Professor Josep M. Guerrero (S’01-M’04-SM’08-FM’15) received the B.S. degree in telecommunications engineering, the M.S. degree in electronics engineering, and the Ph.D. degree in power electronics from the Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, in 1997, 2000 and 2003, respectively. Since 2011, he has been a Full Professor with the Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark, where he is responsible for the Microgrid Research Program (www.microgrids.et.aau.dk). From 2014 he is chair Professor in Shandong University; from 2015 he is a distinguished guest Professor in Hunan University; and from 2016 he is a visiting professor fellow at Aston University, UK, and a guest Professor at the Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. From 2019, he became a Villum Investigator by The Villum Fonden, which supports the Center for Research on Microgrids (CROM) at Aalborg University, being Prof. Guerrero the founder and Director of the same centre. His research interests is oriented to different microgrid aspects, including power electronics, distributed energy-storage systems, hierarchical and cooperative control, energy management systems, smart metering and the internet of things for AC/DC microgrid clusters and islanded minigrids. Specially focused on maritime microgrids for electrical ships, vessels, ferries and seaports. Prof. Guerrero is an Associate Editor for a number of IEEE TRANSACTIONS. He has published more than 500 journal papers in the fields of microgrids and renewable energy systems, which are cited more than 40,000 times. He received the best paper award of the IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion for the period 2014-2015, and the best paper prize of IEEE-PES in 2015. As well, he received the best paper award of the Journal of Power Electronics in 2016. During six consecutive years, from 2014 to 2019, he was awarded by Clarivate Analytics (former Thomson Reuters) as Highly Cited Researcher. In 2015 he was elevated as IEEE Fellow for his contributions on “distributed power systems and microgrids.”

On February 6th, 2023, two major earthquakes hit Turkey, with the epicenters in Pazarcık (M 7.7; focal depth: 8.6 km) and Elbistan (M7.6; focal depth: 7 km) districts of Kahramanmaraş city, at 04:17 and 13:24 local time, respectively. On February 20th, 2023, another earthquake with a magnitude of Mw 6.4 occurred, with the epicenter of Yayladağı, Hatay, at 20:04 local time. There was a total of 33,591 aftershocks in the region between February 6 and May 6, 2023. Aftershocks had magnitudes ranging from 0.2 to 6.6. 48 had magnitudes between 5.0 and 6.0, and 2 had magnitudes between 6.0 and 7.0. These earthquakes, all of which are unprecedented in recent history in terms of magnitude and coverage, caused major devastation in a total of 11 provinces of Turkey and north part of Syria. The impacted area of these provinces is approximately 100,000 km2. These earthquakes caused significant damage to buildings and severely affected engineering structures including dams, bridges, and tunnels, etc. Among the buildings that have collapsed or suffered major damage, there are also historical and cultural structures, schools, administrative buildings, hospitals, and hotels, in addition to residential buildings. Due to the earthquakes the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, a total of 50,783 people lost their lives, and 115,353 people were injured. According to the damage assessment dated May 2, 2023, the number of collapsed or urgently demolished buildings in the region is reported as 58,039, while the number of severely damaged buildings is 205,534. Considering the losses to the insurance sector, revenue losses of tradespersons, and macroeconomic impacts, it is estimated that the total burden of the earthquake disaster on the Turkish economy is over 2 trillion TL (103.6 billion USD).

On September 8th, at 23:11 local time, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 (depth: 19 km) struck central Morocco. The epicenter was located in the High Atlas Mountains, southwest of Marrakesh city. The affected municipalities include al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant. This earthquake is considered the most severe in Morocco in a century, with hundreds of aftershocks recorded, the strongest of which reached a magnitude of 5.9. Official figures report 3,000 fatalities and 6,125 injuries. The quake led to the complete or partial collapse of at least 50,000 houses.

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the mainshock ground motion characteristics of the Kahramanmaraş-Turkey (M7.7 and M7.6) and Marrakech-Morocco (M6.8) earthquakes. It also examines the observed patterns of structural and non-structural damage, delves into the causes behind this damage, and draws valuable lessons that can inform design and construction practices

World-leading multi-disciplinary research at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland is pioneering the collaborative development of responsible, ethical and sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to engineer the next-generation of smart industrial and healthcare systems. This talk will provide an introduction to these emerging technologies and outline a number of real-world use cases including future research directions and challenges.

