Muhammad Atiqullah | Polymer Chemistry | Innovative Research Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Atiqullah | Polymer Chemistry | Innovative Research Award

National Company for Mechanical Systems | Saudi Arabia

Dr. Muhammad Atiqullah is an accomplished scientific and technical leader whose career spans four decades of continuous contributions to chemical engineering, polymer science, materials science, and defense-related composite technologies. His work integrates advanced research, technical consulting, academic leadership, and industrial innovation, with a strong specialization in polymer reaction engineering, polyolefin catalysts, and thermoset polymer composites. As a Senior R&D Engineer and consultant in the defense sector, he focuses on developing high-performance composite materials and selecting polymeric systems for critical defense applications. His extensive experience at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals includes serving as Professor, Senior Research Engineer, founding director of major research centers, and contributor to establishing national research infrastructures. He led large-scale, high-impact collaborative programs with global organizations and developed strategic research initiatives in polyolefin catalysts, synthetic lubricants, polymeric flow aids, and advanced composite materials. Dr. Atiqullah’s work has generated substantial national value, including major competitive research funding and industry-sponsored projects. He is the lead inventor of multiple U.S. patents and has published extensively in high-ranking scientific journals, earning over a thousand citations. His editorial leadership includes serving as Editor-in-Chief of a materials science journal, and he is widely recognized as an expert reviewer across numerous scientific platforms. His research encompasses defense polymer composites, energy-efficient polymer processes, catalyst development, and high-value polyolefin technologies that underpin modern materials engineering and industrial chemistry. Beyond research, he has mentored graduate researchers, developed advanced laboratories, shaped research strategies, and contributed to national innovation ecosystems. Recognized through prestigious fellowships, awards, and leadership roles, Dr. Atiqullah continues to pursue scientific advancements with a forward-looking vision to establish specialized centers for defense polymer composites and to promote innovation-driven economic growth through technology development and talent cultivation.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

1. Rawas, Y. A., Abdelaal, A. F., Al‐Muallem, H. A., & Atiqullah, M. (2025). Effects of catalyst activation, deactivation, and active site physical residential environment on ethylene−α‐olefin elastomeric copolymerization. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, e00406.

2. Atiqullah, M., Abdelaal, A. F., Adamu, S., & Alasiri, H. S. (2024). Catalytic making of ethylene-1-hexene elastomers: Thermodynamic guide to process development. AIChE Journal.

3. Atiqullah, M., & Al‐Asiri, H. S. (2022). Polyolefin catalyst research: A product-driven industrial perspective. The Chemical Record.

4. Ahmed, A. K., Atiqullah, M., Al-Harthi, M. A., Abdelaal, A. F., & Pradhan, D. R. (2020). Nonisothermal crystallization of Ziegler-Natta i-PP-graphene nanocomposite: DSC and new model prediction. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 98(6), 1398–1410.

5. Atiqullah, M., Al-Sarkhi, A. S., Al-Thenayan, F. M., Al-Malki, A. R., & Alasiri, H. S. (2019). Energy-saving UHMW polymeric flow aids: Catalyst and polymerization process development. Catalysts, 9(1002), 1–15.

Georgia Lainioti | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Georgia Lainioti | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Laboratory Teaching Staff | University of Patras | Greece

Dr. Georgia C. Lainioti is an accomplished chemist and materials scientist with a strong interdisciplinary research background in polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and advanced materials for environmental, food, and biomedical applications. She holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Patras, where she developed innovative methodologies for the kinetic study of alcoholic fermentation using novel biocatalysts. Currently serving as Laboratory Teaching Staff at the Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Patras, Dr. Lainioti has over 15 years of experience in academic research and teaching across chemistry, material science, and food technology disciplines. Her research focuses on the design and synthesis of advanced polymeric and hybrid nanocomposite materials with applications in antimicrobial and antifouling coatings, flame-retardant systems, gas separation membranes, and active food packaging. She has contributed extensively to the development of eco-friendly, halogen-free hybrid coatings, humidity- and pH-responsive membranes, and biopolymer films incorporating essential oils for antimicrobial and antioxidant food preservation. Dr. Lainioti has participated in numerous European and national research programs (FP7, THALES, PAVET, KRIPIS, and others), collaborating with multidisciplinary teams at the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT) and the University of Patras. Her scientific productivity includes 32 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals such as ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Polymer Chemistry, Polymers, Progress in Organic Coatings, and International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Her publications have received 489 citations by 393 documents, resulting in an h-index of 14 (Scopus), reflecting her influence in the field of polymer and materials science. In addition to her research, she has served as a peer reviewer for several international journals including ACS Applied Polymer Materials, RSC Advances, and Biofouling. Through her sustained contributions to sustainable materials design, bioactive polymer systems, and nanocomposite development, Dr. Lainioti has established herself as a leading researcher advancing innovation at the interface of chemistry, materials, and food technology.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Lainioti, G. C., Anastasopoulos, I., Soto Beobide, A., Voyiatzis, G. A., & Kallitsis, J. K. (2025). Preparation of carbon nanotube polymeric membranes with cross-linkable and antimicrobial agents for water applications. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 325, 130895.

Safakas, K., Lainioti, G. C., Koutsodima, P., Stathopoulou, P., & Ladavos, A. (2025, June 12). Development and characterization of LDPE/EVA films incorporating carvacrol essential oil with antifungal activity. Foods, 14(12), 2069.

Safakas, K., Lainioti, G. C., Tsiamis, G., Stathopoulou, P., & Ladavos, A. (2025, March 6). Utilizing essential oil components as natural antifungal preservatives in the active packaging of bread. Polymers, 17(5), 697.

Lainioti, G. C., & Druvari, D. (2024, November 15). Designing antibacterial-based quaternary ammonium coatings (surfaces) or films for biomedical applications: Recent advances. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(22), 12264.

Koukoumtzis, V., Lainioti, G. C., Voyiatzis, G. A., & Kallitsis, J. K. (2023, April 9). Novel hybrid organic–inorganic polymeric coatings containing phosphonium or acidic groups for improving flame retardancy of wood. Coatings, 13(4), 754.