AdvEnMaT-26

Ali Sadaghiani

Title: Engineered Surfaces for Energy Conversion and Thermal Transport Systems

Abstract:

This talk presents an overview of my research on engineered surfaces and interfaces for energy conversion and thermal transport systems. The central idea is that surfaces can be designed to actively control heat and mass transfer, rather than being treated as passive boundaries. By tailoring wettability, mixed wettability, micro/nanostructure, porosity, coatings, and 3D architectures, it is possible to significantly improve the performance of advanced energy, thermal management, and water technologies. The talk will highlight examples from boiling, condensation, evaporation, anti-icing, electronics thermal management, and solar-driven interfacial evaporation. Particular attention will be given to the interfacial mechanisms governing nucleation, thin-film dynamics, liquid transport, interface stability, and overall thermal efficiency. By linking fundamental interfacial science with material design and device-level performance, this work aims to support the development of efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy systems.

Bio:

Ali Sadaghiani is an Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham and Head of the SMaRT Research Group, specialising in surface and interface engineering for multiphase heat and mass transfer. His research explores how wettability, micro/nanostructure, porosity, coatings, and 3D-engineered surfaces govern heat transfer, phase change, and interfacial transport. His work spans boiling, condensation, evaporation, anti-icing, thermal management, and solar-driven interfacial evaporation for water purification. Through advanced experiments, interfacial diagnostics, engineered surfaces, and multiscale modelling, his group translates fundamental interfacial physics into practical design rules for efficient, reliable, and sustainable thermal and water technologies. His research is supported by major funders and partners, including the Royal Society, UKRI, the European Union, and industrial collaborators, and he leads a research portfolio of over €12 million.

Bahattin Koc

Title:

Abstract:

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) offers unique capabilities for fabricating complex geometries; however, most current approaches are limited to single-material systems. Advanced energy and engineering applications increasingly require components with spatially varying properties and multifunctional performance. This presentation highlights recent research at Sabancı University’s Integrated Manufacturing Center on hybrid additive manufacturing processes for producing functionally graded and structurally complex metal parts. Emphasis is placed on integrating computational design, modeling, and toolpath planning to enable controlled material variation during fabrication. The proposed approaches support the development of advanced materials and components relevant to energy systems, including applications requiring enhanced thermal management, structural performance, and material efficiency. Selected case studies from aerospace and automotive sectors will be presented, demonstrating the potential of hybrid AM in addressing challenges in energy materials and technologies. 

Bio:

Bahattin Koc is a Full Professor of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering at Sabancı University. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University and previously served as a tenured Associate Professor at University at Buffalo. He was co-founder and the Director of the Sabanci University Integrated Manufacturing Center. His research focuses on additive manufacturing, bioprinting, and nano/micro-scale manufacturing.

Prof. Koc has authored more than 150 scientific papers, holds three patents, and earned numerous awards, including the Elginkan Foundation Science and Technology Award, Turkish Heart Association Award, and the Marie Curie Career Integration Award. He has secured over $20 million in research funding from institutions such as Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, European Union, European Research Council, and the U.S. Army Medical Research.

Berna Akgenç Hanedar

Title:

Abstract:

Bio:

Dr. Berna Akgenç Hanedar received her Ph.D. in Physics from Yıldız Technical University in 2017 and has gained international research experience as a visiting researcher in the United States and Europe, including positions at Rice University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Augsburg. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Kırklareli University, Kirklareli, Türkiye. In addition, she has actively contributed as a researcher in ERC, EURAMET, and AFOSR-funded projects at Koç University, taking part in internationally competitive and multidisciplinary research environments. She has authored more than 26 peer-reviewed high-impact journal articles, which have received over 900 citations according to Google Scholar. In addition, she has numerous national and international conference papers and presentations. She is a member of the Materials Research Society (MRS) and the American Physical Society (APS).

She is a researcher in computational materials science, specializing in the first-principles design and characterization of low-dimensional and quantum materials. Her work has advanced the understanding of how defects, doping, and structural asymmetry can be used to tailor electronic, magnetic, and functional properties at the atomic scale. She has contributed to a wide range of emerging material platforms, including MXenes, ABO₃ perovskites, carbon-based systems, van der Waals heterostructures. Her recent research focuses on topological quantum materials and spintronic systems, where she explores the interplay between spin-orbit coupling, topological phases, and symmetry-driven quantum phenomena. She also leads a research program on two-dimensional metal thiophosphates, investigating their electronic, vibrational, and photoluminescence properties using first-principles methods, with the aim of understanding their potential for optoelectronic and energy-related applications.