In our rapidly urbanizing world, cities have become the epicenters of innovation, growth, and development. However, they also account for a significant portion of environmental degradation and social inequalities. To address these challenges and to expedite progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the concept of "Sustainable Smart Cities" has emerged as a powerful solution.

This keynote talk delves into the critical role that Sustainable Smart Cities play in advancing the UN SDGs. It explores the synergy between cutting-edge technology, environmental sustainability, and inclusive urban planning, emphasizing how these elements can coalesce to create cities that are not only smarter but also more equitable, resilient, and environmentally friendly.  It will also highlight the potential benefits, challenges, and key strategies for cities looking to embark on the journey towards sustainability and smartness.

Mohamed Essaaidi is EMSI School of Engineering Group, Director General (since January 2023), Chief of Party of Interactive Digital Center Morocco (since November 2020) and a Professor and past Dean of ENSIAS School of Computer Science of Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco (2011-2019), Past Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of General Affairs & Governance,
Morocco (2019), and past faculty member Science of Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetuan, Morocco (1993-2011).
He is IEEE Global Cities Alliance, MEA Chairman (2021-2022), IEEE Humanitarian Activities Board Projects Committee Chair and IEEE Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Activities Chair (since January 2023), IEEE EAB Teaching Excellence Editorial Hub, Member (2021-2022), and IEEE Public SafetyTechnology, Education Chair (2022). He is the founder and past Chairman of the IEEE Morocco Section (2005-2016), co-founder and chair of several IEEE OU in Morocco during the last two decades. He has authored and co-authored 10 books and more than 200 papers in international refereed journals and conferences in the field of Electrical and Computer engineering and its diverse applications. In addition, he is the founder and the General Chair / co-chair of several IEEE technically sponsored international conferences such as Information and Communication Technologies International Symposium (2005, 2007), NATO Advance Research Workshop on Information Security Assurance (2005), International Conference of Multimedia Computing and Systems series (2009-2016). He also co-organized and co-chaired IEEE Smart Cities Summit in May 2020, the US National Academies 5th Arab American Science, Engineering and Medicine Frontiers Symposium in November 2017, Rabat, Morocco and US NSF sponsored workshop on Smart Cities in January 2016 in Rabat, Morocco. He has also served in the Organizing committees and TPC and presented keynote talks at many other international conferences worldwide.
Moreover, in the framework of his position as the director of International Cooperation in the Ministry of General Affairs and Governance (Morocco), he was involved in the coordination of the World Bank Group Morocco Country Partnership Framework (2019-2024) and OECD Morocco Country Program (2019-2024) among other international cooperation programs.

Mohamed Siaj received his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Laval University, Quebec, Canada. Following postdoctoral training at Columbia University, New York, USA. Siaj is holding the rank of full professor since 2018 at université de Quebec à Montréal, Chemistry Department. He is the holder of the Canada Research Chair Tier-2 in 2D-Materials for Bio and Chemical Sensing (2016-2026). Since 2017, he is the director of the institutional nanomaterials and energy research center (NanoQAM). He is the director of the Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials (QCAM), since 2023. QCAM is an FRQNT (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et Technologies) funded strategic cluster. Siaj’s group activities focus on the growth, synthesis, processing and characterization of advanced nanostructured electroactive materials and their integration into the chemical and biosensors. Siaj’s research activities generated a total of +100 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious international journals. He has given over +78 talks worldwide, including 42 as invited talks and 16 as keynotes.

Mohamed HEGAB
Professor & Chair of Civil Engineering & Construction Management
California State University Northridge, USA

Construction disputes have historically caused massive delays and cost overruns, often stemming from adversarial relationships between stakeholders. However, the industry is transforming towards more collaborative, technology-enabled approaches to dispute prevention and resolution. This paper explores these emerging trends through an extensive analysis of current literature and industry outlooks. It examines innovations in digital documentation, data analytics, virtual collaboration, blockchain transactions, integrated project delivery, and relational contracting frameworks reshaping dispute cultures.

The analysis also underscores the need for construction professionals to continually expand their expertise in the latest dispute management best practices as projects become more complex. It concludes that an amalgamation of technological tools, collaborative mindsets, proactive planning, and continuous knowledge building is crucial in developing efficient construction dispute management mechanisms worldwide.  

Dr. Mohamed Hegab is a visionary in the realms of strategic development and business leadership. With a keen ability to identify and weave together opportunities within organizations, he excels in catalyzing growth and driving impactful business advancements. His leadership style is both captivating and grounded, seamlessly blending inspiring narratives with a robust foundation in financial acumen.

