Sajan Preet | Energy Systems Design | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sajan Preet | Energy Systems Design | Best Researcher Award 

Research fellow at University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Dr. Sajan Preet is an accomplished researcher and educator with a Ph.D. in Energy Engineering from the Malaviya National Institute of Technology, where his doctoral research focused on the performance evaluation of photovoltaic double-skin façades with forced ventilation in hot climate zones. With a strong foundation in Mechanical Engineering (B.Tech) and Thermal Engineering (M.Tech), he has developed sustainable, energy-efficient building envelopes and heating/cooling systems, and has extensive experience in simulation and modeling tools including IES-VE, DesignBuilder, and EnergyPlus. He currently lectures in Mechanical Engineering at Regent College London, whilst pursuing higher-education pedagogy studies — holding a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) from University of Falmouth and currently undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Policy (PGCHEP) at University of Birmingham. His research encompasses designing solid-state refrigerant-based zero carbon heating/cooling systems, life-cycle assessments, latent heat storage integration, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses across climatic zones, and contributions to international collaborations. To date, his work has produced over 15 peer-reviewed publications and has garnered approximately 200 citations, giving him an h-index of 8. Driven by a commitment to sustainable energy technologies, he emphasizes student engagement, innovative pedagogy, and aims to contribute to both scholarly impact and real-world solutions in the pursuit of net-zero emissions goals.

Profiles: Scopus Orcid Google Scholar 

Featured Publications 

Preet, S., Bhushan, B., & Mahajan, T. (2017). Experimental investigation of water-based photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system with and without phase change material (PCM). Solar Energy, 155, 1104–1120.

Preet, S. (2018). Water and phase change material based photovoltaic thermal management systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 791–807.

Preet, S., & Smith, S. T. (2024). A comprehensive review on the recycling technology of silicon based photovoltaic solar panels: Challenges and future outlook. Journal of Cleaner Production, 448, 141661.

Preet, S., Mathur, J., & Mathur, S. (2022). Influence of geometric design parameters of double skin façade on its thermal and fluid dynamics behavior: A comprehensive review. Solar Energy, 236, 249–279.

Preet, S., Sharma, M. K., Mathur, J., Chowdhury, A., & Mathur, S. (2020). Performance evaluation of photovoltaic double-skin façade with forced ventilation in the composite climate. Journal of Building Engineering, 32, 101733.

Preet, S. (2021). A review on the outlook of thermal management of photovoltaic panel using phase change material. Energy and Climate Change, 2, 100033.

Preet, S., Sharma, M. K., Mathur, J., Chowdhury, A., & Mathur, S. (2023). Analytical model of semi-transparent photovoltaic double-skin façade system (STPV-DSF) for natural and forced ventilation modes. International Journal of Ventilation, 22(2), 138–167.

Sharma, M. K., Preet, S., Mathur, J., Chowdhury, A., & Mathur, S. (2021). Parametric analysis of factors affecting thermal performance of photovoltaic triple skin façade system (PV-TSF). Journal of Building Engineering, 40, 102344.

Shailendra Kumar | Energy | Best Researcher Award 

Dr. Shailendra Kumar’s academic foundation is marked by consistent excellence and dedication to engineering and materials science. He began with a Diploma in Chemical Technology Fertilizer from Government Polytechnic, Lakhimpur Kheri, followed by a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from REC Azamgarh. His bachelor’s research focused on the design and fabrication of a multipurpose machine. He then pursued his Master’s in Advanced Materials Science and Technology at NIT Durgapur (2017–2019), where he worked on flexible PET/SiO₂ thin-film-based touch and pressure sensors for robotic applications. These early steps laid a strong foundation for his future in energy harvesting and advanced materials research.

