Prof. Dr. Javad Foroughi | Smart materials | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Javad Foroughi , University of New South Wales, Australia

Dr. Javad Foroughi is a globally recognized expert in smart materials, serving as a Visiting Professor at the University of Essen and a Senior Research Fellow at UNSW . He is a DECRA Fellow of the Australian Research Council and renowned for pioneering torsional carbon nanotube artificial muscles , featured in Science (2011). With a PhD in Material Engineering from the University of Wollongong , Dr. Foroughi’s innovative work spans artificial muscles, wearable tech , and soft robotics . He has led multidisciplinary collaborations in biomedical innovation and secured over $7M in competitive research grants .

Professional Profile:

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Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award

Dr. Javad Foroughi is a world-class researcher at the forefront of smart materials, wearable technologies, and biomedical devices. With a research career spanning over two decades and institutions in Australia, Germany, the U.S., South Korea, and Iran, he has made outstanding contributions to polymer science, soft robotics, and artificial muscles. As a senior research fellow and leader at UNSW and IHMRI, his work has translated advanced material innovations into clinical and industrial applications. His achievements, including high-impact publications, multiple prestigious awards, and successful supervision of PhD candidates, make him a leading authority in his field and an ideal recipient for a Best Researcher Award.

Education & Experience

Education:

• PhD in Material Engineering, University of Wollongong (2006–2009)

• BSc & MSc in Polymer Materials Science, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran (1991–1997)

Employment/Experience:

• Visiting Professor, University of Essen, Germany (2020–Present)

• Senior Research Fellow, UNSW (2021–Present)

• Lead, Diagnostics & Therapeutics Program, IHMRI

• Senior Research Fellow, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, UOW (2016–2020)

• ARC DECRA Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (2013–2016)

• Visiting Fellow, Hanyang University (South Korea), University of Texas at Dallas (USA)

• Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate, UOW (2009–2011)

Professional Development

Dr. Foroughi’s professional journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation and interdisciplinary research . His collaborative leadership spans top institutions across Germany, Australia, South Korea, and the U.S. . He has supervised 15 PhD candidates and mentored researchers in cutting-edge projects involving artificial muscles, biomedical devices , and smart textiles . Through roles at UNSW, UOW, and IHMRI, he has played a central role in translating lab-scale innovations into real-world applications . His research leadership has contributed to health monitoring systems, drug delivery devices , and soft robotics, earning him a reputation as a pioneer in smart materials .

Research Focus 

Dr. Foroughi’s research focuses on smart materials with applications in soft robotics , artificial muscles , and wearable technology . He explores advanced functional materials like carbon nanotubes and hydrogels to engineer responsive systems for biomedical devices , drug delivery , and ventricular assist devices . His interdisciplinary work integrates polymer science , nanotechnology , and mechatronic engineering , fostering innovation in next-gen electronics and healthcare. His collaborative efforts across academia and industry have produced high-impact publications and breakthrough technologies that are redefining possibilities in health monitoring and smart textile applications .

Awards & Honors 

Major Awards & Recognitions:

• ARC DECRA Fellowship (2013–2016)

• Emerging Research Fellow, IHMRI

• Top Cited Paper, Advanced Materials Technologies (2020–2021)

• Editor’s Choice Article, MDPI Fibers (2019)

• Best of Advanced Materials Technologies (2020)

• IEEE Award for “Smart Fabrics and Networked Clothing” (2017)

• Asia Nanotech Camp Fellowship (2009, Taiwan)

• Winner, UOW Pitch Competition – Nerve Reconstruction (2014)

• Gold Award, R&D 100 – Artificial Muscles from Fishing Line (2015)

• Commercialisation Training Scheme Scholar, UOW

• Australian Research Scholarship for Advanced Materials (2008)

• Finalist, Trailblazer Award, UOW (2008)

• First Rank, BSc in Polymers Department, Isfahan University

Publication Top Notes:

• Title: Advanced Energy Harvesters and Energy Storage for Powering Wearable and Implantable Medical Devices
  Citations: 21

• Title: Highly stretchable nanocomposite piezofibers: a step forward into practical applications in biomedical devices
  Citations: 3

• Title: Contactless vital sign monitoring systems: a comprehensive survey of remote health sensing for heart rate and respiration in internet of things and sleep applications
  Citations: 1

• Title: Manufacturing Ulvan Biopolymer for Wound Dressings
  Citations: 3

• Title: Ab initio calculations of structural, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of delafossite SMoO₂ (S = Na, K, Rb, Cs) for spintronics
  Citations: 1