Aldona Kluczek | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Aldona Kluczek | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Warsaw University of Technology | Poland

Dr. Aldona Kluczek is an Associate Professor at the Warsaw University of Technology with academic and research experience in energy efficiency, Industry technologies, and sustainability practices. She earned her M.Sc. in Mechanics and Machine Design and her Ph.D. in Technical Sciences from the Warsaw University of Technology, followed by a habilitation in Technical Sciences from the Cracow University of Technology with her monograph Contemporary Trends in Energy Sustainability for Manufacturing SMEs: Overview, Perspectives, and Assessment Approaches. She also holds an Executive MBA from the Warsaw University of Technology and completed several postgraduate programs in quality, environment, industrial safety, and business process analysis. Dr. Kluczek has an extensive teaching portfolio, having delivered courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in quality engineering, project and technology management, and operations research, and has supervised theses and dissertations, including BA, MA, and Ph.D. projects. She currently serves as Head of the Division of Management and Quality at the Institute of Production Systems Organization and is a member of the Sustain research group. Her research has resulted in more than peer-reviewed publications, and she authored a widely recognized monograph as part of her habilitation. Internationally, she gained experience as a Visiting Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Michigan, where she conducted industrial energy audits for the U.S. Department of Energy. Her work integrates technical innovation with sustainable industrial practices, reflecting her commitment to advancing energy sustainability and Industry in manufacturing systems.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Buczacki, A., Gładysz, B., Kluczek, A., Krystosiak, K., Ejsmont, K., Maleńczyk, I., Guerra, R. H., Palmer, P., & van Erp, T. (2025). The role of sustainability competences for IT systems engineers: Insights from a multiple case study. Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

Gładysz, B., Krystosiak, K., Buczacki, A., Quadrini, W., Ejsmont, K., Kluczek, A., Park, J., & Fumagalli, L. (2024). Sustainability and Industry 4.0 in the packaging and printing industry: A diagnostic survey in Poland. Engineering Management in Production and Services, 16(1), 51–67.

Woźniak, A., Kluczek, A., & Nycz, P. D. (2024). Approach for identifying the impact of local wind and spatial conditions on wind turbine blade geometry. International Journal of Energy Research, 2024, 1–13.

Woźniak, A., Kluczek, A., Ślusarczyk, B., Żegleń, P., & Górka, M. (2024). The impact of local wind and spatial conditions on geometry blade of wind turbine. Energy Science & Engineering, 1–14.

Gładysz, B., Wiśniewski, M., Kluczek, A., Młodzianowski, P., & Szymanek, A. (2023). Tracking sustainable Industry 4.0 for listed companies. Przegląd Organizacji, 2023(3), 124–138.

Kangning Xiong | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Kangning Xiong | Energy | Best Researcher Award

Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology | China

Dr. Kangning Xiong is an Associate Professor at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, where he also serves as a Master’s Supervisor. Recognized as a Shaanxi Province Sanqin Talent (Outstanding Young Engineering Talent) and a “School Recruitment Sharing” High-level Talent, Dr. Xiong has established himself as a prominent researcher in industrial energy systems. As a core member of the “Industrial Building Environment and Energy Conservation” team within the State Key Laboratory of Green Building, his work focuses on sustainable energy technologies and the efficient utilization of industrial waste heat. He is an active member of professional organizations including the China Engineering Thermophysics Society, the China Refrigeration Society, and the Shaanxi Youth Science and Technology Association. With publications in high-impact journals, multiple patents, and editorial board service for international journals, Dr. Xiong continues to contribute significantly to advancements in thermal sciences and energy conservation technologies.

Publication Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Kangning Xiong pursued his higher education with a focus on energy engineering and thermal sciences, culminating in advanced degrees that equipped him with expertise in industrial waste heat recovery and utilization. His academic path emphasized engineering thermophysics, refrigeration systems, and building energy conservation, laying a strong foundation for his career in sustainable energy research. During his studies, he gained significant exposure to both theoretical knowledge and applied technologies, which later shaped his contributions to industrial building environments and energy-efficient solutions. His education integrated fundamental principles of fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and applied thermal engineering, enabling him to bridge basic science with practical applications. Through rigorous training, research involvement, and collaboration with experts in the field, Dr. Xiong developed the capacity to lead innovative projects addressing industrial energy challenges. This strong academic preparation allowed him to transition seamlessly into research and teaching, fostering the next generation of engineers.