Professional Endeavors

Professionally, Dr. Kumar has cultivated diverse research experience in advanced materials and energy systems. He served as a Research Scholar in the Advanced Electronic Materials and Systems (AEMS) Laboratory at IIT Delhi, under the guidance of Prof. Ankur Goswami, investigating triboelectric effects in polymer dielectrics and inorganic semiconductors. During this period, he also designed cost-effective horizontal contact separated (HCS) and sliding contact separated (SCS) test setups for triboelectric nanogenerators. His expertise was further recognized when he was selected as an Early-Doc Fellow in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi. His professional endeavors extend to hands-on skills in thin film deposition, electrospinning, microscopy, and device fabrication.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Kumar’s research contributions are focused on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), tactile sensing, and hybrid energy harvesting systems. His PhD research emphasized the synergistic effects of photon and friction in triboelectric nanogenerators, particularly through metal–semiconductor interfaces. He explored tribocharges in PDMS films doped with MWCNTs and MAX phase, and demonstrated augmented output power density for sustainable energy harvesting applications. Additionally, his work on PAN-MWCNT electrospun fibers opened new possibilities for tactile sensing and IoT-driven devices. By combining experimental methods with simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics, he provided comprehensive validation of his results.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Kumar’s research has had a significant impact on the field of energy harvesting and sensing technologies. His innovative test setups provided cost-effective and scalable solutions for studying the synergistic outcome of contact electrification and photovoltaic effects. Recognized internationally, he received the Young Researcher Award at the EMRS 2024 Fall Meeting in Warsaw, Poland, for his contributions to TENGs. His Research Excellence Travel Award (IIT Delhi, 2024) further highlights his academic influence. He has also contributed to advancing sustainable energy solutions for applications in human–machine interfaces, robotics, and wearable electronics.

Academic Cites

The academic recognition of Dr. Kumar’s work is reflected in growing citations across journals and conference proceedings in the field of triboelectric nanogenerators, energy harvesting, and advanced functional materials. His contributions are frequently referenced in studies exploring new conductive materials, hybrid nanogenerators, and applications of tactile sensing in IoT systems. This demonstrates the wide applicability and lasting influence of his research.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Shailendra Kumar’s legacy is grounded in his pioneering contributions to triboelectric nanogenerators, hybrid harvesting systems, and their applications in next-generation sensing technologies. His future contributions will likely include advancing cost-effective, high-efficiency energy harvesting devices, contributing to the development of sustainable power solutions for IoT and smart devices. By mentoring upcoming researchers and expanding interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Kumar is poised to continue shaping the field of energy harvesting materials and technologies for years to come.

Energy

Dr. Shailendra Kumar’s research and innovations in energy harvesting technologies, particularly triboelectric nanogenerators, represent a significant advancement in sustainable power systems. His contributions to energy applications for IoT, robotics, and sensing devices underline the real-world impact of his work. With a continued focus on energy solutions, his legacy will influence both academic research and industrial development.

Publications

Title: Impact of photovoltaic effect on performance enhancement of triboelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting applications

Authors: S. Kumar, R.K. Jha, U. Chitnis, S. Singh, J.K. Anand, S.K. Roy, A. Goswami

Journal: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B

Year: 2023

Citations: 7

Title: Design and development of a horizontal contact separated (HCS) test setup for measuring the performance of triboelectric nanogenerator for sustainable energy harvesting

Authors: S. Kumar, R.K. Jha, P. Sharma, A. Goswami

Journal: Review of Scientific Instruments

Year: 2024

Citations: 6

Title: Performance enhancement of triboelectric nanogenerators and exploration of tactile sensing using an electrospun PAN–MWCNT layer through interface manipulation

Authors: S. Kumar, R.K. Jha, B. Thakur, T. Biswas, J.K. Anand, C. Soren, D. Banswar, ...

Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Year: 2025

Citations: 4

Title: Spin dynamics investigation and structural analysis of ambient scalable Sr²⁺ doped zirconium ferrite nanoparticles synthesized by low temperature auto combustion route

Authors: S. Sambyal, A. Singh, R. Tickoo, A. Goswami, S. Kumar, M. Singh

Journal: Physica B: Condensed Matter

Year: 2024

Citations: 3

Title: Effect of Sr²⁺ and Co²⁺ Ions on Antimicrobial, Magnetic, and Spin Dynamic Properties of Zr₁₋ₓSrₓFe₂₋ᵧCoᵧO₄ (0 ≤ x and y ≥ 0.20) Ferrite Nanoparticles

Authors: S. Sambyal, S. Kujur, A. Goswami, S. Kumar, M. Singh, B. Kaur, A. Singh

Journal: Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism

Year: 2025

Conclusion

Dr. Shailendra Kumar exemplifies the synergy of academic excellence, innovative research, and impactful contributions to materials science and engineering. His work on triboelectric nanogenerators not only advances the science of energy harvesting but also provides practical solutions to global challenges in sustainability. With strong academic credentials, recognized awards, and impactful research outcomes, Dr. Kumar’s career trajectory reflects a legacy of excellence and a future filled with transformative contributions to the field of energy research.