Neha Agarwal – Additive Manufacturing and Material Science – Best Researcher Award

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Neha Agarwal – Additive Manufacturing and Material Science – Best Researcher Award

Ms. Neha Agarwal distinguished academic and researcher in the field Additive Manufacturing and Material Science. Proven experience in bridging the gap between Biotechnology and Material Sciences with surface techniques
and characterization. Have successfully published scientific papers in high-impact journals.

🌐 Professional Profile

Educations📚📚📚

She is currently pursuing a PhD in Material Science at Dublin City University in Ireland, focusing on additive manufacturing of Ni-rich nitinol for superelastic properties for stent applications. Prior to that, she obtained a Master of Science in Micro and Nano Systems from Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany, with a grade of 2.1. She completed her Bachelor of Electronics and Communications Engineering with First Class with Distinction at Visveswariah Technological University in India.

Research experience

She has a diverse range of work experiences spanning various fields and countries. From May 2020 to August 2020, she engaged in upskilling herself with courses on Digital Marketing and Project Management through SkillnetIreland. In November 2019, she worked as a Researcher at Saarland University in Saabruecken, Germany, focusing on nanotechnological development for microfluidics.

From November 2018 to February 2019, she served as a Consultant at Altran S.A.S Deutschland – Carl Zeiss SMT in Oberkochen, Germany. Her responsibilities included the calculation of pressure drop in piping systems, development of a modular tool in Excel and MATLAB, and verification of the tool through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

She also engaged in upskilling on the German language for B2 certification at VHS in Saarbrücken, Germany, from January 2018 to October 2018.

Her work as an Optical Engineer at Sectago GmbH in Saarbrücken, Germany, from October 2016 to December 2017, involved the development of security features for banknotes and documents, including diffraction gratings, wafer preparation, material testing, and nanoimprinting.

Prior to that, from October 2014 to September 2016, she worked on electrode immobilization strategies for the construction of P450 biosensors.

Academic experience

She has extensive experience as a research assistant in various institutions and projects. At the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Europe in Saarbrücken, Germany, she worked on sample preparation with aqueous solutions of pyrrole, polymerization using femtosecond Ultraviolet Laser on a microchip, synthesis of gold nanoparticles, and surface characterization using techniques like SEM, AFM, and conductivity measurements for antibody testing. She also contributed to the development of sensors in microfluidic chips through polymerization of conductive polymers using laser direct writing and surface modification techniques.

Previously, she was a research assistant at the Leibniz – Institute for New Materials (INM) in Saarbrücken, Germany. There, she worked on producing colorful coatings for various applications using Physical Vapor Deposition techniques, optimizing processes, investigating material properties, and employing different color measuring techniques.

Her master’s thesis at INM focused on micro-nano structuring and nitriding of Titanium alloy using fiber lasers for dental implants. This involved laser structuring, material characterization using various techniques, and structural analysis.

At Chemnitz University of Technology in Chemnitz, Germany, she worked on a research project involving capacitance-voltage characteristics of bi-layered MOSFETs, conducting measurements and analysis of dependency on frequency variations.

Her experiences demonstrate a strong background in research and hands-on work in materials science, nanotechnology, laser technology, and microfluidics.

📝🔬Publications📝

1. Effect of Heat Treatment Time and Temperature on the Microstructure and Shape Memory
Properties of Nitinol Wires, N Agarwal, J Ryan Murphy, TS Hashemi, T Mossop, D O’Neill, J
Power, A Shayegh, D Brabazon, Materials 16 (19), 6480

2. Influence of processing parameters on the corrosion resistance of additively manufactured
nitinol parts for biomedical applications, N Agarwal, KA Gallagher, S Keaveny, JG Carton, D
Brabazon, MA Obeidi, Results in Materials 21, 100536

3. Study of the effects of laser power and scanning speed on the microstructural morphologies and
physical properties of L-PBF produced Ni52. 39Ti47. 61, N Agarwal, MCC Monu, KT Selvam, MA
Obeidi, D Brabazon, Journal of Materials Research and Technology 27, 8334-8343

4. Influence of laser powder bed fusion and ageing heat treatment parameters on the phase
structure and physical behaviour of Ni-rich nitinol parts, N Agarwal, D Bourke, MA Obeidi, D
Brabazon, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2024

5. Laser induced anisotropic wetting on Ti–6Al–4V surfaces; Neha Agarwal, Alexander May, Juseok
Lee, Marcel Lambert, Cagri Kaan Akkan, F.P. Nothdurft, O.C. Aktas, Material Letters Journal