Husnu Emrah Unalan

Title: From Fibers to Free-Standing Architectures: Scalable and Sustainable Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract:

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are promising for sustainable energy harvesting in wearable electronics, human–machine interfaces, and autonomous sensors, yet scalable architectures and system-level integration remain key challenges. This talk presents a modular, materials-conscious framework bridging fiber-based, textile-integrated, and free-standing TENG systems. We first demonstrate fabric-based TENGs using silver nanowire-modified cotton laminated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), combining washability, Joule heating, and energy harvesting for human–machine interfacing [1]. We then introduce coaxially wet-spun core–shell fibers incorporating carbon black, silver nanowires, and TPU, enabling stretchable, IoT-compatible textiles [2]. Incorporation of two-dimensional TiS₂ and its oxidized derivative TiO₂ into the triboelectric shell reveals enhanced outputs for TiO₂-based fibers (Voc = 55 V, Isc = 690 nA), sufficient to power 100 LEDs and enable machine-learning-assisted tactile sensing in smart gloves [3]. In parallel, optimized silver nanowire networks are used as transparent electrodes in droplet-driven TENG sensors, enabling self-powered pH and chemical concentration sensing with integrated heater functionality [4]. For large-scale energy harvesting, buoy-based TENGs are demonstrated, delivering stable outputs up to 1.1 W/m² under simulated ocean-wave conditions [5]. Extending modularity further, a compact free-standing TENG is developed using oscillating PTFE marbles in 3D-printed biodegradable PLA channels interfaced with aluminum electrodes; parametric optimization shows PLA offers the highest output, and the stacked system reaches 110 V open-circuit voltage and 100 µW peak power at bio-relevant frequencies [6]. In addition, a rolling freestanding triboelectric–electromagnetic hybrid energy harvesting bearing was fabricated via modular integration of neodymium magnet-embedded rollers with triboelectric layers, demonstrating efficient mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion in rotating systems, delivering up to 0.94 W (EMG) and 0.43 mW (TENG) while powering 236 LEDs, charging a smartphone via a power management circuit, and operating temperature and humidity sensors. Overall, the work outlines a scalable pathway from fibers to autonomous systems through modular design and sustainable materials.

Bio:

Husnu Emrah Unalan received his B.S. degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Middle East Technical University (METU), Türkiye in 2002, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Rutgers University, USA, in 2004 and 2006, respectively. He worked as a Research Associate in the Electrical Engineering Division of the University of Cambridge from 2006 to 2008. Since 2008, he has been with the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at METU, where he is currently a Full Professor and Director of the Micro and Nanotechnology Graduate Program. He is also affiliated with the Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (GÜNAM) and the Energy Storage Materials and Devices Research Center (ENDAM). His research focuses on nanomaterials, particularly triboelectric nanogenerators, energy harvesting systems, flexible and wearable energy storage devices, and polymer-based materials for sustainable energy and sensing technologies. He received the Turkish Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award in 2009, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) Incentive Award in 2014 and Science Academy of Türkiye Young Scientists Award (BAGEP) in 2015. He has authored over 170 peer-reviewed articles and 2 book chapters, with more than 10000 citations as of April 2026.

Jiangyun Zhang

Title: Experimental Study on the Propagation and Suppression Mechanism of Thermal Runaway in Lithium-ion Battery Modules

Abstract:

Battery thermal runaway is regarded as the core cause of fire accidents. We systematically conducts research on the propagation and suppression mechanisms of thermal runaway in power lithium-ion battery modules using experimental methods. Two module systems were constructed under open natural convective heat transfer conditions: 4 in parallel and 2 in series (4P*2S) and no electrical connection (NEC). Systematic thermal triggering (TR) and heat insulation material suppression experiments were carried out, and the key gas evolution characteristics, temperature response, and heat transfer paths were quantitatively analyzed. The results show that without heat insulation, the 4P*2S module experiences thermal runaway almost simultaneously in all cells within 5-6 seconds due to the electro-thermal coupling effect. While the NEC module exhibits delayed and disordered heat spread, only the adjacent cells are partially controlled. Gas analysis reveals that the TR gas is dominated by CO2, accounting for approximately 63.76%, followed by O2 at about 17.37%, and C2H4 at a relatively low proportion of only 0.53%. The combustible limit of its gas mixture is 4.9%-45.2%. The evolution reflects the synergistic reaction mechanism of SEI decomposition, electrolyte cracking, and cathode oxygen release. In terms of heat spread suppression, the effectiveness of the three heat insulation materials is ranked as follows: PCM > AF > MPP. Among them, PCM absorbs latent heat to only cause the safety valve of the battery to fail without thermal runaway, and the maximum temperature of the surrounding cells is stabilized at 69.3-76.5°C, with the TR time delayed by 382-1085 seconds. Heat transfer and distribution: radiation heat loss accounts for 60%-65% of the total heat loss, and convective loss accounts for approximately 35%-40%. The proportion of heat dissipation to the environment for the 4P*2S module is 10%-20% higher than that of NEC, while the internal heat accumulation proportion is only 10%-15%, significantly lower than the energy concentration characteristic of the NEC module. Therefore, reconstructing the multi-path heat diffusion network of the module and reducing the internal energy accumulation proportion is the core mechanism for suppressing the propagation of thermal runaway.

