Nkanyiso Msweli | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Nkanyiso Msweli | Electrical Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

Mr. Nkanyiso Msweli | Tshwane University of Technology | South Africa

Mr. Nkanyiso Msweli is an experienced and results-driven Plant Manager  with over a decade of expertise in power generation, renewable energy, and maintenance management, currently leading operations at a solar power plant under Enel Green Power in Upington, South Africa. He has a proven track record in ensuring compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, statutory regulations, and international standards, while driving operational excellence through strategic maintenance leadership, budget optimization, and risk control. His career spans key roles at Vestas Group, Eskom Rotek Industries, and AMG Power Systems, where he gained extensive knowledge of solar PV systems, boilers, HV/MV networks, transformers, and wind plant operations. Mr. Msweli is highly skilled in root cause failure analysis (RCFA), World Class Manufacturing (WCM) practices, and reliability-centered maintenance, enabling him to enhance asset performance and minimize downtime. He has successfully managed complex engineering teams, coordinated plant overhauls, led safety audits, and delivered technical advisory services on high-pressure systems and emission controls. Academically, His scholarly impact is reflected in her Google Scholar he is pursuing a Doctor of Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology, holds an MPhil in Electrical Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, and is certified in GCC and multiple ISO standards, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and innovation in sustainable energy.

 Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications

Msweli, N., Nnachi, G. U., & Richards, C. G. (2025). A review of green hydrogen technologies and their role in enabling sustainable energy access in remote and off-grid areas within Sub-Saharan Africa. Energies, 18(18), 5035.

Yang Li | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li | Electrical Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li | Forensic Science Institute China People’s Police University | China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li is a distinguished academic at the China People’s Police University, specializing in fire investigation and safety science. With a strong foundation in fire investigation, materials science, and safety engineering, he has developed expertise in electrical fire mechanisms, evidence identification, and forensic trace analysis. His research combines advanced analytical methods with practical applications, enhancing accuracy in determining electrical fire causes. Beyond research, he contributes significantly to teaching, training professional fire investigators, and translating key international references. Recognized by provincial and national institutions, he is both a respected scholar and an expert consultant in fire safety. His work bridges academia, public security, and applied science, making him highly suitable for recognition such as the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile 

Scopus

Suitability for Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li stands out as an exemplary candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his impactful contributions in electrical fire investigation. His innovative studies on short-circuit mechanisms, arc faults, and pyrolysis of electrical materials provide a scientific foundation for forensic fire analysis. Leading multiple funded projects, he has advanced national research priorities while offering solutions with real-world applications in crime scene investigation and fire prevention. His role as a technical expert for the Ministry of Public Security underlines the trust placed in his expertise. Combined with influential publications, patents, and strong integration of teaching and applied research, Li Yang embodies the qualities of an outstanding researcher whose work significantly improves public safety and advances the frontiers of fire science.

Education 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li has pursued an impressive educational journey tailored to fire safety and forensic science. He began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Investigation from China People’s Police University, gaining a solid grounding in fire behavior and forensic techniques. He further expanded his expertise with a Master of Science in Materials Science from the same institution, building knowledge of material properties critical to fire analysis. To deepen his interdisciplinary foundation, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Safety Science and Engineering from Xi’an University of Science and Technology. This comprehensive educational path enabled him to integrate theoretical knowledge, material analysis, and safety principles, positioning him as a leading researcher in electrical fire investigation and forensic fire science.

Work Experience 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li has accumulated extensive academic and professional experience at the China People’s Police University, where he has served as lecturer, associate professor in fire engineering, and later associate professor in the Investigation College. His teaching and mentoring focus on preparing future professionals in fire investigation and safety science. Beyond academia, he has provided technical expertise to the Ministry of Public Security, advising on fire-related case investigations. He has also contributed to the development of training programs for professional fire investigators and advanced the teaching of international fire investigation standards. His experience bridges classroom instruction, cutting-edge research, and direct application in national security contexts, highlighting his ability to transform academic research into real-world fire safety solutions.

Awards and Honors

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li has earned multiple honors that reflect his excellence in research, teaching, and public service. Recognized as a Distinguished Teacher of Hebei Province, he demonstrates outstanding commitment to education. His membership in the Committee on Electrical Fire Safety within the China Fire Association underscores his professional influence in the field. He has been honored by the Ministry of Public Security as a Fire-related Case Investigation Technology Expert, confirming his role as a trusted authority in forensic fire science. Additionally, he received a Third-Prize Certificate in the Ministry of Public Security Science and Technology Award, affirming the impact of his research innovations. These recognitions highlight his dual strengths as both a scientific leader and a dedicated educator.

Research Focus 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li research focuses on advancing electrical fire investigation and forensic evidence identification. He studies short-circuit initiation mechanisms, ignition pathways, and arc fault characteristics to provide reliable markers for fire analysis. By applying advanced techniques such as STA-FTIR-GC/MS, he analyzes pyrolysis gases from electrical materials, uncovering intrinsic links between equipment conditions and fire causation. His projects explore the impact of environmental conditions on fire behavior, the evolution of electrical wire degradation, and the development of intelligent evidence identification technologies. He also contributes to knowledge dissemination through translation of global fire investigation references. His work not only advances the scientific foundation of fire investigation but also provides practical tools for accurate, efficient, and technologically enhanced forensic fire analysis.

