Juan Carlos Lozano Medina | Materials | Excellence in Innovation Award

Published on by International Popular Scientist Awards

Excellence in Innovation Award

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina
 Universidad De Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina
Affiliation Universidad De Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
Country Spain
Scopus Id 58455462500
Documents 15
Citation 55
h-index 4
Subject Area Materials
Event International Popular Scientist Awards
Orcid 0009-0005-4985-9339

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina is a researcher affiliated with Universidad De Las Palmas De Gran Canaria in Spain whose documented research spans energy systems, pumped hydroelectric energy storage, island electricity systems, desalination, hydrogen integration, renewable-energy applications, power-plant operation, and materials-related manufacturing. His Scopus profile is reported with 15 documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4, providing a bibliometric basis for assessing his research activity and scholarly influence. [1]

Abstract

This academic recognition profile presents the research record of Juan Carlos Lozano Medina in the context of the Excellence in Innovation Award. His documented publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary focus on sustainable energy systems, energy storage, island electricity infrastructure, desalination, hydrogen utilization, renewable fuels, and advanced manufacturing. Recent work includes analysis of pumped hydroelectric energy storage in Gran Canaria, integration of desalination with hydroelectric pumping infrastructure, hydrogen-supported energy storage, demand-response optimization, and the use of banana waste for bioethanol production. [2] [3] [4] The record therefore provides evidence of research directed toward technological integration and practical approaches to energy-system sustainability.

Keywords

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina; Excellence in Innovation Award; sustainable energy systems; pumped hydroelectric energy storage; Gran Canaria; island electricity systems; hydrogen energy storage; demand response; renewable energy; desalination; bioethanol; power-plant optimization; additive manufacturing; materials research.

Introduction

Island electricity systems face distinctive engineering challenges associated with limited interconnection, variable renewable generation, demand fluctuations, and the need for flexible energy-storage capacity. Research addressing these challenges can involve multiple disciplines, including energy engineering, optimization, hydropower, hydrogen technologies, water treatment, and materials science. Lozano Medina’s publication record reflects this interdisciplinary environment through studies examining the operation and integration of energy infrastructure in the Canary Islands. [5]

Research Profile

Lozano Medina’s documented research profile is centered on energy-system analysis and technology integration, with particular relevance to island environments. His publications address pumped hydroelectric power, energy storage, demand-response optimization, renewable fuels, power-plant operation, and interactions between energy and water infrastructure. The Scopus-indexed profile supplied for this article lists 15 documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4. [1]

  • Energy storage and pumped hydroelectric power systems.
  • Optimization of island electricity systems and demand response.
  • Hydrogen integration with pumped hydroelectric infrastructure.
  • Renewable and waste-derived fuels for electricity systems.
  • Integration of desalination and hydroelectric pumping infrastructure.
  • Power-plant operation and energy-system alternatives in the Canary Islands.
  • Advanced manufacturing and copper-shell fabrication.

Research Contributions

Pumped hydroelectric energy storage. Research on Gran Canaria examines the role of pumped hydroelectric energy storage in energy production and the integration of the Chira-Soria pumped hydroelectric power plant. The work considers energy-system operation and demand patterns, providing a framework for evaluating storage within an island electricity context. [2]

Hydrogen-supported energy storage. A 2024 study investigated the use of hydrogen for large-scale energy storage in support of the efficient integration of pumped hydroelectric power. This research connects hydrogen technologies with established storage infrastructure and examines approaches to improving energy-system flexibility. [4]

Energy and water integration. Research on the integration of a reverse osmosis desalination plant within a hydroelectric pumping station addresses the relationship between water treatment and energy infrastructure. Such integration is relevant to island regions where energy and water systems can be closely interconnected. [3]

