Ma Lishi | Materials Science | Young Scientist Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ma Lishi | Materials Science | Young Scientist Award

Kunming University of Science and Technology, China

Lishi Ma is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology. He specializes in the development and structural optimization of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with two-dimensional materials like boron nitride nanosheets. With a solid academic background and hands-on research experience, he focuses on tailoring microstructures and interfaces to enhance mechanical and thermal properties of advanced materials. Ma has authored multiple high-impact journal articles in Composites Part B, Journal of Materials Science & Technology, and Acta Materialia, contributing significantly to the understanding of interface-driven strengthening mechanisms. He actively participates in national research programs such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China. His work integrates theoretical analysis with experimental design to address material challenges in high-temperature applications. As a rising scholar in the field of materials science, he is committed to advancing composite technology for practical and industrial use.

Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Lishi Ma earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Tianjin University (2018–2023), where his research focused on microstructural engineering of reinforced aluminum composites. He completed his Master’s degree in Materials Engineering at Kunming University of Science and Technology (2015–2018), where he developed fundamental expertise in composite material fabrication and performance assessment. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Chemistry from Tangshan Normal University (2011–2015), where he laid the groundwork in chemistry and material synthesis. Throughout his educational path, Dr. Ma has cultivated strong competencies in nanomaterials synthesis, interface characterization, and advanced mechanical testing. His interdisciplinary training across chemistry, engineering, and materials science has equipped him with a comprehensive skill set to address complex challenges in composite development and application. The sequential depth and breadth of his education underpin his current academic role and research pursuits in thermally stable and mechanically robust nanocomposite systems.

🧪 Experience

Since August 2023, Dr. Lishi Ma has served as a Lecturer at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology. His responsibilities include conducting independent research, supervising student projects, and teaching core materials science courses. Previously, during his doctoral studies at Tianjin University, he participated in extensive research on aluminum matrix composites reinforced with 2D boron nitride nanosheets, collaborating with leading scientists in the field. He has been actively involved in multiple high-profile research projects, including a major NSFC-funded study. Dr. Ma has developed strong expertise in composite synthesis, microstructural characterization, and mechanical performance testing. His collaborative work has led to several impactful publications in international journals. As a lecturer, he brings both research excellence and pedagogical commitment, fostering the next generation of material scientists while contributing meaningfully to the field of structural composite materials for high-performance and high-temperature applications.

🏅 Awards & Honors

Dr. Lishi Ma has earned recognition for his contributions to materials science through several impactful research publications and participation in competitive national research grants. Notably, he is a key participant in an NSFC-funded project titled “Macro–micro structural regulation and reinforcement mechanism of heat-resistant aluminum matrix composites enhanced by 2D BN nanosheets,” granted 580,000 CNY and active from 2021 to 2024. His co-authored papers have been published in Q1 journals like Acta Materialia and Journal of Materials Science & Technology, highlighting his scholarly excellence. Though individual awards are not specified, his consistent authorship in top-tier publications and involvement in major funded research programs reflect his growing reputation in the field. His academic progression—from a strong undergraduate foundation to an impactful research and teaching role—further showcases his commitment and achievements in the domain of materials science, especially in interface engineering and the mechanical enhancement of nanostructured composites.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Lishi Ma’s research focuses on the development of advanced aluminum matrix composites reinforced with two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets. His work explores microstructural optimization and interfacial engineering strategies to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of metal matrix composites. He investigates coherent transition interface structures and intragranular reinforcement distributions to achieve a balance of strength and ductility, even under high-temperature conditions. His research integrates materials synthesis, structural design, and high-resolution characterization to decode deformation mechanisms and grain boundary behaviors. Recent studies include interface-dominated deformation in MAX-phase nanoflake-reinforced copper matrices and the development of architectured interfacial interlocking structures with graphene. His work is critical to applications demanding heat resistance, structural stability, and mechanical resilience. By combining experimental techniques with theoretical insight, Dr. Ma contributes significantly to composite material design and the broader field of functional nanostructured materials for extreme environments.

Conclusion

Dr. Lishi Ma exhibits a strong foundation for receiving the Young Scientist Award due to his rigorous academic training, publication in high-impact journals, and participation in national-level research. His work on 2D-reinforced metal matrix composites addresses critical challenges in structural materials and reflects both originality and technical depth. With continued focus on independent research development and expanded academic leadership, Dr. Ma is well-positioned to grow into a leading figure in advanced materials science. The award would not only recognize his achievements but also encourage further breakthroughs in his promising career.

