Vikas Kumar | Architectural Design | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Architecture Engineers

Mr. Vikas Kumar | Architectural Design | Editorial Board Member

PhD Student | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | India

Vikas Kumar is a researcher and emerging scholar in architecture and urban planning, currently serving as a doctoral candidate at IIT Kharagpur with expertise spanning sustainable design, resource-constrained architecture, urban systems, and spatial analysis. He has contributed academically as a teaching assistant in design studios, graphic communication, computer graphics, and building construction, and has gained professional experience through architectural and urban planning internships with industry organizations. His research focuses on sustainable architectural strategies, Jugaad-based innovations, solid waste management, and affordable housing materials, reflected in publications on bamboo panel performance, evaporative cooling technologies, Jugaad theory and application, and urban environmental management. He has also contributed to applied research projects, including housing design interventions aimed at enhancing children’s cognitive development. His academic achievements include a national-level qualifying rank in architecture and planning, multiple best-presentation awards at international conferences, and recognition for excellence in academic and co-curricular activities. In addition to his scholarly work, he has demonstrated significant leadership as captain and contingent leader in major institutional sporting championships. His combined academic contributions, professional experience, research outputs, and recognized leadership make him a distinguished candidate for award nomination. His research impact includes 1 citation across 1 document, 2 publications, and an h-index of 1.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Kumar V., Mukerji A., Exploring Jugaad in architecture: Theory and strategies for implementation in resource-constrained environments. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2025.

2. Kumar V., Mukerji A., Triggers, Mediators, and Consequences of Jugaad in Architecture Among Lower Socio-economic Groups. In: 2025.

3. Kumar V., Methodology for Proposing and Planning Solid Waste Management in a Religious City: Case of Varanasi. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2021, ISSN: 2456-2165.

Vikas Kumar’s work advances sustainable architecture and urban planning by developing resource-efficient strategies, Jugaad-based innovations, and affordable housing solutions. His research addresses real world challenges in waste management, climate-responsive design, and socially inclusive urban systems, creating practical, scalable solutions that benefit communities, industry, and the broader built environment.

Guodan Liu | Environmental Design | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Guodan Liu | Environmental Design | Best Researcher Award

Professor | Qingdao University of Technology | China

Professor Guodan Liu, a distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Qingdao University of Technology, is a leading scholar in sustainable energy solutions and building technology. He earned advanced degrees specializing in energy and thermal environments, shaping his expertise in new energy development, energy efficiency technologies, and human thermal comfort. With extensive professional experience, he has led major national and provincial research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Shandong Provincial R&D initiatives, delivering impactful contributions to low-carbon, high-comfort built environments. Professor Liu has published over 135 peer-reviewed articles in internationally indexed journals, secured 64 patents, and maintains strong collaborations with leading research groups. His editorial contributions include serving as Guest Editor for a special issue in the journal Buildings. Recognized with prestigious honors such as the Shandong Provincial Technology Invention Award, Shandong Science and Technology Progress Prizes, and a Qingdao Municipal Science and Technology Award, he has also been acknowledged as an Outstanding Graduate Advisor and University Teacher. He actively contributes to the academic community as Standing Director of four professional committees on HVAC, Thermal Power, Refrigeration, and Building Environment and Energy in Shandong Province. Professor Liu continues to advance research on indoor thermal comfort under complex conditions, bridging energy efficiency with human well-being  708 citations, 58 publications, h-index 16.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

1. Liu G., Research on the lighting satisfaction prediction model for elementary school classrooms based on illuminance gradient. J. Build. Eng., 2025, Accepted.

2. Liu G., Research on recognition of bedding system coverage rate using infrared thermal imaging. J. Therm. Biol., 2025, Accepted.

3. Liu G., Thermal comfort and sensitivity of different body parts exposed to local infrared radiation. Indoor Air, 2025, Accepted.

4. Liu G., Analysis of energy consumption drivers in building rooms: a case of the commercial complex in Chengdu. Energy Informatics, 2024, 7, 78.

5. Liu G., Analysis of factors affecting air conditioning energy consumption: the case study of a commercial building in Shenzhen. In Advances in Computer Science and Ubiquitous Computing (Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, vol. 1416), 2025, pp. 39–44.