Publications

  1. Lozano Medina, J. C.; León Zerpa, F. A.; Pérez Báez, S. O.; Sánchez Morales, C.; Mendieta Pino, C. A. A Study of Energy Production in Gran Canaria with a Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage Plant (PHES). Sustainability, 2025.[2]
  2. Sánchez-Morales, C. J.; Mirza-Rosca, J.; Lozano-Medina, J. C.; Hernandez-Pérez, M. Additive Manufacturing of Highly Detailed Copper Shells by AMSME Process. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2024.
  3. Medina, J. C. L.; Martín, A. R.; Zerpa, F. L.; Pino, C. A. M. Integration study of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in a hydroelectric pumping station. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2024.[3]
  4. Lozano Medina, J. C.; Concepción, V. H.; Mendieta Pino, C. A.; León Zerpa, F. Massive energy storage using H2 to support the optimal and efficient integration of a pumped hydroelectric power plant. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2024.[4]

Research Impact

The supplied Scopus metrics indicate 15 indexed documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4. [1] These indicators provide a quantitative snapshot of the researcher’s indexed scholarly output and citation activity. Bibliometric indicators should be interpreted alongside publication quality, research relevance, collaboration, methodological contribution, and practical application rather than as independent measures of research quality.

Award Suitability

The documented research profile is relevant to an Excellence in Innovation Award because several publications address the development, optimization, or integration of technologies intended to improve the performance of energy and infrastructure systems. The research on pumped hydroelectric storage in Gran Canaria provides an example of applying energy-system analysis to a specific island context, while the work on hydrogen storage examines an additional pathway for supporting flexible energy infrastructure. [2] [4]

Conclusion

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina’s documented scholarly record reflects an interdisciplinary research trajectory involving sustainable energy systems, pumped hydroelectric storage, hydrogen integration, island electricity optimization, desalination, renewable fuels, power-plant operation, and advanced manufacturing. With 15 reported Scopus-indexed documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4, his research demonstrates measurable scholarly activity. [1] The combination of energy-system research and technology-oriented studies provides a substantive basis for consideration under an Excellence in Innovation Award, subject to the independent verification and assessment procedures of the International Popular Scientist Awards.

References

  1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Juan Carlos Lozano Medina, Author ID 58455462500. Scopus.
    https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58455462500
  2. Lozano Medina, J. C., León Zerpa, F. A., Pérez Báez, S. O., Sánchez Morales, C., & Mendieta Pino, C. A. (2025). A Study of Energy Production in Gran Canaria with a Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage Plant (PHES). Sustainability, 17.
    DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020435
  3. Medina, J. C. L., Martín, A. R., Zerpa, F. L., & Pino, C. A. M. (2024). Integration study of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in a hydroelectric pumping station. Desalination and Water Treatment.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100431
  4. Lozano Medina, J. C., Concepción, V. H., Mendieta Pino, C. A., & León Zerpa, F. (2024). Massive energy storage using H2 to support the optimal and efficient integration of a pumped hydroelectric power plant. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.338
  5. Lozano Medina, J. C., Henríquez Concepción, V., Ramos Martin, A., León Zerpa, F., & Mendieta Pino, C. A. (2024). Study of Different Alternatives for the Operation of Power Plants in the Canary Islands. DYNA.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.52152/d11075

Yifei Zhang | Materials Science | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Prof. Yifei Zhang | Materials Science | Best Academic Researcher Award

Professor | Hebei University | China

Prof. Yifei Zhang is a materials scientist specializing in metallurgical physical chemistry, with a strong interdisciplinary focus on non-destructive testing technologies, material surface treatment, modification engineering, and machine vision–assisted evaluation methods. Her research advances the understanding of microstructural evolution, surface behavior, and damage mechanisms in advanced metallic and composite materials, bridging fundamental metallurgical principles with applied diagnostics. She has made notable contributions to the study of oxide-film dynamics in additively manufactured titanium alloys, the microstructural and electrochemical responses of heat-treated metal systems, and the adhesion performance of functional coatings under residual stress conditions. Her work extends into intelligent materials characterization, where she integrates acoustic emission analysis, signal decomposition, and deep-learning frameworks to enhance damage-mode identification in complex composites and metal components. Through innovative combinations of variational mode decomposition, convolutional neural networks, and optimized non-destructive evaluation methods, she has improved the precision and reliability of structural integrity assessments. Her professional experience includes extensive involvement in designing and validating advanced diagnostic techniques, contributing to the development of next-generation material performance evaluation tools. She collaborates across disciplines to connect materials processing, mechanical behavior, and sensing technologies, supporting safer, more efficient applications in engineering structures and manufacturing environments. Her scientific output reflects a commitment to integrating experimental research with computational enhancement, contributing significantly to the fields of material surface engineering, structural health monitoring, and intelligent testing systems.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Zhang, Y., Li, J., Xu, H., & others. (2020). Dynamic evolution of oxide film on selective laser melted Ti-Al-4V alloy. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 849, 156622.

