D. in Mechanics of Solids and Structures from 🏛️ Brown University, with minors in ⚛️ Physics and 🧪 Chemistry, mentored by Nobel Laureate Prof. J. Michael Kosterlitz. He was a visiting Ph.D. scholar at 🧬 University of Pennsylvania. He earned an M.S. in Computational Mechanics from 🇪🇸 UPC Barcelona and 🇫🇷 Ecole Centrale de Nantes, including a research internship at EDF Paris 🖥️. He also holds an M.E. in Structural Engineering from 🇮🇳 IISc Bangalore, and a B.E. in Civil Engineering from IIEST, India 🏗️. His global training spans India, Europe, and the USA 🌍📘.

Professional Experience 🏛️

Prof. Dibakar Datta serves as a Senator at 🇺🇸 New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), collaborating with university leadership on strategic policies 🏛️📜. As 🎓 Graduate Program Director for Mechanical Engineering, he oversees Ph.D. admissions, examinations, course design, and assistantship allocations 🎯📚. He also chairs student progress monitoring and academic appeals 🧾👨‍🎓. Additionally, he is a key member of the 🖥️ High-Performance Computing Advisory Board, instrumental in restructuring NJIT’s HPC infrastructure, developing equitable resource allocation policies, and reviewing computational research proposals ⚙️🔬. His leadership enhances both academic excellence and research capabilities at NJIT 💡🌐.

Awards & Achievements 🏆

Prof. Dibakar Datta is a globally recognized researcher with prestigious accolades including the ⭐ 2024 ASME Rising Star at IMECE and 🧪 ACS NY Outstanding SEED Mentor. He received the 🧠 NSF CAREER Award (2023) for his groundbreaking work on electro-chemo-mechanics of energy materials. Recognized as an Emerging Investigator by both 🧲 JOM (TMS) and 🔋 ASME JEECS in 2022, he also earned the 🌍 IAAM Young Investigator Award. 🇬🇧 Honored at the UK Parliament with the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman (2017), his journey began with the 🎓 President of India Gold Medal (2006). His excellence is globally celebrated 🌐✨.

Seminars & Conference 🎤

Prof. Dibakar Datta has delivered numerous invited, keynote, and plenary talks at prestigious global venues 🌍. From 🇨🇦 WCCM in Vancouver and 🇺🇸 TMS in Orlando to 🇸🇪 European Advanced Materials Congress in Stockholm, his presentations span continents and cutting-edge topics in energy and computational materials 🔋🧠. He’s addressed elite institutions like Tesla HQ, IITs, Rutgers, and Lockheed Martin 🏢🛰️. His prolific conference contributions include talks at SES, ACS, MRS, and WCCM events 🧪📊. Prof. Datta’s impactful presence across academia and industry reflects his leadership and expertise in materials science and engineering 🌐⚛️.

Research Focus 🔬

Prof. Dibakar Datta’s research revolves around energy storage, nanomaterials, and computational materials science ⚡🧪. He explores defective graphene and 2D materials for advanced Li-, Na-, and Ca-ion batteries 🔋🧱. His groundbreaking work includes lithium plating in porous graphene, high-capacity anodes, and graphene-based environmental barriers 🌿🔍. Combining atomistic simulations and reactive force field modeling, he deciphers mechanisms in amorphous silicon and graphene nanosacks 🧠🧯. Prof. Datta’s contributions bridge fundamental science and applied energy solutions, pushing the frontier in sustainable and high-performance battery technologies 🔋🌍⚛️. His work impacts both materials design and clean energy innovations 🚀♻️.

Publications 📘

🔋 Title: Nano-silica electrolyte additive enables dendrite suppression in an anode-free sodium metal battery
👨‍🔬 Authors: Reena A. Panchal, Joy Datta, Vrushali R. Varude, Dibakar Datta, Nikhil A. Koratkar
📘 Journal: Nano Energy, 2024
🔧🧪⚡

📊 Title: Unlocking the potential of open-tunnel oxides: DFT-guided design and machine learning-enhanced discovery for next-generation industry-scale battery technologies
👨‍🔬 Authors: Joy Datta, Nikhil A. Koratkar, Dibakar Datta
📘 Journal: Energy Advances, 2024
🧠📈🔋💻

⚙️ Title: Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Modeling of Multiscale Active Materials for Next-Generation Energy Storage: Opportunities and Challenges
👨‍🔬 Author: Dibakar Datta
📘 Journal: JOM, 2024
🔬⚡📉📊

🔬 Title: Effects of Graphene Interface on Potassiation in a Graphene-Selenium Heterostructure Cathode for Potassium-Ion Batteries
👨‍🔬 Authors: Vidushi Sharma, Dibakar Datta
📘 Journal: ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2023
🌿⚡🧪🔋

