Keynote Speakers

 

 

Prof. Woongchul Choi, Kookmin University, Korea

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Biography: Woongchul Choi is a Professor of Automotive Engineering at Kookmin University. He received his Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) from Seoul National University in 1987 and earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. degree both from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1989 and 1995 respectively. He started his professional career as a founding member of a small high tech venture company specializing in the development of stereoscopic image based flow field measurement system and successfully carried out many research projects with major automotive OEMs. His research interest includes vision based 3-D velocimetry, modeling of advanced vehicles for energy analysis, system integration of advanced vehicles for proof-of-concept, thermal management of energy storage systems, bidirectional interaction between vehicles and electric power grid, strategic placement and operation of charging infra-structure and eco-friendly smart city energy analysis. He has been heavily involved in the development of undergraduate and graduate curricula (BK21+, CK II) through government projects as a department chair. Also, he has carried out various government sponsored and private sector (Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Hyundai Motors, SK) sponsored projects including the development of battery swappable electric bus as a public transportation system, battery pack thermal management system, strategy development of charging infrastructure and more.

Recently, he is actively monitoring the charging behavior of electric vehicle owners in Jeju island, Korea to establish the strategy for smart placement of heavily loaded charging infrastructure called EV Charging Theme Park.

Lastly, but not the least, his recent research interest includes characterization of battery cells, diagnostics and performance evaluation of battery cells and modules, development of super-fast charging algorithm with little damage to battery cells, and more on the development of early detection algorithm for faulty cells inside battery modules and packs for safer EV battery pack management.

He writes articles to promote the better understanding of EV, charging infrastructures, battery technologies and future mobilities for energy independent smart cities.

 

 

Prof. Puthenkalam John Joseph, Sophia University, Japan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Biography:  John Joseph Puthenkalam, Ph.D., is a Professor of Economics, at the Faculty of Economics, & Professor, at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan. He serves as a Board Member of the Sophia School Corporation since 2016 to present. He was also Academic Dean of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies: 2015-2017. After obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics, Philosophy and Theology in India and Japan, he continued his studies and obtained Ph.D. in Economics, from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom in 1996. He was awarded First Class and First Rank in M.A. (1984). He also won The Straniak Foundation Philosophy Prize, Switzerland, 1993 and in 1998. He was granted a Senior Fellowship, at the University of Bonn, Germany, 2001. His published books include, "The Collision of Cultures? Dialogue Between Globalization and Cultural Identity", Academia Verlag, Germany, 200l. “Dialogue Among Civilizations: Zukunftiges Menchsein : Ethik zwischen Ost und West Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft Baden-Baden, Germany, 2003,(Edited Volume). “Economic Growth, Democracy and Human Development”, Claretian Publications, Bangalore, 2016. “Global Development Analysis: Developing Countries, Millennium Development Goals & Sustainable Development Goals”, Sophia University, Tokyo, 2020. Terra Thrive: Achieving SDG 15: Life on Land for Future Generations, Springer Nature Switzerland, 2025　(to be published)

(N.B. For More details about his Books, academic presentations, and Journal articles etc.,
Please refer my Home Page: https://pweb.cc.sophia.ac.jp/j-puthen/)
He serves as the Project Leader for the 17 SDGs Book series a collaborative research work between Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo, and Christ University, Bangalore, India.

Speech title "Renewable Energy: Dilemma of Developing Countries"

