Mr. Hemantkumar Kadam | Heat Transfer | Best Researcher Award

Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering | India

Mr. Hemantkumar Kadam, Assistant Professor at Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune, is a dedicated researcher in mechanical engineering, pursuing a Ph.D. at Shivaji University, Kolhapur, with a focus on nanofluids, surfactants, stability, and heat transfer enhancement. With an M.Tech in Thermal Engineering and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, he has conducted extensive experimental studies on alumina nanofluids stabilized with biosurfactants (Rhamnolipids) and synthetic surfactants (SDS, SLS, PVP), analyzing thermophysical properties such as viscosity, interfacial tension, and stability using advanced techniques like UV-Vis spectroscopy, DLS, and zeta potential. His research demonstrates the comparative environmental and performance advantages of biosurfactants over synthetic surfactants, offering sustainable approaches for heat transfer enhancement in renewable energy, HVAC, and electronic cooling systems. Mr. Hemantkumar Kadam has published four high-quality papers in SCIE and ESCI journals, holds two granted copyrights, and has a patent under process. He is an active member of ISTE and maintains professional profiles across Google Scholar, ORCID, ResearchGate, Web of Science, and Scopus. Although his h-index is currently 1 with four citations, his work reflects innovative experimental research, strong academic contributions, and promising potential to impact sustainable thermal management technologies, making him a suitable candidate for the Best Research Award.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Nikhade, H. V., Rohokale, O. R., Kalyankar, A. R., Deodikar, A. A., & Deoghare, S. U. (2022). Electronic differential using the concept of torque vectoring. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computing, Communication, Control and Automation (ICCUBEA 2022). IEEE.

Kadam, H. H., & Pise, A. T. (2025). A thorough analysis of surfactant addition effects on the thermophysical properties and stability of nanofluids. Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, 28(4), 775–812.

Kadam, H. H., Pise, A. T., & Sali, A. V. (2025). Experimental study: The impact of surfactant and nanoparticles concentration on the stability of alumina nanofluids. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 1–15.

Kadam, H. H., & Pise, A. T. (2025). An experimental investigation on the determination of critical micelle concentration (CMC) of various surfactants using the surface tension method. Journal of Polymer and Composites, 13(5).

Kadam, H. H., & Pise, A. T. (2025). Influence of rhamnolipids, anionic surfactants, and Al2O3 nanoparticles on the viscosity of distilled water-based fluids: A comparative experimental study. Journal of Surfactants and Detergents.

Mr. Sello Peter Tsebe | Pyrometallurgy | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Sello Peter Tsebe, Mintek, South Africa

Mr. Sello Peter Tsebe is a registered Professional Engineer (ECSA) and currently serves as Head of Technology Demonstration in the Pyrometallurgy Division at Mintek, South Africa. With over 17 years of experience in metallurgical research and project leadership, Mr. Tsebe is a pioneering figure in the development and commercialisation of advanced pyrometallurgical technologies. He has led multidisciplinary teams, managed large CAPEX projects, and contributed to international collaborations such as the EU HORIZON programs. He is also the inventor of patented technologies including eWasteSmelt™ and ImpMan™. Mr. Tsebe is known for his critical thinking, innovation, and dedication to sustainable mineral processing. He has authored over 45 technical reports and 10 technical papers and continues to drive Mintek’s strategic RDI goals while mentoring the next generation of engineers.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Education

Mr. Tsebe began his academic journey with a Senior Matric Certificate from Gojela High School in 2002 and was a Grade 12 Merit Certificate holder for the highest academic achievement. He completed an Academic Enrichment Programme at EduMap College in 2003. In 2009, he obtained his B.Sc.Eng in Materials and Metallurgy from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where he was twice listed on the Dean’s List of Excellence. He further pursued a Programme in Project Management (PPM) at the University of Pretoria in 2017. Most recently, he completed his M.Sc.Eng in Extractive Metallurgy at Wits University in 2023. His academic path demonstrates a solid foundation in metallurgical engineering, project leadership, and research excellence, enabling him to develop innovative and impactful metallurgical solutions across research and industry sectors.

