Fotis Rigas | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Fotis Rigas | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

πŸ‘¨β€πŸŽ“Profiles

πŸ‘¨β€πŸŽ“ Early Academic Foundation

Prof. Dr. Fotis Rigas was born in Athens, Greece, where he pursued his early education before enrolling at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) to complete his MSc in Chemical Engineering. His academic curiosity and passion for science led him to further achieve a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the same institution. To enhance his interdisciplinary knowledge, he also obtained a Master’s degree in Sanitary Engineering from the National School of Public Health (Greece).

πŸ§ͺ Professional Trajectory and Industry Expertise

Dr. Rigas began his career as a Production and R&D Engineer at the Greek Powder Company, an ammunition and explosives manufacturer. He expanded his knowledge globally through specialized training in slurry explosives in the United States under the guidance of Prof. Melvin Cook of Utah University. Over the decades, he contributed as a consultant to several engineering and industrial firms in Greece, addressing challenges in pollution control, water chemistry, and gas enterprises. These roles solidified his expertise in chemical engineering applications within high-risk and regulated industries.

πŸŽ“ Academic Career and Teaching Excellence

Prof. Rigas held a long and distinguished academic tenure at the Department of Chemical Engineering, NTUA, rising through the ranks from Lecturer to Associate Professor. He also served as a Visiting Professor at esteemed institutions such as the Greek Fire Brigade Academy, the National School of Public Health (Greece and France), and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His teaching portfolio is vast, covering subjects like Organic Chemical Technology, Science and Technology of Explosives, Environmental Science and Technology, Occupational Health and Safety, Polymer Science, Remediation of Contaminated Sites, and Quantitative Risk Analysis. His international experience in education enriched the learning experience for students across disciplines and continents.

πŸ”¬ Research Interests and Scientific Focus

Currently active as an independent author and researcher, Prof. Rigas continues to contribute to high-impact areas in environmental and chemical engineering. His research focuses on:

  1. Process safety and loss prevention – ensuring safer chemical processing systems.

  2. Fungal bioremediation – using fungi to clean contaminated environmental sites.

  3. Bacterial remediation of stone monuments – protecting cultural heritage using microbiological methods.

🌍 Multilingual and Multidisciplinary

Fluent in Greek (native), English, and French, Dr. Rigas has effectively communicated his research and teachings across borders, supporting international academic and industrial collaboration. His ability to work in diverse linguistic and cultural environments has strengthened his role as a global educator and innovator.

πŸ›οΈ Legacy and Continued Influence

Now retired from NTUA, Prof. Dr. Fotis Rigas remains active as an independent author, sharing his extensive knowledge through publications, collaborations, and mentoring. His career spans decades of academic leadership, scientific innovation, and industrial consultation. A pioneer in the fields of explosive safety, environmental remediation, and occupational health, his contributions continue to influence chemical engineering education and sustainable environmental practices worldwide.

πŸ“–Notable Publications

Adsorption of humic acid on acid-activated Greek bentonite
Authors: D Doulia, C Leodopoulos, K Gimouhopoulos, F Rigas
Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 340 (2), Pages 131–141
Citations: 250
Year: 2009

Hazards, safety and knowledge gaps on hydrogen transmission via natural gas grid: A critical review
Authors: Z Labidine Messaoudani, F Rigas, M.D.B. Hamid, C.R.C. Hassan
Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 41 (39), Pages 17511–17525
Citations: 214
Year: 2016

Validation of turbulence models in heavy gas dispersion over obstacles
Authors: S Sklavounos, F Rigas
Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 108 (1–2), Pages 9–20
Citations: 209
Year: 2004

Estimation of safety distances in the vicinity of fuel gas pipelines
Authors: S Sklavounos, F Rigas
Journal: Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Volume 19 (1), Pages 24–31
Citations: 207
Year: 2006

Evaluation of hazards associated with hydrogen storage facilities
Authors: F Rigas, S Sklavounos
Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 30 (13–14), Pages 1501–1510
Citations: 175
Year: 2005

Hang Xie | Computational Modeling | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Hang Xie | Computational Modeling | Best Researcher Award

Huanghuai University, China

πŸ‘¨β€πŸŽ“Profiles

πŸŽ“ Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Hang Xie’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in ocean engineering, focusing on ship slamming loads and fluid physics. His early research delved into computational fluid dynamics (CFD) algorithms, allowing him to explore the complexities of fluid-structure interactions. His passion for maritime engineering led him to investigate asymmetric water entry phenomena, contributing to the understanding of slamming loads on ships. Through rigorous experimentation and numerical analysis, he developed a keen interest in hydrodynamic impact analysis, which later became the cornerstone of his research career.

