Prof. Chumin Wang, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico
Bio: Prof. Wang received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He was a Postdoctoral Associate at the Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, from 1993 to 1994. He is currently a tenure-track full professor at the Materials Research Institute of the UNAM. His research interests include strongly correlated electron systems and elementary excitations in organic solar cells, as well as in porous semiconductors.
Speech Title: Quantum theory of exciton dissociation in organic photovoltaic devices
Abstract: Sunlight is the most plentiful source of clean energy, providing to the earth in one hour enough energy for current human needs of one year. In addition, photovoltaic devices based on organic semiconductors possess many remarkable advantages in comparison with the inorganic technology, such as flexibility, transparency, low weight and inexpensive manufacture. Hence, understanding the kinetics of light-generated excitons around the organic donor-acceptor heterojunction may significantly improve the performance of such solar cells. In this talk, we present a quantum mechanical theory of molecular photocells based on a coarse-grained attractive Hubbard Hamiltonian, where the transport and dissociation of excitons are analyzed on an excitonic state lattice containing impurity sites originated from the attractive electron-hole interaction. The presence of these impurity sites prevents the use of reciprocal space and then, the numerical calculation was carried out by means of an independent channel plus real-space renormalization method, where the competition between the driving force from heterojunction and the Coulomb attraction leading to an electron-hole recombination has been explicitly addressed. The results reveal an optimal distance between molecular photocells to achieve the maximum quantum efficiency, in accordance with numerous experimental reports about the optimal concentration of donor molecules. Moreover, the calculated quantum efficiency has good agreement with those obtained from diverse organic photovoltaic devices, such as bilayer, perovskite and inverted solar cells. This research was partially supported by projects CF-2023-I-830, UNAM-IN110823 and LANCAD-UNAM-DGTIC-039.
Assoc. Prof. Kaikai Pan, Zhejiang University, China
Bio: Kaikai Pan is an Assistant Professor at the College of Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang University. He holds a Ph.D. degree from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Netherlands, under the supervision of Prof. Peter Palensky and Prof. Peyman Mohajerin Esfahani. Currently He is affiliated with the Ubiquitous System Security Lab. (USSLAB), with a research focus on the renewable energy system security, unmanned system control security, and cyber-physical system security. He has authored over 30 high-quality academic papers, including 10 first-author or corresponding-author journal articles indexed in SCI journals such as IEEE Transactions on Power Systems (TPWRS), IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid (TSG), and IEEE Industrial Electronics Magazine (IEM). He serves as a guest editor for the SCI-indexed Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy (MPCE) and is a program committee member for multiple international conferences. He also acts as a reviewer for top journals such as IEEE TSG, IEEE TPWRS, IEM, IEEE TII, IEEE TCST, and IEEE TIFS, etc. He has been recognized with various awards, including the 2022 First Prize for Technological Progress from the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the "Humans of EEMCS" award from Delft University of Technology, and the Best Paper Award at the prestigious IEEE SmartGridComm'17 conference.
Professor. Dr. Saim Memon, Birmingham City University, UK
Bio: Professor Saim Memon is an accomplished CEO and Industrial Professor of Renewable Energy Engineering, renowned for bridging the gap between academic research, industrial innovation, and global market impact. With a distinguished academic career rooted in the UK, he holds a PhD in Mechanical, Electrical, and Manufacturing Engineering (Loughborough University, UK), a PGCert in Teaching Qualification (University of Aberdeen, Scotland), an MSc in Mechatronics (Staffordshire University, UK), and a BEng (Hons) in Electrical Engineering (First-Class Distinction) (MUET). A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Prof. Memon also holds Qualified Teacher Status, awarded by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Recognised as a global thought leader, Prof. Memon ranks among the top 0.96% worldwide in the field of Energy and the top 0.86% across all disciplines (ScholarGPS) over the past five years, underscoring his prolific contributions to academia and industry. His exceptional track record includes over 120 research publications, leadership of 41 teaching modules spanning electrical, electronic, mechanical, and renewable energy engineering, with consistently outstanding student satisfaction rates exceeding 90%. He has successfully supervised multiple doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate research projects, cultivating the next generation of engineering innovators. Prof. Memon’s academic influence is further amplified through 50+ invited and keynote lectures, collaborations with researchers from over 40 countries, 2050+ citations, and an h-index of 28+ and i10-index of 56+. As a thought leader, he has served as Editor-in-Chief and Guest Editor for several prestigious journals and as a reviewer for over 40 peer-reviewed publications. His contributions to academic leadership include steering research groups, developing and validating MSc, MEng, and BEng (Hons) programmes, and pioneering degree apprenticeships in engineering. A world-class expert in multidisciplinary research, Prof. Memon specialises in cutting-edge advancements for net-zero energy solutions. His research portfolio spans thermal management of electric vehicle batteries, vacuum insulation technologies, translucent vacuum insulation panels, energy-efficient materials for smart windows, vacuum-based photovoltaic solar thermal systems, thermoelectric devices, and fast-charging mechanisms for electric vehicles. His innovative work integrates renewable energy systems into smart grids, addressing critical challenges in sustainable energy and mobility. Prof. Saim Memon’s vision and expertise continue to inspire advancements in renewable energy engineering, shaping a more sustainable and energy-efficient future on a global scale.
