Neng Yu | Electrochemistry | Sustainable Chemistry Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neng Yu | Electrochemistry | Sustainable Chemistry Award

East China University of Technology, China

Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Neng Yu began her academic journey with a strong foundation in Applied Chemistry, which cultivated her multidisciplinary perspective early on. She advanced through postgraduate studies in the same field before pursuing a doctoral degree in Optical Engineering. Her Ph.D. research was carried out at a leading national laboratory for optoelectronics in China, where she was mentored by distinguished faculty. These formative academic experiences shaped her expertise in electrochemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology—critical areas that would define her future research trajectory.

Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as an Associate Professor at East China University of Technology, Dr. Yu is also engaged internationally as a visiting scholar at a prominent Finnish institution. Her cross-border academic collaborations reflect a global outlook on applied physics and advanced materials. Within her home institution, she has spearheaded research in energy storage, battery materials, and flexible electronics, all while contributing actively to institutional research leadership and mentoring initiatives.

Research Focus and Contributions

Dr. Yu’s research centers on electrochemical energy storage systems, with a strong emphasis on aqueous zinc-ion batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. She has made important contributions to the development of protective layers for zinc metal anodes that facilitate fast ion transfer and reduce dendrite formation. Additionally, she has developed binder-free electrode structures using CoSe₂ for lithium-ion batteries that offer improved electrical and ionic conductivity. Her work in designing flexible and high-performance supercapacitors—including waterproof, fiber-shaped, and stretchable devices—demonstrates her commitment to pioneering next-generation wearable energy technologies.

Funding and Research Leadership

Dr. Yu has consistently secured competitive funding as a principal investigator from national foundations, provincial science and technology departments, and open research platforms. Her research projects span areas such as new energy technologies, polymer nano-fabrication, and advanced energy materials. Her leadership in directing and completing these multidisciplinary projects showcases her ability to translate vision into impactful outcomes.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Yu’s contributions are widely recognized through over 30 scientific publications in high-impact journals such as Advanced Energy Materials and the Journal of Materials Chemistry. With 18 of these as first or corresponding author, she has demonstrated research leadership in both conception and execution. She also holds three authorized Chinese patents, signaling her focus on translating scientific research into practical and scalable innovations. Her work has significantly influenced progress in the fields of battery science and flexible energy systems.

Academic Citations and Recognition

Although specific citation metrics are not detailed, Dr. Yu’s consistent publication in leading international journals, combined with her funded research record, positions her as a respected figure within the scientific community. Her scholarly work continues to be referenced in research related to electrochemistry, nanomaterials, and advanced energy devices.

Technical Proficiency

Dr. Yu possesses a deep command of both synthesis and characterization techniques. She is proficient in material preparation methods such as hydrothermal synthesis, chemical vapor deposition, electrochemical deposition, anodic oxidation, and atomic layer deposition. Her analytical capabilities include techniques like XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, AFM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. She is also adept in the use of advanced electrochemical instrumentation including Autolab, PARSTAT 4000, CHI workstations, and LAND battery testing systems.

Scientific Communication and Computing

Dr. Yu is well-versed in scientific writing, peer review, and oral communication in English, which she employs effectively in both publishing and collaboration. Her computer literacy extends to software used for document preparation, data visualization, and image processing, such as Microsoft Office, 3D MAX, and Photoshop—tools that enhance the clarity and professional presentation of her research output.

Teaching and Mentorship

Beyond research, Dr. Yu has dedicated significant effort to teaching and mentoring. She has guided several student teams through innovation and entrepreneurship programs, both at national and provincial levels. Through these initiatives, she fosters research aptitude, creativity, and critical thinking in young scholars, reflecting her strong commitment to educational development and student success.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Yu continues to push boundaries in sustainable and flexible energy storage technologies. Her ongoing projects are aligned with global demands for environmentally friendly and portable energy solutions. As her career evolves, she is positioned to shape the future of energy materials through scientific innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and academic mentorship. Her legacy will be characterized by practical solutions grounded in strong scientific principles and a dedication to empowering the next generation of researchers.

Notable Publications

In situ electrochemical activation enabling high-performance cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Qingpu Zeng, Shitong Zhou, Neng Yu*, Jiachen Huo, Changfang Sun, Kai Guo*
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Year: 2025

Engineering aqueous electrolytes with a trifunctional additive for robust zinc anodes across a wide temperature range
Authors: Neng Yu, Shiya Lin, Shitong Zhou, Ye Li, Jiating Li, Qingpu Zeng, Lu Chen, Lei Wang, Kai Guo*, Xianfu Wang*, Yiju Li*
Journal: Energy Storage Materials
Year: 2025

Dual-function additive for simultaneously boosting the stability and energy density of aqueous zinc ion hybrid capacitors
Authors: Kai Guo, Jiating Li, Shiya Lin, Lu Chen, Neng Yu*, Yiju Li*
Journal: Chinese Chemical Letters
Year: 2025

Metallic Vanadium Activated by In-Situ Dissolution-Deposition Process for Superior Aqueous Zinc Ion Battery Cathode
Authors: Kai Guo, Ye Li, Changchen Yang, Yijing Xiang, Shanqi Pan, Qingpu Zeng, Zhuyao Li, Neng Yu*, Xianfu Wang*
Journal: Chemical Communications
Year: 2025

