Vilas Pol | Batteries | Excellence in Research

Prof. Vilas Pol | Batteries | Excellence in Research

Professor, Purdue University, United States

Prof. Vilas Pol is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of chemical engineering and energy storage systems. Currently, he serves as a Professor at the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University. With a focus on sustainable energy technologies, his work integrates materials science, electrochemical energy storage, and battery technologies. He has received multiple prestigious awards, including the 2024 Asian American Engineer of the Year and the 2024 Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry. His research also covers energy storage, sustainability, and nanomaterials for a better, greener future.

Profile

Education

Prof. Pol holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Bar-Ilan, Israel, where he worked in advanced materials and nanotechnology. He also completed his M.Phil. and M.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Pune, India. His early academic foundation laid the groundwork for a career that integrates chemistry, materials science, and engineering. His extensive education and expertise have contributed to innovative solutions in energy storage and chemical processes.

Experience

Prof. Pol has a rich professional journey that includes significant roles such as the Purdue University Faculty Scholar and an Adjunct Professor at IIT Indore. He has been associated with high-profile positions, including a materials scientist at Argonne National Laboratory and a visiting faculty at NIMS, Japan. His expertise spans lithium-ion batteries, energy storage materials, and electrochemical technologies. He has also held postdoctoral appointments, including work at the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source at Argonne National Laboratory, expanding his influence in scientific communities worldwide.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Pol’s remarkable achievements have earned him several prestigious accolades, including the 2024 Asian American Engineer of the Year, the Royal Society of Chemistry Fellowship, and recognition as one of Purdue University’s most impactful faculty inventors. Other notable awards include the 2021 AIChE Excellence in Process Development Research Award and the R&D 100 Award for “Versatile Hard Carbon Microspheres Made from Plastic Waste” (2015). His groundbreaking work has also resulted in multiple Guinness World Records, most recently for the fastest arrangement of elements in the periodic table in 2018.

Research Focus

Prof. Pol’s research revolves around sustainable energy technologies, including the development of advanced materials for energy storage applications such as lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. He focuses on enhancing battery performance and safety, exploring novel materials like hard carbon microspheres from plastic waste, and improving electrochemical systems. His work in materials science aims to reduce the environmental impact of energy storage devices, driving innovation in clean and efficient technologies for a sustainable future.

Publications

  • Amorphous GeSnSe nanoparticles as a Li-Ion battery anode with High-Capacity and long cycle performance 🔋
  • Nonwoven fabric supported flame-retarding quasi-solid electrolyte for wider-temperature safer Li-ion battery 🔥
  • Operando Fabricated Quasi-Solid-State Electrolyte Hinders Polysulfide Shuttles in an Advanced Li-S Battery ⚡
  • Glory of Fire Retardants in Li-Ion Batteries: Could They Be Intrinsically Safer? 🔥
  • Inactivation kinetic parameters of hydrogen peroxide application in commercial sterility of aseptic processing systems 🧴
  • Ultrathin (15 nm) Carbon Sheets with Surface Oxygen Functionalization for Efficient Pseudocapacitive Na-ion Storage 💡
  • Innovative amorphous multiple anionic transition metal compound electrode for extreme environments (≤ −80 °C) battery operations 🏔️
  • Optimization of the Form Factors of Advanced Li-S Pouch Cells ⚡
  • Graphene triggered catalytic attack on plastic waste produces graphitic shell encapsulation on cobalt nanoparticles for ferromagnetism and stable Li+ ion storage 🔬
  • Enriched supercapacitive performance of electrochemically tailored β-Co(OH)2/CoOOH nanodiscs from sacrificial Co3(PO4)2·4H2O microbelts 🔋

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh | Li-Ion Batteries | Best Researcher Award

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh | Li-Ion Batteries | Best Researcher Award

Academician/Research Scholar at Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh in Iran

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh, born in Tabriz, Iran, in 1985, is an esteemed researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran. With a strong foundation in applied chemistry, she has dedicated her career to advancing knowledge in nanomaterials and molecular dynamics. Throughout her academic journey, she has demonstrated exceptional talent, consistently ranking among the top students in her field. Her contributions extend beyond research, as she actively engages in teaching and mentoring students, fostering the next generation of scientists.

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Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

  1. Academic Excellence:
    • Consistently achieved high GPAs across all educational levels (BSc: 17.03, MSc: 17.97, PhD: 18.83).
    • Notable performance in comprehensive exams, scoring 19/20 during her PhD.
  2. Distinguished Awards:
    • Recognized as the top student at various academic levels and awarded “Top Researcher” in 2014 at Amirkabir University.
    • Received accolades for being a distinguished graduate at each educational stage.
  3. Diverse Teaching Experience:
    • Extensive teaching background across multiple universities, indicating strong pedagogical skills and the ability to engage with students at various academic levels.
  4. Research Contributions:
    • Authored numerous impactful publications in reputable journals, focusing on nanomaterials, molecular dynamics simulation, and drug delivery systems.
    • Collaborated on significant studies that contribute to advancements in materials science and engineering.
  5. Management and Leadership:
    • Served as the Physical Chemistry Laboratory Manager, showcasing leadership and management abilities in a research environment.
    • Current role as an Assistant Professor allows her to guide and mentor the next generation of researchers.
  6. Technical Skills:
    • Proficient in various programming languages and software tools essential for materials science research, demonstrating versatility and a strong foundation in computational methods.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Collaboration:
    • Engaging in interdisciplinary projects with researchers from different fields could enhance her research portfolio and open new avenues for innovation.
  2. Increased Public Engagement:
    • Actively participating in public science communication or outreach programs could enhance the visibility of her research and its societal impacts.
  3. Grant Acquisition:
    • While her research is robust, focusing on acquiring external funding for her projects could provide resources for larger studies and collaborations.