Zhang, Y., Feng, L., Zhang, T., & others. (2021). Heat treatment of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloy: Microstructure and electrochemical properties. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 888, 161602.

Zhou, W., Li, D., Su, Y., & Zhang, Y.* (2024). Experimental study on the static strain aging of Q345 steel using complementary in-situ non-destructive testing techniques. International Journal of Steel Structures, 24(3), 591–606.

Zhang, Y., Yao, Y., Li, J., & others. (2025). Effect of residual stress on adhesion behaviour of TiN coating. Bulletin of Materials Science, 48, 72.

Zhang, Y., Ge, X., Su, Y., & others. (2025). Damage mode identification in 2D triaxial carbon fiber braided composites via acoustic emission segmentation and variational mode decomposition optimization. Polymer Composites, 1–16.

Theodoros Karakasidis | Materials Science | Best Academic Researcher Award

Published on by International Popular Scientist Awards

Prof. Theodoros Karakasidis | Materials Science | Best Academic Researcher Award

Professor at University of Thessaly, Greece

Prof. Theodoros Karakasidis is a Professor of Applied Physics at the Department of Physics, University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece. He serves as the Director of the Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory and the Graduate Program in “Applied Physics”. He holds a BSc in Physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1989), an MSc and PhD in Physics from University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6), and a Master’s in Education from the Hellenic Open University.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • BSc in Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 🇬🇷 (1989, GPA 9.51/10)

  • MSc & PhD in Physics, University Pierre et Marie Curie – Paris VI 🇫🇷

  • Master’s in Education, Hellenic Open University (2009)

🧪 Research Interests:

  • Computational Materials Science & Nanotechnology 🧬

  • Machine Learning & Complex Systems 🔁

  • Physics Education & ICT in Teaching 🎓

  • Nonlinear Dynamics & Time Series Analysis ⏳

🎓 Academic Roles:

  • Professor of Applied Physics, Univ. of Thessaly

  • Director, Condensed Matter Physics Lab 🔬

  • Director, MSc Program “Applied Physics” 📘

  • Chairman, Dept. of Physics (2022–present)

  • Past Deputy Chair, Dept. of Civil Engineering

📚 Teaching & Supervision:

  • 25+ years teaching undergraduate & graduate courses

  • Supervisor of 20+ MSc, 8+ PhD, and 2 postdoctoral researchers

  • Courses include Electromagnetism, Condensed Matter Physics, and Computational Science

🔬 Projects & Research Leadership:

  • Principal Investigator in national and EU-funded projects (EUROFUSION, HFRI, Horizon)

  • Key focus: digital materials design, particle-based modeling, smart water purification, and magnetic nanofluidics

🌐 International Collaborations:

  • Collaborations with Strathclyde (UK), NTNU (Norway), Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan), ICAMS (Germany)

  • Erasmus+, COST Actions, Marie Curie Evaluator

📖 Editorial & Peer Review:

  • Reviewer for top journals: Phys. Rev. E, Scientific Reports, Nanotechnology, MRS Comm.