Highly Reversible Zinc Anode Enabled by Trifunctional Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid Additive
Authors: Shiya Lin, Wang Zhao, Yisha Guo, Neng Yu*, Kai Guo*, Xianfu Wang*
Journal: ACS Energy Letters
Year: 2024

Nyambane Clive Ontita | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Nyambane Clive Ontita | Electrochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Central South University, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Nyambane Clive Ontita began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Education (Biology/Agriculture) from Bugema University in Uganda. Driven by a passion for microbiology and environmental science, he pursued a Master of Science in Microbiology at Kenyatta University in Kenya. He later advanced to doctoral studies at Central South University in China, where he has focused his research on microbe–mineral interactions, biological resource recovery, and bioelectrochemical systems. His educational background reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied microbiology, aligning with his career-long commitment to solving environmental problems through scientific innovation.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Ontita has held several academic positions, serving as a Part-time Lecturer in microbiology at Kisii University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). In these roles, he taught microbiology and environmental physiology, guiding students through hands-on laboratory training and research supervision. His teaching was complemented by work at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he conducted clinical microbiology research involving microbial ecology and antibiotic resistance profiling. These positions allowed him to bridge academia and applied science in service of both education and community health.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

At Central South University, Dr. Ontita has worked as a Doctoral Researcher in the lab of Prof. Weimin Zeng, contributing significantly to the development of microbial electrochemical systems (BES) for the recovery of rare earth elements and wastewater treatment. He has successfully engineered BES reactors to remove and recover Ce(III), La(III), Y(III), and Gd(III) from industrial and mining effluents. His research integrates microbial community analysis, reactor design, and surface chemistry to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of metal recovery processes. His additional focus on biofilm dynamics, metal resistance, and mine waste biostabilization illustrates his comprehensive approach to sustainable environmental solutions.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Ontita’s work aligns with global efforts to address industrial pollution, metal toxicity, and sustainable resource use. His BES systems provide an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to traditional chemical treatments. Internationally recognized for his innovation, he has been honored with awards such as Best Research Student and Best Group Presenter at Central South University. He has also contributed to international discussions on sustainability through forums and training programs on carbon neutrality and green development, positioning him as an influential voice in environmental microbiology and bioengineering.

📚 Academic Citations and Publications

Dr. Ontita is the author of several high-impact publications in journals such as Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal of Water Process Engineering, Bioresource Technology, and Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. His articles focus on anode optimization, microbial stress responses, substrate enhancement, and metal recovery mechanisms in BES systems. These works are frequently cited in research on bioelectrochemical technologies, making him a valued contributor to the academic and scientific communities engaged in wastewater treatment, metal biorecovery, and microbial electrochemistry.

🧪 Technical Skills

Dr. Ontita brings a diverse skill set that includes:

  • Molecular Biology: DNA extraction, 16S rRNA sequencing, qPCR

  • Instrumentation and Surface Analysis: XPS, FTIR, SEM, XRD, ICP-OES

  • Process Engineering: BES reactor design, pollutant degradation kinetics, resource recovery system development

  • Data Analysis Tools: OriginLab, SPSS, GraphPad Prism, PICRUSt for microbial pathway prediction
    These skills enable him to independently manage interdisciplinary research projects from design through to data interpretation.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Dr. Ontita’s teaching experience spans undergraduate and postgraduate instruction. At Kisii University and JKUAT, he delivered lectures in medical microbiology, general microbiology, and environmental physiology. He designed and supervised laboratory exercises, focusing on microbial culturing, contaminant analysis, and molecular techniques. His efforts in mentorship and academic supervision reflect his commitment to nurturing future scientists, especially in underrepresented regions.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Ontita aims to advance microbial technologies for sustainable industrial applications. His future plans include the scaling of BES reactors for real-world deployment in wastewater treatment and the conversion of mining residues into reusable materials. He is committed to promoting bio-based environmental engineering across academic, industrial, and governmental sectors, and actively supports the development of African scientific capacity through mentorship and collaboration. His legacy lies in his dedication to innovation, sustainability, and education through microbiology.

📖Notable Publications

Insights into anode substrate optimization in bioelectrochemical systems for efficient cathodic lanthanum recovery during wastewater treatment
Authors: NC Ontita, EK Sarkodie, R Anaman, TY Hui, W Zeng
Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering, 66, 106003
Year: 2024

Electrochemically active biofilms responses to gadolinium stress during wastewater treatment in bioelectrochemical systems
Authors: NC Ontita, R Anaman, EK Sarkodie, Y Wang, AH Bichi, X Shanshan, …
Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials, 491, 137941
Year: 2025

Isolation and Whole-genome analysis of Desmodesmus sp. SZ-1: Novel acid-tolerant carbon-fixing microalga
Authors: Y Wang, A Liu, C Amanze, NC Ontita, W Zeng
Journal: Bioresource Technology, 414, 131572
Year: 2024

Prevalence and susceptibility profiles of bacterial pathogens associated with urinary tract infections in children presenting at Kisii level 5 hospital, Kisii County, Kenya
Author: OC Nyambane
Institution/Publisher: Kenyatta University
Year: 2015

Mechanistic Insights into Biphasic Effects of Ce (III) on Anode Biofilms in Bioelectrochemical Systems during Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Authors: NC Ontita, C Amanze, R Anaman, X Shanshan, F Kwofie, PA Tetteh, …
Journal: Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 236 (8), 1–25
Year: 2025