πŸ’Ό Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Huanghuai University, Dr. Xie is a dedicated researcher in marine hydrodynamics and impact loads. Over the years, he has secured multiple research grants, including funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science and Technology Innovation Youth Project of Zhumadian City, and the Project of Science and Technology of Henan Province of China. His expertise in fluid physics and ship slamming has positioned him as a key figure in the field of computational marine engineering. With an emphasis on solving practical engineering problems, his research has provided valuable insights into the behavior of fluid forces acting on ships and offshore structures.

πŸ”¬ Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Xie has made significant contributions to the development of asymmetric slamming theory by combining experimental studies and numerical simulations. His research has led to the discovery of flow separation mechanisms, jet flow formation, and bubble evolution in asymmetric water entry. By incorporating the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method and introducing artificial convection terms, he has established a high-fidelity solver for simulating two-dimensional multiphase flows, marking a significant theoretical breakthrough. These advancements have enhanced the accuracy of maritime impact load simulations and influenced both theoretical research and practical ship design applications. His work has contributed to improving computational methods that predict the structural response of vessels subjected to extreme slamming events.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Xie’s research has gained widespread recognition, accumulating over 300 citations in leading journals such as Physics of Fluids (POF), International Journal of Marine Science (IJMS), China Shipbuilding (CS), Marine Structures (MS), and Advances in Ocean Physics (AOP). His findings have been instrumental in improving ship safety, reducing structural damage from slamming loads, and enhancing computational models for fluid-structure interactions. His work has been widely referenced by researchers and engineers working on marine structure optimization, further establishing his reputation as a prominent scholar in the field.

πŸ“– Academic Citations and Publications

With 24 published research papers in prestigious SCI and Scopus-indexed journals, Dr. Xie has established himself as a leading scholar in marine engineering and computational fluid dynamics. His research findings have been frequently referenced by experts in ocean engineering, naval architecture, and hydrodynamics. His studies have contributed to a deeper understanding of how ships and offshore structures interact with turbulent and high-impact marine environments.

πŸ› οΈ Technical Skills

Dr. Xie possesses expertise in CFD simulations, numerical modeling, and high-fidelity solvers for multiphase flows. His technical skills include computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method for multiphase flow modeling, hydrodynamic impact analysis, ship slamming load simulations, and experimental and numerical fluid mechanics. His deep understanding of numerical algorithms and experimental methodologies allows him to develop advanced computational tools that improve the accuracy of ship hydrodynamic analyses.

πŸŽ“ Teaching Experience

As an Assistant Professor, Dr. Xie actively engages in teaching marine hydrodynamics, computational modeling, and ship structure analysis. His mentorship has inspired students to explore fluid-structure interactions and advanced computational methods, fostering the next generation of ocean engineers and researchers. He has played a crucial role in guiding students through complex hydrodynamic simulations and experimental studies, ensuring they develop the technical skills required for cutting-edge marine research.

πŸ† Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Xie’s pioneering work in asymmetric slamming phenomena and high-fidelity flow solvers continues to shape the field of marine engineering. With four patents under process and ongoing collaborations with Huilong Ren, Jialong Jiao, and Hui Li, his research is expected to advance maritime safety, enhance numerical modeling accuracy, and influence future ship designs. His dedication to ship slamming physics and fluid-structure coupling ensures that his legacy will endure as a foundation for next-generation hydrodynamic studies. Moving forward, he aims to expand his research into innovative computational techniques that will further refine our understanding of complex maritime environments.

πŸ“–Notable Publications

Experimental and CFD analysis: Effects of bottom appendages on the slamming characteristics of rigid hull structures during water entry

Authors: Y. Ping, Yanna; J. Wang, Jingzhi; H. Xie, Hang; F. Liu, Fang; X. Liu, Xinyu

Journal: Ocean Engineering

Year: 2025

Numerical investigation on the slamming loads of a truncated trimaran hull entering regular waves

Authors: P. Yu, Pengyao; S. Qu, Song; Q. Wang, Qiang; H. Xie, Hang

Journal: Applied Ocean Research

Year: 2024

Characterization on the impact load of a local corner region of a liquid tank entering water

Authors: H. Xie, Hang; J. Li, Jiawang; S. Guijie, Shi; Deyu Wang; H. Tang, Haoyun

Journal: Ocean Engineering

Year: 2024