Dr. Hu Junyong – Reverse Electrodialysis Heat Engine – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hu Junyong - Reverse Electrodialysis Heat Engine - Best Researcher Award

Taiyuan University of Technology - China

Author Profile 

ORCID 

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Hu Junyong began his academic journey in thermal energy and power engineering, earning his bachelor's degree from henan university of science and technology (2008–2012). he continued to deepen his expertise in the energy domain with a master's and subsequently a ph.d. in refrigeration and cryogenic engineering at dalian university of technology (2012–2020). his strong foundation in thermal systems provided a gateway into specialized applications involving power electronics, heat engines, and energy-efficient technologies.

👨‍🏫 Professional endeavors

In April 2020, hu junyong joined the taiyuan university of technology as a lecturer. during his academic tenure, he has consistently balanced teaching and research. from july 2021 to july 2023, he pursued post-doctoral research at taiyuan boiler group co., ltd., where he worked on industrial applications of thermal systems, further integrating power electronics for efficient waste heat utilization and energy recovery systems. his dual academic and industrial experiences contribute to a pragmatic research vision.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Hu Junyong’s research revolves around reverse electrodialysis power generation, desalination technology, and waste heat utilization. his core scientific contributions include optimizing the Reverse Electrodialysis Heat Engine performance of low-grade thermal energy-driven reverse electrodialysis systems and developing air-gap diffusion distillation devices. his work bridges the gap between thermodynamic cycles and emerging power electronics-enabled solutions, with a particular focus on pollution control, flue gas treatment, and water-energy nexus applications.

🌍 Impact and influence

His influence is evident in the growing relevance of reverse electrodialysis systems within clean energy and environmental engineering sectors. by integrating fundamental thermodynamics with applied engineering, especially in flue gas pollutant removal and desalination, hu junyong’s innovations contribute to sustainable energy transformation in industrial setups. his Reverse Electrodialysis Heat Engine involvement in national key r&d programs amplifies his role in steering future-ready power electronics innovations in energy and utility sectors.

📚 Academic cites

As a principal investigator, hu junyong has secured significant funding, including grants from the china postdoctoral science foundation and the shanxi youth research program. the projects Reverse Electrodialysis Heat Engine span from performance optimization of heat engines to flue gas-driven desalination systems. additionally, he participated in a major national r&d program focusing on low-calorific-value coal resource utilization, underscoring his scholarly relevance and contribution to cutting-edge research.

🚀 Legacy and future contributions

Looking ahead, hu junyong aims to refine thermal-to-electric conversion techniques and push the boundaries of membrane-based energy generation. his vision includes coupling reverse electrodialysis with smart control systems powered by power electronics, targeting not only energy efficiency but also sustainability in industrial and environmental processes. his ongoing commitment to both academic excellence and industrial innovation paves the way for transformative breakthroughs in clean energy technologies.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Experimental performance comparison of helium-gap diffusion distillation and air–gap diffusion distillation
    Author(s): Junyong Hu, Yukun Sun, Jiajie Zhang, Suxia Ma, Xuemao Guo, Jianfei Wang
    Journal: Energy Conversion and Management

  • Title: Influence of output current on decolorization efficiency of azo dye wastewater by a series system with multi-stage reverse electrodialysis reactors
    Author(s): S. Xu, Q. Leng, X. Wu, Z. Xu, J. Hu, D. Wu, D. Jing, P. Wang, F. Dong
    Journal: Energy Conversion and Management

  • Title: Experimental study on the hydrogen production with RED reactor powered by concentration gradient energy (溶液浓差能驱动的逆电渗析反应器制氢实验研究)
    Author(s): S. Xu, Z. Liu, X. Wu, Y. Zhang, J. Hu, D. Wu, Q. Leng, D. Jin, P. Wang
    Journal: Huagong Xuebao / CIESC Journal

  • Title: Heat and mass transfer evaluation of air-gap diffusion distillation by ε-NTU method
    Author(s): L. Xu, S. Xu, X. Wu, P. Wang, D. Jin, J. Hu, L. Li, L. Chen, Q. Leng, D. Wu
    Journal: Desalination

  • Title: Experimental investigation on the performance of series control multi-stage reverse electrodialysis
    Author(s): Junyong Hu, Shiming Xu, Xi Wu, Sixue Wang, Xuan Zhang, Shuaishuai Yang, Ruyu Xi, Debing Wu, Lin Xu
    Journal: Energy Conversion and Management

