Name: Amgad Abdelnaser Abdelrahman Khamis

Topic: Market uptake of supercritical CO2power systems to enable carbon-neutralityby 2050 (WP1)

Academic host: Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)

Industry host: ETN

Secondment: AzzeroCO2 (Italia)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. David Sánchez, Dr. Francesco Crespi

 

Short Bio: As a dedicated Ph.D. student at ISOP, a Marie Curie Program for doctoral researchers, I am passionately engaged in researching the market up take of supercritical CO2 power systems to facilitate carbon-neutrality by 2050. My academic journey started by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Sapienza University in Rome. Subsequently, a master degree at the polytechnic of Turin in the same field. My Master’s thesis, conducted during an internship at Ethos Energy, focused on creating digital twin simulations for heavy-duty gas turbines, utilizing innovative software solutions. Professionally, in the same company I served as a Gas Turbine Design Engineer, contributing significantly to the modeling and optimization of gas turbine components. As I progress in my Ph.D., I remain driven by a passion for sustainable energy solutions, a commitment to continuous learning, and an eagerness to contribute to the scientific community. Outside academia, I enjoy fostering cross-cultural relationships, showcasing my flexibility and engaging in creative problem-solving. With a solid foundation in engineering, a diverse skill set, and a keen eye for detail, I am poised to make impactful contributions to the scientific landscape

Name: Babras Khan

Topic: Integration of power systems based on indirect supercritical Carbon Dioxide power cycles (WP1)

Academic host: Czech Technical University in Prague (Czech Republic)

Industry host: Empresarios Agrupados International (España)

Secondment: INERCO (Spain)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Vaclav Dostal

 

Short Bio: I am an eclectic being, thriving at the intersection of science and creativity. Growing up in India’s bustling city, I developed a deep fascination with science, inspired by the mysteries of the universe and the boundless potential of the human mind. This curiosity fueled a lifelong dedication to exploring scientific phenomena.

My academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, where I honed diverse skills and developed a keen interest in thermodynamics and power system design. This led me to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in South Korea, where I delved into a project titled «Thermodynamics Analysis of a Novel CHP System Powered by Recuperative ORC.» I also actively participated in various conferences and seminars, further enriching my knowledge.

My academic pursuits have always coexisted with other passions. I am an avid reader, a passionate cook, and a traveler. Each of these pursuits acts as a source of solace and inspiration, fostering my creativity and resilience.

As a researcher, my ambition is to understand the world and make meaningful contributions to effecting positive change. I hold steadfastly to my values and firmly believe in the transformative power of ideas. As a proud member of ISOP, I am eager to leverage my expertise and skills to drive impactful research.

Name: Sukhrob Shakirov (Uzbekistan)

Topic: Large Scale Energy Storage based on sCO2 systems (WP1)

Academic host: Technischen Universität Wien (Austria)

Industry host: Empresarios Agrupados International (Spain)

Secondment: Energy and Turbine Network (Belgium)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Markus Haider, Prof. Andreas Werner

 

Short Bio: I’m a renewable energy engineer with experience in IT and a deep dive into renewable technologies, including utility-scale solar (PV and CSP), residential PV and solar thermal collector systems, CFD.

I have a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Polytechnic University of Torino. After, I worked as a testing automation engineer in the IT sector, crafting testing frameworks with JavaScript.

However, my true passion lay in renewable energy, guiding me to the InnoEnergy Master’s School for Renewable Energy through a scholarship. At KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and later at UPC Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona, I fully embraced renewable energy studies. My work culminated in a significant final project: a techno-economic assessment of leveraging Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants for direct air carbon capture. This project not only marked a pinnacle in my academic journey but also underlined my commitment to contributing meaningful, innovative solutions in the renewable energy landscape.

