Zilin Zhong | Engineering | Excellence in Research Award

Dr. Zilin Zhong | Engineering | Excellence in Research Award

Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic | China

Dr. Zilin Zhong is a dedicated researcher whose scholarly contributions span advanced structural dynamics, intelligent materials, and applied artificial intelligence. With 6 h-index, 132 citations, and 13 documents, the research portfolio demonstrates a growing international impact in civil and mechanical engineering domains. His work focuses on the dynamic stability of arch structures, parametric and resonance instability, piezoelectric intelligent structural control, and AI-based recognition techniques, complemented by studies in vocational education. Dr. Zhong has published influential papers in high-ranking journals such as Thin-Walled Structures, Engineering Structures, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, Journal of Sound and Vibration, and Composite Structures. His investigations include sub-harmonic and simultaneous resonance of thin-walled arches, nonlinear instability of plates and arches under multi-frequency excitation, and stochastic stability of viscoelastic systems. He has also contributed to understanding vibration impacts from metro-induced excitation and dynamic internal forces of arches. Beyond publications, he has developed practical innovations through patents and software, including resonance-based loading devices, piezoelectric transducers for railway vibration energy harvesting, and a track parameter evaluation system. Collectively, his research advances theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and engineering applications in dynamic instability and intelligent structural systems.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Shen, F., Zhong, Z., Xu, X., Li, J., Dong, Q., & Deng, J. (2025). In-plane simultaneous resonance instability behaviors of a fixed arch under a two-frequency radial uniformly distributed excitation. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics, 25(7), Article 105056.

Deng, J., Liu, A., Zhong, Z., & Guangzhou University. (2025). Numerical analysis of dynamic stability of flutter panels in supersonic flow. International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics, 25(18).

Zhong, Z., Liu, A., Guo, Y., Xu, X., Deng, J., & Yang, J. (2023). Sub-harmonic and simultaneous resonance instability of a thin-walled arch under a vertical base excitation at two frequencies. Thin-Walled Structures, 191, Article 111094.

Zhong, Z., Liu, A., Fu, J., Pi, Y.-L., Deng, J., & Xie, Z. (2021). Analytical and experimental studies on out-of-plane dynamic parametric instability of a circular arch under a vertical harmonic base excitation. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 500, Article 116011.

Zhong, Z., Liu, A., Pi, Y.-L., Deng, J., Fu, J., & Gao, W. (2021). In-plane dynamic instability of a shallow circular arch under a vertical-periodic uniformly distributed load along the arch axis. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 189, Article 105973.

Zhong, Z., Liu, A., Pi, Y.-L., Deng, J., Lu, H., & Li, S. (2019). Analytical and experimental studies on dynamic instability of simply supported rectangular plates with arbitrary concentrated masses. Engineering Structures, 196, Article 109288.

Eduard Rohan | Mathematics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Eduard Rohan | Mathematics | Best Researcher Award

University of West Bohemia in Pilsen | Czech Republic

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid

👨‍🏫 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Eduard Rohan’s academic journey is deeply rooted in the University of West Bohemia (UWB), where he earned his MSc. in Mechanics in 1994. He continued to excel academically, earning his Ph.D. in Mechanics in 1998, with a dissertation focused on shape optimization of elastoplastic bodies—a subject that would become foundational to his future research. His exceptional contributions culminatedin the prestigious Doctor of Science (DSc.) degree in 2012, awarded by the Czech Academy of Sciences, marking him as a national leader in theoretical and applied mechanics.


🧪 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Rohan has served the Department of Mechanics at UWB-Faculty of Applied Sciences in all academic capacities—from Assistant Professor (1997) to Full Professor (since 2012). He also played vital roles in pioneering institutes like the Center of Applied Mathematics, New Technologies Research Center, and currently at the NTIS Centre of Excellence. As a dedicated educator, he lectures on Continuum Mechanics, Biomechanics, and Structural Optimization, and has supervised multiple doctoral candidates to successful completion.

