Mainak Saha | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Mainak Saha | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Postdoctoral Researcher | National Institute for Materials Science | Japan

Dr. Mainak Saha is an emerging materials science researcher whose work demonstrates notable advancements in additive manufacturing, alloy development, and microstructural engineering, with a strong focus on designing high-performance metal matrix composites and understanding the intricate relationships between processing conditions, segregation behavior, and resulting mechanical properties. With a portfolio comprising 14 peer-reviewed publications and 86 citations, supported by an h-index of 5 , his contributions reflect a growing influence within the global materials research community. His studies frequently explore the development of lightweight, high-strength alloy systems, the thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing phase formation, and strategies for microstructural refinement that enhance strength, durability, and thermal stability in engineered metals. Notably, his research on segregation-induced microstructural refinement in FeMnAlC-TiB metal matrix composites produced via laser powder bed fusion  highlights his expertise in advanced manufacturing pathways and his ability to integrate metallurgical principles with cutting-edge fabrication technologies. Dr. Saha has collaborated with over 80 co-authors, illustrating his active participation in multidisciplinary research teams and underscoring his capacity to contribute significantly to collaborative scientific initiatives . His work intersects with critical industrial fields such as transportation, energy, and high-performance manufacturing, where the need for innovative, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and structurally reliable materials is rapidly increasing. Through his research, he contributes to solving practical engineering challenges, improving manufacturing efficiency, and supporting global efforts toward sustainable, high-performance material solutions. His scientific output reflects both academic rigor and technological relevance, bridging fundamental metallurgical science with applied engineering innovation. As he continues to expand his research portfolio, Dr. Saha’s contributions are expected to further influence materials design methodologies, support the development of next-generation structural materials, and strengthen the broader scientific understanding of microstructure-property relationships in advanced alloys .

Profiles : Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

Saha, M., & Mallik, M. (2021). Additive manufacturing of ceramics and cermets: Present status and future perspectives. Sādhanā, 46(3), 162.
Cited by: 40

Gault, B., Saksena, A., Sauvage, X., Bagot, P., Aota, L. S., Arlt, J., Belkacemi, L. T., … Saha, M. (2024). Towards establishing best practice in the analysis of hydrogen and deuterium by atom probe tomography. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 30(6), 1205–1220.*
Cited by: 30

Gururaj, K., Saha, M., Maurya, S. K., Nama, R., Alankar, A., Ponnuchamy, M. B., … (2022). On the correlative microscopy analyses of nano-twinned domains in 2 mol% zirconia-alloyed yttrium tantalate thermal barrier material. Scripta Materialia, 212, 114584.
Cited by: 17

Saha, M., Ponnuchamy, M. B., Sadhasivam, M., Mahata, C., Vijayaragavan, G., … (2022). Revealing the localization of NiAl-type nano-scale B2 precipitates within the BCC phase of Ni-alloyed low-density FeMnAlC steel. JOM, 74(8), 3181–3190.
Cited by: 15

 Mallik, M., & Saha, M. (2021). Carbon-based nanocomposites: Processing, electronic properties and applications. In Carbon nanomaterial electronics: Devices and applications (pp. 97–122).
Cited by: 15

Dr. Mainak Saha’s research advances the development of high-performance alloys and additive manufacturing technologies, driving innovations that strengthen modern engineering, enhance industrial efficiency, and support global progress in sustainable, next-generation materials. His work continues to bridge fundamental science with real-world technological impact.

Wenhui Yao | Corrosion and protection | Women Researcher Award

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Prof. Wenhui Yao | Corrosion and protection | Women Researcher Award

Professor at Chongqing University in China.

Dr. Wenhui Yao 🏅 is an Associate Professor at the College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, China 🇨🇳. He holds a Ph.D. from Pusan National University 🎓 and has expertise in corrosion protection of Mg alloys, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces, and superhydrophobic coatings 🔬. His research focuses on advanced surface treatments, including micro-arc oxidation and thermal evaporation. With numerous high-impact publications 📖, Dr. Yao contributes significantly to materials science. His work advances protective coatings and sustainable materials, shaping the future of corrosion-resistant technologies ⚙️.

Professional Profile

🔍 Summary of Suitability

  • Expert in Surface Engineering & Corrosion Protection 🔬 – Pioneering work in slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces, superhydrophobic coatings, and mesoporous materials.

  • Advancements in Protective Coatings ⚙️ – Developed innovative methods such as micro-arc oxidation, sputtering, and thermal evaporation to enhance material durability.

  • High-Impact Research 📖 – Published extensively in leading scientific journals, contributing to major advancements in materials science.

  • Sustainable Innovations 🌍 – Focuses on eco-friendly corrosion-resistant technologies and materials for water splitting, promoting green energy solutions.

