Author: Yashwant Mahajan

Baldev Raj is Professor and Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bengaluru, India. He obtained his Ph D from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bangalore, India, in 1989. He has pursued his work in interdisciplinary domains of energy, cultural heritage, medical technologies, nanoscience and technology and education. Prof. Raj has authored more than 1100 scientific publications and 70 books. He has been recognized by way of more than 100 awards, 380 honors, keynote, invited lectures and assignments in more than 30 countries. He is a fellow of all major science, engineering and social sciences academies in India. Marcel Van de Voorde has 40 years` experience in European Research Organisations including CERN-Geneva, European Commission, with 10 years at the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart, Germany. For many years, he was involved in research and research strategies, policy and management, especially in European research institutions. He holds a Professorship at the University of Technology in Delft, the Netherlands, as well as multiple visiting professorships in Europe and worldwide. He holds a doctor honoris causa and various honorary Professorships. He is senator of the European Academy for Sciences and Arts, in Salzburg and Fellow of the World Academy for Sciences. He is a Fellow of various scientific societies and has been decorated by the Belgian King. He has authored of multiple scientific and technical publications and co-edited multiple books in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Y. R. Mahajan obtained his Ph D from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in New York, USA, in 1978. He carried out his postdoctoral research at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA. Then he held various roles as senior scientist at the Defense Metallurgical Research Laboratory; associate director, ARC International; associate technology director, Defense Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, India. Under his leadership, a number of ceramic-based technologies were developed and transferred to industry. Since 2009, he is working as a technical advisor at the Centre for Knowledge Management of Nanoscience and Technology in Telangana, India. Dr. Mahajan has published more than 130 scientific publications and holds 13 patents.