Publication Top Notes

  • Fire propagation and suppression in multi-layer battery systems
    Year: 2025 | Cited by: 1

  • Tracing the patterns of thermal runaway in LFP lithium-ion batteries
    Year: 2025 | Cited by: 1

  • Internal pressure variation during the thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries at different state-of-charge
    Year: 2025 | Cited by: 1

  • Pyrolysis Kinetics and Gas Evolution of Flame-Retardant PVC and PE: A TG-FTIR-GC/MS Study
    Year: 2025 | Cited by: 1

  • Thermal decomposition kinetics of poly(vinyl chloride) insulation for overloaded and non-overloaded wires
    Year: 2025 | Cited by: 1

  • The effect of overload current on the thermo-oxidative decomposition behavior of polyvinyl chloride insulated wires investigated by TG-FTIR technique
    Year: 2025

Conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work bridges theory and practice, with clear societal impact in fire investigation and safety science. He combines research leadership, applied innovation, and professional recognition, making him a strong contender. With greater global engagement and interdisciplinary expansion, his contributions could achieve even broader recognition in the international scientific community.

Yang Li | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Engineering Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yang Li | Electrical Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

Director at Forensic Science Institute China People’s Police University, China.

Dr. Li Yang is an Associate Professor at the China People’s Police University, specializing in electrical fire investigation and forensic evidence analysis. With a Ph.D. in Safety Science and Engineering from Xi’an University of Science and Technology and extensive research on arc faults, short-circuit initiation, and pyrolysis gas analysis, he has become a leading voice in electrical fire forensics. He serves on the Committee on Electrical Fire Safety of the China Fire Association and has led multiple national and provincial projects. Recognized as a Distinguished Teacher of Hebei Province in 2022, his contributions have significantly enhanced fire evidence identification technologies. He has also played a pivotal role in national training programs and technical innovations for fire investigators.

🌍 Professional Profile:

Scopus

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award :

Dr. Li Yang is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his pioneering work in electrical fire investigation. His research advances the forensic science field through the development of intelligent identification technologies and fault simulation devices. He has been instrumental in leading key national and provincial projects, authoring technical patents, and contributing to cutting-edge publications. His academic leadership, combined with practical innovation, addresses critical safety concerns in fire investigation. Recognition by both academic institutions and the Ministry of Public Security underscores his impact. His ability to integrate science, engineering, and real-world application makes him not only a productive researcher but a transformative force in safety science.

🎓 Education :

Li Yang holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Safety Science and Engineering from Xi’an University of Science and Technology (2018–2022). Prior to that, he earned a Master of Science in Materials Science (2008–2011) and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Investigation (2004–2008), both from the China People’s Police University. His interdisciplinary educational background has equipped him with a solid foundation in forensic materials, fire safety engineering, and investigative techniques. This strong academic progression supports his current research and teaching in the field of electrical fire forensics and contributes to the training of future safety professionals in law enforcement and public safety sectors.

🏢 Work Experience :

Dr. Li Yang has served in various academic positions at the China People’s Police University since 2014. Currently an Associate Professor in the Investigation College (since 2020), he previously held positions in the Department of Fire Engineering. Over the years, he has been deeply involved in curriculum development, investigator training, and research supervision. His expertise has also been sought by national bodies such as the Ministry of Public Security, where he serves as a fire-related case investigation expert. He has combined teaching excellence with project leadership across government-funded and institutional research. His dual role as educator and researcher enables him to bridge academic knowledge with field application effectively.

🏅 Awards and Honors :

Dr. Li Yang has received numerous accolades for his contributions. Notably, he was honored as a Distinguished Teacher of Hebei Province in 2022 and selected as a Fire Investigation Expert by the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security in 2020. He is a Committee Member on Electrical Fire Safety with the China Fire Association. His research earned the Third Prize from the Ministry of Public Security Science and Technology Award in 2019. These awards reflect both his academic excellence and societal impact. Through these honors, Dr. Yang has been recognized for his research leadership, technological innovation, and dedication to advancing fire safety practices across China.

🔬 Research Focus :

Dr. Li Yang’s research centers on electrical fire forensics, particularly the mechanisms behind short-circuit faults, arc-related ignition, and trace identification. He applies cutting-edge tools such as STA-FTIR-GC/MS to analyze pyrolysis gases from common materials in electrical systems, aiming to establish the forensic links between device failure and fire cause. His studies also examine the behavior of molten droplets, overcurrent wire degradation, and fault inversion modeling under variable environmental conditions. He leads national R&D programs and technical research projects focusing on intelligent identification technologies and early-warning mechanisms. His goal is to enhance fire evidence analysis reliability and improve training and tools for first responders and forensic investigators in China.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

🔥 Lin Q‑W, Li X, Li Y, Deng J, Man P‑R, Jia Y‑Z. Comparative investigation on thermo‑oxidative degradation and fire characteristics of flame‑retardant and non‑flame‑retardant polyvinyl chloride wires. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress. 2025;57:103210. • 📄 Cited X times

⚡ Lin Q‑W, Li Y, Man P‑R, Jin Y, Lyu H, Wang H, Zhao Y, Su W, Deng J. Effects of applied voltages on the occurrence features of short circuits in building cables exposed to constant radiation heat. Journal of Building Engineering. 2024;98:111038. • 📄 Cited Y times

🧪 Lin Q‑W, Li Y, Deng J, F‑F He, P‑R Man. Thermo‑oxidative degradation behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) insulation for new and overloaded wires via TG‑FTIR. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2024;141(39):e55994. • 📄 Cited Z times

🧯 Li Z, Lin Q‑W, Li Y, et al. Effect of the current on the fire characteristics of overloaded polyvinyl chloride copper wires. Polymers. 2022;14(21):4766.* • 📄 Cited A times

🔥 Lin Q‑W, Li Y, Deng J. Formation mechanism and microstructural analysis of blistering marks on overcurrent copper wires. Fire Safety Journal. 2024;150(Pt A):104268. • 📄 Cited B times

⚡ Li Y, Sun Y, Gao Y, et al. Analysis of overload‑induced arc formation and bead characteristics in a residential electrical cable. Fire Safety Journal. 2022;131:103626. • 📄 Cited C times