Aftab Alam | Quantum Technologies | Excellence in Research Award

Prof. Aftab Alam | Quantum Technologies | Excellence in Research Award

Professor at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay  | India

Professor Aftab Alam is a distinguished physicist specializing in computational materials science, currently serving at the Department of Physics, IIT Bombay. With an expansive career rooted in quantum materials, electronic structure, and vibrational dynamics, Prof. Alam has significantly contributed to both theoretical advancements and applied computational frameworks. His academic journey and professional trajectory reflect a commitment to scientific excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship.

👨‍🎓Profile

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Professor Alam’s academic foundation was built at the University of Calcutta, where he earned his B.Sc. in Physics (Honors) with Mathematics and Chemistry, followed by an M.Sc. in Physics, specializing in Nuclear Physics. He later completed a rigorous Post-M.Sc. course at the S. N. Bose Centre for Basic Sciences, which included intensive examinations and seminar presentations. He pursued his doctoral studies (Ph.D.) at the same institute under the guidance of Prof. Abhijit Mookerjee, focusing on vibrational properties of disordered systems.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Alam has held progressive academic roles at IIT Bombay since 2013—from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, and now Professor since April 2022. Before returning to India, he served as a Research Associate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later as Research Staff at the Ames Laboratory (USA). His international exposure greatly enriched his perspective on materials design, thermodynamic modeling, and quantum phase transitions.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Professor Aftab Alam’s research focuses on electronic structure theory, thermoelectric materials, disordered alloys, and vibrational dynamics. He has developed advanced algorithms and efficient computational codes, integrating them with tools like Quantum-Espresso to explore phonon behavior in complex systems. His work covers structural, magnetic, and quantum phase transitions in intermetallics, exotic phases in topological insulators and superconductors, ab-initio transport theory beyond the Boltzmann formalism, and optoelectronic properties of emerging energy materials.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 136 peer-reviewed publications, 10 papers under review, and multiple book chapters, Prof. Alam is a globally cited expert in his domain. His pioneering techniques in phonon dispersion and disorder modeling have been cited across research on thermal transport, neutron scattering, and novel quantum materials. His work supports energy innovation, material design, and next-gen computing applications.

📚 Academic Citations and Publications

Professor Aftab Alam’s research portfolio reflects his prolific academic contributions. He has authored books and book chapters, including Lattice Dynamics of Disordered Systems (2016) and key Springer publications on halide perovskites and spin gapless semiconductors. His work includes 4 conference papers, 10 articles under review, and an impressive 136 international journal publications. His complete list of publications is accessible via Google Scholar, highlighting his high-impact research in condensed matter physics and computational material science.

🛠️ Research Skills and Technical Expertise

Prof. Aftab Alam possesses exceptional expertise in first-principles calculations and density functional theory (DFT), with deep specialization in phonon calculations, vibrational entropy, and inelastic neutron scattering. He is proficient in tools like TB-LMTO, KKR-CPA, VASP, Recursion Method, and Tight-Binding, alongside strong FORTRAN programming skills. Notably, he has developed generalized lattice dynamical models for disordered alloys, interfacing efficiently with Quantum-Espresso, which marks a significant advancement in material simulations and computational modeling.

👨‍🏫 Teaching Experience and Mentorship

Over his academic journey, Prof. Aftab Alam has mentored 10 Ph.D. scholars (completed) and is currently guiding 6 ongoing Ph.D. students. He has also supervised 7 postdoctoral fellows, with 2 more ongoing, showcasing his strong role in academic leadership. He actively fosters scholarly engagement, having played a pivotal role in student-led symposia like SYMPHY at IIT Bombay. Additionally, he extended his influence internationally as General Secretary of the ISU Postdoctoral Association, USA, promoting academic collaboration and outreach.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Professor Alam has been consistently recognized for his academic leadership:

  • 🏆 IAAM Scientist Medal, 2016

  • 🎖 DST Young Scientist Award, 2014

  • 🏅 Early Research Achiever Award, IIT Bombay, 2017

  • 🏵 Young Faculty Award, 2013

  • ✍️ Editorial roles in journals such as Chinese Journal of Physics, Frontiers in Physics, and Advanced Materials Letters

  • 📜 Featured in Marquis Who’s Who in the World, 2008

  • 🧪 Multiple national-level exam qualifications: NET-CSIR, JEST

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Alam is currently involved in organizing international events, including a conference on Photophysics and Photochemistry (2024), and continues to lead multi-crore research projects funded by DST-SERB, MNRE, and IIT Bombay. His focus remains on advancing fundamental understanding while promoting scientific computing tools for widespread academic use. His legacy lies in nurturing next-generation physicists, building research infrastructure, and pushing the boundaries of quantum materials science.

