Shahryar Mooraj | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Shahryar Mooraj | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Lawrence Livermore National Lab | United States

Dr. Shahryar Mooraj is a distinguished Post-Doctoral Researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to metal additive manufacturing (AM) and advanced materials science. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, his research spans the development of next-generation materials and fabrication processes that integrate precision engineering, artificial intelligence, and materials design. Dr. Mooraj’s scientific achievements are characterized by innovation in high-entropy alloys (HEAs), refractory materials, and hierarchical nanoporous structures. His research in microstructure control and defect mitigation has provided new insights into the mechanical and thermal behaviors of additively manufactured metals. His work on high-performance refractory alloys contributes to the design of plasma-facing materials for fusion energy systems, while his digital twin models enhance automation and defect prediction in manufacturing processes through AI integration. Notably, Dr. Mooraj developed a custom droplet-on-demand molten metal jetting system for boutique powder synthesis and created a rapid, cost-efficient platform for liquid metal wetting analysis, revolutionizing materials compatibility screening for AM. His investigations into hierarchical 3D architectures fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW) have also expanded the frontier of energy storage and electrocatalytic materials. His collaborations with leading global institutions including A*STAR (Singapore), Max Planck Institute (Germany), and ORNL (USA) underscore his role in advancing interdisciplinary materials research and fostering international scientific innovation. With 381 citations across 355 documents, 17 publications, and an h-index of 11 (Scopus), Dr. Mooraj’s scholarly impact reflects his sustained research excellence and leadership in additive manufacturing and material innovation. His forward-looking vision aims to establish sustainable, AI-driven, and defect-free manufacturing paradigms, aligning with global priorities in advanced materials design and next-generation engineering technologies.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Mooraj, S., Feng, S., Luebbe, M., Register, M., Liu, J., Li, T., Yavas, B., Schmidt, D. P., et al. (2025). Martensitic transformation induced strength-ductility synergy in additively manufactured maraging 250 steel by thermal history engineering. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 211, 212–225.

Mooraj, S., Fu, J., Feng, S., Ng, A. K., Duoss, E. B., Baker, S. E., Zhu, C., Detsi, E., et al. (2024). Additive manufacturing of multiscale NiFeMn multi-principal element alloys with tailored composition. Materials Futures, 3(4), 045103.

Mooraj, S., Dong, X., Zhang, S., Zhang, Y., Ren, J., Guan, S., Li, C., Naorem, R., et al. (2024). Crack mitigation in additively manufactured AlCrFe₂Ni₂ high-entropy alloys through engineering phase transformation pathway. Communications Materials, 5(1), 101.

Mooraj, S., Kim, G., Fan, X., Samuha, S., Xie, Y., Li, T., Tiley, J. S., Chen, Y., Yu, D., et al. (2024). Additive manufacturing of defect-free TiZrNbTa refractory high-entropy alloy with enhanced elastic isotropy via in-situ alloying of elemental powders. Communications Materials, 5(1), 14.

Zhang, S., Hou, P., Kang, J., Li, T., Mooraj, S., Ren, Y., Chen, C. H., Hart, A. J., et al. (2023). Laser additive manufacturing for infrastructure repair: A case study of a deteriorated steel bridge beam. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 154, 149–158.

Sibel Dikmen Kucuk | Chemical Engineering | Best Industrial Research Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Sibel Dikmen Kucuk | Chemical Engineering | Best Industrial Research Award

Düzce University | Turkey

Dr. Sibel Dikmen Küçük is a distinguished researcher and lecturer at Düzce University, where she has been serving in the Rectorate. With a strong academic foundation in chemical and composite materials engineering, she has developed a dynamic research portfolio focused on sustainable materials, nanotechnology, and bio-based cosmetic applications. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Hacettepe University. Driven by a passion for advanced materials, she pursued her graduate studies at Düzce University’s Institute of Science, completing a thesis-based Master’s program in Composite Material Technologies. Her master’s thesis examined the impact of ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers on rubber-based automotive sealing profiles. Continuing her academic journey in the same field, she obtained her Ph.D. in Composite Material Technologies (Interdisciplinary). Her doctoral thesis explored the development of an innovative composite facial mask containing natural nanocellulose with stain-removing and ultra-moisturizing properties. Dr. Küçük has actively contributed to numerous national scientific research projects, including TÜBİTAK-supported studies. She has taken on both researcher and coordinator roles in over ten projects, reflecting her leadership and collaborative expertise. Her work spans various topics such as biopolymer-based EPDM profiles, botanical extract-infused cosmetics, activated carbon production from agricultural waste, and the development of dual-phase hair sprays for treating androgenic alopecia. She holds a national patent for a stain-removing facial serum containing bacterial nanocellulose, showcasing her commitment to practical innovation and product development. Her publication record includes several articles in respected international journals like South African Journal of Botany, BioResources, and the Journal of Rubber Research, alongside multiple national publications and conference proceedings. Her research contributions often bridge the gap between materials science and biotechnology, with an emphasis on green chemistry and sustainable product design. In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Küçük has served as a consultant on cosmetic formulation projects involving bacterial nanocellulose and plant-based actives, further reflecting the translational impact of her research. Through her interdisciplinary work, she continues to advance the fields of composite materials, nanocellulose applications, and natural product-based innovations. With a growing reputation in both academic and industrial circles, Dr. Sibel Dikmen Küçük exemplifies the integration of scientific excellence, innovation, and societal relevance in research.

Profiles : ORCID | Scopus | Google Scholar | Research Gate

Featured Publications

  • Dikmen Küçük, S. (2025). Development and characterization of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber reinforced by green material lignin. Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(3), 1–8.

  • Kucuk, S. D., Grosso, A., Collet, G., Daniellou, R., & Koca Çalışkan, U. (2024). Effect of bacterial nanocellulose and plant-containing facial serum on hyperpigmentation in in-vitro conditions. BioResources, 19(2), 3208–3233.

  • Dikmen Küçük, S., & Uğraş, H. İ. (2024). Chemical modification of carbon black for coloring. Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences, 9(4), 832–838.

  • Dikmen Küçük, S., Tozluoğlu, A., Güner, Y., Arslan, R., & Sertkaya, S. (2022). Nano-fibrillenmiş selüloz / EPDM kompozitlerin mekanik, reolojik ve yaşlanma özellikleri. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 23(1), 1–12.