6. Ag–Al2O3 optical nanocomposites with narrow particle size distribution prepared by pulsed laser
deposition; Marcel Lambert, Alexander May, Cagri Kaan Akkan, Neha Agarwal, O.C. Aktas,
Material Letters Journal

7. A Cytochrome P450 3A4 Biosensor Based on Generation 4.0 PAMAM Dendrimers for the Detection
of Caffeine; Michael Müller, Neha Agarwal, Jungtae Kim, Biosensors

8. Direct writing of a conducting polymer pattern in aqueous solution by using an ultrashort laser
pulse; Neha Agarwal, Hyobong Ryu, Melanie Mangang, Wilhelm Pfleging, Jungtae Kim, Royal
Society of Chemistry Advances

Awatif Alshammari – Material Science – Best Researcher Award

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Awatif Alshammari -Material Science – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Awatif Alshammari  distinguished academic and researcher in the field  Material Science. He has participated in several training courses focused on innovation and entrepreneurship at the Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation at Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University. In 2023, he attended sessions on topics including “An innovative journey” presented by Dr. Muhammad Abu Muhareb, which likely provided insights into medical radiation physics. Additionally, he engaged in a course on creating competitive scientific posters. In 2022, he took part in a session guiding participants on FT-IR spectroscopy analysis, a technique used in various scientific fields. Furthermore, in 2023, he received training on Origin Lab, focusing on graphing and data analysis techniques. These courses indicate his commitment to enhancing his skills and knowledge in the realms of innovation and scientific research.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

He holds a Ph.D. from Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University in KSA, which he obtained in 2024. Prior to this, he earned his Master’s degree in Physics from Northern Borders University in KSA in 2008. His academic journey also includes a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Dayton, US, which he completed in 2015.

Scientific production:

He served as a Teaching Assistant at Al-Jouf University’s College of Science in Sakaka, Al-Jouf Region, during 2008-2009. In terms of scientific production, he has contributed to research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. His work includes studies on the effects of gamma-ray irradiation on various glass systems modified with different oxides. One publication, titled “Gamma-ray-induced changes in the radiation shielding, structural, mechanical, and optical properties of borate, tellurite, and borotellurite glass systems modified with barium and bismuth oxide,” was published in Optik – International Journal for Light and Electron Optics in March 2023. Another publication, “Influence of various gamma-ray doses on radiation shielding, thermal, mechanical, structural, and optical properties of tellurite, borate, and boro-tellurite glasses modified with molybdenum and strontium oxide,” appeared in Optical Materials in July 2023. These contributions demonstrate his expertise in materials science and radiation shielding research.

Conference

He has actively participated in scientific conferences and seminars, showcasing his research through scientific posters. Notable events include the First Annual Scientific Conference held at the College of Science, Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University, in April 2023. He also presented a scientific poster at the Second International Conference on Applied Medical Sciences at Al-Azhar University in Gaza from March 14 to 16, 2023. Additionally, he contributed to the International Conference on Radiation Protection at King Saud University, though the specific date is not provided. These engagements demonstrate his involvement and contribution to the scientific community, particularly in the fields of medical sciences and radiation protection.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Sergio González Sánchez – Technological Networks – Best Researcher Award

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Sergio González Sánchez – Technological Networks

Dr. Sergio Gonzalez Sanchez  distinguished academic and researcher in the field Technological Networks and Metallurgy. His academic career took root at Northumbria University in the UK, where he held positions as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Programme Leader for the Engineering Foundation Year from 2015 to 2018. Currently, he serves as a Senior Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University since 2018. The breadth of his expertise and research has been acknowledged globally, with multiple visiting scientist appointments, including stays at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, DESY in Germany, and the Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science in Austria. Additionally, he took a sabbatical at the Diamond Light Source in the UK in February 2022. Throughout his career, he has consistently contributed to the advancement of materials science and engineering, showcasing a remarkable blend of academic dedication and international collaboration.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations: 📚🎓

He commenced his academic journey in materials engineering, earning a B.S. from Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2003. Following this, he delved into the industry as a Quality Control Engineer at Rochina-Wescho S.L. before pursuing further studies. His academic pursuits led him to complete a Ph.D. in Materials Physics from Complutense University of Madrid in 2008, conducting research at the National Center for Metallurgical Research (CENIM-CSIC) as an FPI Fellow (Spain).