  • Guest Editor: Desalination and Water Treatment, Computational Materials Science, Environmental Processes

🧾 Distinctions:

  • Top-cited and featured articles in journals like Journal of Theoretical Biology

  • Best Paper & Young Researcher Award at ICDDNBEA 2021 🏆

  • Popular science book author: “Roulis the Science Cat” 🐱📘

💻 Technical Expertise:

  • Expert in FORTRAN, C, Python, Parallel Computing (MPI), MATLAB

  • Skilled in academic platforms (Blackboard, Moodle, E-Class)

📣 Memberships & Outreach:

  • Member of APS, EPS, MRS, IEEE, American Nano Society

  • Promoter of science in schools and public outreach events 🎤

  • Organized student teams for science competitions (e.g., FameLab)

Citation Metrics (Google Scholar):

  • Total Citations: 3,498

  • Citations since 2020: 1,707

  • h-index: 33

  • h-index since 2020: 22

  • i10-index: 76

  • i10-index since 2020: 48

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Use of fuzzy clustering technique and matrices to classify amino acids and its impact to Chou’s pseudo amino acid composition
    D.N. Georgiou, T.E. Karakasidis, J.J. Nieto, A. Torres
    Journal of Theoretical Biology, 257(1), 17–26 (2009). [Cited by: 229]

  2. Transport properties of liquid argon in krypton nanochannels: anisotropy and non-homogeneity introduced by the solid walls
    F. Sofos, T. Karakasidis, A. Liakopoulos
    International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 52(3–4), 735–743 (2009). [Cited by: 157]

  3. Artificial intelligence in physical sciences: Symbolic regression trends and perspectives
    D. Angelis, F. Sofos, T.E. Karakasidis
    Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 30(6), 3845–3865 (2023). [Cited by: 156]

  4. Multiscale modeling in nanomaterials science
    T.E. Karakasidis, C.A. Charitidis
    Materials Science and Engineering: C, 27(5–8), 1082–1089 (2007). [Cited by: 138]

  5. Effects of wall roughness on flow in nanochannels
    F.D. Sofos, T.E. Karakasidis, A. Liakopoulos
    Physical Review E, 79(2), 026305 (2009). [Cited by: 127]

  6. Heavy Metal Adsorption Using Magnetic Nanoparticles for Water Purification: A Critical Review
    C. Liosis, A. Papadopoulou, E. Karvelas, T.E. Karakasidis, I.E. Sarris
    Materials, 14(24), 7500 (2021). [Cited by: 99]

  7. The application of complex network time series analysis in turbulent heated jets
    A.K. Charakopoulos, T.E. Karakasidis, P.N. Papanicolaou, A. Liakopoulos
    Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science, 24(2), 024408 (2014). [Cited by: 99]

  8. Surface wettability effects on flow in rough wall nanochannels
    F. Sofos, T.E. Karakasidis, A. Liakopoulos
    Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 12, 25–31 (2012). [Cited by: 78]

  9. Effect of wall roughness on shear viscosity and diffusion in nanochannels
    F. Sofos, T.E. Karakasidis, A. Liakopoulos
    International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 53(19–20), 3839–3846 (2010). [Cited by: 78]

  10. Grain-boundary diffusion of cation vacancies in nickel oxide: a molecular-dynamics study
    T. Karakasidis, M. Meyer
    Physical Review B, 55(20), 13853 (1997). [Cited by: 75]

  11. A comment on a rigid-ion potential for UO₂
    T. Karakasidis, P.J.D. Lindan
    Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 6(15), 2965 (1994). [Cited by: 68]

  12. On the magnetic aggregation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles
    E.G. Karvelas, N.K. Lampropoulos, L.T. Benos, T. Karakasidis, I.E. Sarris
    Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, 198, 105778 (2021). [Cited by: 65]

  13. Friction factor in nanochannel flows
    A. Liakopoulos, F. Sofos, T.E. Karakasidis
    Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 20, 1–7 (2016). [Cited by: 64]

  14. A short survey on genetic sequences, Chou’s pseudo amino acid composition and its combination with fuzzy set theory
    D.N. Georgiou, T.E. Karakasidis, A.C. Megaritis
    The Open Bioinformatics Journal, 7(1) (2013). [Cited by: 62]

  15. Unified description of size effects of transport properties of liquids flowing in nanochannels
    A.E. Giannakopoulos, F. Sofos, T.E. Karakasidis, A. Liakopoulos
    International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer (2012). [Cited by: 60]

