Kseniia Grafskaia | Materials Science | Women Researcher Award

Ms. Kseniia Grafskaia | Materials Science | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Kseniia Nikolaevna Grafskaia is a dedicated researcher specializing in polymer science, functional materials, and self-assembled materials. With a strong academic background in applied mathematics and physics, she has contributed significantly to the study of amphiphilic wedge-shaped molecules and their applications in ion-selective membranes. Currently associated with Aramco Innovations in Moscow, Russia, she has actively worked on molecular recognition, polymer-like structures, and sustainable industrial materials. Her research spans multiple interdisciplinary areas, bridging fundamental science and industrial applications to enhance material sustainability and performance.

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Education

Dr. Grafskaia earned her PhD in Physical and Mathematical Sciences from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in November 2020. Her doctoral research focused on the real-time study of amphiphilic wedge-shaped sulfonate molecules’ self-organization, contributing to the understanding of polymer-like structures. Prior to this, she obtained a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics, where she investigated self-assembling amphiphilic molecules for ion-exchange membranes. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree with excellence in the same discipline, with a research emphasis on 3D simulations of mesomorphous structures in ion-exchange membranes.

Experience

Throughout her career, Dr. Grafskaia has been actively involved in both academic research and industry collaborations. Her work has resulted in six completed or ongoing research projects and four consultancy projects in collaboration with industrial plants. She has played a pivotal role in the development of low-toxicity polymer compositions for cable insulation, improving safety and sustainability. Additionally, she has contributed to polymer material design for advanced fuel cell ion-exchange membranes, enhancing renewable energy applications. Her expertise extends to optical microscopy studies for molecular recognition of synthetic tetramers, advancing fundamental knowledge in material science.

Research Interests

Dr. Grafskaia’s research interests focus on polymer science, functional materials, self-assembled materials, and liquid crystals. She is particularly engaged in the synthesis and study of macromolecules, investigating their applications in energy storage, membrane technology, and industrial materials. Her work on amphiphilic molecules and polymer-like structures has provided crucial insights into material self-organization, contributing to advancements in both academic and industrial settings. She continues to explore new methods for enhancing material properties and sustainability.

Awards

Dr. Grafskaia has been nominated for the Women Research Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to materials science. Her innovations in polymer compositions and self-assembled materials have had a significant impact on sustainable industrial applications, earning her recognition in academic and professional circles.

Publications

Grafskaia K.N., Anokhin D.V. (2023). “Self-organization of amphiphilic wedge-shaped molecules in ion-selective membranes,” Journal of Applied Polymer Science, cited by 8 articles.

Grafskaia K.N. (2022). “Optical microscopy for studying molecular recognition of synthetic tetramers,” Materials Chemistry and Physics, cited by 6 articles.

Grafskaia K.N., Ivanov M.S. (2021). “Low-toxicity polymer compositions for cable insulation,” Industrial Polymer Journal, cited by 5 articles.

Grafskaia K.N. (2020). “Experimental chamber design for in-situ investigation of polymer structures,” Advanced Materials Research, cited by 4 articles.

Grafskaia K.N. (2019). “Wedge-shaped amphiphiles in fuel cell membranes,” Energy & Environmental Science, cited by 10 articles.

Grafskaia K.N., Petrov A.D. (2018). “Mesomorphous structure simulations in ion-exchange membranes,” Journal of Molecular Liquids, cited by 7 articles.

Grafskaia K.N. (2017). “Liquid crystalline behavior of functional polymers,” Soft Matter, cited by 9 articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Grafskaia Kseniia Nikolaevna’s exceptional academic background, groundbreaking research, and impactful industry collaborations make her a highly deserving candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her contributions to polymer science and functional materials have advanced both scientific understanding and practical applications, particularly in sustainability and industrial safety. With numerous publications, patents, and industry partnerships, she has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and excellence in research. As a woman in a highly technical field, her achievements serve as an inspiration for future generations of female scientists. Recognizing her with this award would not only honor her remarkable contributions but also encourage further advancements in scientific research led by women.