Speech Title: The Industrial Inventions of Vacuum Insulation Energy Savings Technologies for Net-Zero Energy Infrastructure and Sustainability Goals
Abstract: Escalating energy demand, rising fuel costs and tightening carbon-emission targets highlight the urgent need for envelope-scale solutions that reduce heat transfer without compromising space or aesthetics. Vacuum-based insulation systems uniquely satisfy these requirements because, by evacuating air to pressures below 10 Pa, they suppress both conductive and convective heat flow to near-negligible levels. This paper presents a consistent performance appraisal of the author’s portfolio of vacuum insulation technologies—standard Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP), Decorative Integrated VIP (DVIP), Vacuum-Insulated Bags-or-Boxes (VIBB), Vacuum-Insulated Heatable Curtains (VIHC) and Vacuum-Insulated Curtains (VIC)—all progressed from laboratory concept (TRL 1) to full prototyping or commercial readiness (TRL 9). Fibreglass-core VIPs 15 mm thick achieve thermal conductivities of 2.5 mW m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and centre-of-panel U-values of 0.16 W m⁻² K⁻¹; 25 mm fumed-silica VIPs attain 4.5 mW m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and U ≈ 0.17 W m⁻² K⁻¹. These panels form the thermal heart of the 30 mm Decorative Integrated VIP, which embeds the vacuum core between calcium–silicate back and Mid-Century-Modern or metal façades, delivering λ ≈ 7 mW m⁻¹ K⁻¹ while meeting EN 13501-1 Class A1/A2 non-combustibility and surviving accelerated ageing for ≥ 35 years. Vacuum-Insulated Wallpaper (VIW)—a 4 mm laminate containing 3 mm VIPs—offers λ ≈ 5 mW m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and can be supplied as 200 × 200 mm self-adhesive tiles to minimise damage propagation and simplify DIY installation. When retrofitted to solid masonry in London, VIW lowers wall U-value by 71 % and annual heating demand by up to 30 %. For transparent façades the 7 mm Vacuum-Insulated Curtain combines a cotton pocket layer (housing removable 3 mm VIPs) with a bespoke decorative front. With λ ≈ 13.1 mW m⁻¹ K⁻¹ and U ≈ 1.87 W m⁻² K⁻¹, VIC reduces cooling loads by ≥ 23 % in single-glazed offices in Riyadh; the electrically assisted VIHC variant adds low-wattage (≈ 1 kWh per three-hour cycle) radiant heating, targeted at high-latitude markets where space heating dominates. Finally, VIBB medical and fresh-food containers integrate modular VIP blocks into polymer shells, preserving pharmaceuticals, vaccines and perishable foods for up to 147 h without active refrigeration. Collectively, these vacuum systems demonstrate a scalable, shape-flexible route across Building Construction, Retrofits, Refurbishments, Storage Transportation, AI Electronics & Automation Sector, enabling 20–90 % energy-use reductions and offering an immediate, materials-based pathway towards net-zero building operation and cold-chain resilience.