Bio:

Jiangyun Zhang, Associate Professor, Guangdong University of Technology, China. Visiting Scholar at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Possesses a cross-disciplinary background in power engineering and engineering thermophysics, materials science and electrochemistry.She is an expert in core technology research and development and problem-solving in the field of battery thermal safety and disaster prevention. She has led more than 15 longitudinal and lateral projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China's Youth Fund, Guangdong Province's Open Fund for Battery Safety Laboratory, Zhuhai City's Science and Technology Plan Project, Guangdong Province's Applied Major Special Project, Guangdong Province's Science and Technology Plan Project Sub-project, and the US International Copper Professional Association's Bidding Project. In 2024, he led a major scientific and technological research project in Dongguan City, responsible for the research on the safety of sodium-ion batteries. As a key research member, she participated in the China-UK International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, etc. She has published 28 papers, including 25 SCI papers; obtained more than 10 patents; participated in the formulation of 9 technical standards. Her review papers published in well-known SCI journals in the energy field have become highly cited papers, with citation counts reaching 240. The team's "Safety Performance of Battery System" has become a highly cited paper. The team has published 28 papers, including 25 SCI papers; obtained more than 10 patents; participated in the formulation of 9 technical standards. "Key Technologies and Applications" won the first prize of the Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award in 2020.

Kwan San (Oscar) Hui

Title: Phosphorus-Based Anodes for High-Performance K-Ion and Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract:

Phosphorus-based anodes are emerging as a compelling platform for next-generation alkali-ion batteries, driven by their exceptionally high theoretical capacities, natural abundance, and unique alloying–dealloying chemistry.

This talk begins by establishing the fundamental electrochemical principles governing phosphorus anodes in both potassium-ion (K-ion) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) systems. Particular attention will be given to the key limitations that hinder practical deployment, including severe volume expansion and unstable interfacial chemistry. The presentation will examine rational design strategies to overcome these challenges. These include engineered phosphorus–carbon architectures for mechanical confinement and enhanced charge transport, as well as composite and nanostructured designs that mitigate structural degradation during cycling. In parallel, the critical role of electrolyte engineering will be discussed, with a focus on solvation structure, additive chemistry, and the formation of stable solid–electrolyte interphases (SEI). This talk aims to bridge fundamental understanding and practical implementation, providing a coherent framework to guide the development of advanced phosphorus-based anodes for next-generation energy storage.

Bio:

Kwan San (Oscar) Hui is a Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Hui has been recognized among the world’s top 2% of scientists in the fields of Materials, Energy, and Nanoscience & Technology since 2020. He has published 271 peer-reviewed SCI papers in prestigious journals, including Nature Communications, Energy & Environmental Science, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Energy Materials. His h-index is 68, with over 15,000+ citations (Web of Science). Dr. Hui holds one U.S. patent (US9040007B2) and serves on several international expert panels, including the Slovak Research and Development Agency. He also reviews proposals for the Newton International Fellowships at the Royal Society, UK, and is a member of the UKRI Talent Peer Review College. Dr. Hui is a Full Member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, UK), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, UK), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA, UK), and a Senior Member of the IEEE (USA). He currently serves as Chair of the Device Technologies for Energy Storage Ad Hoc Committee within the IEEE Electron Devices Society (EDS).

