Keynote Speakers
Prof. Milos Manic
IEEE Fellow, Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Milos Manic (Fellow, IEEE) received the Dipl.Ing. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Niš, Niš, Serbia, in 1991 and 1997, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the University of Idaho, in 2003.,He is currently a Professor with the Computer Science Department, the Director of VCU Cybersecurity Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA, and the Director of Commonwealth Center for Advanced Computing. He has completed more than 50 research grants in AI/ML in cyber and energy and intelligent controls. He authored more than 200 refereed articles, holds several U.S. patents.,Dr. Manic was the recipient of the 2018 R&D 100 Award for Autonomic Intelligent Cyber Sensor (AICS). He is an inductee of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors (S/M 2023/2019) and a Fellow of Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (specialty in AI & Cybersecurity). He is an IEEE IES President (2024–2025). He was also a recipient of IEEE IES 2019 Anthony J. Hornfeck Service Award, 2012 J. David Irwin Early Career Award, 2017 IEM Best Paper Award, an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, Open Journal of Industrial Electronics Society, and Senior Life AdCom member. He was Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, was a founding chair of IEEE Industrial Electronics Society Technical Committee on Resilience and Security in Industry, and was a general chair of IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology 2023, IEEE International Conference on Human System Interaction 2019, and IEEE IECON 2018
Prof. Vinod Khadkikar
IEEE Fellow, Professor, EECS Department at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prof. Khadkikar is an IEEE Fellow (Class of 2022, “for contributions to power quality solutions”). He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Industry Applications Society. He has been an IEEE IAS Fellow Evaluation committee member. He received B.E. in Electrical, Electronics and Power from the Government College of Engineering, Aurangabad, in 2000, M. Tech. from IIT Delhi in 2002 and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the ETS, Montreal, Canada, in 2008. From December 2008 to March 2010, Dr. he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. From April 2010 to December 2010, he was a Visiting Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. Currently he is a Professor of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE. He joined Masdar Institute (now Khalifa University) in 2010 as an Assistant Professor. He has contributed over 75 IEEE Transactions papers. He was ranked 142 among 106,000 researchers in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the list of world’s top 2% of career-long scientists as of September 2022 released by Stanford University. He has been serving as Scientist Member in the Mohammed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists (MBRAS) since 2018. At Khalifa University, he has been Power Electronics Theme Lead at the Advanced Power and Energy Center (APEC), Space Power and Energy Storage Theme Lead at the Khalifa University Space Technology and Innovation Centre (KUSTIC) and Theme Lead at Virtual Research Institute (VRI) for Sustainable Energy Production, Storage, and Utilization (funded by ASPIRE). Dr. Khadkikar is currently an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications and IET Power Electronics.
Prof. Daswin De Silva
IEEE Fellow, Professor
Daswin De Silva is an Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Analytics at La Trobe University, Australia, where he also serves as the Deputy Director and Deputy Chair of the Centre for Data Analytics and Cognition (CDAC). His work focuses on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cognitive modelling, contributing extensively to research and publications in these fields. He plays a key role in leading research initiatives, supervising advanced academic projects, and supporting the development of AI-driven solutions within the university’s research ecosystem.
Prof. Hani Vahedi
Senior Member, IEEE
Hani Vahedi (Senior Member, IEEE) received his PhD with honors from École de Technologie Superieure (ÉTS), University of Quebec, in Montreal, Canada, in 2016. He received the Best PhD Thesis Award from ETS for the academic year of 2016-2017. He has published more than 60 technical papers in IEEE conferences and Transactions. He also published a book on Springer Nature and a book chapter in Elsevier. He is an active member of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) and its Student & Young Professionals (S&YP) committee. He is a co-chair of special sessions, co-organizer of the S&YP Forum, and co-chair of 3M video sessions in IES conferences. He is also the associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and IEEE Open Journal of Industrial Electronics Society. He is the inventor of the PUC5 converter, holds multiple US/world patents, and transferred that technology to the industry, where he developed the first bidirectional electric vehicle DC charger based on his invention. After 7 years of experience in industry as a power electronics designer and chief scientific officer, he joined the Delft University of Technology, where he is currently an assistant professor at the DCE&S group, working towards the electrification of industrial processes for clean energy transition.