Prof. Li-Ping Yang – Renewable Energy Technologies – Best Researcher Award

Prof. Li-Ping Yang - Renewable Energy Technologies - Best Researcher Award

Harbin Engineering University - China

Author Profile 

SCOPUS 

ORCID 

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Li-Ping Yang, embarked on her academic journey in thermal energy and power engineering at jilin university, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 2002. her academic curiosity drove her to further explore the field of power machinery and engineering, obtaining her master's degree in 2005 and her ph.d. in 2008. her doctoral thesis, focusing on optimizing the working process and emission control of natural gas engines, was part of the prestigious national “863” high-tech research plan. these formative years laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to advancing sustainable engine technologies and power electronics in energy systems.

🏫 Professional endeavors

Professor yang has held a long-standing academic position at the college of power and energy engineering, harbin engineering university, since 2009. her international experience includes a research fellowship at queensland university of technology (qut), australia, and collaboration with avl list gmbh in austria. currently a full professor, she has consistently contributed to innovative projects in marine and biofuel engine technologies, shaping modern internal combustion engine design and development.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Prof. yang’s research spans a wide array of interdisciplinary themes, notably alternative and renewable fuels, gas/dual fuel engines, combustion simulation, engine emissions control, and Renewable Energy Technologies nonlinear dynamics. she has led numerous national-level projects, including investigations into emission control in lng/diesel engines, dynamic behavior in lean-burned natural gas engines, and oil-gas cooperative combustion control. with deep integration of power electronics in combustion and fuel systems, her work bridges theoretical modeling with practical engineering solutions for green energy.

🌍 Impact and influence

Li-Ping Yang has significantly influenced the field of internal combustion engine optimization and clean energy technologies. her work in integrating hydrogenation reforming, exhaust gas Renewable Energy Technologies recirculation, and simulation models has advanced the global understanding of marine engine emissions control. through government-backed projects, she has influenced the direction of china’s marine energy policies and contributed to critical industrial standards in power electronics-based fuel systems.

📚 Academic cites

Professor yang’s research contributions have been published widely in peer-reviewed journals and presented at prestigious international conferences. her scholarly output continues to be Renewable Energy Technologies cited by global researchers working in combustion science, renewable fuels, and power electronics. her publications often reflect collaborative work and practical applications, reinforcing her reputation as both a theoretician and a solution-oriented engineer.

🚀 Legacy and future contributions

Looking ahead, professor yang is poised to continue her contributions in advancing dual-fuel marine engines and their environmental performance. her ongoing projects with the national natural science foundation of china and the ministry of industry focus on emission reductions and fuel efficiency. her legacy lies in building a future where energy sustainability meets technological precision through smart systems and power electronics innovation.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: Development of a Reduced Chemical Reaction Kinetic Mechanism with Cross-Reactions of Diesel/Biodiesel Fuels
    Author(s): Liping Yang, Rui Wang, Ali Zare, Timothy A. Bodisco, Richard J. Brown
    Journal: Journal of Marine Science and Application (2025)

  • Title: Comparison of diesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil as the high-reactivity fuel in reactivity-controlled compression ignition
    Author(s): Jacek Hunicz, Liping Yang, Arkadiusz Rybak, Michał S. Gęca, Maciej Mikulski
    Journal: Energy Conversion and Management (2025)

  • Title: Waste plastic pyrolysis oils as diesel fuel blending components: Detailed analysis of combustion and emissions sensitivity to engine control parameters
    Author(s): Jacek Hunicz, Arkadiusz Rybak, Dariusz Szpica, Liping Yang, Maciej Mikulski
    Journal: Energy (2024)

  • Title: Effect of split injection strategy of diesel fuel on multi-stage heat release and performance of a RCCI engine fueled with diesel and natural gas
    Author(s): Liping Yang, Shuaizhuang Ji, Wenqing Niu, Jacek Hunicz, Richard J. Brown
    Journal: Fuel (2024)

  • Title: An analytical approach to converting vibration signal to combustion characteristics of homogeneous charge compression ignition engines
    Author(s): Jacek Hunicz, Michał S. Gęca, Elzbieta Ratajczyk, Liping Yang, Maciej Mikulski
    Journal: Energy Conversion and Management (2023)