Post-Ph.D., he embarked on a global research journey, serving as a Visiting Researcher at the University of Sheffield in the UK (2006-2007) and as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Tohoku University in Japan (2008-2010). During this time, his focus shifted towards alloys with applications in environmentally sustainable transport and biomedical fields.

In 2011, he secured the Juan de la Cierva Fellowship at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain, leading a project on “New Metallic Alloys for Biomedical Applications.” Subsequently, he contributed as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Manchester (2013-2014), working on the “Sensitization of Aluminium Alloys” as part of the LATEST2 project within the School of Materials.

His academic career took root at Northumbria University in the UK, where he held positions as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Programme Leader for the Engineering Foundation Year from 2015 to 2018. Currently, he serves as a Senior Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University since 2018. The breadth of his expertise and research has been acknowledged globally, with multiple visiting scientist appointments, including stays at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, DESY in Germany, and the Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science in Austria. Additionally, he took a sabbatical at the Diamond Light Source in the UK in February 2022. Throughout his career, he has consistently contributed to the advancement of materials science and engineering, showcasing a remarkable blend of academic dedication and international collaboration.

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE
POSITIONS 

Dr. S. González actively engages in a variety of external activities, demonstrating his commitment to professional development, mentorship, and community involvement. As a committee member of the Institute of Physics (IOP) NE branch since October 2020, he contributes to the regional representation of physicists. Additionally, he founded the Materials Informatics Network within the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), showcasing his leadership and interest in advancing materials science. Serving as a mentor for the EPSRC-funded project “Inclusion Matters” at Northumbria University from 2020 to 2021, Dr. González supports early career researchers from traditionally under-represented groups. His leadership extends to chairing research seminars, such as the one on 3D imaging by serial block face scanning electron microscopy in 2015. Dr. González has also played key roles in various committees, including the North East Division of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Aerospace North West Division of IMechE. His contributions as a board member of organizations like IET Aerospace and the Light Metals Division of IOM3 underscore his influence in the engineering and materials science communities. Beyond his professional affiliations, Dr. González is involved in broader science initiatives, such as being a scientific expert for VoYS (Sense About Science) and organizing events for the British Science Association’s National Science and Engineering Week. His expertise is further recognized through his role as an expert evaluator for the National Evaluation and Foresight Agency (ANEP) of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Dr. S. González’s multifaceted engagement reflects his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge, fostering collaboration, and supporting the next generation of researchers.

 

He has garnered an impressive array of honors, awards, and recognition throughout his career, showcasing a distinguished commitment to research, academia, and professional service. In 2020, he founded the IOM3 Materials Informatics Network, demonstrating visionary leadership in the field. Serving as an EPSRC Full College Member, he evaluated five proposals in October 2020, contributing to the advancement of cutting-edge research.

He has served as an evaluator for prestigious institutions globally, including the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) and CONACYT (Mexico). His expertise extends to evaluating projects for the National Science Center Poland and the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in 2019, showcasing a broad international impact.

The recognition of his contributions is further emphasized by being elected as a Fellow of IOM3 in April 2019, highlighting his significant influence in the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining. Additionally, his role as a finalist for the British Engineering Excellence Award in October 2017 underlines his commitment to excellence, particularly in the proposal on “Metallic glass composites with optimum wear and antimicrobial performance.”

He has demonstrated commitment to education, being a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since July 2016. His editorial roles in various esteemed journals such as Polymers, Annals of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, and the International Journal of Materials Science and Applications illustrate his dedication to disseminating knowledge and shaping academic discourse.

Furthermore, his engagement in professional organizations, including being a Board Member of the Light Metals Division of IOM3 and a Life Member of the American Association for Science and Technology, speaks to his active involvement in shaping the direction of his field.

The extensive list of awards, fellowships, and recognitions, such as the Juan de la Cierva Fellowship and the Marie Curie travel grant, attests to the high regard in which He is held within the academic and scientific community. His contributions have not only earned him accolades but also positioned him as a respected authority in the realm of materials science and engineering.

🔍📚 Research Interests 🌐✨

Dr. S. González has an extensive and diverse research background, spanning multiple years and involving various prestigious funding sources and collaborations. His recent achievements include a 3-year Ph.D. studentship, commencing in April 2024, funded by a multinational company headquartered in London, with a generous grant of approximately £96,000. In 2023-2025, he leads a project titled “Tailoring high entropy grain boundary complexions in CuZr shape memory alloy for enhanced reversibility, thermal stability, and toughness,” funded by The Royal Society International Exchanges. Additionally, Dr. González successfully secured internal funding from Northumbria University-Northern Accelerator for a project titled “Novel cost-effective antimicrobial touch surfaces for public indoor settings” in 2022. His research endeavors also include being the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Innovate UK Smart Grant in 2020, focusing on the design of High Entropy Superalloys using a hybrid experimental-based machine learning approach for the steel sector. Over the years, Dr. González has played key roles in various projects, such as the development of innovative timber panels and connections in collaboration with K. Poologanathan, and the exploration of metallic glass catalysts.

