Bowen Duan | Civil Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Bowen Duan | Civil Engineering
| Best Researcher Award

PhD Candidate at Harbin Institute of Technology, China.

Bowen Duan is a Ph.D. candidate in Civil Engineering at the School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, under the mentorship of Prof. Jinliang Gao. His research is centered on water distribution networks, particularly the optimization of modeling techniques and advanced leakage detection methodologies. Through integrating data-driven methods and optimization algorithms, he aims to address critical urban water management challenges such as low modeling precision and complex leakage identification. His research output includes journal and international conference publications that reflect both scientific rigor and real-world application. Duan’s recent work has been featured in Energies, emphasizing the relevance of his research to pressing environmental infrastructure issues. He demonstrates a promising trajectory as a future leader in sustainable water management.

🌍 Professional Profile:

Scopus

ORCID

🏆 Suitability for the Best Researcher Award :

Bowen Duan stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his impactful research in optimizing water distribution networks—an area critical to sustainable urban development. His application of advanced algorithms for leakage detection significantly improves operational efficiency in real-world water systems. Publishing in top-tier journals and presenting at international conferences, he has shown remarkable academic maturity and innovation. His contributions bridge theoretical advancements and practical utility, reflecting both depth and foresight. Despite being at an early stage in his career, his interdisciplinary approach, commitment to solving complex engineering problems, and drive for impactful outcomes underscore his potential to contribute meaningfully to environmental engineering and resource sustainability on a global scale.

🎓 Education :

Bowen Duan is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), one of China’s leading institutions for environmental and engineering sciences. Under the guidance of Prof. Jinliang Gao, his academic focus includes water system modeling, hydraulic simulations, and smart detection technologies. His graduate training emphasizes multidisciplinary learning, combining civil engineering fundamentals with advanced data analytics, systems optimization, and environmental sustainability principles. He has also engaged in national and international academic discourse through conferences and collaborative work. Bowen’s educational background demonstrates strong technical grounding, critical thinking, and a forward-looking perspective essential for tackling complex challenges in water infrastructure and management systems.

🏢 Work Experience :

Bowen Duan has acquired valuable research experience through active engagement in multiple water management projects during his Ph.D. studies at Harbin Institute of Technology. His work involves hydraulic modeling, smart sensing, leakage detection, and intervention strategy analysis in water distribution networks. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at renowned conferences such as the Computing and Control for the Water Industry Conference (CCWI 2023, UK), indicating early international exposure. His ability to combine field data with computational techniques highlights practical problem-solving skills. Bowen is also familiar with simulation software, data acquisition systems, and algorithmic design. His research is informed by both theoretical inquiry and applied engineering, making him a capable young scholar with a growing industry-relevant portfolio.

🔹 Awards and Honors

While specific awards and honors are yet to be disclosed, Bowen Duan has gained notable academic recognition through conference acceptances and journal publications, including in the international journal Energies. His participation in the prestigious 19th Computing and Control for the Water Industry (CCWI) Conference in the UK in 2023 reflects peer recognition of his research relevance and quality. These achievements in a competitive academic environment indicate his rising status in the field of environmental and civil engineering. As a doctoral researcher, he continues to build a record of excellence that could soon be accompanied by formal honors, research grants, or innovation awards. His current trajectory and impactful work strongly suggest a promising candidate for future accolades.

🔬 Research Focus :

Bowen Duan’s research centers on optimizing water distribution networks by enhancing hydraulic modeling precision and leakage detection. His innovative approach combines traditional civil engineering knowledge with modern computational tools—such as data-driven optimization, spatial pressure correlation, and real-time monitoring—to develop more responsive and accurate detection systems. His work tackles key problems including system complexity, modeling inefficiencies, and slow leak identification in urban water supply systems. He has investigated behavioral influences on water-saving in public buildings and contributed insights on psychological interventions. Through international conference presentations and journal articles, Bowen advances both theoretical frameworks and practical applications that enhance urban resilience, sustainability, and water conservation efforts. His contributions position him at the intersection of engineering, data science, and sustainability.

📊 Publication Top Notes:

📘 Energy-Efficient Management of Urban Water Distribution Networks Under Hydraulic Anomalies: A Review of Technologies and Challenges
📅 Year: 2025 | 🧪 Journal: Energies | ✍️ Authors: Bowen Duan, Jinliang Gao, Huizhe Cao, Shiyuan Hu
🔗 DOI: 10.3390/en18112877 | 🧷 Publisher: MDPI

📝 Evaluating the Dynamic Psychological and Behavioral Changes of Water-Saving in Public Buildings Under Effective Interventions
📅 Year: 2024 | 📄 Type: Preprint | ✍️ Authors: Bowen Duan, Jinliang Gao, Wenyan Wu, Wenjuan Guo, Jinghui Wang, Shanshan Zhang, Chao Wen, Yuan Tian, Chang Shen
🔗 DOI: 10.22541/essoar.171535804.44094305/v1 | 🧷 Platform: ESSOAr

Yang Li | Electrical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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