Boasting nearly three decades in the industry, Dr. Hegab has amassed a diverse portfolio managing project controls, claims on various project scales, and sectors from public to commercial construction endeavors. He is especially renowned for his profound expertise in project scheduling, claim analysis, negotiations, and dispute resolution. His talents further extend to productivity analysis, business process reengineering, and the establishment of two innovative companies specializing in project management and software development.

At the heart of his academic and professional contributions stands the construction management program he pioneered at California State University Northridge. At various junctures, Dr. Hegab has been the driving force behind most of the program's courses, specializing in areas like scheduling, estimating, project management, and contracts. His illustrious academic journey is marked by the authorship of over 40 pivotal technical papers and four seminal books in the sphere of construction management.

Since 2005, he has honorably served as a senior ABET evaluator for civil and construction programs, further solidifying his reputation in the academic world.

In addition to his roles in academia and industry, Dr. Hegab proudly served as the former president of the Association of Egyptian-American Scholars. He is currently steering the path of excellence as the department chair of the Civil Engineering and Construction Management at California State University Northridge.

Mr. Scott Jewett is a seasoned innovator and entrepreneur with a portfolio of 17 patents across a diverse range of industries including energy, oil & gas, and defense. He is the Founder and CEO of Wisp Energy, a groundbreaking R&D firm specializing in renewable energy. Under his leadership, the company synthesized innovation, business strategy, and intellectual property to solve complex engineering challenges. His prowess in implementing rapid growth strategies is well-documented, with key projects for global companies like BP Oil, Limited Brands, and Tyco. He founded Wisp Energy, a renewable energy IP company that was approved for a full proposal with the US National Science Foundation for a development grant and was selected as an honorary inductee in Florida Atlantic University’s Technology Incubator Program in 2023.

A trusted voice in the technical community, Scott has spoken at U.S. Congressional Military Subcommittees and served on government panels. His notable projects include developing force mitigation systems for the Pentagon after 9/11, inventing the world’s only direct-drive variable transmission for renewable energy, and designing advanced ballistic composites for the U.S. military.

Scott has also been a driving force in the commercial sector. He innovated patented solutions for BP and Shell Oil, contributed to disaster relief through deployable building systems, and even revolutionized consumer products with a patented wick for candles that emit zero toxins.

Scott's business acumen is equally impressive. He is responsible for the strategic expansion of PAXCON/LINE-X, a military and industrial composites firm. Starting from scratch, he led the company to achieve over 160 million US Dollars in sales across 23 international markets. The company garnered numerous accolades, such as a top-60 rank in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur 500 and the title of “Best New Franchise” for five consecutive years.

His contributions to technology and business have earned him multiple awards, including being a finalist in the 2011 Technology Challenge – DSEi Expo London, and recognition for Outstanding Vendors of Physical Security Products and Solutions in 2010. Mr. Jewett has been a keynote speaker on innovation with Inc. Magazine Business Forums, The International Franchise Association, The CIO Association, and Exxon Mobil's Global Biannual Executive Meeting.

Scott holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. from San Diego State University. With his rich blend of technical ingenuity and business expertise, Scott Jewett is a compelling keynote speaker who brings invaluable insights to any technical conference.

Mourad AMER,

Founder and CEO of IEREK for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Egypt

Founder of COEUS-Institute GmbH-Germany

It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today at the 5th International Conference on Advanced Technology for Humanity to discuss the imperative topic of swiftly publishing high-quality research papers. As the proud representative of the esteemed many indexed book series by Springer, iDirect, I am thrilled to introduce this innovative platform that is set to revolutionize the way authors, universities, and experts interact with the world of academic publishing.
In our fast-paced world, the need for rapid, yet high-quality dissemination of research findings has never been more critical. As researchers, we understand the value of timely publication and the impact it has on the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of humanity. Therefore, it is essential to embrace platforms and technologies that facilitate the swift publication of cutting-edge research without compromising on quality.
iDirect, the brainchild of Springer, is precisely such a platform. It has been designed with the aim of streamlining the publication process, empowering authors, and serving as a valuable resource for universities and experts across the globe. With its user-friendly interface and robust support system, iDirect provides a seamless experience for authors, ensuring that their work reaches the right audience in a timely manner...

Mourad Amer, Founder and CEO of IEREK for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Egypt. 
Founder of COEUS-Institute GmbH-Germany. I’m also series editors for many book series by Springer!

