Quanquan Guo | Mechanics of Functional and Intelligent Materials | Excellence in Research Award

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Dr. Quanquan Guo | Mechanics of Functional and Intelligent Materials | Excellence in Research Award

Postdoctoral Researcher at Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics | Germany

Dr. Quanquan Guo is a materials scientist whose research bridges dynamic polymer chemistry, sustainable energy systems, and advanced functional materials, with a strong focus on “Structure Code of Organic Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Multivalent Metal Batteries,” “Proton-Selective Coating Enables Fast-Kinetics High-Mass-Loading Cathodes for Sustainable Zinc Batteries,” and “Hierarchically Structured Hydrogel Actuator for Microplastic Pollutant Detection and Removal,” reflecting the breadth of his scientific vision. He serves as a Postdoctoral Associate at the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics and Technische Universität Dresden, where he advances high-performance aqueous battery electrode-skin strategies, molecularly engineered polymer networks, and recyclable electronics. His academic foundation spans a doctorate, master’s, and bachelor’s training in polymer science and engineering, during which he developed pioneering works such as “Protein-Inspired Self-Healable Ti₃C₂ MXenes-Based Supramolecular Elastomer for Intelligent Sensing,” “A Cephalopod-Inspired Mechanoluminescence Material with Skin-Like Self-Healing and Sensing Properties,” “A Review of Mechanochromic Polymers and Composites,” and “Biological Phytic Acid as a Multifunctional Curing Agent for Elastomers.” His contributions extend to emerging technologies including two-dimensional conjugated MOFs, smart adsorbent materials, mechanochromic electronic skins, recyclable functional membranes, and scalable manufacturing platforms such as screen printing and latex-template self-assembly. With more than forty publications, including numerous first and co-first-author articles in leading journals such as Nature Communications, Chemical Society Reviews, Angewandte Chemie, ACS Nano, Advanced Functional Materials, and Chemistry of Materials, his work has accumulated thousands of citations and has earned widespread recognition. His portfolio is complemented by patented polymer-composite technologies and contributions to the monograph Solutions to Microplastics Pollution. Through his interdisciplinary approach, Quanquan Guo continues to develop transformative materials aimed at sustainable energy storage, smart electronics, and environmental remediation.

Profile:  Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications:

Su, G., Yin, S., Guo, Y., Zhao, F., Guo, Q., Zhang, X., Zhou, T., & Yu, G. (2021). Balancing the mechanical, electronic, and self-healing properties in conductive self-healing hydrogel for wearable sensor applications. Materials Horizons, 8(6), 1795–1804.

Liu, X., Su, G., Guo, Q., Lu, C., Zhou, T., Zhou, C., & Zhang, X. (2018). Hierarchically structured self-healing sensors with tunable positive/negative piezoresistivity. Advanced Functional Materials, 28(15), 1706658.

Guo, Q., Zhang, X., Zhao, F., Song, Q., Su, G., Tan, Y., Tao, Q., Zhou, T., Yu, Y., … (2020). Protein-inspired self-healable Ti₃C₂ MXenes/rubber-based supramolecular elastomer for intelligent sensing. ACS Nano, 14(3), 2788–2797.

Guo, Q., Huang, B., Lu, C., Zhou, T., Su, G., Jia, L., & Zhang, X. (2019). A cephalopod-inspired mechanoluminescence material with skin-like self-healing and sensing properties. Materials Horizons, 6(5), 996–1004.

Wang, Y., Guo, Q., Su, G., Cao, J., Liu, J., & Zhang, X. (2019). Hierarchically structured self-healing actuators with superfast light- and magnetic-response. Advanced Functional Materials, 29(50), 1906198.

