Prof. Dr BALARAM KUNDU | Solar Energy | Lifetime achievement Award

Professor, Jadavpur University, India

Dr. Balaram Kundu is a distinguished professor in Mechanical Engineering at Jadavpur University, India. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to heat transfer, nanomaterials, and thermal systems. He earned his Ph.D. from IIT Kharagpur and has held prestigious positions at Hanyang University, South Korea, and other international institutions. Recognized among the top 2% of global scientists by Stanford University (2020-2024), Dr. Kundu has collaborated with researchers worldwide, including Japan, the USA, and Thailand. His work focuses on innovative solutions for energy efficiency, biomedical applications, and sustainable technologies. A recipient of numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), he continues to inspire future engineers and researchers.

Professional Profile

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Education 🎓

Dr. Kundu graduated with a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Durgapur (1993) and an M.E. in Thermal Engineering from IIEST Shibpur (1995). He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 2000. His academic journey reflects a strong foundation in thermal sciences and engineering, paving the way for his groundbreaking research in heat transfer, nanomaterials, and energy systems. His international exposure includes visiting faculty roles at Saga University, Japan, and Hanyang University, South Korea, enriching his expertise in global research methodologies.

Experience 💼

Dr. Kundu began his career as a Lecturer at Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College (1998-2002) and joined Jadavpur University in 2003, rising to Professor. He served as a Research Professor at Hanyang University, South Korea (2010-2012), under the Brain Korea 21 program. His international collaborations include research stints in Japan, the USA, Thailand, and Turkey. He has also been invited to join institutions like King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thailand, and Sejong University, South Korea. His extensive teaching and research experience spans heat transfer, thermal systems, and energy optimization, making him a global leader in mechanical engineering.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Dr. Kundu has been recognized among the top 2% of global scientists by Stanford University (2020-2024). He received the Lifetime Achievement Award (2024), Outstanding Scientist Award (2021), and Distinguished Scientist Award (2017). Other accolades include the VIFFA Outstanding Faculty Award (2015), Teacher’s Excellence Award (2015), and Institutional Medal for Best Paper (1999). His contributions to thermal sciences and engineering have earned him international acclaim, with invitations to prestigious institutions worldwide. These honors reflect his dedication to advancing research and education in mechanical engineering.

Research Focus 🔬

Dr. Kundu’s research focuses on heat transfer in composite materials, nanomaterials, and biological systems. He explores applications in hyperthermia treatment, solar energy, thermal insulation, and thermoelectric generators. His work also includes analytical heat transfer, extended surface heat transfer, and electro-osmotic flow. By integrating fractional derivatives and advanced mathematical models, he addresses complex thermal challenges in engineering and biomedical fields. His research aims to optimize energy systems, improve thermal management, and develop sustainable technologies, contributing to global advancements in mechanical engineering and applied sciences.

Publication Top Notes 📚

Parametric optimization of solar air heaters with dimples on absorber plates using metaheuristic approaches.
Two-Dimensional Analysis of Absorber Plates in Solar Collectors with a Nonlinear Plate Temperature at the Tube Section.
Experimental and meta-heuristic optimization for the highest thermo-hydraulic performance of a solar air heater.
A Review of Artificial Intelligence Methods in Predicting Thermophysical Properties of Nanofluids.
A Review of Thermoelectric Generators in Automobile Waste Heat Recovery Systems.
Parametric Optimization of Solar Air Heaters Having Hemispherical Protrusion Roughness.
Analytical model for extremum analysis of moistened fins involving all nonlinear energy exchange processes.
Multi-objective optimization of electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency and entropy generation.
Exergy evaluation of integrated liquefier-cryocondensation and cryosorption helium purification systems.
Review and Analysis of Electro-Magnetohydrodynamic Flow and Heat Transport in Microchannels.

Conclusion 🌟

Dr. Balaram Kundu is a trailblazer in mechanical engineering, with a career marked by groundbreaking research, international collaborations, and numerous accolades. His contributions to heat transfer, nanomaterials, and energy systems have positioned him as a global leader in the field. Through his innovative research and dedication to education, he continues to inspire future generations of engineers and scientists, driving advancements in sustainable technologies and thermal sciences.