Education

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh completed her BSc in Applied Chemistry at Islamic Azad University of Tabriz (2003-2006) with a GPA of 17.03/20. She pursued her MSc at Amirkabir University of Technology (2007-2009), achieving a GPA of 17.97/20. For her PhD, she remained at Amirkabir University (2010-2013), where she excelled with a GPA of 18.83/20 and scored 19/20 on her comprehensive exam. Her doctoral research focused on drug delivery systems utilizing dendrimers with metallic nanoparticle cores. Following her PhD, she undertook postdoctoral studies at the same institution (2014-2016), further solidifying her expertise in applied chemistry and materials science.

Experience

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh has an extensive teaching background, having served at multiple universities since 2010. Currently, she is an assistant professor in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology (2021-present). Previously, she taught in the Chemical Engineering Department at the same university from 2010 to 2020 and held positions at various other institutions, including Payam Nour University and Islamic Azad University. Between 2014 and 2020, she managed the Physical Chemistry Laboratory at Amirkabir University, showcasing her leadership skills in academic settings. Her diverse experience in teaching, research management, and mentoring has significantly contributed to the academic community and enriched the educational experience for her students.

Awards and Honors

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh has received numerous accolades throughout her academic career. She ranked 3rd among 60 BSc chemistry students in 2006 and achieved 1st rank during her MSc and PhD studies at Amirkabir University. In 2014, she was recognized as the top graduate student across all disciplines at Amirkabir University, earning the title of “Top Researcher.” Her academic excellence has also been acknowledged through distinguished graduate honors at each educational level. In 2017, she was awarded “Top Employee” as a Laboratory Instructor, reflecting her dedication and contributions to the academic environment. These awards highlight her commitment to excellence in research and education, establishing her as a leading figure in her field.

Research Focus

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh’s research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of organic, inorganic, and magnetic nanomaterials, alongside molecular dynamics simulations. Her work encompasses a range of topics, including electroless plating, water treatment, gas separation procedures, and enhanced oil recovery. She explores the transport properties of penetrant gases in silica particle-filled membranes and investigates the interactions of drug delivery systems using molecular dynamics. Her publications in esteemed journals reflect her contributions to understanding nanostructure characterizations and their applications in various fields. Amjad-Iranagh’s research not only advances fundamental knowledge but also has practical implications in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and environmental engineering.

Publication Top Notes

  • Study of nano composite materials on electroless coating and its effect on physico-chemical properties of substrates 🌟
  • Drug delivery Dendrimer with metallic nanoparticles core: synthesis and study of molecular dynamics 💊
  • Molecular dynamics simulation study of chitosan and gemcitabine as a drug delivery system 📦
  • Adsorption and encapsulation of the drug doxorubicin on covalent functionalized carbon nanotubes 🧬
  • Separation of gases by using pristine, composite and nanocomposite polymeric membranes 🌬️
  • Carbon nanotube-encapsulated drug penetration through the cell membrane 🚪
  • Synthesis, characterization, and CO₂ adsorption properties of metal organic framework Fe-BDC 🧪
  • Interaction of PEGylated anti-hypertensive drugs with lipid bilayer membrane 💧
  • Self-accumulation of uncharged polyaromatic surfactants at crude oil–water interface 🌊
  • Molecular dynamics simulation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in a lipid bilayer membrane 💊
  • Molecular dynamics simulation of coarse-grained poly (L-lysine) dendrimers 🔬
  • Effect of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotubes on CO₂ separation of mixed matrix membranes 🌱
  • Evaluation of density, viscosity, surface tension, and CO₂ solubility for ionic liquids solutions 🌡️
  • Synthesis of MnO₂-polyaniline nanofiber composites to produce high conductive polymer ⚡
  • Nanofibrous and nanoparticle materials as drug-delivery systems 🧪
  • Prediction of thermophysical properties for binary mixtures of ionic liquids with water or alcohol 🔍

Conclusion

Sepideh Amjad-Iranagh is a highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her exceptional academic record, significant research contributions, and commitment to teaching. Her leadership roles and technical expertise further enhance her candidacy. With opportunities for broader collaboration and public engagement, she is poised to make even more substantial contributions to the field of materials and metallurgical engineering. Her trajectory indicates a strong potential for continued impact in her research areas.