Dr. Lorenz Granrath | Production Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lorenz Granrath | Production Technology | Best Researcher Award

Japan Representative , Fraunhofer ICNAP, Japan

Dr. Lorenz Granrath  is a German-born expert in EU-Japan science-industry collaboration, with over 25 years of dedicated work in advanced technology sectors including AI, digital transformation (DX), environmental technology, and renewable energy. Based in Tokyo, Japan, he has held prominent roles such as Professor, Senior Advisor, and Representative in numerous German-Japanese institutional partnerships. He has successfully initiated and led international research projects, founded labs, advised companies, and lectured at leading universities including Waseda University. He is married to Megumi Ishigami and has one daughter.

Publication Profile

Summary of Suitability for Best Research Award – Dr. Lorenz Granrath

Dr. Lorenz Granrath exemplifies an outstanding candidate for the Best Research Award due to his extensive and impactful career in international science-industry collaboration, particularly between the EU and Japan. With over 25 years of strategic involvement in AI, digital transformation (DX), renewable energy, and advanced industrial technologies, he has played a crucial role in bridging academia, government bodies, and industry stakeholders. His leadership in securing funding, initiating R&D centers, establishing major cross-national collaborations (such as between AIST and DFKI), and launching cutting-edge projects like e-VITA, underscores his long-standing commitment to advancing global research agendas.

🎓 Education Background

Dr. Granrath earned his Doctorate in Economics (Dr. oec.) from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland (1990–1994), where his thesis explored the protection and exchange of technologies between Japanese and Western firms. He also studied as a Visiting Researcher at The University of Tokyo (1992–1993). He holds a diploma in Industrial Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen) from the University of Karlsruhe (KIT), Germany, and completed his secondary education at Schloßschule Kirchberg/Jagst in 1981.

💼 Professional Experience

Dr. Granrath currently serves as the Representative at Fraunhofer-ICNAP since November 2024 and at the Institute for Experimental Psychophysiology (IXP) since June 2022, focusing on networked adaptive production and psychophysiological emotion detection. He is an advisor to multiple organizations, including ENV Science Trading and Kienbaum Japan, and has been a Visiting Lecturer at Waseda University since 2013. Notably, he served as Project Assistant Professor at Tohoku University (2021–2022) and held a key position as Supervisory Innovation Coordinator at AIST (2014–2021), where he led international AI and energy collaborations. Earlier roles include Fraunhofer Chief Representative Japan (2001–2013), Liaison Officer at GMD (1997–2001), and Project Manager at ABB STOTZ KONTAKT GmbH (1995–1997), underscoring his deep engagement in research and industrial application across continents.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Granrath’s contributions to EU-Japan collaboration have been recognized through his leadership roles in landmark projects and his success in securing multimillion-euro research contracts. He has been instrumental in initiating major projects such as e-VITA and CrossCDR, establishing international workshops, and founding research labs. His membership in prominent organizations like the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle, DJW, JSAI, and the JSPS Alumni reflects his standing in the academic and industrial community.

🔬 Research Focus

His interdisciplinary research spans artificial intelligence, digital twins, circular economy, smart aging, and human-centric computing. He has played a vital role in developing technologies for healthy aging, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. Dr. Granrath’s involvement in projects like e-VITA and initiatives in digital transformation highlight his commitment to bridging societal needs with cutting-edge scientific innovation, especially within the EU-Japan cooperative framework.

📚 Top Publications with Notes

  1. RE-HAK: A Novel Refurbish-to-Host Solution Using AI-Driven Blockchain to Advance Circular Economy and Revitalize Japan’s Akiyas
    🔹 Buildings (2025)

  2. Designing a circular cities declaration for Japan building on the European Union’s case study
    🔹 Journal of Environmental Management (2024)
    🔹 Cited by: 5 articles

  3. Digital Twins for Supporting Ageing Well: Approaches in Current Research and Innovation in Europe and Japan
    🔹 Sustainability (2024)
    🔹 Cited by: 6 articles

  4. The rising phenomenon of circular cities in Japan: Case studies of Kamikatsu, Osaki and Kitakyushu
    🔹 Science of The Total Environment (2023)
    🔹 Cited by: 12 articles

  5. Circular economy and zero-carbon strategies between Japan and South Korea: A comparative study
    🔹 Science of The Total Environment (2022)
    🔹 Cited by: 18 articles

  6. Social Capital Mediates the Association between the ICT Usage and Well-Being of Older People in Japan
    🔹 Sustainability (2022)
    🔹 Cited by: 15 articles

  7. EU-Japan Project e-VITA in Society 5.0: the “Digital Twin for Smart Aging”
    🔹 LinkedIn Newsletter Article (2022)

 

Mr. Federico Briatore | Industry 4.0 | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Federico Briatore | Industry 4.0 | Best Researcher Award

University of Genoa, Italy

Federico Briatore is a dynamic researcher and consultant from Italy, specializing in Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, and Healthcare. With a strong background in engineering and business administration, he has worked on optimizing industrial processes, implementing AI-driven solutions, and advancing digital transformation in various sectors. His expertise spans economic analysis, digital transformation, predictive modeling, and automation. Federico has also contributed significantly to academia with numerous research publications in top-tier journals and conferences.