  16. Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics investigation of parameters affecting planar nanochannel flows
    F. Sofos, T.E. Karakasidis, A. Liakopoulos
    Journal of Contemporary Engineering Science, 2, 283–298 (2009). [Cited by: 59]

  17. Micromixing efficiency of particles in heavy metal removal processes under various inlet conditions
    E. Karvelas, C. Liosis, L. Benos, T. Karakasidis, I. Sarris
    Water, 11(6), 1135 (2019). [Cited by: 55]

  18. Current trends in fluid research in the era of artificial intelligence: A review
    F. Sofos, C. Stavrogiannis, K.K. Exarchou-Kouveli, D. Akabua, G. Charilas, …
    Fluids, 7(3), 116 (2022). [Cited by: 51]

  19. Dissipative particle dynamics investigation of parameters affecting planar nanochannel flows
    D. Kasiteropoulou, T.E. Karakasidis, A. Liakopoulos
    Materials Science and Engineering: B, 176(19), 1574–1579 (2011). [Cited by: 50]

  20. On perturbations of the Mandelbrot map
    J. Argyris, I. Andreadis, T.E. Karakasidis
    Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 11(7), 1131–1136 (2000). [Cited by: 50]

 

Rehana Riaz | Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by International Popular Scientist Awards

Assist. Prof. Dr. Rehana Riaz | Nanotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor International Islamic University Islamabad Pakistan

Dr. Rehana Riaz is a passionate and dedicated academician specializing in Physics and Nanoelectronics. With extensive experience in research, teaching, and departmental leadership, she excels in creating impactful contributions to her field. Her expertise spans microelectronic devices, semiconductor fabrication, and advanced nanoscience techniques.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

  • PhD (2015): International Islamic University Islamabad
    Thesis: “Simulation Fabrication and Characterization of Ultra Shallow Junctions in CMOS”
  • M.Phil (2001): Islamia University Bahawalpur
    Thesis: “Spectroscopic Evaluation of Glow Discharge Plasmas”
  • M.Sc (1997): Islamia University Bahawalpur
    Majors: Electronics, Mathematical Methods, Solid State & Nuclear Physics
  • B.Ed (1998): Government Old Degree College Bahawalpur
  • B.Sc (1995): Islamia University Bahawalpur
    Majors: Double Math and Physics
  • F.Sc (1993): Government Old Degree College Bahawalpur
  • SSC (1990): Government Higher Secondary School Model Town ‘A’ Bahawalpur

Professional Experience 🏫

  • Assistant Professor (2017–Present): International Islamic University Islamabad
    • Teaching advanced courses in Physics and Nanoscience
    • Supervising graduate and undergraduate students
    • Leading research projects, including HEC-funded initiatives
  • Assistant Professor (IPFP) (2015–2017): Federal Urdu University
  • Lecturer (2011–2015): Center for Emerging Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (CESET)
  • Visiting Lecturer (2010–2011): International Islamic University Islamabad
  • Research Fellow (2006–2011): HEC-funded project on CMOS Nanoelectronics
  • Lecturer (2002–2004): Government College

Research Interests 🔬

  • Nanoelectronics and Semiconductor Device Processing
  • Advanced Materials and Nanoscience Applications
  • Plasma Physics and Spectroscopic Techniques
  • Fabrication of Graphene and Advanced Sensor Technologies

Awards and Achievements 🏆

  • Principal Investigator for an HEC-funded project on graphene fabrication
  • Participated in prestigious international workshops and training programs on microelectronics and ion beam analysis techniques
  • Contributed to the development of curricula and academic programs

Publications Top Notes: 📚

“Fabrication of Graphene with Little Alteration in Hummer’s Method” (2022) – Published in Journal of Nano Materials Science. [Cited by 15 articles]

“Formation and Characterization of Ultra-shallow Junctions for CMOS Devices” (2018) – Published in Microelectronics Journal. [Cited by 25 articles]

“Spectroscopic Analysis of Glow Discharge Plasmas” (2014) – Published in Plasma Physics Reports. [Cited by 30 articles]