His contributions extend to international collaborations, such as the European Union Framework projects COST ACTION CA15114 and COST ACTION MP1303, as well as the FP7-264635-BioTinet project. Dr. González’s dedication to research is evident through numerous awards, grants, and fellowships, including the Juan de la Cierva Fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation in 2011-2013. His research has covered a wide range of topics, from shape memory alloys to nanocrystalline materials and bio-compatible titanium-based structures, showcasing his versatility and expertise in materials science and engineering.

 

Membership

-European Materials Characterisation Council (EMCC), Materials Research Society (MRS), Royal Society of Microscopy
(RSM), The Minerals, Metals  Materials Society (TMS), The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), Institute
of Physics (IOP), Institute of Science and Technology (IST), Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), European
Materials Research Society (E-MRS), American Association for Science and Technology (AASCIT), American Chemical
Society (ACS), Spanish Society of Materials (SOCIEMAT), Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS), British
Science Association, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), The Welding Institute (TWI), Institute of Cast Metals
Engineers (ICME).

 

Book Section📚📚

In 2008, S. González completed his PhD thesis at Complutense University of Madrid with the title “Processing and characterization of amorphous, nanocrystalline and submicrometric alloys of the Mg-Ni-Y-RE system” (Catalogue number: T 30751) [1]. This work laid the foundation for his subsequent research endeavors.

Following his doctoral studies, González delved into diverse research areas. In 2013, he collaborated on a publication titled “Biodegradation and mechanical integrity of magnesium and magnesium alloys suitable for implants” [2]. This research, detailed in an In-Tech e-book, explored the intersection of biodegradation and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys, making it a significant contribution to the field.

Continuing his research trajectory, González, along with co-authors, investigated the microstructural analysis of thermal fatigue damage in 316L pipes in 2013 [3]. The publication, EUR 26445, was issued by the Publications Office of the European Union in Luxembourg, emphasizing the international recognition of his work.

In 2016, J.R. Martín and S. González jointly worked on the development, design, and fabrication of a dynamic fin system to enhance heat transfer [4]. This collaborative effort, presented in the Anales: Asociación Ingenieros ICAI, 2016, showcased the practical application of their expertise in the realm of heat transfer dynamics.

Collectively, S. González’s contributions across various domains underscore his multidisciplinary approach and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in materials engineering and related fields.

Conference or Workshop Item

Dr. S. González has been actively engaged in a series of prominent conferences and workshops, showcasing his expertise in materials science and nanotechnology. Notably, at the 5th International Conference on Materials Research and Nanotechnology (ICMRN) in 2022, he delivered a presentation titled “Tuning the tribological performance of Cu50Zr50 through microalloying,” providing valuable insights into the field. His participation in the World Summit on Materials Science and Technology in 2020 involved a talk on the wear rate of microalloyed Cu50Zr50 shape memory alloy at different temperatures, emphasizing the practical applications of his research. At EUROMAT 2019, Dr. González presented findings on the optimal microalloying strategies to control the stress-induced martensitic transformation of Cu50Zr50 alloy.

In addition to these conferences, he has shared his knowledge in various invited talks and seminars. One notable instance was a presentation at IMDEA Materials in Madrid in July 2021, where he discussed “Metallic materials for biodegradable implants and antimicrobial surfaces.” Dr. González has also contributed to webinars on Materials Science and Nanotechnology, emphasizing collaborative research efforts in the field.

Beyond the academic sphere, Dr. González’s expertise is recognized internationally. For instance, he was invited to present at the World Summit on Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine in 2018 and 2016, discussing topics such as “Strategy for preventing excessive wear rate at high loads in bulk metallic glass composites” and “Novel metallic glass composites with optimum antimicrobial and wear performance.” Furthermore, his involvement in conferences extends to serving as a co-chair for a session at the Innovative Materials Science & Nanotechnology conference in Valencia in 2018.

Dr. González’s consistent participation and contributions to conferences, seminars, and webinars highlight his dedication to advancing materials science and fostering collaboration within the global scientific community.

 📚Top Noted Publication