Currently, I’m a Project Assistant and PhD candidate at TU Wien, involved in the ISOP project. We’re developing innovative system integration concepts for large-scale energy storage systems utilizing sCO2 power cycles, expanding my contribution to green technologies

Name: Matej Jerabek (Czech Republic)

Topic: Opera7on of power systems based on indirect sCO2 power cycles (WP2)

Academic host: Czech Technical University in Prague (Czech Republic)

Industry host: Baker Hughes (Italy)

Secondment: Doosan Skoda Power (Czech Republic)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Vaclav Dostal

Short Bio: I’ve always been interested in how things work. I’ve never been a «just do it and don’t think about it» kind of person. When I was in high school my interest in physics waned a bit because I didn’t really have teachers to look up to. That all changed when I got to college. Thermomechanics, fluid mechanics and similar subjects quickly became my favorite. I knew right away that even if I didn’t do it for a living someday, I would always think of the world that way. I was very fortunate that practically right after I finished my master’s degree, I was offered a job in the department I had graduated from, the department of design of power systems and equipment at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. From day one, I was involved in a number of projects and research activities. Working at the university has given me a lot of valuable experience and I really appreciate it. My family says that my enthusiasm for physics is contagious and I try to pass this attitude on to others, whether they are my students, friends or colleagues. I love physics and always will, and I am very grateful that my hobby has
become my profession.

Name: Ihtishamul Haq

Topic: Operation of power systems based on directly-fired sCO2 power cycles with carbon capture (WP2)

Academic host: Technischen Universität Wien (Austria)

Industry host: Baker Hughes (Italy)

Secondment: SoftInWay (Switzerland)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Markus Heider, Dr. Andreas Werner

Short Bio: My name is Ihtishamul Haq. I am a highly motivated mechanical engineer graduated from the most prestigious institute of Pakistan, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology. I have a good background in Thermal Systems Modelling, Waste to Useful Conversion and Energy Systems.

In my previous studies, I worked on different projects related to Thermodynamics and Thermal Systems. One of the projects was about efficient and environmentally friendly conversion of solid fuel (Coal) into useful chemicals.

Currently, I’m a member of the ISOP community and working on a project entitled «Operation of directly-fired supercritical CO2 power generation systems» funded by the Horizon program of the European Commission.

Apart from my professional life, I like to engage myself in sports and social activities, in sports, particularly, I like to play cricket, football and table tennis that always keep me energetic and refreshed.

I’m here on LinkedIn to help answer questions or provide information to the best of my ability. Feel free to ask!

Name: Leonard Muke

Topic: Dynamic operation of sCO2 power generation systems under variable load and variable energy input (WP2)

Academic host: Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)

Industry host: SoftInWay (Switzerland)

Secondment: Doosan Skoda Power (Czech Republic)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. David Sánchez, Prof. Lourdes García

 

Short Bio: Hello! My name is Leonard Muke from Germany and I am a Doctoral Candidate within the ISOP program for DC07, researching the transient simulation of sCO2 power cycles at the University of Seville and SoftInWay. Before that, I studied mechanical engineering at the University of Duisburg-Essen and worked at a turbine manufacturer in Germany, where I constructed gas turbine components. During that time, I also spent four months in Seville for an Erasmus-semester, where I got to know the city and decided to come back for the PhD.

I grew up at a farm in the countryside in the north-western part of Germany, close to the Dutch border. Because of this, I am still connected to rural life and like to spend time in nature, on hiking trails and in the mountains. Besides that, I like to go running, play Ultimate Frisbee at a local Frisbee Team in Seville and go bouldering.

I look forward to the next three years of research on this important and interesting topic. Together with my fellow doctoral candidates, we will conduct important and profound research on sCO2 power cycles. This will not only be an important step for me, but also sets the starting point for a future career in sCO2 turbomachinery.

 Name: Reem Ahmed (Egypt)

 Topic: Control strategies and optimisation of   control of sCO2 power  generation systems for  direct and indirect heating configurations   (WP2)

 Academic host: City, University of London (UK)

 Academic Supervisors: Prof. Abdulnaser   Sayma, Jafar Al-Zaili.

 

 

Short Bio:

During the last three years before recruitment, my primary place of residence and main

activity was in Egypt. I completed my dual B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the British University in Egypt and London South Bank University (LSBU).
From October 2021 to October 2022, I worked as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Simulation, Innovation, and Advanced Manufacturing (SIAM) at the British University in Egypt (BUE). In this role, I actively engaged in various research activities, including literature reviews, experimental and computational analysis of diMerent physical systems, writing research papers, and developing research proposals.

Additionally, I worked as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at The British University in Egypt from October 2022 to October 2023. I started working towards my M.Sc. degree in the Renewable Energy Engineering Program in September 2022, which has received approval from both London South Bank University (LSBU) and the British University in Egypt (BUE). I am currently in the process of finalizing my M.Sc. thesis.