His research interests include multilevel converter topologies, control and modulation techniques, and their applications in the electrification of industrial processes and clean energy transition, such as smart grids, renewable energy conversion, electric vehicle chargers, green hydrogen production (electrolyzers), and fuel-cell systems.
Sze Sing Lee
Newcastle University in Singapore
Dr. Balakrishna I
Senate Member (UoM), Executive Member, Center for IOT (Anna University), Center for Electromagnetics, Chennai, R&D Lab, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Hon’ble Governor of Tamilnadu Shri. R N Ravi has nominated him as a SENATE Member of the University of Madras, Chennai, and Anna University. He is also an Executive Committee Member for C-IoT (Center for Internet of Things), MIT, Anna University, Chennai. He is a Chairman and member for the Board of Studies (BOS) in IITs, NITs, Reputed Universities, and Various Engineering Colleges. He is
a Visiting Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, NTU Singapore, IISc Bangalore, IIT’s, NIT’s. He was with Reliance Jio Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India as a Chief Manager and the Head of the R & D, Administrative and Financial Department. After he departed from the previous company, he joined as a Scientist at R & D laboratory, Centre for Electromagnetics, Chennai, Ministry of Electronics & Information of Technology, Govt. of India. He has 13+ years of Experience in Research and Development in RF, Microwaves, and mm-Wave technologies for strategic and civilian sectors. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan Scheme- Self- reliant India program, he handled many National Prestigious and Mission Critical Defense, Space, Indian Navy, and Indian Army Projects and Missiles Test Flown Successfully. He worked on the Analysis of Complex Electromagnetic Problems such as Antennas on Ships, Satellites, Stealth Technology Aircraft and Missiles. As a scientist, in the initial part of his career, he has been actively involved in the
implementation of various future-driven next-generation technologies for both strategic and societal applications for DRDO, MeitY, and DoT. He has been part of multi-institute (IITM, IITB, IITD, IITK, IITH, IISc, CEWiT, and CEM) collaborative research towards the development of Indigenous 5G solutions “Indigenous Development of End-to-End 5G Test Bed” Funded by DoT (Department of Telecommunications), Government of India with Budget Outlay of Rs. 240 Crores. He was part of the 5G team and for the first time in India, we demonstrated 5G test bed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 17th May 2022 which is a fully functional MIMO and massive MIMO (256T and 256R) Antenna Systems, Joint Director/Scientist E-mail. [email protected]
Dr. Balakrishna I,MIEEE & AP-S and SEMCEI Remote Radio Head (RRH)/RU, Distributed Unit (DU), Wireless Front Haul, Mid Haul, and Back Haul Interfaces, RF and Antenna Systems for Sub-6 GHz Band (FR1) and Phased Array Antenna in mmWave Band with a Multi-Layer design for (FR2) bands worked in TDD/FDD mode and deployable in NSA & SA mode Active Antenna Systems for 5G Base Station Applications and integrated mmWave Tiled Phased array antennas in the country. He was instrumental in building indigenous technologies and R&D facilities and executed various strategic projects to address the denied technologies in India. He is working on 5G/6G and Beyond Technology Projects. As a member of high-level committees at the national level in driving the technology programs for India, he facilitated collaborative research between Academia and Industry, both at national and international levels. He actively contributes to capacity building in terms of lectures, workshops, National and International Conferences, and symposia and mentored several scientific teams of B. Tech, M. Tech, MS, and Ph.D. Scholars at various levels of NITs, IITs, and reputed Indian Universities. He is a member of Doctoral and Master Committees for various IITs, NITs, and reputed Indian universities. He has authored few patents and research papers in highly referred IEEE International Journals and Conferences. He is a Motivational Speaker and he does counseling for Students. He also extended his helping hands to needy 50+ Students for their Higher Education and a few among them are placed in various State and Central Government Sectors.
His current research interests include Jammer systems and Surveillance Systems, 6G Solutions, intelligent reflecting surfaces, UAV detection, deactivation, Spectrum Studies and RF SoC and Tiled Phased arrays systems, IoT – Smart Agriculture, Smart Farming and Smart Cities, Wearable Watches, Smart Homes, Smart Medical Applications using 5G Technology and MIMO, massive MIMO, and Switched Beam Antenna Arrays for 5G and Beyond Technology. Aperture Coupled antennas, Planar Antennas arrays, RF Cloaking, Shared Aperture Antennas, FSS Based Antennas and Radomes, Metamaterial Based Antennas, V/UHF Antenna, UAV Antennas, Low-Frequency Antennas, THz
Antennas, Wireless Gigabits-WiGig, High Impedance Surface for the Surveillance and Radar Tracking Applications. Hybrid Vehicles, E-Vehicles, Embedded Systems, Airborne Applications, Drones, Rovers, and Robotics Applications.