Lifeng Liu

Title: Engineering Ir-based catalysts for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis

Abstract:

Compared to conventional alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) shows many advantages such as high operational current density, high purity of produced hydrogen, wide dynamic load range and compact configuration. Particularly, PEM electrolyzers responds rapidly to load, and therefore are suitable to use together with renewable energy to produce green hydrogen. However, PEMWE suffers from so harsh operational conditions (strongly acidic and oxidative) that there are few materials of choice for use as electrocatalysts. Especially, iridium (Ir) based nanoparticles are the only known catalysts used to expedite oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in industrial PEM electrolyzers. Considering the high cost of Ir and its scarcity in Earth’s crust, it is imperative to develop advanced Ir-based OER catalysts with reduced Ir loadings to promote widespread deployment of PEM electrolyzers.In  this presentation, I will show recent efforts of our team towards developing new Ir-based OER catalysts with improved catalytic activity and stability for acidic OER. We demonstrate that by mixing Ir with Ru and engineering the microstructure of catalysts, the mass activity of derived catalysts can be notably improved [1-3]. Furthermore, by introducing secondary acid-stable transition metal(s), we prove the catalytic stability is remarkably enhanced [4-6]. The PEMWE electrolyzer using IrRuMnMoOx as the anode catalysts can operate at a large current density of 3 A cm-2 for 5000 hours with minimal degradation, showing substantial promise for use in PEM electrolyzers under demanding conditions.

Bio:

Lifeng Liu (Researcher ID: A-2522-2012, Orcid ID: 0000-0003-2732-7399) received both his MSc. (2004) and PhD (2007) degrees in Condensed Matter Physics from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOP-CAS). He joined Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics – Halle (MPI-Halle), Germany in 2007, first working as a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of late Prof. Ulrich Goesele, and then as a staff scientist. He started his independent research career in 2008 and became a group leader at MPI-Halle in 2009. In 2011, he moved to the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) and set up a research group there. After working in Europe over 15 years, he returned China in 2022 and joined Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (SLAB). In 2026, he moved to Dongguan Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he serves as the Head of New Energy Materials Department. Lifeng has been actively working on nanomaterials and nanostructures since 2002, with emphases on fabrication and characterization of complex nanostructures and energy materials. His present interest mainly focuses on electrocatalysis and battery materials. So far, he has authored/co-authored more than 230 peer-reviewed papers in international peer-reviewed journals, which have been collectively cited 17000+ times (h index 74, Google Scholar, as of April 2026). In addition, Lifeng has been granted 9 EU/PCT/Chinese patents and delivered 70+ oral presentations at international conferences/workshops. He was the recipient of the FCT Investigator Grant 2014, Young Researcher Prize of the Portuguese Electrochemical Society 2015, the IAAM Scientist Medal 2018 by the International Association of Advanced Materials, and Emerging Investigator 2019 by the Royal Society of Chemistry journal "Chemical Communications". From 2020 to 2025, he was enlisted the world Top 2% scientist by Standford University. Lifeng is now an Editorial Board member of Materials Today Energy, Materials Futures, and Advances in Nano Research.

Rezan

Demir-Cakan

Title: Rational Design of Advanced Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Abstract:

Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) have recently gained significant attention as cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion technologies, mainly due to the abundance of sodium resources and improved safety characteristics. However, their overall energy density remains constrained by the limitations of current electrode materials. This presentation addresses the rational engineering of anode materials, with a primary focus on hard carbon, which is currently the most viable option but still faces challenges related to limited capacity and complex sodium storage mechanisms. To enhance the development process, a machine learning-assisted strategy is employed to correlate synthesis parameters, microstructural characteristics, and electrochemical behavior. This approach enables the identification of the most influential descriptors controlling sodium storage performance and provides a more efficient pathway for materials optimization compared to conventional trial-and-error methods. The scope is further expanded to alloy-based anodes, which provide much higher theoretical capacities but are hindered by significant volume expansion during cycling. Approaches involving nanoscale design and interfacial stabilization are discussed within a unified framework aimed at the rational development of advanced anode materials for next-generation sodium-ion batteries.

Bio:

Rezan Demir-Cakan received her Ph.D. degree in 2009 from the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces. Between 2009 and 2012, she conducted postdoctoral research in the group of Prof. Jean-Marie Tarascon, where she focused on rechargeable lithium batteries, particularly lithium-sulfur systems. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Gebze Technical University. Her research activities center on the design and synthesis of nanostructured energy materials for advanced battery systems, with particular emphasis on sodium-ion, lithium–sulfur, and aqueous electrolyte zinc-ion batteries. Rezan Demir-Cakan has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the French Embassy Research Fellowship (2018, 2023), the Turkish Academy of Sciences Outstanding Young Scientist Award (TÜBA-GEBİP, 2018), the L'Oréal–UNESCO “For Women in Science” Award (2016), the Science Academy's Young Scientist Award (BAGEP, 2015). Since 2014, she has served as an expert evaluator for energy-related calls within EU-funded programs (H2020, Horizon Europe), and she currently coordinates the EU-funded project TwinBat.