Name: Mohammed Alnajjar (Palestine)

 Topic:  Fundamental studies to enhance off-design performance of megawatt scale sCO2 compressors (WP3)

Academic host: City, University of London (UK)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Abdulnaser Sayma, Dr. Tala El-Samad

 

Short Bio: I am Mohammed Alnajjar, 24 years old, from Gaza, Palestine. I graduated from the mechanical engineering department at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey, with a focus on Computational fluid mechanics and turbomachinery. Currently, I am a doctoral candidate at City university of London, as a part of the ISOP project. I am working on optimizing the off-design performance of megawatt scale supercritical carbon dioxide compressors. Aside from engineering, I enjoy reading, theatre, and cooking.

Name: Muhammad Nouman Saleem

Topic: Megawatt scale axial sCO2 turbine flow path enhancements to improve off-design performance (WP3)

Academic host: Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

Industry host: Baker Hughes (Italy)

Secondment: Easy Energy (Italy)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Giacomo Persico, Dr. Andreas Werner

Short Bio: Welcome, Meet Muhammad Nouman Saleem, a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan (July 2020). Following graduation, I worked as a Graduate Trainee Engineer at 560 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant for 01 Year. In September 2021, I secured the French Government Excellence Scholarship for Climate Change, embarking on a Master’s in Energy Engineering at IMT Atlantique (Ecole des Mines de Nantes), Nantes, France.

In October 2023, I joined Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska Curie Action – ISOP Project as a Doctoral Researcher at Politecnico di Milano, Italy. My Doctoral Research focuses on “Optimizing the flow path of Megawatt Scale Axial sCO2 Turbines for enhanced off-design performance”.

Beyond work, I devote my free time to learning languages (Italian, French), exploring geopolitical documentaries, cooking, watching cricket, and playing indoor games (Table Tennis).

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn for collaboration or discussions.

Name: Ahmad Ali Awais (Pakistan)

 Topic: Numerical investigation of mixing process in headers of sCO2 heat exchangers (WP3)

Academic host: University of Stuttgart (Germany)

Industry host: Fives Cryo (France)

Secondment: Técnicas Reunidas (Spain)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Joerg Starflinger

 

Short Bio: Ahmad Ali Awais, a dedicated Mechanical Engineer and aspiring researcher, excels in overcoming complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) problems. Ahmad earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad, and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Energy Systems from Kyungpook National University, South Korea, graduating with top honors and receiving prestigious scholarship awards.

His research focuses on the thermal performance optimization of mini/microchannel heat exchangers and printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHE’s) for supercritical CO₂ Brayton power cycles. This research has resulted in numerous publications on heat exchangers, supercritical CO₂ cycles, and nanofluid applications.

Ahmad is also dedicated to promoting sustainable engineering practices and has actively volunteered in initiatives like the UMEED welfare organization, which aims to foster positive societal change.

Now, Ahmad has joined the Institute of Nuclear Technology and Energy Systems (IKE) at the University of Stuttgart, Germany as a Marie Curie doctoral candidate in energy systems for the ISOP project. He is investigating the mixing process in the distributor headers of supercritical CO₂ heat exchangers.

Outside of his professional work, Ahmad enjoys exploring new destinations, diving into a good book, watching sports, and engaging in multiplayer online battle arena games with friends.

Feel free to explore ISOP Project’s page on LinkedIn for further details.

 

Name: Mayra Akhtar (Pakistan)

Topic: Advancing the durability of polymeric parts and coated components in sCO2 power systems (WP4)

Academic host: Instituto Superior Tecnico (Portugal)

Industry host: CATEC (Spain)

Secondment: Baker Hughes (Italy)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Fatima Montemor, Dr. Maryna Taryba

 

Short Bio: Mayra Akhtar, a Mechanical Engineer and passionate changemaker, leverages her expertise to create impactful solutions for global challenges. Mayra graduated Mechanical Engineering studies, with distinction, merit scholarship, and campus and institute gold medals. She pursed her Master’s in Design and Manufacturing Engineering from National University of Science and Technology (SMME NUST), Pakistan. More than just an engineer, she is a dedicated advocate for sustainability. Through platforms like the Movers Programme and OMLAS, she raised awareness of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Now, as a Marie Curie PhD researcher at Técnico, she is fully immersed in developing cutting-edge anti-corrosion coatings for her ISOP project, funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program. This research not only aligns with her passion for sustainability but also demonstrates her commitment to making a real difference on a global scale. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is passionate about cooking, exploring new places and fostering connections with others. For more queries feel free to contact on LinkedIn!