Experience

Dr. Xiong has built a robust professional career as an Associate Professor at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, where he also supervises Master’s students in energy and thermal sciences. He has played a key role as a core member of the “Industrial Building Environment and Energy Conservation” team within the State Key Laboratory of Green Building, contributing to pioneering research and technology development. His professional affiliations with the China Engineering Thermophysics Society, China Refrigeration Society, and Shaanxi Youth Science and Technology Association reflect his engagement with academic and industrial networks. He has presided over and participated in  research projects, covering both basic and applied areas in industrial waste heat recovery and utilization. Beyond research, he contributes as a journal editor and peer reviewer, providing scholarly leadership in his field. His academic career demonstrates a strong balance between teaching, mentoring, and impactful research.

Honors and Awards

Dr. Kangning Xiong has been recognized with multiple prestigious honors for his contributions to engineering and energy conservation research. He is a recipient of the Shaanxi Province Sanqin Talent award, specifically acknowledged as an Outstanding Young Engineering Talent, highlighting his leadership and innovation in the field. Additionally, he was selected as part of Shaanxi Province’s “School Recruitment Sharing” High-level Talents program, an initiative aimed at fostering academic excellence and high-impact research. These accolades underscore his growing influence as an emerging scholar and applied researcher in energy systems. His active participation in professional associations such as the China Engineering Thermophysics Society, China Refrigeration Society, and Shaanxi Youth Science and Technology Association further illustrates his recognition by peers. Alongside these professional honors, his editorial board positions in the International Journal of Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences and Chemical Science and Engineering demonstrate international acknowledgment of his academic achievements.

Research Focus

Dr. Kangning Xiong’s research focuses on industrial waste heat recovery and utilization, with the broader aim of promoting sustainable and energy-efficient technologies. His work bridges basic and applied sciences, addressing challenges in thermophysics, heat transfer, and industrial energy systems. A core area of his research involves improving energy efficiency in industrial building environments, where he integrates advanced thermal management strategies with green building practices. He explores innovative approaches for capturing, storing, and reusing waste heat, thereby reducing environmental impacts while enhancing economic performance in industrial operations. Dr. Xiong’s contributions extend to applied thermal engineering, heat and mass transfer processes, and refrigeration technologies, with published research in internationally recognized journals such as Applied Energy, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, and Applied Thermal Engineering. His investigations into energy conservation align with global priorities in sustainability, and his interdisciplinary approach supports advancements in both academic research and industrial applications.

Publications

  • Experimental research on the thermal performance of a flat evaporator loop heat pipe with a new composite wick

  • Advanced thermal management system based on a novel flat evaporator loop heat pipe with high-efficiency condenser for electronic cooling

  • Design, fabrication and characterization of porous ceramics secondary wick of a loop heat pipe to reduce heat leakage

  • Experimental investigation on thermal characteristics of a novel loop heat pipe for cooling high heat flux electronic chips

  • Design, fabrication, investigation and analysis of a novel flat evaporator loop heat pipe for cooling high heat flux server chips

  • Modeling, design, materials and fabrication of bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Conclusion

Dr. Kangning Xiong exemplifies a modern academic whose expertise spans advanced thermal engineering, industrial energy recovery, and sustainable building technologies. His solid foundation in chemical engineering and thermodynamics—fostered through his education and early research—combined with his practical innovations in loop heat pipe systems, places him at the forefront of energy-efficient thermal management. As an educator, he imparts cross-disciplinary knowledge, mentoring students in electrochemical and renewable energy integration. His growing portfolio of publications, patents, and institutional recognition demonstrates both scientific rigor and ingenuity. Dr. Xiong stands poised to make lasting contributions to engineering education, research leadership, and the development of energy-saving technologies that align with environmental sustainability goals.