Publication Profile

🎓 Education

Federico holds a Ph.D. in Engineering of Models, Machines, and Systems for Energy, Environment, and Transportation (expected in 2025). He has also earned a Master’s Degree (Level II) in Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, an MBA (Level II) with honors, and a Master’s Degree in Management Engineering. Additionally, he is a certified engineer in both the Industrial and Information sectors. His educational foundation is further strengthened by a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Management Engineering and a High School A-level diploma in Administration, Finance, and Marketing.

💼 Experience

Federico has extensive experience across multiple industries, including consultancy roles at Regione Liguria, Covim SPA, and OM3 Engineering SRL, where he optimized production processes and digital transformation strategies. His expertise in AI was further honed at Metakol S.r.l., where he trained AI models for insurance fraud detection and maritime forecasting. He has also served as a high school professor, teaching Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics. His work spans market analysis, financial statement analysis, process optimization, and AI-driven solutions for industrial and healthcare applications.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Federico has been recognized for his academic excellence, securing 110/110 in his Master’s degrees and an MBA with honors (110 con lode/110). His innovative projects in Industry 4.0 and Healthcare AI have been acknowledged through publications in prestigious journals and conferences. His engineering and technological solutions have contributed to advancements in sustainable supply chains, hospital management, and industrial automation.

🔬 Research Focus

Federico’s research interests revolve around Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, and Healthcare Systems. His work integrates IoT, Cyber-Physical Systems, and AI-driven predictive modeling to optimize industrial and medical processes. He has conducted bibliometric analyses on sustainable supply chains, developed AI models for maritime forecasting, and worked on Engineering 4.0 applications to combat hospital infections and enhance bed management systems.

🔎 Conclusion

Federico Briatore is a multidisciplinary expert in Industry 4.0, AI, and digital transformation, contributing both academically and professionally to technological advancements in healthcare and industrial sectors. His diverse research, consultancy, and teaching experiences make him a key figure in modern engineering and business innovations. 🚀

📖 Publications

Exploring Industry 4.0’s Role in Sustainable Supply Chains: Perspectives from a Bibliometric Review (2025) – Logistics

Advanced 4.0 Bed Management System, embedded with IoT, Digital Twins, and Cyber-Physical System (2024) – TechRxiv

Personal Protective Equipment Management and Maintenance: An Innovative Project Conducted in a Major Italian Manufacturing Company (2023) – WSEAS Transactions on Systems

A Literature Review on Applied AI to Public Administration: Insights from Recent Research and Real-Life Examples (2023) – Book Chapter

An Application of Engineering 4.0 to Hospitalized Patients (2023) – SysInt 2022 Conference

Fighting Hospital Infections with Engineering 4.0 (2023) – SysInt 2022 Conference

Artificial Intelligence for Supporting Forecasting in the Maritime Sector (2022) – Summer School Francesco Turco Proceedings

Engineering Solutions 4.0 in the Fight Against the Spread of COVID-19 (2022) – Summer School Francesco Turco Proceedings

Pushpendra Singh| Electrical Engineering | Excellence in Research

Dr. Pushpendra Singh| Electrical Engineering | Excellence in Research

Program Director and Professor -Energy Sciences, Atria University Bengaluru, India

Dr. Pushpendra Singh is a distinguished academician and researcher in Electrical Engineering, currently serving as Program Director and Professor of Energy Sciences at Atria University, Bengaluru. With over 19 years of experience, his expertise spans AI & ML applications, Smart Grid technologies, IoT applications in Electrical systems, Game theory, Power system restructuring, and integration of Distributed Energy Resources and Electric Vehicles.

Profile

Scopus

 

🎓 Education:

Dr. Pushpendra Singh holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from MNIT Jaipur, an M.Tech. in Power Systems also from MNIT Jaipur, and completed a Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from NIT Warangal.

💼 Experience:

His professional journey includes leadership roles such as Professor of Electrical Engineering at JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur, Principal at Sunrise Group of Institutions, Udaipur, and various academic positions at Jaipur Engineering College & Research Centre, Jaipur.

🔍 Research Interests:

His research interests focus on AI & ML applications in electrical systems, Smart Grid technologies, IoT applications, Game theory in energy systems, Power system restructuring, and integration of Electric Vehicles.

🏆 Awards:

Dr. Pushpendra Singh has been recognized with awards such as IEEE PES HAC 2023 Ambassador, Excellence in Innovation by ITSR and Institution of Engineers (India), and multiple honors for his contributions to education and engineering services.

 publications 

Revolutionizing EV Charging stations through IoT

Published Year: 2024

Journal: To be presented at The International Conference (IEEE) on Power Electronics & IoT Applications in Renewable Energy and its Control (PARC 2024)

Cited by: Accepted for presentation

Green Credit Incentivization for EV Charging: A Game-Theoretic Approach

Published Year: 2023

Journal: Presented at The 6th International Symposium on Hydrogen Energy and Energy Technologies (HEET 2023)Cited by: Best Paper Award, published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series

Electric Vehicle Adoption and Integration in Smart Cities: A Game-Theoretic Approach

Published Year: 2023Journal: Presented at The 6th International Symposium on Hydrogen Energy and Energy Technologies (HEET 2023)Cited by: Best Paper Award, published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series