Gabriela Draghici | Material Behavior | Best Faculty Award

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Mrs. Gabriela Draghici | Material Behavior | Best Faculty Award

Lecturer | Ovidius University of Constanta, Faculty of Civil Engineering | Romania

Drăghici Gabriela, lecturer and PhD engineer at “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Faculty of Civil Engineering, is an accomplished expert in civil and industrial constructions, specializing in the modernization of industrial buildings through the use of composite materials, structural rehabilitation, geotechnical analysis, and consolidation of historical monuments; she completed her engineering degree at the Polytechnic Institute “Gh. Asachi” Iaşi and obtained her PhD with a thesis on the modernization of industrial constructions, subsequently earning certifications as a construction site supervisor in multiple domains including buildings, industrial structures, agricultural constructions, pipelines for petroleum transport, and restoration of historical monuments; her research portfolio includes high-impact publications such as risk analysis in special rehabilitation operations for airport runways and platforms, technological design methodologies for constructions under special conditions, performance and post-utilization behavior of civil constructions, comparative studies of traditional and industrialized roof structures, and the geotechnical properties of water-sensitive soils such as loess, contributing to sustainable civil infrastructure development; she has actively participated in international conferences and authored multiple papers in journals like Ovidius University Annals Series: Civil Engineering, Buletinul AGIR, and proceedings of GeoChina International Conference, demonstrating a commitment to advancing civil engineering practice through applied research, structural innovation, and material science, making her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award in civil and structural engineering innovation.

Featured Publications:

Yosuke Komatsu | Intelligent Materials | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yosuke Komatsu | Intelligent Materials | Best Researcher Award 

Resercher, at Institute of Health Sciences, Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd, Japan.

Yosuke Komatsu is a distinguished scientist currently affiliated with KIRIN Holdings Company Limited, Health Science Research Institute, where he leads projects in nutrition and gut microbiota. With training in pharmaceutical and life sciences from Hokkaido University, he brings multidisciplinary expertise in metabolomics, protein science, and prebiotics. Komatsu’s innovative work centers on how human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and dietary proteins influence gut microbial metabolism, nutrient absorption, and infant growth. He has authored numerous peer‑reviewed publications in high‑impact journals, combining advanced NMR metabolomic techniques and in vitro digestion models. His research elucidates cross‑feeding mechanisms in the gut microbiome and the nutritional quality of protein sources ranging from milk to insects. With a strong track record in publication, patent development, and conference presentations, he is poised to contribute novel insights into human health, nutritional biomarkers, and early‑life diet interventions. Komatsu is widely respected for bridging basic science and applied nutrition research.

Professional Profile

ORCID

🎓 Education

Yosuke Komatsu earned all his degrees at Hokkaido University in Japan. He completed his Bachelor’s degree (2004–2008) in Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences within the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, followed by a Master’s program (2008–2010) at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He then pursued a PhD (2018–2021) in Life Sciences at the Graduate School of Life Science. During his doctoral studies, Komatsu worked under the Soft Matter Science group, focusing on protein digestibility and nutritional metabolism using advanced analytical methods. His academic training provided him with rigorous grounding in pharma, metabolomics, and nutritional science, fostering his ability to conduct interdisciplinary research. His education set the foundation for later innovation in human milk oligosaccharide research and protein evaluation. It enabled him to integrate pharmaceutical insights with nutritional outcomes demonstrated through in vitro digestion models, NMR metabolomics, and gut microbiome analysis, culminating in a robust research portfolio.

💼 Experience

Yosuke Komatsu has built a solid research career in Japan’s nutrition and food science industry as well as academia. Since June 2024, he has been at KIRIN Holdings, Health Science Research Institute, where he oversees studies on prebiotics, human milk oligosaccharides, and metabolomics. From November 2015 to May 2024, he worked at Morinaga Milk Industry’s Health and Nutrition Science Institute, developing projects related to protein digestibility, dietary amino acid balance, and gut health. Simultaneously, he held adjunct roles at Juntendo University (Apr 2023–Mar 2024) and Hokkaido University (Apr 2017–Mar 2024), bridging academic research and industry. Earlier, from April 2010 to October 2015, he was at Morinaga’s Tokyo Tama Factory. Across these roles, Komatsu has led both laboratory-based and translational studies, supervised student training, collaborated across institutions, and guided patent filings. His experience uniquely blends industrial research, academic collaboration, and leadership in research dissemination through publications and presentations.

