Yana Mourdjeva | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Yana Mourdjeva | Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Metal Science, Equipment and Technologies with Hydro- and Aerodynamics Centre – BAS | Bulgaria

Mrs. Yana Mourdjeva is a distinguished researcher at the Institute of Metal Science, Equipment, and Technologies with the Center for Hydro- and Aerodynamics “Acad. A. Balevski” at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IMSETHC-BAS), serving in the Laboratory of Transmission Electron Microscopy (LMTC). She holds a Master’s degree in Machine Engineering from the Technical University of Sofia and a Ph.D. in Material Science and Technology of Machine Building Materials from IMSETHC-BAS. Her research focuses on materials science, characterization of metals and alloys, transmission electron microscopy, hydrogen embrittlement, nanomaterials, and superplasticity. With an h-index of 5, she has authored 18 scientific publications, including 8 with impact factors, and her work has received 64 citations. In recent years, she has actively contributed to projects funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund and the EU Next Generation initiative, exploring advanced aluminum composites, amorphous alloys, and hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms. She has participated in international Erasmus collaborations at the Metallurgy Institute in Krakow, Poland, further enhancing her expertise in materials characterization. Her research outcomes have appeared in reputed journals such as Metals and Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, strengthening the field’s understanding of microstructural evolution and performance of metallic materials.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Dyakova, V., Yanachkov, B., Valuiska, K., Mourdjeva, Y., Krastev, R., Simeonova, T., Kolev, K., Lazarova, R., & Katzarov, I. (2025). The impact of hydrogen charging time on microstructural alterations in pipeline low-carbon ferrite–pearlite steel. Metals. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.

Lazarova, R., & Mourdjeva, Y. (2025, May 7). Microstructural explanation of the mechanical properties of Al–GNPs composites with Al₄C₃ produced by powder metallurgy method and extrusion. Journal of Information Systems Engineering and Management, 10(43s).

Lazarova, R., Anestiev, L., Mourdjeva, Y., Valuiska, K., & Petkov, V. (2025, March 5). Microstructural evolution, strengthening mechanisms, and fracture behavior of aluminum composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets and in situ–formed nano-carbides. Metals, 15(3).

Dyakova, V., Mourdjeva, Y., Simeonova, T., Krastev, R., Atanasov, I., Drenchev, L., & Kavardjikov, V. (2024). Microstructural analysis of 40X steel after strain-controlled fatigue. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (Bulgaria).

Yanachkov, B., Mourdjeva, Y., Valuiska, K., Dyakova, V., Kolev, K., Kaleicheva, J., Lazarova, R., & Katzarov, I. (2024). Effect of hydrogen content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and fracture mechanism of low-carbon lath martensite steel. Metals, 14.

Dyakova, V., Cherneva, S., Mourdjeva, Y., & Kostova, Y. (2024, June 30). Influence of the content of Ni as minority alloying element on the microstructure and mechanical properties of amorphous and ultrafine crystalline Al–Cu–Mg–Ni alloys. Proceedings of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Dyakova, V., Mourdjeva, Y., Spasova, H., Stefanov, G., & Kostova, Y. (2023). Effect of Cu as minority alloying element on glass forming ability and crystallization behavior of rapidly solidified Al–Si–Ni ribbons. Vide. Tehnologija. Resursi – Environment, Technology, Resources.

Dyakova, V., Mourdjeva, Y., Marinkov, N., Stefanov, G., Kostova, Y., & Gyurov, S. (2023). Effect of Ni as minority alloying element on glass forming ability and crystallization behavior of rapidly solidified Al–Cu–Mg–Ni ribbons. Journal of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 58(5).

Kolev, M., Lazarova, R., Petkov, V., Mourdjeva, Y., & Nihtianova, D. (2023). Investigating the effects of graphene nanoplatelets and Al₄C₃ on the tribological performance of aluminum-based nanocomposites. Metals, 13.

Mourdjeva, Y., Karashanova, D., Nihtianova, D., & Lazarova, R. (2023). Microstructural characteristics of Al₄C₃ phase and the interfaces in Al/graphene nanoplatelet composites and their effect on the mechanical properties. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance.

Lazarova, R., Mourdjeva, Y., Nihtianova, D., Stefanov, G., & Petkov, V. (2022). Fabrication and characterization of aluminum–graphene nanoplatelets–nano-sized Al₄C₃ composite. Metals, 12(12).