🧬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Rohan is an authority in continuum mechanics, with specialized focus on:

🔹 Wave propagation in heterogeneous and porous structures
🔹 Multiscale and homogenization methods
🔹 Acoustic-fluid interactions in porous media
🔹 Biomechanics and soft tissue modeling
🔹 Structural and topology optimization using finite element methods

His interdisciplinary approach integrates applied mathematics, computational mechanics, and physics of materials, driving innovation in the modeling of complex systems like flexoelectric structures, metamaterials, and biomechanical tissues.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Prof. Rohan’s outstanding scholarship has been recognized multiple times:

🥇 Prof. Babuška Prize (1997) for his dissertation work
🏅 Prof. Čihák and Prof. Valenta Award (2001) for soft tissue modeling
🎖️ Honorable Mention from the Rector of UWB (2021) for lifetime scientific achievement

He is also an elected member of the Engineering Academy of the Czech Republic and serves on prestigious academic councils at Charles University and UWB.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Prof. Rohan’s influence extends far beyond Czech borders. Through long-standing international collaborations, including with institutions in France, Germany, and the UK, he has contributed to EU-funded research on smart systems, porous acoustics, and multiscale materials. His ability to bridge theoretical modeling with real-world engineering problems has made him a reference in multiphysics and porous media mechanics. His editorial roles for top journals such as Applications of Mathematics and Archive of Applied Mechanics, along with peer reviews for numerous high-impact publications, reflect his standing as a respected voice in his field.

📚 Legacy and Future Contributions

With over 230 publications, including 59 WoS-indexed journal papers, 6 book chapters, and an H-index of 18, Prof. Rohan’s academic legacy is well-established. His recent projects on fluid-acoustic suspensions, nonlinear porous dynamics, and energy-harvesting flexoelectric structures illustrate his forward-looking approach to research. As principal investigator of several national and bilateral grants, he is at the forefront of exploring how multiscale modeling can optimize smart materials and dynamic structures, contributing not only to theoretical advancement but also to technological application in biomedicine, civil engineering, and energy systems.

Publications


📄 Homogenization of the acoustic streaming in periodic rigid porous structures
Authors: Eduard Rohan, Fanny Moravcová
Journal: Journal of Sound and Vibration
Year: 2025 (Available online: 17 June 2025)


📄 Multi-functional periodically heterogeneous structures for energy harvesting and vibration attenuation—effects of piezoelectricity and shunting circuits
Authors: Eduard Rohan, [co-authors not specified]
Journal: Smart Materials and Structures
Year: 2024


📄 Homogenized model of peristaltic deformation driven flows in piezoelectric porous media
Authors: Eduard Rohan, [co-authors not specified]
Journal: Computers and Structures
Year: 2024


📄 Homogenization of the acoustic transmission on periodically perforated plates interacting with potential mean flow
Authors: Eduard Rohan, [co-authors not specified]
Journal: Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics
Year: 2024


Akira Aikawa | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Akira Aikawa | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) | Japan

Author Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Akira Aikawa pursued his higher education at Kyushu University, Japan, where he specialized in Railway Track Dynamics, Granular Mechanics, and In-situ Measurement. His academic journey culminated in a PhD, establishing a solid foundation for his future contributions to railway engineering and dynamics.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Aikawa's career began in academia as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at Kyushu University (1987-1993). He then transitioned to the Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan, where he served as an Associate Professor from 1993 to 2006. Since 2006, Dr. Aikawa has been associated with the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI), Japan, contributing significantly to the field of railway engineering.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Aikawa's research primarily focuses on the dynamics of railway tracks, the behavior of granular materials, and in-situ measurement techniques. His work on the "Elastic discrete element analysis of natural vibration characteristics and settlement behavior of railway ballasted track" is a testament to his expertise and contributions in this domain. His research has provided valuable insights into the stability and efficiency of railway systems, impacting both theoretical knowledge and practical applications.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Aikawa's professional recognition includes his role as a Fellow Member of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE). He also served as a Road Disaster Prevention Doctor for Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism from 1999 to 2006, highlighting his expertise and dedication to public safety and infrastructure resilience.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Aikawa's work has had a profound impact on the field of railway engineering, particularly in understanding the complex behaviors of railway tracks and materials. His research has informed best practices and innovations in railway construction and maintenance, enhancing the safety and reliability of railway systems in Japan and beyond.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Aikawa's legacy is characterized by his extensive contributions to railway dynamics and his role in shaping the future of railway engineering. His ongoing work at RTRI ensures that he remains at the forefront of technological advancements and research in railway systems. As a respected figure in his field, Dr. Aikawa's influence will continue to inspire future generations of engineers and researchers.

 

Notable Publications

Elastic discrete element analysis of natural vibration characteristics and settlement behavior of railway ballasted track 2024

Dynamic vehicle-track interaction with multiple short rail defects over long wavelength track settlement 2019

The importance of ‘dynamics’ in the design and performance-based testing criteria for railway track components 2019 (5)

Novel discrete element modeling coupled with finite element method for investigating ballasted railway track dynamics 2018 (30)

Development of Viscoelastic Multi-Body Simulation and Impact Response Analysis of a Ballasted Railway Track under Cyclic Loading 2017 (10)