Seda Keskin

Title: Machine Learning-Guided Atomistic Modeling to Design and Discover MOFs

Abstract:

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COF) offer tremendous potential for a wide range of chemical and biological applications. The number of MOFs and COFs has been increasing very fast and experimental testing of every single synthesized MOF and COF material for each target application is simply impractical. High-throughput computational simulations play an important role in accurately assessing potentials of millions of materials in a time-efficient manner. Identification of the best materials by molecular simulations is useful to direct the experimental efforts, resources, and time to the most useful materials. In this talk, I will focus on atomically-detailed modeling methods that have been used to accurately assess the potential of MOFs and COFs for energy applications; mainly for gas adsorption and gas separation. I will show how simulations combined with machine learning have been used to screen the entire MOF database to identify the most promising MOF adsorbents and membranes for natural gas purification (CO2/CH4), flue gas separation (CO2/N2) and hydrogen recovery (CO2/H2).

Bio:

Seda Keskin is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Koç University. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Distinguished Fellow of Society for Energy, Materials and Sustainability and International Association of Advanced Materials Medalist. She received her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2009. She joined Koç University in 2010 and was promoted to full professor in 2018. Her research focuses on molecular modeling and data-driven design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for energy, environmental, and biomedical applications. She has been recognized as one of the Outstanding Women in Chemical Engineering Across the Globe by Chemical Engineering Research and Design, she is the recipient of an ERC Starting Grant (2017), an ERC Consolidator Grant (2023), and the TÜBİTAK Science Award (2024).

Omid Moradi

Title: Systematic Fabrication of Modified Surfaces via Pattern-Controlled UV Laser Texturing

Abstract:

Engineered surfaces are critical enablers for advancements in thermal management, energy systems, and environmental control technologies. This seminar presents a systematic exploration of UV-laser (355 nm) fabrication strategies applied to both flat and curved substrates. The work focuses on tailoring surface characteristics through the combined control of laser-processing parameters and pattern-design features. Specifically, micro/nano-texturing and controlled pattern transfer are employed to achieve desired surface functionalities. The seminar will detail the design and fabrication of these textured surfaces and demonstrate their applications in delaying ice nucleation, suppressing frost bridging, and enhancing heat transfer, thereby improving the performance of thermal systems. These surface-engineering approaches are particularly important in high-performance systems such as power plants and refrigeration units, where enhanced surface properties can contribute to significant energy savings and extended operational lifetime.

Bio:

Omid Moradi is a researcher in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering at Sabancı University. He received his BSc degree from University of Tabriz and his MSc and PhD degrees from the Materials Science and Nanoengineering Program at Sabancı University. His research interests include surface engineering, functional surface development, superhydrophobic–hydrophilic (biphilic) surface fabrication, 2D materials, machine learning and deep learning methods for surface characterization and analysis.

Yegan Oyman

Title: Droplets and Microfluidic Systems for Particle Synthesis & Analysis

Abstract:

Droplet-based microfluidic systems are promising for biological and chemical reactions as they provide rapid mixing times, precise concentrations and manipulation of samples as individual packages. These systems have several lab-on-a-chip applications such as analysis of biological samples and synthesis of nanomaterials for sensor technology. Droplets can be either manipulated on surfaces by creating energy gradients or they can be transported inside microchannels by using a carrier fluid. Our work focuses on both the synthesis of nanomaterials on surfaces within droplets and within channels. In the first technique, droplets can be moved selectively based on their volume and viscosity on textured surfaces without being inside a channel. On the other hand, microfluidic reactors – or microreactors – show promise for the synthesis of nanoparticles with well controlled size, size distribution and shape. Compared to batch-wise synthesis techniques, microfluidic technology can provide precise control of the reaction conditions such as temperature, residence time and mixing ratio of reagents. For more information, please visit our webpage: minilab.bilkent.edu.tr

Bio:

Yegan Oyman received her Ph.D. from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, in May 2013 with minors in materials science and electrical engineering. During her doctoral studies, she worked on the development of microfluidic systems for controlled synthesis of nanoparticles. Dr. Oyman joined Bilkent University Mechanical Engineering Department in 2013. Her research interests include microfluidics, MEMS, nanomaterials, and nanosensors. She has published in journals such as IEEE MEMS, Advanced Materials, Small, Applied Physics Letters, Langmuir, etc. She was a recipient of the Jane Lewis and Berkeley Mechanical Engineering Summer Fellowships. She also received Turkish National Science Foundation (Tubitak) 2232 fellowship (2013), Tubitak Early Career Grant (2015) and Turkish Science Academy Young Scientist Award (2016).