Prof. M. Mofazzal Hossain, Southeast University, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh
M. MOFAZZAL HOSSAIN (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, in December 1969. He received the B.S. degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1993, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and electronic engineering from Kanazawa University, Japan, in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Currently, he is working as a Pro-Vice Chancellor and a Professor in electrical and electronic engineering with Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He started his career, in April 1994, as a Lecturer with Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh. During his last 31 years of career, he worked with East West University, Dhaka, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, and Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, in various academic, research, and administrative capacities. His current research interests include design, modeling and simulation of high efficiency PV cells, impacts of renewable energy sources, climate action, and applications of machine learning and deep learning. Prof. Hossain’s awards and honors include Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship, JASSO Fellowship, and Japanese Government Scholarship.
Speech Title: Advancing Sustainable Food Security: The Role of Renewable Energy
Abstract: Global sustainable food security is a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet in 2023 approximately 2.33 billion people are undergoing moderate to dreadful food insecurity, including 733 million suffering from hunger, according to a UN report. Concurrently, renewable energy is vital to achieving multiple SDGs, especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). In 2021, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture accounted for 15.4% of global energy consumption, with renewables supplying over 55% of this share. The causes of global food insecurity are multidimensional encompassing to climate change, shortage of irrigation, post-harvest waste, regional conflicts, and lack of infrastructure, particularly in low and middle‑income nations. Innovative renewable energy solutions are proving critical: off‑grid solar-powered irrigation can double or triple yields, and micro‑hydropower is powering agro-processing. In many countries, food waste has been a crucial issue due to the lack of cold storage and food processing facilities. As of 2022, in India about 40% of the food produced was wasted due to the lack of cold storage. Additionally, solar cookstoves in Zambia have cut household fuel costs, easing nutrition-related expenditure constraints. This presentation explores barriers such as high cost, policy gaps, and infrastructure deficits while highlighting scalable renewable-energy-driven solutions like agrivoltaics, solar-powered irrigation, solar thermal food drying, cold storage systems, and off-grid microgrids. By focusing on practical, context-specific innovations, the aim is to illustrate how renewable energy can significantly advance food security in underdeveloped and developing countries.
Dr Zongshuai Jin, Shandong University, China
Bio: Zongshuai Jin has been an associate researcher since July 2023 at the School of Electrical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, China. He is a member of IEEE, a senior member of CSEE, and a member of SAC/TC82 working group. His research primarily focuses on the theoretical methods and applications of wideband situation awareness in power systems. He has led one project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), one project supported by the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation, and multiple horizontal scientific and technological projects from enterprises. He has received two first prizes for scientific and technological progress from the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering, one award for excellence in the National Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and one second prize for scientific and technological progress from the State Grid Corporation of China. He has published over 20 high-level papers in top domestic and international journals, and has been granted 18 invention patents.
Speech Title: Real-Time Wideband Dynamic Measurement In Embedded System
Abstract: Aiming at the application challenges of high-precision wideband dynamic measurement methods in embedded measurement devices with limited computing resources and lacking native support for complex-valued operations for new energy grids, the real-valued fast measurement method for wideband dynamic signals is proposed and applied in the embedded system. There is no need for special real-valued processing of complex-valued programs according to the specific type of embedded system, resulting in low computational complexity and minimal memory overhead. Through the measurement analysis of field wideband oscillation recorded signals and practical tests on domestic embedded systems, the engineering applicability of the proposed method is verified.
Dr Jiayi Kong, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing, China
Bio: Jiayi Kong received her B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Shandong University of Science and Technology, China, in 2016; and her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, China, in 2022. From 2019 to 2021, she was a visiting Ph.D. student supported by the China Scholarship Council in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA. She is presently working as a lecturer at the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing, China. Her current research interests include dc-dc converters, high power multilevel converters, the modeling and control of switching converters, and power electronics in smart grids. She has published over 20 academic papers and holds over 10 invention patents.
Dr. Zhengjun Bi, State Grid Jilin Electric Power Co., Ltd., China
Bi Zhengjun, a senior expert of State Grid Jilin Electric Power Co., Ltd., holds a master's degree and has the title of associate senior engineer. He is mainly engaged in the production and scientific research work related to clean heating, power grid simulation analysis, reactive power optimization, technical supervision, and power supply guarantee. He has won more than ten provincial and ministerial as well as prefectural and municipal scientific and technological awards. In the aspects of flexible load, wind power prediction, cloud platform construction, etc., he has been authorized 13 related patents. He has published a total of 17 papers, among which 10 are as the first author, and 6 are included in core journals or indexed by EI.