Prof Subhransu Ranjan Samantaray
Head of the School of School of Electrical Sciences and OPTCL Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar
Prof Subhransu Ranjan Samantaray, FNAE has received B. Tech from UCE Burla, PhD from NIT Rourkela and Post-Doctoral Studies from McGill University, Canada. Currently, he holds the position of Head of the School of School of Electrical Sciences and OPTCL Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, India.. He has visited McGill University, Canada and AALTO University, Finland as Visiting Professor. He has more than 25 years of experience including Industry and Academia.
His major research interests include Power System Protection, PMU and WAMs and Smartgrid. With 1 patent, 145 peer reviewed international journals and 83 conference proceedings, his research appeared in top power engineering journals such as IEEE Transactions, IET Proceedings and Elsevier etc. The research outcomes have been cited more than 8685 with h-index of 50 and i-10 index of 142.
Received several national and international recognitions of high repute including Top 2 % scientist by Stanford University (2020-2024), SERB STAR Award-2021, Director’s Commendation for Outstanding Research-2021, IEEE PES Chapter Outstanding Engineer Award-2020, NASI- SCOPUS Young Scientists Awards-2015, IEEE PES Technical Committee Prize Paper Award-2012, USA, Samanta Chandra Sekhar Award-2010 and Young Scientists, Odisha Bigyana Acadmey-2007, INAE innovative Doctoral thesis award-2008, Institutes of Engineers (IEI) Young Engineer Award-2009 etc.
Prof Samantaray is the past Associate Editor of IEEE Systems Journal, past Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Associate, IET, Generation, Transmission & Distribution and Guest Editor, IEEE Sensor Journal. He serves as a member of IEEE Task Force on Big Data Analytics for Synchro-Waveform Measurements and IEEE Power Systems Stability Sub-Committee.
He is a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE), Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET), UK and Senior Member, IEEE.
Prof Samantaray is the founder secretary and past Chair of of IEEE Bhubaneswar Subsection.
Dr. Simon Lambert
Deputy Director for Electrification, Newcastle University, UK
Title: Automated Performance Qualification of Automotive Batteries for Second- Life Applications and Energy Storage
Abstract:
Promoting the reuse of automotive batteries in second-life applications aligns with the principles of the waste hierarchy. However, implementing second-life use cases presents nuanced, multi-dimensional challenges. Traditional metrics like State of Health (SoH), which compares present capacity against manufactured capacity, fail to fully capture a battery’s performance potential in second-life applications. Instead, understanding target application requirements is crucial to predicting energy, power, thermal performance, and projected lifespan under new operating conditions.
The concept of Remaining Useful Life (RUL) provides a tailored metric for making informed gateway decisions regarding the destination of batteries at the end of their primary life. Assessing RUL involves advanced techniques such as active measurements, complex control algorithms, and AI-driven strategies. These methods must balance computational complexity and data requirements, adapting to specific
states of charge (SoC) and levels of granularity (pack, module, or cell). As battery fleet sizes grow, economic considerations necessitate automation in re- engineering processes, potentially incorporating robotic or co-bot systems. Additionally, decisions about recycling versus repurposing must account for strategic material recovery, which could benefit the next generation of batteries.
This presentation provides an overview of research addressing these multi-dimensional challenges, highlighting technical, economic, and material considerations shaping the future of second-life applications for automotive batteries and energy storage systems.
Dr. Simon Lambert is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director for Electrification at Newcastle University. He earned an MEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 2008 and a Ph.D. in 2012, both from Newcastle University. With nearly 20 years of experience, Dr. Lambert specializes in power electronics, machines, drives, battery integration, and degradation analysis.
He has contributed to numerous national and international collaborative research projects, including leading roles in the Faraday Institution’s ReLiB project on recycling lithium-ion batteries. Dr. Lambert’s expertise extends to battery testing, characterization, and quality control, underpinned by extensive industry collaboration with EV manufacturers.