Recent Advances in Electrochemical Science and Technology: Select Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Women in Electrochemistry (ICWEC) 2023

This book presents selected proceedings of first “International Conference on Women in Electrochemistry (ICWEC-2023). The volume covers outstanding research work in the area of (i) electrochemical energy systems, such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, (ii) analytical electrochemistry: sensors and environment, (iii) applied electrochemistry: corrosion and metal/surface coatings, (iv) fundamental electrochemistry, and (v) surface engineering. This proceedings aims to motivate the contributing authors, upcoming researchers, scholars, and women in science. This unique proceedings comprises of a majority of papers contributed by women researchers that befits the focused theme of ICWEC – “Unleashing the potential of women in electrochemistry.”

Dr. Ashwini Ravi is Quality and Application Analyst at Medetronix Labs Pvt. Ltd. She obtained her Ph.D. in Nanotechnology from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum, Karnataka. She holds master’s and bachelor’s in nanotechnology and biotechnology, respectively, both from VTU. Her passion for scientific research drove her to the Dept. of Materials Engineering at IISc as Research Assistant to work on 2D nanomaterials, such as graphene and its derivatives for biomedical applications. Later, she moved to the Centre for Biosystems, Science, and Engineering (BSSE), IISc and worked as Research Assistant for couple of years on bioimaging techniques and stem cells-based 3D nanofibrous scaffolds. Her research experience at various departments in IISc helped her generate research collaborations and excel in her research career. These experiences provided an impetus to begin doctoral research work on the development of graphene and its derivatives-based electrochemical sensors. She was able to publish her research work in some international journals of high repute, attracting significant interest among the research community as reflected by the citations received. Additionally, her research work was recognized by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, which sanctioned her project under the Woman Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B) for 3 years. Moreover, she was awarded the prestigious “Raman Charpak Fellowship” under Indo–French bilateral Fellowship Programme to work on her doctoral research at IEMN labs, University of Lille, France. She also actively takes part in organizing scientific workshops, international and national conferences, symposiums, and webinars in association with non-profit science organizations.

Dr. S.T. Aruna is Chief Scientist at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bangalore, India. She completed her master’s degree in chemistry from Mysore University (1994), where she secured the first rank and won four gold medals. She obtained her Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore in 1998. She worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Bar-Ilan University, Israel in dye-sensitized solar cells from 1998-1999. She has authored ~ 130 research papers in international peer-reviewed journals, filed 11 patents, co-authored a book and coedited a book, written 14 book chapters and 4 encyclopedia chapters. Her research papers have been well-cited (10,255), and her publications have an h-index of 44. Her name features in the list of the top 2 percent of world scientists released by Stanford University. Her current research interests include the development of tapecast ceramic substrates for electronics application, nanomaterials, plasma-sprayed thermal and environmental barrier coatings, and oxygen sensor and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). She has guided 5 Ph.D. and 25 master’s and B.Tech. students. One of her review papers has received the best-cited paper award twice, which was published in Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science. She is on the editorial board of Surface Engineering Journal. She has won Sathish Dhawan Young Engineer Karnataka State Award 2021, Sasadhar Ray Memorial award 2023, MRSI Medal 2022, NM Sampat award 2016, and Pavan Nagpal Memorial award 2019, among many others.

Dr. U. Kamachi Mudali, Vice Chancellor of Homi Bhabha National Institute, DAE is formerly Vice Chancellor of VIT Bhopal and Distinguished Scientist of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and Chief Executive and Chairman of Heavy Water Board, a flagship industrial unit of DAE. Dr. Mudali has made pioneering contributions to advanced materials and coating technology; corrosion science, engineering, and technology; materials, process, and equipment development for reprocessing applications; failure analysis, consultancy, and societal contributions, for nearly four decades during his service, including as Director of Materials Chemistry & Metal Fuel Cycle at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, DAE, Kalpakkam. Dr Mudali has 474 Journal publications, 5 patents, and 13,125 citations with a h-index of 55 and i-10 index of 308. He is recognized in the World’s Top 2% scientists from India in the field of materials and is a fellow of 12 professional associations, including 4 from abroad. Dr. Mudali is decorated with several distinguished recognitions from India and abroad including: Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Bombay, where he did M.Tech. in corrosion science and engineering in 1984; PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, where he did M.Sc. in materials science in 1982; Lifetime Achievement Award from Ministry of Steel, Government of India, Electrochemical Society of India, Bengaluru & National Corrosion Council of India, Karaikudi; GD Birla Gold Medal, Platinum Medal and Metallurgists of the Year Award from IIM and Ministry of Steel, MASCOT National Award, Vasvik Award, INS Medal, Homi Bhabha Science and Technology Award of DAE; Frank Newman Speller Award of NACE International, USA, the highest recognition and first Indian to get in the field of corrosion engineering.