Top Noted Publications

Giant Topological Hall Effect in Magnetic Weyl Metal Mn₂Pd₀.₅Ir₀.₅Sn

  • Authors: Arnab Bhattacharya, P. C. Sreeparvathy, Afsar Ahmed, Aftab Alam, Indranil Das
    Journal: Advanced Functional Materials
    Year: 2025

Photoemission spectroscopy and ab-initio simulation of CrFeVGa and CoFeVSb: a comparative study

  • Authors: Jadupati Nag, Kritika Vijay, Barnabha Bandyopadhyay, Aftab Alam, Krishna Gopinatha Suresh
    Journal: Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
    Year: 2025

Facilitating White Light Emission through Heterovalent Sr²⁺-Doped Nanocrystals for Visible Light Transparent Electronics

  • Authors: Monika Salesh, Sumit Kumar Sharma, Sanika S. Padelkar, Aftab Alam, Aswani Yella
    Journal: ACS Materials Letters
    Year: 2025

Enhanced piezoresponse in van der Waals 2D CuCrInP₂S₆ through nanoscale phase segregation

  • Authors: Sharidya Rahman, Sanika S. Padelkar, Lan Nguyen, Aftab Alam, Jacek Jaroslaw Jasieniak
    Journal: Nanoscale Horizons
    Year: 2025

Robust Nernst magnetothermoelectricity in the topological spin semimetal FeCrRhX (X=Si, Ge)

  • Authors: Amit Chanda, Jadupati Nag, Noah Schulz, Manhhuong Phan, Hariharan V. Srikanth
    Journal: Physical Review B
    Year: 2025

Hua Zhang | Quantum Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Hua Zhang | Quantum Technologies | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University | China

Dr. Hua Zhang is an accomplished materials scientist and researcher with a deep specialization in perovskite solar cells, currently making significant contributions to the advancement of photovoltaic technology. With over a decade of academic training and an exceptional portfolio of high-impact publications, Dr. Zhang has emerged as a leading figure in sustainable energy research.

👨‍🎓Profile

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Zhang began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Henan Normal University (2006–2010), followed by a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from Huazhong Normal University (2010–2013). He then earned a Ph.D. in Optical Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2013–2016), where he began refining his expertise in materials and optoelectronic devices. His interdisciplinary background has uniquely positioned him to tackle complex challenges in solar energy.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Zhang has held postdoctoral and research roles in internationally collaborative environments, working with globally recognized scholars such as Alex K.-Y. Jen and Michael Grätzel. His career has been marked by a progressive trajectory of innovation, leadership, and research excellence in cutting-edge solar technologies.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Zhang’s research revolves around advanced materials for perovskite solar cells, particularly focusing on inverted device architectures, interface engineering, and lead leakage prevention. He has pioneered the use of novel materials like CuCrO₂ nanocrystals, BiOBr flakes, and superhydrophobic surfaces to enhance the efficiency, stability, and safety of solar cells. His work has addressed some of the most critical bottlenecks in photovoltaic research, such as nonradiative recombination, interface degradation, and toxic material containment, offering practical solutions for real-world deployment.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With 11 peer-reviewed publications, many of which are featured in top-tier journals like Advanced Materials, ACS Energy Letters, and Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Dr. Zhang’s research has not only contributed to academic knowledge but also holds the potential for industrial application and commercialization. Several of his papers have been marked as JMCA Hot Papers, signifying their scientific importance and readership impact.

📊 Academic Citations and Recognition

Dr. Zhang’s works have been highly cited, reflecting their influence on the scientific community. He has consistently published as first author and corresponding author, showcasing his role as a key driver of innovation in his research collaborations. His articles are often referenced in subsequent high-impact studies, underlining his thought leadership in the domain.

🛠️ Research Skills

Dr. Zhang possesses advanced skills in materials synthesis, device fabrication, surface engineering, and photovoltaic performance analysis. His technical toolkit includes experience with low-temperature solution processing, interface modification, and characterization techniques essential for next-generation solar cell development.

👨‍🏫 Teaching and Mentorship Experience

While the current profile does not detail formal teaching positions, Dr. Zhang’s first-author contributions and research leadership suggest active involvement in mentoring junior researchers, guiding lab activities, and contributing to academic training in collaborative research settings.

🧭 Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking forward, Dr. Zhang is poised to become a trailblazer in renewable energy technologies, with ongoing contributions expected to push the boundaries of green energy solutions. His work addresses global challenges in energy sustainability, environmental safety, and materials efficiency, ensuring a legacy that transcends academia and impacts industry and society. His research trajectory suggests continued breakthroughs in interface science, eco-friendly solar cell development, and energy materials, making him a strong candidate for leadership roles, global recognition, and future awards in scientific innovation.

Publications Top Notes

Colloidal Self‐Assembly of CuCrO₂ Nanocrystals for Durable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

  • Authors: Hua Zhang, Rong Wang, Zhixiu Zhao, Jianfei Liang, Chunlin Zhu, Hongyang Liu, Huan Wang
    Journal: Small
    Year: 2025

Strengthened cathode interface using an ultrathin 2D ferroelectric semiconductor for inverted perovskite solar cells

  • Authors: Hua Zhang, Weihong Liu, Yongping Bao, Rong Wang, Jianfei Liang, Lei Wan, Huan Wang
    Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
    Year: 2024

Overcoming C60-Induced Nonradiative Recombination via Interfacial Embedding of BiOBr Flakes in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

  • Authors: Hua Zhang
    Journal: ACS Energy Letters
    Year: 2023

Design of Superhydrophobic Surfaces for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with Reducing Lead Leakage

  • Authors: Hua Zhang, Kang Li, Man Sun, Fanglin Wang, Huan Wang, Alex K.-Y. Jen
    Journal: Advanced Energy Materials
    Year: 2021

HxMoO₃−y nanobelts: an excellent alternative to carbon electrodes for high performance mesoscopic perovskite solar cells

  • Authors: Hua Zhang, Huan Wang, Yinglong Yang, Chen Hu, Yang Bai, Teng Zhang, Wei Chen, Shihe Yang
    Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
    Year: 2019