🔬 Research Interests

Yosuke Komatsu focuses on the intersection of nutrition, gut microbiota, and protein science. His work encompasses: (1) Prebiotics and Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)—exploring how HMOs support beneficial gut bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii via cross‑feeding mechanisms; (2) Protein digestibility and nutritional quality—comparing human milk, formula, plant, insect, and casein proteins under infant digestion models (INFOGEST); (3) Metabolomics and gut microbial metabolites—using NMR to identify biomarkers responsive to protein undernutrition or maternal diet; (4) Nutrition biomarkers such as albumin redox state and urinary taurine to assess protein status. He applies integrative metabolomic, microbiome, transcriptomic, and in vitro digestion techniques. His aim is to elucidate how early‑life nutrition influences microbial ecology, infant growth, and long‑term metabolic health, bridging molecular insights to practical dietary interventions.

🏆 Award

Yosuke Komatsu’s excellent research communication was recognized in August 2023, when he received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 11th Annual Meeting of the Japan DOHaD Society. This accolade highlighted his oral presentation on maternal diet, human milk nutrient composition, and infant growth outcomes, demonstrating clarity, scientific depth, and relevance to developmental origins of health and disease. The award underscores his ability to present complex findings—such as links between maternal nutrition, HMOs, and infant growth trajectories—in an engaging, compelling manner to expert audiences. This recognition reflects his dedication to advancing nutritional science and his effectiveness as a science communicator. He has also delivered invited lectures at prominent conferences, including the IDF World Dairy Summit and international metabolomics symposia. Together, his award and speaking engagements illustrate both his scientific excellence and his leadership in disseminating research results to diverse scholarly communities.

📚 Top Noted Publications

Below are some of Komatsu’s major publications, each listed with year, journal, and citation link:

Haruka Onodera, Yohei Sato, Yosuke Komatsu, Makoto Yamashita, et al. (2025). “HMOs Induce Butyrate Production of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii via Cross‑Feeding by Bifidobacterium bifidum with Different Mechanisms for HMO Types.” Microorganism. Cited by: [single‑line citations needed] 🔗 (2025).
Keiko Motokawa, Maki Shirobe, … Yosuke Komatsu. (2024). “Is urinary taurine associated with protein intake? Itabashi Longitudinal Study on Aging.” Geriatrics & Gerontology International. Cited by: … 🔗
Yosuke Komatsu, Yasuaki Wada, … “Comparison of protein digestibility of human milk and infant formula using the INFOGEST method under infant digestion conditions.” The British Journal of Nutrition (2024). Cited by: … 🔗
Yosuke Komatsu, Muneya Tsuda, … “Nutritional Evaluation of Milk‑, Plant‑, and Insect‑Based Protein Materials by Protein Digestibility Using the INFOGEST Digestion Method.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2023). Cited by: … 🔗
Yosuke Komatsu … (2023). “Associations between Maternal Diet, Human Milk Macronutrients, and Breast‑Fed Infant Growth during the First Month of Life in the SMILE Iwamizawa in Japan.” Nutrients. Cited by: … 🔗

1. Baseline Digestibility Studies

Komatsu Y, Wada Y, Shibasaki T, Kitamura Y, Ehara T, Nakamura H & Miyaji K. (2024). Comparison of protein digestibility of human milk and infant formula using the INFOGEST method under infant digestion conditions. British Journal of Nutrition, published online 3 June 2024; Volume 132(3): pp 1–26. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114524001260. PMID: 38826083. Affiliation: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., Kanagawa, Japan ACS Publications+2OUCI+2Cambridge Core+2.

2. Broad Protein Source Evaluation

Komatsu Y, Tsuda M, Wada Y, Shibasaki T, Nakamura H & Miyaji K. (2023). Nutritional Evaluation of Milk‑, Plant‑, and Insect‑Based Protein Materials by Protein Digestibility Using the INFOGEST Digestion Method. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71(5): 2503–2513, published 25 January 2023. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c07273. PMID: 36695832. Affiliations: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., and Hokkaido University collaboration ACS PublicationsPubMed.

3. Maternal Diet & Infant Growth

Komatsu Y, Wada Y, Tabata F, Kawakami S, Takeda Y, Nakamura K, Ayabe T, Nakamura K, Kimura T & Tamakoshi A. (2023). Associations between Maternal Diet, Human Milk Macronutrients, and Breast‑Fed Infant Growth during the First Month of Life in the SMILE Iwamizawa in Japan. Nutrients, 15(3): 654 (Open Access, published 28 January 2023). DOI: 10.3390/nu15030654 MDPI森永乳業ウェブサイト.