Dyakova, V., Stefanov, G., Penkov, I., Kovacheva, D., Marinkov, N., Mourdjeva, Y., & Gyurov, S. (2022). Influence of Zn on glass forming ability and crystallization behaviour of rapidly solidified Al–Cu–Mg (Zn) alloys. Journal of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 57(3).

Dyakova, V., Stefanov, G., Kovacheva, D., Mourdjeva, Y., Marinkov, N., Penkov, I., & Georgiev, J. (2022). Influence of Zr and Zn as minority alloying elements on glass forming ability and crystallization behavior of rapidly solidified Al–Cu–Mg ribbons. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2449.

Lazarova, R., Mourdjeva, Y., Petkov, V., Marinov, M., Dimitrova, R., & Shuleva, D. (2022, December). Microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum–graphene composites produced by powder metallurgical method. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 31(12).

Byunghak Choe | Materials Science |Best Researcher Award

Prof. Byunghak Choe | Materials Science |Best Researcher Award

Gangneung-Wonju National University  | South Korea 

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Byunghak Choe began his distinguished academic journey at Seoul National University, Korea, where he earned his Bachelor of Science (1984), Master of Science (1986), and Ph.D. (1990) in Metallurgical Engineering. His early academic pursuits laid a solid foundation in metallurgy, focusing on the behavior of metal parts and their failure mechanisms.

Professional Endeavors

After completing his Ph.D., Prof. Choe joined the Korea Institute of Machinery and Metals (KIMM) as a Senior Researcher in the High-Temperature Materials Lab, where he worked from 1990 to 1995. In 1995, he transitioned to academia as a Professor in Advanced Metal & Materials Engineering. His tenure at Gangneung-Wonju National University has been marked by significant leadership roles, including serving as the Dean of the College of Engineering from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, he broadened his research horizons as a Visiting Scholar at Michigan Tech University, USA, from 2002 to 2003.

Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Choe's research primarily revolves around failure analysis of metal parts and equipment. He has published more than ten research papers on this topic in the last eight years and has been involved in over ten projects in the last twelve years. His comprehensive work includes authoring multiple editions of "Failure Analysis for Metals," a key reference in the field. His recent research projects include technical reviews and failure analyses of turbine nozzle erosion, bellows specimens, heat-affected parts by fire for LNG tanks, and various other metal components. His notable publications delve into hydrogen-induced cracks in stainless steel, stress corrosion cracking propagation, and microstructural changes in cladding materials.

Accolades and Recognition

Prof. Choe's expertise in metallurgical engineering has earned him significant recognition. He serves as the Chairman of the KGS Code Committee at the Korea Gas Safety Corporation and has been the Vice President of Technology at the Korea Institute of Metals and Materials. His technical expertise is frequently sought after for accident investigations by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation and the Forensic Investigation Advisory Committee of the National Police Agency, Korea.

Impact and Influence

Prof. Choe's impact on the field of metallurgical engineering is profound. His research on failure analysis has advanced the understanding of how metals behave under stress and corrosive environments, particularly in high-temperature applications. His work on hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking has provided valuable insights that have influenced both academic research and industrial practices. His role as an educator and mentor has also shaped the careers of numerous engineers and researchers in the field.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Choe's legacy is marked by his dedication to advancing metallurgical engineering through rigorous research, comprehensive education, and practical industry applications. His ongoing research projects and patents, such as the defect inspection device for tubes and the exhaust gas purification device, highlight his continuous contributions to solving real-world engineering problems. As he continues to lead research and mentor the next generation of engineers, Prof. Choe's future contributions are expected to further the field of failure analysis and metallurgical engineering, ensuring the safety and reliability of metal components in various industries.

 

Notable Publications

Effect of metastable precipitate phase transformation on reheat cracking in SS347H welding 2024

The effect of TCP-σ precipitates on surface pitting and cracking in a Ni-based superalloy turbine blade 2024 (1)

Effect of High Temperature Oxidation on Surface Pit and Recrystallization of Directionally Solidified CM247LC Superalloy in Creep Gauge 2023 (1)

Hydrogen Induced Cracks in Stainless Steel 304 in Hydrogen Pressure and Stress Corrosive Atmosphere 2020 (5)

Analysis of Stress Corrosion Cracking Propagation of SS304 Stainless Steel Using Crack Shape and Etch Pits 2020 (2)