Publication

  1. Title: Constructing the coherent transition interface structure for enhancing strength and ductility of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets/Al composites
    Year: 2023
    Authors: Lishi Ma, Xiang Zhang*, Yonghua Duan, Siyuan Guo, Dongdong Zhao, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
    Journal: Journal of Materials Science & Technology, Vol. 145, p. 235

  2. Title: Achieving the strength-ductility balance of boron nitride nanosheets/Al composite by designing the synergistic transition interface and intragranular reinforcement distribution
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Lishi Ma, Xiang Zhang*, Bowen Pu, Dongdong Zhao, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
    Journal: Composites Part B, Vol. 246, Article 110243

  3. Title: Achieving exceptional high-temperature resistant Al matrix composites via two-dimensional BN pinning grain rotation
    Year: 2023
    Authors: Lishi Ma, Xiang Zhang*, Yonghua Duan, Hanwen Zhang, Ning Ma, Lin Zhu, Xudong Rong, Dongdong Zhao, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
    Journal: Composites Part B, Vol. 253, Article 110570

  4. Title: Investigations on the interface-dominated deformation mechanisms of two-dimensional MAX-phase Ti₃Al(Cu)C₂ nanoflakes reinforced copper matrix composites
    Year: 2022
    Authors: Xiang Zhang, Dongdong Zhao, Rongrong Shi, Shaoqiang Zhu, Lishi Ma, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
    Journal: Acta Materialia, Vol. 240, Article 118363

  5. Title: Architectured interfacial interlocking structure for enhancing mechanical properties of Al matrix composites reinforced with graphene nanosheets
    Year: 2021
    Authors: Lizhuang Yang, Baozeng Zhou, Lishi Ma, Guang Liu, Suyi Qian, Zhihang Xu, Enzuo Liu, Xiang Zhang*, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
    Journal: Carbon, Vol. 183, p. 685

R.M.MUTHUKRISHNAN | MATERIALS SCIENCE | Best Researcher Award

Dr. R.M.MUTHUKRISHNAN | MATERIALS SCIENCE | Best Researcher Award

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER | URAL FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, Russia

Dr. R. M. Muthukrishnan is an emerging physicist specializing in magnetoelectric and multiferroic nanomaterials. Born on August 22, 1995, he is currently a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Institute of Natural Science and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Russia. He previously served as a Research Fellow at IIT Indore. With a Ph.D. in Physics from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Dr. Muthukrishnan’s research focuses on electro/photo/electrochemical sensing and magnetostriction properties of nanomaterials. He has published over nine high-impact research articles, with a cumulative impact factor of 24.40 and an h-index of 6. His contributions include novel nanocomposites for energy, sensor, and biological applications. He has actively presented his research in numerous national and international conferences.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education 

Dr. Muthukrishnan earned his B.Sc. in Physics from Loyola College, Chennai (2013–2016), followed by an M.Sc. from D.G. Vaishnav College (2016–2018), where he conducted a project on plant extract characterization. He completed his Ph.D. (2018–2024) at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, focusing on structural and magnetic studies of bismuth ferrite nanocomposites. He has also held two research positions: as a Research Fellow at IIT Indore (May–Nov 2024) and currently as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Ural Federal University, Russia (Dec 2024–present). His academic training spans material synthesis (sol-gel, hydrothermal, electrospinning), various spectroscopic and diffraction techniques, and software tools like VESTA, Origin, and JANA2006.

💼 Experience 

Dr. Muthukrishnan’s research experience includes exploring electrochemical, magnetoelectric, and photocatalytic properties of nanomaterials. He has worked with advanced material characterization tools and synthesis techniques across institutes in India and Russia. At IIT Indore, he contributed to projects involving multifunctional sensing and magnetoelectric nanocomposites. At Ural Federal University, he is currently focusing on integrating sensing materials with practical applications in energy storage and environment monitoring. His experience spans over seven years of academic and laboratory research, publishing in Elsevier and Springer journals, and presenting at reputed conferences like ICONN, SMTBEA, and IACG. He is also skilled in interdisciplinary applications such as larvicidal and antibacterial nanomaterials and sericulture enhancement.