4. Studies Still Pending Full Indexing

  • Onodera H, Sato Y, Komatsu Y, Yamashita M, et al. (2025). HMOs Induce Butyrate Production of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii via Cross‑Feeding by Bifidobacterium bifidum with Different Mechanisms for HMO Types. Microorganism (2025). Not yet indexed in major citation databases.

  • Motokawa K, Shirobe M, et al. including Komatsu Y. (2024). Is Urinary Taurine Associated with Protein Intake? Itabashi Longitudinal Study on Aging. Geriatrics & Gerontology International (2024). No citation metadata visible in standard scholarly indexes.

Conclusion

Dr. Yosuke Komatsu is highly deserving of consideration for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions are significant in advancing nutritional sciences, particularly in understanding protein quality, maternal-infant health, and microbiome interactions. He has a well-rounded portfolio of peer-reviewed research, translational patents, academic engagements, and presentations.

Xiaofei Yang | Intelligent Materials | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Xiaofei Yang | Intelligent Materials | Best Researcher Award

Professor, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, China

Dr. Xiaofei Yang 🎓 is a renowned Professor at the Division of Energy Storage, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CAS), China. With expertise in advanced materials for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), Dr. Yang has significantly contributed to the field through groundbreaking research, numerous publications, and impactful patents. His innovative approaches in energy storage technologies have earned him global recognition, including being listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists 🌟 for consecutive years (2022–2024).

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

📘 Dr. Yang earned his Ph.D. (2013–2018) from the Division of Energy Storage at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (CAS) in China, specializing in advanced lithium battery technologies. He holds a Bachelor’s degree (2009–2013) in Chemical Engineering and Technology from Anhui University, China, laying a strong foundation for his remarkable academic journey.

Experience

📈 Dr. Yang currently serves as a Professor (2022–present) and has previously held roles as an Associate Professor (2021–2022) at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS. He honed his research expertise as a postdoctoral fellow (2018–2021) at Western University, Canada, where he worked on cutting-edge materials in the field of mechanical and materials engineering.

Awards and Honors

🏆 Dr. Yang has received numerous accolades, including being recognized in the Special Talent Program B of CAS (2022), Outstanding Young Scientists of Liaoning (2023), and Top Talents of Dalian (2022). He was also honored as the Zhang Dayu Young Scholar (2022) and awarded the Mitacs Elevate Fellowship in Canada (2020). He actively contributes as an editorial board member and committee member in prestigious journals and organizations globally.

Research Focus

🔬 Dr. Yang’s research centers on advanced materials for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), addressing critical challenges such as electrode materials and solid-state electrolytes. His innovative work combines nanotechnology, advanced characterization techniques, and emerging engineering solutions to optimize battery performance. His studies have set benchmarks in material synthesis and the practical application of ASSLBs.

Conclusion

With a prolific academic career, numerous accolades, and an unyielding passion for energy storage technologies ⚡, Dr. Xiaofei Yang continues to lead impactful research. His contributions are pivotal in revolutionizing the future of renewable energy and sustainable technologies.

Publications

Towards High-Performance Solid-State Li-S Batteries: From Fundamental Understanding to Engineering Design, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2020, 49, 2140-2195. DOI link (Cited by: 890)

Determining the Limiting Factor of the Electrochemical Stability Window for PEO-based Solid Polymer Electrolyte, Energy Environ. Sci., 2020, 13, 1318-1325. DOI link (Cited by: 760)

Recent Advances and Perspectives on Thin Electrolytes for High-Energy Density Solid-State Lithium Batteries, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 643-671. DOI link (Cited by: 680)

Safety Concerns in Solid-State Lithium Batteries: From Materials to Devices, Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, 17, 7543-7565. DOI link

Promoting the Transformation of Li2S2 to Li2S: Increasing Utilization of Active Materials for High Sulfur Loading Li-S Batteries, Adv. Mater., 2019, 31, 1901220. DOI link (Cited by: 630)