Assoc. Prof. Dr Baolin Yang | Materials for Energy Applications | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr Baolin Yang | Materials for Energy Applications | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baolin Yang 🎓 is a leading expert in geological engineering and hydrocarbon systems 🔬⛽. With a Ph.D. from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and postdoctoral work in geological resources, he focuses on reservoir stimulation, carbon sequestration 🌍, and unconventional energy systems ⚡. He has led 20+ national and industrial research projects, published extensively in top journals 📚, and holds two national patents 🧪. As a dedicated educator 👨‍🏫, he mentors Ph.D. and Master’s students with award-winning excellence 🏅. His innovative, interdisciplinary contributions continue to impact academia and the energy sector globally 🌐.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Baolin Yang, China University of Geoscience, China

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Education 🎓

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baolin Yang pursued his entire academic journey at the prestigious China University of Geosciences in Wuhan 🇨🇳. He earned his Bachelor’s degree (2005–2009) in the Faculty of Earth Resources, laying a solid foundation in geological sciences 🌍. He then advanced to complete his Doctorate in Engineering (2009–2014) from the same faculty, specializing in hydrocarbon systems and geological engineering ⛏️🔬. This rigorous academic path equipped him with deep technical expertise and research proficiency, setting the stage for his impactful career in energy exploration, carbon management, and reservoir engineering 💡⚙️.

Professional Experience 

Since September 2014, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baolin Yang has been a dedicated faculty member at China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 🏛️. Serving in both teaching and research roles, he has made outstanding contributions in the field of hydrocarbon exploration, reservoir stimulation, and energy resource engineering ⚒️💧. His role spans mentoring students, leading national research projects, and collaborating with major industry stakeholders like Sinopec, CNPC, and CNOOC 🛢️🤝. With a strong blend of academic and industrial engagement, Dr. Yang continues to shape the future of geological engineering and sustainable energy technologies 🌱📈.

Teaching Experience 👨‍🏫

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baolin Yang is a passionate educator with vast teaching experience across undergraduate, graduate, and international programs 🌍. He teaches courses like Oilfield Chemistry, Reservoir Protection Technology, and Geothermal Engineering 💧🔥. His supervision includes 2 international Ph.D. candidates, 18 Master’s, and 13 undergraduate students, with multiple accolades such as Outstanding Thesis Supervisor and Teaching Quality Awards 🏆. He led the Construction of a First-Class Petroleum Engineering Program and received honors in teaching competitions and internship mentorships 🎓🛠️. His dedication reflects a deep commitment to academic excellence and student development 💡🌟

Research Focus 🔬

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baolin Yang’s research is centered on hydrocarbon accumulation dynamics in petroliferous systems, with special focus on the mechanisms of hydrocarbon enrichment and unconventional reservoir stimulation and protection 💥🛢️. His work explores the role of fault structures in influencing oil and gas distribution, especially in regions like the Liaoxi Depression of the Bohai Bay Basin, Eastern China 🌍⛏️. By combining field data with advanced modeling techniques, his research supports energy exploration and sustainable extraction 🔍⚙️. Dr. Yang’s studies provide vital insights into enhancing reservoir productivity and understanding complex geological systems 🧠🌐.

Research Leadership 🛢️

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baolin Yang has led and contributed to over 20 pivotal research projects aligned with China’s strategic “12th” through “15th” Five-Year Plans 📅🇨🇳. His roles—ranging from Principal Investigator to Technical Chief—span collaborations with energy giants like CNOOC, CNPC, Sinopec, and PowerChina ⚙️🏭. His projects explore hydrocarbon accumulation, tight gas and shale oil dynamics, geothermal systems, CO₂ storage, and fracturing technologies 🌍💡. These groundbreaking initiatives drive innovation in reservoir characterization, modeling, and stimulation while supporting national energy security and sustainability goals 🔋🌱. His leadership continues to shape the future of geological engineering.

Publication 📚

“Advances in Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Integrating Laboratory, Numerical and Field Insights” 🔬💡🌍

📚 Journal: Applied Thermal Engineering, 2024 🏛️

👥 Authors: Jian Liu, Chun Shao, Baolin Yang, Sadock S. Josephat, Mohammed Dahiru Aminu ✍️🧑‍🔬

“Lithofacies and Depositional Model of Organic-Rich Lacustrine Mudstone: A Case Study of the Second Member of the Eocene Liushagang Formation in the Weixinan Sag, Beibuwan Basin, China” ⛏️🪨🌊

📚 Journal: Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 2025 🏛️

👥 Authors: Niubin Zhao, Jiaren Ye, Ronghu Zhang, Yiming Liu ✍️📖

These articles showcase Dr. Yang’s contribution to cutting-edge research in geothermal systems and organic-rich sedimentology, reinforcing his impact in the energy and geoscience fields.