Yao Lu | Energy-Efficient Architecture | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yao Lu | Energy-Efficient Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Associate Reseacher at Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, China

Dr. Yao Lu is an accomplished researcher specializing in smart batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and flexible sensors. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, where he trained in advanced materials and physics at the Beijing Key Laboratory for Magneto-Photoelectrical Composite and Interface Science. He later joined Tsinghua University as a research fellow at the State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, where he advanced research on energy storage and battery safety. Currently, Dr. Lu serves as an Associate Researcher at the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research emphasizes developing safe, long-life, and energy-efficient battery systems by integrating flexible sensor technologies. With over 25 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, he has made impactful contributions to both academic science and practical energy applications. Dr. Lu is recognized as a promising researcher shaping the future of sustainable energy storage.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Yao Lu completed his doctoral studies at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), where he conducted research at the Beijing Key Laboratory for Magneto-Photoelectrical Composite and Interface Science. His Ph.D. work focused on advanced physics, nanomaterials, and energy systems, laying the foundation for his later work in smart batteries and flexible sensors. At USTB, he gained expertise in electrochemical energy storage mechanisms and safety analysis of high-performance batteries. Following his doctoral training, Dr. Lu pursued additional research opportunities at Tsinghua University, one of China’s most prestigious institutions, where he worked on automotive safety and energy technologies. These academic experiences provided him with a strong interdisciplinary background combining physics, materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering. This broad training equipped him to tackle the pressing challenges in next-generation energy storage technologies, particularly in developing safe, intelligent, and energy-efficient battery systems suitable for electric vehicles and renewable energy applications.

Research Focus 

Dr. Yao Lu’s research focuses on the intersection of energy storage technology, sensor integration, and sustainability. His primary work explores smart lithium-ion batteries enhanced with flexible and implantable sensors that improve safety, performance, and life cycle management. He investigates critical challenges in battery technology, including thermal runaway mechanisms, lithium dendrite suppression, and rapid charging solutions. By combining materials engineering, electrochemical analysis, and sensor fusion techniques, his work aims to create next-generation batteries that are both safe and efficient. Additionally, Dr. Lu contributes to research on zinc-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional lithium-ion systems. His studies also incorporate AI-enabled battery management systems, providing intelligent monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. Overall, his research represents a forward-looking approach to clean energy innovation, addressing global needs for safer, more reliable, and environmentally responsible power storage solutions.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Zinc-ion batteries: pioneering the future of sustainable energy storage through advanced materials and mechanisms
Authors: Zixuan Chen, Liang Zhang, Tianyu Yu, Huancheng Yang, Yao Lu, Xiaodan Wang, Rui Li, Zonglun Ye, Yue Wang, Pengwei Li et al.
Summary: This article explores zinc-ion batteries as sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion systems. It provides mechanistic insights and highlights material strategies for performance enhancement, opening pathways for environmentally friendly storage solutions.

Title: Manipulation of lithium dendrites based on electric field relaxation enabling safe and long-life lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xuebing Han, Shuoyuan Mao, Yu Wang, Yao Lu, Depeng Wang, Yukun Sun, Yuejiu Zheng, Xuning Feng, Languang Lu, Jianfeng Hua et al.
Summary: This study addresses lithium dendrite formation, a critical safety issue. The team demonstrated how electric field relaxation strategies can suppress dendrites, prolonging battery life and improving reliability.

Title: AI enabled fast charging of lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles during their life cycle: review, challenges and perspectives
Authors: Daoming Sun, Dongxu Guo, Yufang Lu, Jiali Chen, Yao Lu, Xuebing Han, Xuning Feng, Languang Lu, Hewu Wang, Minggao Ouyang
Summary: A comprehensive review highlighting AI-driven methods for safe fast charging. The paper identifies challenges and future directions for integrating AI with EV battery management.

Title: Early warning for thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries during various charging rates: Insights from expansion force analysis
Authors: Kuijie Li, Chen Li, Xuebing Han, Xin Gao, Yao Lu, Depeng Wang, Weixiong Wu, Yuan-cheng Cao, et al.
Summary: This work introduces expansion force analysis as a diagnostic method for predicting thermal runaway, contributing to improved safety monitoring in Li-ion batteries.

Title: In situ evaluation and manipulation of lithium plating morphology enabling safe and long-life lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Shuoyuan Mao, Yu Wang, Yao Lu, Xuebing Han, Yuejiu Zheng, Xuning Feng, Xinqi Ren, Languang Lu, Minggao Ouyang
Summary: The study reports advanced in situ techniques to monitor and control lithium plating, enhancing battery safety and durability.

Title: Smart batteries enabled by implanted flexible sensors
Authors: Yao Lu, Xiaodan Wang, Shuoyuan Mao, Depeng Wang, Daoming Sun, Yukun Sun, Anyu Su, Chenzi Zhao, Xuebing Han, Kuijie Li et al.
Summary: This article highlights how flexible sensors implanted within batteries can revolutionize energy storage by enabling real-time state monitoring and improved safety performance.

Conclusion

Dr. Yao Lu is an outstanding candidate for a Best Researcher Award. His innovative work on smart, safe, and sustainable battery technologies positions him at the forefront of energy materials research. With strong publication achievements, impactful collaborations, and recognition through competitive grants, he demonstrates the qualities of a researcher whose contributions will continue to shape the future of energy storage and flexible sensing technologies.