In this lecture, a proposed net-aero energy model home that achieves two major targets: sustainable energy and affordability.  These objectives can be pursued via several routes including: (i) The use of green building systems that are environmentally friendly, with emphasis on the use of green and recycled construction materials. The candidate building material will have efficient thermal and acoustic properties to provide comfort for occupants and to reduce energy, water, and gas consumption, and (ii) Taking advantage of energy, water and gas efficient equipment and systems with logical strategies to control operation.  The proposed home does not only utilize environmentally friendly and energy-efficient building materials, but also will utilize different technologies that create a net-zero home that is affordable and requires minimum construction time and labor skills.  The proposed building system is composed of energy efficient three-dimensional light-weight panel system that has high flexural strength, stiffness, and ductility in addition to its superior thermal, fire, and acoustic insulation properties.

 

Several innovative and affordable technologies including solar panels, heat pumps, co-friendly dual-flush toilets, and smart electrical and water fixtures are proposed in order to achieve the ultimate goal of net-zero sustainable and affordable homes. Details of the different proposed systems that are candidates for the model home will be described in this lecture.

Dr. Ayman S. Mosallam is a Professor of Structural and Earthquake Engineering, also a Professor, Materials & Manufacturing Engineering Technology and served as the Director of the UCI Structural Engineering Testing Hall at the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department at University of California, Irvine (UCI). He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He is a registered Structural Professional Engineer in the District of Colombia and has more than forty years of experience in affordable housing, materials, environmental, and structural engineering with a particular interest in innovative sustainable building systems and green construction including three- dimensional sandwich panels, bamboo structures, recycled plastics, solar systems, water recycling, efficient cooling system rehabilitation. He is an international leading authority in non-conventional sustainable building systems. Dr. Mosallam is the co-founder of the International Council for Advance Technology for Humanities (ICATH). He is a member of ASCE Construction Institute Materials Directorate (Executive Committee) and a Control Member on the ASCE Structural Composites and Plastics Committee (SCAP). Professor Mosallam serves on the Technical Advisory Board of the International Accreditation Service (IAS). He has published over 500 technical papers, chapters, and reports on structural performance of structural systems and authored, edited and co-edited seven books in this area. He is the author of the ASCE Design Manual for FRP Composites Connections (ASCE MOP 102) and the co- developer of the ASCE/PIC Prestandard Document on Structural Design of Pultruded FRP Composite Structures. He has served on the editorial board of Composites: Part B Journal for over twenty-two years and the Guest Editor for special issues on Infrastructure Applications for Composites for several journals including, Reinforced Plastics and Composites Journal, Materials and Design, Advances in Civil Engineering, Smart Structures, and others. He is the Founder of the Egyptian Green Building Council and the principal author of the first edition of the Green Pyramid Rating System (GPRS). Professor Mosallam is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including the Outstanding Research Award from the International Conference of Composites Engineering, Best Design Paper Award from Composite Institute, the Industry Impact Award from McGraw Hill, Best Paper Award from SPI, and the Outstanding Engineering Educator of Year Award from American Society of Civil Engineers, The Presidential Award of the Engineering Council, among other numerous national and international awards. He has served as a senior engineering consultant to several US governmental organizations and private corporations including: International Code Council, International Accreditation Service, Flour- Daniel, Dames & Moore, Boeing Company, Alpha Star Corp., US Army Corps of Engineers, US Tanks Division, Ohio Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Transportation, New York Department of Transportation, John Wayne Airport Authority, Southern California Association of Structural Engineering, Irvine Water Ranch, Linford Corp., Sika Corp., BASF, Advanced Composites Technology, Dover Elevators, and many others. He is a Distinguished Honorary Professor at Future University, and Misr University for Science & Technology in Egypt.

Dr. Ahmed Deifalla is a Professor of Concrete Structures and served as the vice dean of graduate studies and research at the Future University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt. He has over 180 international journal publications indexed under scoups with an H-index of 24 and total citation of over 1700 citation’s. Dr Deifalla was ranked three times in a row as one of the top 2% influential scientists by Stanford University. He is working on the behavior and strengthening of concrete elements under shear, torsion, punching shear, and combined loading, including lightweight concrete, high strength concrete, fibered concrete as well as FRP reinforced concrete. Dr Deifalla investigated various cross section shapes including Tee and Lee beams. In addition, his research areas include Machine learning modeling, advanced materials, numerical modeling and Experimental testing. In 2007, Dr Deifalla graduated from McMaster University with a PhD in civil engineering. He obtained his master of science from Cairo University in 2001.