Solar Energy Harvesting, Conversion, and Storage

Prof. Mohammad Khalid is a Professor in Materials for Green Energy Technologies. His research focuses on the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials for energy harvesting, storage, and conversion applications. He has authored over 400 peer-reviewed scientific articles, edited six books, and holds five patents. He serves on the Editorial Boards of Scientific Reports and ECS Sensor Plus. He has been ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally since 2020. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Royal Society of Chemistry. Dr. Rashmi Gangasa Walvekar is a Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. She has extensive international academic and research experience, including roles at Taylor’s University and Xiamen University Malaysia Campus. Her research focuses on the synthesis and functionalization of two-dimensional nanomaterials, energy storage systems, advanced heat-transfer fluids, multifunctional nanocomposites, and sustainable waste recycling using deep eutectic solvents. She is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), UK, with over 14 years of teaching and research experience. She has authored and edited more than 140 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and edited volumes. Since 2021, she has been recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists and has received multiple awards for research excellence. Her expertise in MXene composite materials and interdisciplinary research enhances the scientific depth and global impact of her work. Dr. Hitesh Panchal is working as Assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Government Engineering College Patan, Gujarat, India. Dr Hitesh Panchal received his PhD (Solar Thermal Engineering) in 2015 from KSV University Gandhinagar. He has published 100 plus Research papers in reputed International Journal publications like Taylor and Francis, Springer, Elsevier, ASME etc and received 3200 plus Google scholar citations with H index 36 and I10 index 78. Dr. Panchal obtained many prestigious awards like Best PhD Thesis Award, Tech Guru Award, Preeminent Researcher Award, Young Scientist Award, Bright Researchers Award and many more. Dr Panchal has completed 2 Research projects from GUJCOST and SYST DST. Dr. Panchal has filed 26 Full patents and 06 Industrial design and among them 2 Full patents and 2 industrial design granted. Recently Dr. Panchal was selected in the Top 2 % Indian scientist in Energy Category published by Stanford University. Mahesh Vaka received a bachelor’s degree in nanotechnology from Sathyabama University, and a master’s degree from Deakin University, Australia, where he mainly focused on graphene and graphene hybrid derivatives for sensor applications. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in chemical engineering with Taylor’s University, Malaysia where his research is focused on the synthesis of 2-D nanomaterials and its application in solar energy harvesting and storage.

• 1 Introduction to solar energy harvesting and storage2 Nanosolar cell technologies3 Nanotechnology in concentrated solar power technology4 Nanofluids for solar photovoltaic/thermal systems5 Nanofluids-based optical filtering for photovoltaic/thermal system6 2D materials in phase change materials7 MXene for solar cells8 Nanostructured materials for next-generation solar energy harvesting, conversion, and storage9 Advances in solar energy applications using nanotechnology10 Design and modeling of solar energy systems11 The role of artificial intelligence in solar harvesting, storage, and conversion12 Techno-economic analysis of solar photovoltaic-thermal system viability13 Solar energy and the circular economy policies for sustainable management