🏢 Experience

With over 17 years in metallurgical R&D, Mr. Tsebe has built an impressive career at Mintek, progressing from Engineer to Head of Technology Demonstration in Pyrometallurgy. He began in Pyrometallurgy (2008–2010), then moved to Hydrometallurgy (2013–2014), and gained industrial experience at Rand Refinery (2011–2012). He rejoined Mintek, rising through Senior Engineer, Principal Engineer, Chief Engineer, and finally Head (2022–present). Throughout, he has led large-scale pilot projects, managed RDI strategy, secured project funding, and mentored engineers. His contributions include successful patent filings, technology transfer, and management of multimillion-rand projects. He is recognised for his leadership in client engagement, CAPEX planning, and sustainable metallurgical innovation.

🏅 Awards & Honors

Mr. Tsebe has received both academic and professional accolades. In academia, he was featured on the Wits University Dean’s List of Excellence in 2004 and 2005 and received the Global Material Solution Prize (2004). Earlier in his academic life, he won the Mogalakwena District Maths Olympiad and a Grade 12 Merit Certificate (2002). Professionally, he was awarded the 2015 Mintek Excellence Award for developing a world-class high-pressure leach pilot plant. He has also received multiple research funding awards for projects like eWasteSmelt, ImpMan, and SmelterEnergy, totaling millions in investment. His innovative contributions to pyrometallurgy and leadership in research execution have earned him recognition both locally and internationally.

🔬 Research Focus

Mr. Tsebe’s research focuses on pyrometallurgical process development, high-temperature metallurgical simulations, and sustainable resource recovery from waste streams. His innovations include patented technologies like eWasteSmelt™ and ImpMan™, which tackle e-waste recycling and process improvement. He has led EU HORIZON collaborations (PREMA, SisAl Pilot, HAlMan) and published extensively on furnace operations, smelter efficiency, hydrogen reduction of manganese ores, and battery materials. His work bridges lab-scale experimentation and full pilot-scale demonstration, often involving computational modeling and simulation tools such as COMSOL and FactSage. He is also engaged in capacity building, training, and mentoring of junior engineers, aligning his work with broader goals of circular economy and green metallurgy.

Publication Top Notes

📊 Variables Applicable to Benchmarking of Tap-Hole Life-Cycle Management Practices in Coke-Bed-Based Ferroalloy Production – 3 citations, 2018
⚙️ Effect of Ore Pre-heating on Furnace Operation in High Carbon Ferromanganese Production—Lessons Learnt from Pilot-Scale Test Work – 1 citation, 2023
🧪 Evaluation of the Effects of Fluidization Conditions on Hydrogen Reduction in Manganese Ore Fines – 0 citations, 2025
🔥 Numerical model of aluminothermic reduction vessel preheating and charge heating with graphite heating rods – 0 citations, 2024
🔥 Numerical model of a top-blown rotary converter preheating and charge heating with an oxy-fuel burner – 0 citations, 2024
♻️ Development of an Integrated Process Flowsheet to Recover Valuable Metals from Waste Cathode Ray Tubes and Printed Circuit Boards – 0 citations, 2024
🔋 Battery materials research conducted at Mintek towards energy storage and resource efficiency – 0 citations, 2022
🧱 Overcoming the phosphorus issue at the Agbaja iron ore project in Nigeria – 0 citations, 2019
🖥️ Towards computational models of metallurgical converting processes – 0 citations, 2018
🔥 Ladle Furnace Preheating and Charge Heating with Graphite Heating Rods – 0 citations, year not listed
🔥 Top-Blown Rotary Converter Preheating and Charge Heating with an Oxy-Fuel Burner – 0 citations, year not listed

Hemantkumar Kadam | Heat Transfer | Best Researcher Award