🏅 Awards and Honors 

Dr. Muthukrishnan has earned recognition through multiple oral presentations at prestigious international and national conferences, including ICONN-2023, SMTBEA-2022, and ICFCMS-2021. He actively collaborates with IIT Indore and contributes to funded research proposals submitted to DST and DRDO on magnetic nanocomposites and energy harvesting. While his academic journey is still evolving, his growing citation metrics (80 citations, h-index 6) and frequent involvement in funded projects reflect his recognition in the scientific community. His manuscripts have been accepted in reputed journals such as Materials Letters and Journal of Solid State Chemistry, showcasing impactful interdisciplinary research.

🔬 Research Focus 

Dr. Muthukrishnan’s core research lies in the synthesis and application of magnetoelectric and multiferroic nanocomposites, especially Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO₃)-based systems. He explores their utility in energy storage, photocatalysis, electrochemical and glucose sensing, and environmental remediation. His work investigates superexchange interactions in composites like LaFeO₃/BiVO₄ and BiFeO₃/LaCrO₃ to enhance multiferroic behavior. He also develops green synthesis routes for nanoparticles with antibacterial and larvicidal functions. Ongoing projects explore morphology-dependent photocatalysis, glucose sensors, and nanocomposite incorporation in silk. His interdisciplinary approach links condensed matter physics with bio-nanotechnology and energy applications for societal benefit.

📝 Conclusion

Dr. R. M. Muthukrishnan is an emerging and promising materials physicist, already contributing significantly to the fields of multiferroics and green nanotechnology. With a solid academic trajectory, multiple high-quality publications, and involvement in interdisciplinary applications, he clearly qualifies as a strong candidate for a “Best Researcher” award—especially in the early-career researcher category. Strengthening his citation profile, pursuing independent projects, and increasing his global academic visibility will further bolster his eligibility for future honors.

Publication

  1. Structural and functional properties of BiFeO₃/CuCrO₂ nanocomposites for next-generation photosensors
    Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 2025-08
    📌 DOI: 10.1016/j.mssp.2025.109547
    🧾 Authors: MuthuKrishnan R M, Ankur Sharma, Y. Naveen Kumar, S.M. Abdul Kader

  2. Sustainable Solutions: ZnO Nanoparticles for Enhanced Photocatalytic Treatment of Paracetamol and Diclofenac
    Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2025-05
    📌 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-025-07957-5
    🧾 Authors: Pourkodee D, Christina Rhoda J, Renuka Devee D, Muthukrishnan R M, Sailatha E

  3. Pharmaceutical Pollution Treatment via AOP-enhanced HB-TiO₂ Catalyst with Antimicrobial Activity
    Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials, 2025-03
    📌 DOI: 10.1007/s10904-025-03703-w
    🧾 Authors: Pourkodee D, Renuka Devee D, M. Pavithra, R. M. Muthukrishnan, et al.

  4. A novel photocatalytic activity of Bi₂S₃ nanoparticles for pharmaceutical and organic pollution removal in water remediation
    Chemical Physics Impact, 2024-06
    📌 DOI: 10.1016/j.chphi.2024.100605
    🧾 Authors: Renuka Devee D, Sivanesan T, Muthukrishnan R․M, et al.

  5. Engineering the superexchange interaction of Fe³⁺-O²⁻-V⁵⁺ in LaFeO₃/BiVO₄ nanocomposite
    Materials Letters, 2024-01
    📌 DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2023.135433

  6. Green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles using Amaranthus caudatus for non-enzymatic glucose sensing
    Applied Physics A, 2023
    📌 DOI: 10.1007/s00339-023-07029-7

  7. Superexchange interaction in BiFeO₃/LaCrO₃ nanocomposite
    Physica B: Condensed Matter, 2023
    📌 DOI: 10.1016/j.physb.2023.415030

  8. Green synthesis of (ZnO-Ag)/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activities
    Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2023
    📌 DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2023.110877

  9. BiFeO₃ nanoparticles for photocatalysis: Role of reducing agent
    Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 2023
    📌 DOI: 10.1007/s10854-023-09877-8

  10. Green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles using Amaranthus dubius for sensor and photocatalytic applications
    Chemical Physics Impact, 2023-12
    📌 DOI: 10.1016/j.chphi.2023.100374

  11. Cu-NPs via Centella asiatica extract & BiFeO₃ for glucose/fructose sensors
    Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2023-12
    📌 DOI: 10.1016/j.inoche.2023.111669