Education 🎓

  • Ph.D. – College of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, South Korea 🇰🇷

  • Master’s – College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, China 🇨🇳

  • Bachelor’s – College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China University of Petroleum ⚙️

Experience 🏅

  • Associate Professor – College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, China 🇨🇳

  • Specializes in corrosion protection of Mg alloys, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces, and superhydrophobic coatings 🔬

  • Expert in surface treatment techniques such as micro-arc oxidation, sputtering, thermal evaporation, and e-beam evaporation ⚙️

  • Published numerous high-impact research papers in materials science journals 📖

Professional Development 🚀📖

Dr. Wenhui Yao 🏅 has made significant strides in materials science, specializing in corrosion protection, superhydrophobic coatings, and surface engineering 🔬. As an Associate Professor at Chongqing University 🇨🇳, he actively advances research in slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces and mesoporous non-noble metal materials ⚙️. His expertise in micro-arc oxidation, sputtering, and thermal evaporation has led to groundbreaking innovations. With numerous high-impact publications 📖, he contributes to the scientific community through cutting-edge research and collaboration. Dr. Yao’s dedication to sustainable and protective coatings continues to drive advancements in materials engineering, making a lasting impact on corrosion-resistant technologies 🌍.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Wenhui Yao’s research focuses on materials science and surface engineering 🔬, particularly in corrosion protection and advanced coatings. His work on slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces and superhydrophobic coatings helps develop durable, self-cleaning, and anti-corrosive materials ⚙️. He also explores mesoporous non-noble metal materials for water splitting, contributing to sustainable energy solutions 🌍. His expertise includes micro-arc oxidation, sputtering, and thermal evaporation, which enhance material durability and functionality 🏗️. Dr. Yao’s innovations in protective coatings and anti-corrosion materials play a crucial role in industrial applications, improving the longevity of metal surfaces and promoting eco-friendly engineering solutions 🚀.

📚 Publications & Scientific Contributions 📝

📌 Superhydrophobic coatings for corrosion protection of magnesium alloys – W Yao, W Liang, G Huang, B Jiang, A Atrens, F Pan | Journal of Materials Science & Technology 52, 100-118 | 📅 2020 | 🔍 216 citations

📌 Micro‐arc oxidation of magnesium alloys: A review – W Yao, L Wu, J Wang, B Jiang, D Zhang, M Serdechnova, T Shulha, … | Journal of Materials Science & Technology 118, 158-180 | 📅 2022 | 🔍 158 citations

📌 A self-healing corrosion protection coating with graphene oxide carrying 8-hydroxyquinoline doped in layered double hydroxide on a micro-arc oxidation coating – Y Chen, L Wu, W Yao, Y Chen, Z Zhong, W Ci, J Wu, Z Xie, Y Yuan, F Pan | Corrosion Science 194, 109941 | 📅 2022 | 🔍 152 citations

📌 One-step in situ synthesis of graphene oxide/MgAl-layered double hydroxide coating on a micro-arc oxidation coating for enhanced corrosion protection of magnesium alloys – Y Chen, L Wu, W Yao, Z Zhong, Y Chen, J Wu, F Pan | Surface and Coatings Technology 413, 127083 | 📅 2021 | 🔍 104 citations

📌 Improved corrosion resistance of AZ31 Mg alloy coated with MXenes/MgAl-LDHs composite layer modified with yttrium – Y Wu, L Wu, W Yao, B Jiang, J Wu, Y Chen, X Chen, Q Zhan, G Zhang, … | Electrochimica Acta 374, 137913 | 📅 2021 | 🔍 95 citations

📌 Recent developments in slippery liquid-infused porous surface – W Yao, L Wu, L Sun, B Jiang, F Pan | Progress in Organic Coatings 166, 106806 | 📅 2022 | 🔍 76 citations

📌 Robust, self-cleaning, amphiphobic coating with flower-like nanostructure on micro-patterned polymer substrate – W Yao, L Li, OL Li, YW Cho, MY Jeong, YR Cho | Chemical Engineering Journal 352, 173-181 | 📅 2018 | 🔍 67 citations

📌 Development of metal-organic framework (MOF) decorated graphene oxide/MgAl-layered double hydroxide coating via microstructural optimization for anti-corrosion micro-arc … – Y Chen, L Wu, W Yao, J Wu, J Xiang, X Dai, T Wu, Y Yuan, J Wang, … | Journal of Materials Science & Technology 130, 12-26 | 📅 2022 | 🔍 58 citations

Conclusion

While Dr. Wenhui Yao is not eligible for the Women Researcher Award, his outstanding contributions to materials science and protective coatings make him an excellent candidate for a Best Researcher Award.