Mr Alex Tro-Cabrera | Energy Engineering | Best Researcher Award

PhD Student, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain

Alex Tro-Cabrera is a researcher in training at the Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) in the Department of Electronic Technology. He holds a degree in Renewable Energy Engineering (2021) and a master’s in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (2022). His doctoral research, under the EHUkhi project, focuses on photovoltaic potential in buildings, community energy models, and sustainability financing. He has worked at the Instituto de Ingeniería Energética (UPV) and DEBEGESA, contributing to thermal energy systems and microgrid feasibility studies. He is a member of EKOPOL, a multidisciplinary research group on political economy and ecology.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

STRENGTHS FOR THE AWARD

Strong Academic Background
Alex Tro-Cabrera holds a Master’s in Research in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability from the University of the Basque Country (EHU/UPV) and a Bachelor’s in Renewable Energy Engineering from the same institution. His academic progression demonstrates a clear focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
Active Research Contributions
He is currently a doctoral researcher in Electronic Technology at the University of the Basque Country and is part of the EKOPOL research group, recognized by the Basque Government. His work focuses on photovoltaic integration in buildings, energy communities, and sustainability impacts, aligning well with modern energy transition challenges.
Publications in High-Impact Journals
- “A methodology for assessing rooftop solar photovoltaic potential using GIS open-source software and the EROI constraint” (Energy and Buildings, 2025)
- “Energy rehabilitation of a construction quality control laboratory” (Engineering Thermodynamics Conference, 2022)
- “Optimización de la instalación PV del LCCE” (2022, Universidad del País Vasco)
  These works highlight his expertise in GIS-based solar energy assessments, photovoltaic optimization, and building energy efficiency, demonstrating both theoretical and applied research impact.
Industry & Professional Experience
- Worked at the Instituto de Ingeniería Energética (Universitat Politècnica de València) as a Thermal Lab Technician (2017).
- Interned at DEBEGESA, analyzing microgrid viability (2019).
  His past industry experience, coupled with his academic research, makes him a well-rounded candidate for the award.
Research Funding and Recognition
He is funded by the Eusko Jaurlaritza’s Programa Investigo (2022-2024), which supports outstanding early-career researchers. His involvement in a government-backed project (EHUkhi) further solidifies his research credibility.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Broader International Exposure: While he has strong regional recognition, increased collaboration with international research institutions or projects would strengthen his global impact.
Diversification of Research Publications: Expanding publications in high-impact international journals and participating in leading global conferences could enhance his academic profile.

EDUCATION 🎓

Máster en Investigación en Eficiencia Energética y Sostenibilidad – Universidad del País Vasco (2022)
Grado en Ingeniería de Energías Renovables – Universidad del País Vasco (2021)
Técnico Superior en Energías Renovables – CIPFP Catarroja (2017)

EXPERIENCE 🏆

Investigador predoctoral – Universidad del País Vasco (2022–Present)
Investigador en prácticas – DEBEGESA (2019)
Técnico Superior en Investigación – Instituto de Ingeniería Energética, UPV (2017)

AWARDS AND HONORS 🏅

Programa Investigo – Eusko Jaurlaritza (2022–2024)

RESEARCH FOCUS 🔬

Renewable Energy – Photovoltaics, Micro-wind, Biomass
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) – Environmental and social impacts
Energy Communities – Collective self-consumption models
Sustainability & Ecologism – Green energy transitions

PUBLICATION TOP NOTES 📄

A methodology for assessing rooftop solar photovoltaic potential using GIS open-source software and the EROI constraint – Energy and Buildings (2025)
Optimización de la instalación PV del LCCE – Universidad del País Vasco (2022)
Energy rehabilitation of a construction quality control laboratory – Conference on Engineering Thermodynamics (2022)

CONCLUSION

Alex Tro-Cabrera is an outstanding researcher in renewable energy, photovoltaics, and energy sustainability. His combination of academic excellence, impactful research, practical experience, and government-backed projects makes him a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. With further international collaborations and diversified high-impact publications, he can establish himself as a leading expert in sustainable energy solutions.

BALARAM KUNDU | Solar Energy | Lifetime achievement Award