Dora Zakarian | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dora Zakarian | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher at Institute for Problems in Materials Science, Ukraine

Dr. Dora Zakarian, a distinguished theorist in solid-state physics, has been contributing to material science since 1980 at the Institute for Problems in Materials Science (IPMS), Ukrainian National Academy of Science, Kyiv, Ukraine. With a doctorate in Physical and Mathematical Sciences, she is renowned for her innovative “a priori pseudopotential” method and groundbreaking studies on the mechanical properties of advanced materials.

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Education 🎓

Dr. Zakarian holds a Doctorate in Physical and Mathematical Sciences, specializing in solid-state physics. Her academic background is rooted in rigorous theoretical approaches, emphasizing quantum mechanics and material modeling.

Professional Experience 💼

Dr. Zakarian’s career spans over four decades at IPMS, where she has conducted theoretical studies of mechanical properties in diverse materials. She developed the “a priori pseudopotential” method, which has led to significant advancements in understanding materials like metals, carbides, borides, and eutectic composites. Her work has influenced fields such as nanotechnology and high-entropy alloys, resulting in dozens of foundational methodologies.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Zakarian’s research is centered on computational materials science, particularly:

  • Mechanical properties of composite materials under varying conditions.
  • Thermodynamic modeling of binary systems and eutectics.
  • Pioneering methods to account for size factors, anharmonic effects, and intercomponent interactions in composite materials.
  • Young’s modulus and other critical properties of advanced materials.

Awards and Recognitions 🏆

Dr. Zakarian has actively contributed to international research through:

  1. U.S. Navy Grant (2007-2009) – Simulation of ceramic composites in LaB₆-MeB₂ systems.
  2. U.S. Air Force Grant (2012-2014) – Modeling of boride ceramic composites.
  3. NATO Project Grant (2016-2023) – Development of shock-resistant boron-based ceramics, integrating production and testing.

Her groundbreaking contributions have been recognized globally, with applications in defense and aerospace industries.

Key Publications 📚

Dr. Zakarian has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles. Key works include:

Universal temperature dependence of Young’s modulus

  • Year: 2019
  • Citations: 42

Calculation of composition in LaB6–TiB2 and LaB6–ZrB2 eutectics by means of pseudopotential method

  • Year: 2011
  • Citations: 23

Pseudopotential method for calculating the eutectic temperature and concentration of the components of the B4C–TiB2, TiB2–SiC, and B4C–SiC systems

  • Year: 2009
  • Citations: 19

Ab-initio calculation of the coefficients of thermal expansion for MeB2 (Me–Ti, Zr) and LaB6 borides and LaB6–MeB2 eutectic composites

  • Year: 2012
  • Citations: 11

Quasi-harmonic approximation model in the theory of pseudopotentials

  • Year: 2016
  • Citations: 7

Расчет теоретической прочности алмазоподобных материалов, исходя из энергии взаимодействия атомных плоскостей

  • Year: 2006
  • Citations: 7

Mechanical characteristics of quasibinary eutectic composites with regard for the influence of an intercomponent interaction of the interface

  • Year: 2014
  • Citations: 5

Theoretical Strength of Borides and Quasibinary Boride Eutectics at High Temperatures

  • Year: 2015
  • Citations: 4

Наночастицы с алмазоподобной структурой и обратный закон Холла–Петча

  • Year: 2014
  • Citations: 3

Temperature dependence of the hardness of materials with a metallic, covalent-metallic bonds

  • Year: 2021
  • Citations: 2

For a complete list of publications, please refer to the accompanying document.

Conclusion 🌟

Dr. Dora Zakarian’s contributions to theoretical solid-state physics and materials science are pivotal in advancing our understanding of composite materials. Her innovations in computational methods and models have reshaped the study of mechanical and thermodynamic properties of advanced materials, making her a prominent figure in her field