Abstract-There are 193 sovereign countries in the world, and they are classified, according to The World Economic Situation and Prospectus (WESP) into one of three broad categories: developed economies, transition economies and developing economies. Developing economies’ sustainable development needs sustainable energy. The bottom two stories of sustainable energy edifice are energy saving and energy efficiency. These two spaces are more important and need less economic resources to build.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
The entire edifice is used by many of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals – from expanding access to electricity, to improving clean cooking fuels, to reducing wasteful energy subsidies, to curbing deadly air pollution around the world and for many more human activities for development. On detailed observation we find that all the development goals in fact are directly or indirectly connected, set in a sustainable energy scenario. The earth thrives with the energy gifted by the Sun for millions of years. Humans evolved from their birthplace, the forest, to the evolved state today using this energy. Human beings began to use condensed energy from fossil fuels during the industrial phase of economic development. In this process the environment is polluted. Pollution levels reached staggering heights and brought about many small and big maladies. Climate change and health problems caused life miserable for millions of all age groups. Developing countries are the most affected in the race of development. Thinkers, activists and decision makers looked for way out. The new and renewable energy sources showed an alternative sustainable path for development. Using renewable energy technologies, developing countries gain the advantage of not climbing the fossil energy mountain to achieve progress like the developed countries of the fossil era. But the transition needs lots of investment to benefit from renewable anergy. This is the dilemma for all developing countries: how to move away from fossil energy to renewable energy. As a case study, in this presentation I would introduce India as it is on fast-track development of renewable energy technology with a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) in Kerala state is the world's first airport fully powered by solar energy. India is also encouraging all institutions to take up the renewable energy development path. Cities, villages and many educational institutions in India are now fully solar powered. Renewable Energy Centre Mithradham in India is the first fully renewable energy based educational institution in India dedicated to environment and renewable energy and is model for sustainable living. This model could be replicated all over the world for a sustainable world.

 

 

Prof. Ildoo-Chung, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Biography:  Professor Ildoo Chung joined the faculty of the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering at Pusan National University, Korea, in 2005. Prior to that, he completed his postdoctoral training with Professor Jimmy Mays in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, USA, and with Professor Dong Xie in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. He received his Ph.D. from Pusan National University in 2000. He has served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Adhesion and Interface and as a member of the board of directors of the Polymer Society of Korea, the Korea Society of Adhesion and Interface, the Korea Polyurethane Society, and the Asian Cyclodextrin Conference. He has over 130 peer-reviewed publications and over 200 presentations at national and international conferences. His research interests are focused on polymer synthesis, including atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, applied to advanced polymeric biomaterials such as drug delivery systems, hard/soft tissue compatible polymers, photocurable 3D printing polymers, biodegradable polymers, and composite systems.

 

 

Prof. Patrick Townsend Valencia, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Biography:  Patrick Townsend focuses his research on the development of new viscoelastic and auxetic composite materials to prevent damage in fiberglass and glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) vessels caused by the wave impact phenomenon known as slamming. His work aims to extend the service life of high-speed vessels by protecting laminates from microcracks and delaminations. He has conducted studies on the mechanical behavior of GFRP hull laminates using auxetic sheet designs to enhance energy dissipation under impact. His research combines laboratory experiments, 3D printing of second-generation auxetic components, and comparative mechanical testing to evaluate the effectiveness of modified specimens. He has collaborated with institutions such as the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) in Ecuador and the Materials Research Center at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, as well as with shipyards engaged in the construction of planing hull vessels. He has demonstrated that auxetic sheets with an “M”-shaped geometry are the most effective in absorbing energy under uniaxial compression, simulating quasi-static impact conditions. His work has also focused on the detection and mitigation of debonding—a critical failure mode that can lead to delamination at the bottom of vessel hulls. To study this, he has designed specimens modified with viscoelastic cores produced by 3D printing and compared them to unmodified samples through tensile and bending tests. The results revealed improved crack propagation resistance and enhanced stress-strain behavior in the modified composites. His current publications serve as a foundation for the redesign of GFRP naval structures, and his latest advancements will be presented at the ICMFM2026 conference.

 

Speech title "Effect of the tensile behavior of defects caused by gas bubbles on the repair process of GFRP laminates"

Abstract-This study experimentally analyzes the effect of entrapped gas bubbles in GFRP repairs on naval structures, focusing on a vessel operating in the Galápagos Islands. Specimens are fabricated following the ISO 527-4:2022 standard using hand lay-up techniques on flat molds, incorporating both defect-free and intentionally bubble-induced samples. Uniaxial tensile tests are performed to assess variations in mechanical behavior caused by voids across the repair width. The methodology includes a comparative analysis between unrepaired (original) and repaired zones, allowing the quantification of strength loss due to entrapped air. Given that the hull of a vessel is cyclically subjected to tensile and compressive stresses depending on sea conditions, this testing approach offers a realistic assessment of how repair defects can compromise structural integrity. The results aim to inform best practices in composite repair and highlight the importance of manufacturing quality in restoring mechanical performance.