The shortlist includes 15 scientists from eight countries: Australia, Chile, China, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, UK, and USA. Drawing up the shortlist marks the conclusion of the second stage of the Prize’s nomination cycle.
The first stage ran from January 1, 2025 to April 20, 2025, and ended with 90 nominations from 44 countries and territories. The applications were evaluated according to the defined criteria, including scientific novelty, applied significance, and implementation potential. Based on the evaluation results, five projects, which received the highest average score were selectedfrom each category and became the finalists for the award. “These projects address the current energy challenges and have the potential for widespread application. It is also important that the award remains a platform where science transcends borders and brings researchers together for a sustainable future,” said Rae Kwon Chung, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Chairman of the International Award Committee.
This year’s shortlist includes:
Traditional Energy
1. Pietro Barabaschi, Italy
Director of ITER
For contributions made to the creation of ITER, the JT60-SU tokamak, and the development of irradiation facilities for thermonuclear fusion.
2. Jinliang He, China
Professor at Tsinghua University
For the development of super- and ultra-high voltage power transmission technologies.
3. Valery Chuyanov, Russia
For the leadership in thermonuclear fusion technology.
4. Shu-Yuen Ron Hui, China
Professor, City University of Hong Kong
For contributions made to wireless power transmission technology.
5. Dmitry Zverev, Russia
Director of the Afrikantov Experimental Design Bureau
For the creation of low-power reactors for the icebreaker fleet and energy supply in the Arctic.
Non-traditional energy
1. Yu Huang, USA
Traugott and Dorothea Frederking Endowed Chair in Engineering and serves as a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California
For the discoveries in catalyst development
2. Issa Batarseh, USA
UCF Professor
For developing power electronics for renewable energy integration.
3. Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, Australia
Swinburne Professor
For the contributions made to energy transition and breakthrough research.
4. Wanlin Guo, China
Laboratory Head at NUAA
For research on hydropower conversion, ion transport in bio- and biomimetic nanosystems, and innovations in perovskite solar energy
5. Jose Heraclito Zagal, Chile
Honorary Professor, USACH
For the fundamental research on electrocatalytic materials for oxygen reduction in fuel cells.
New ways of energy application
1. Vladislav Khomich, Russia
Scientific Director of the Institute of Electrophysics and Electrical Engineering, Russian Academy of Sciences
For his contribution to the development of plasma technologies and pulse energy.
2. Mohammad NasiruddIn, Switzerland
Honorary Professor at EPFL
For the development of molecular solar cells
3. Yulong Ding, United Kingdom
Professor at the University of Birmingham
For developing the heat storage technologies based on liquid air and composite phase materials.
4. Laura GaglIardi, USA
Professor at the University of Chicago
For the fundamental computational discovery of a metal-organic structure for water harvesting with an outstanding moisture absorption.
5. Amit Goyal, USA
SUNY Distinguished Professor & SUNY Empire Innovation Professor
Director, Laboratory for Heteroepitaxial Growth of Functional Materials & Devices
Director, NYS Center on Plastics Recycling Research & Innovation at State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo
For pioneering research and contributions to applied high temperature superconductivity, including fundamental scientific advances and technical innovations enabling large-scale applications of novel materials worldwide.