Name: Jules Aeby

Topic: Advancing the durability of corrosion resistant alloys for sCO2 power systems (WP4)

Academic host: Instituto Superior Tecnico (Portugal)

Industry host: CATEC (Spain)

Secondment: Rosswag (Germany)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Fatima Montemor, Dr. Joao Salvador Fernandes

 

Short Bio: My name is Jules Aeby, I’m 23 and I’m from Remiremont in France. I’m a doctoral student and I am taking part in this great ISOP project. My thesis is on the high-temperature degradation of corrosion-resistant alloys for heat exchangers in the presence of supercritical CO2. I am currently at the Insituto Superior Técnico (IST) in Lisbon and will be doing the second part of my thesis at the CITD in Seville. I have a master’s degree in materials engineering from the EEIGM (European School of Materials Engineering) in Nancy, France. I was able to spend several semesters abroad (Barcelona, Sao Paulo), which taught me a lot about the world and about myself. Alongside my interest in metallurgy, I’m passionate about music, playing the piano and composing. I love mountain sports and sharing the most important moments of my life with those closest to me.

 

Name: Mohamed Khaled (Egypt)

Topic: Additive manufacturing technologies of heat exchangers (WP3)

Academic host: University of Stuttgart (Germany)

Industry host: CATEC (Spain)

Secondment: Rosswag (Germany)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Joerg Starflinger

 

 

Short Bio: I am Mohamed Khaled, a dedicated researcher from Alexandria, Egypt, currently pursuing my PhD at the MPA University of Stuttgart, focusing on additive manufacturing for heat exchangers. My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Pharos University in Alexandria (PUA) with cooperation from The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden, followed by a Master’s in Production Science and Management at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), where I developed a keen interest in innovative manufacturing processes. Beyond my technical pursuits, I am passionate about exploring the intersections of engineering and sustainability. In my free time, I enjoy diving into local culture, discovering new places, and engaging in outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. I believe that scientific inquiry thrives on curiosity and collaboration, and I am eager to connect with fellow researchers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in engineering.

 

Name: Matyas Junek

Topic: Utilisation of CO2 mixtures to enhance the performance of supercritical Carbon Dioxide systems (WP1)

Academic host: Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

Industry host: RPOW (Spain)

Secondment: CIEMAT (Spain)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. Giampaolo Manzolini, Prof. Giacomo Persico

 

Short Bio: I come from a small town in the Czech Republic. My passion for physics and technology led me to Czech Technical University in Prague where I obtained my bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. During my bachelor studies, I became interested in energy and nuclear energy in particular. Thus, the logical step for me was to sign up for the Nuclear Power Devices Master’s program. There I learned about supercritical CO2 cycles, and I started working in this field. Besides my topic, I like reading news and papers about science and technology in general, especially about astronomy, nuclear fusion devices, quantum mechanics, and particle physics. As for my hobbies, I enjoy canoeing and fighting sports. Both of those activities require a clean head and that is a nice change after work. I also enjoy playing board games from time to time. I hope I will be able to contribute to the scientific community and expand mankind’s knowledge at least a little bit and I will work hard to achieve this goal.

Name: Adonis Constantinidis Brevi

Topic: Innovative turbine designs for enhanced flexibility of megawatt scale axial sCO2 turbines (WP3)

Academic host: Universidad de Sevilla (Spain)

Industry host: Siemens Energy (Germany)

Secondment: SoftInWay (Switzerland)

Academic Supervisors: Prof. David Sánchez, Prof. Lourdes García

 

Short Bio: I’m Adonis Constantinidis Brevi, a twenty-four-year-old mechanical engineer from Argentina. I take pride in earning my bachelor’s degree from Instituto Balseiro (IB) in Argentina.

My journey at IB led me to delve into a thesis focused on developing a novel method for uranium enrichment for non-war purposes. This research was part of the LASIE project under the Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.

Outside the realm of engineering, I’m a naturally curious and proactive individual. Learning, for me, isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a thrilling adventure. I’m all about pushing my limits, absorbing knowledge, and enjoying the journey along the way.

Away from work, you’ll find me cheering for football, with a special enthusiasm for watching Messi in action (as any good Argentinian would).

Eager to contribute to our collective knowledge tapestry, I’m excited to be part of this journey!