Mohammadreza Chimehrad, a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering at UCF has been honored with the Outstanding Young Researcher Award at the 23rd International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems (Transducers 2025). The conference took place this past month in Orlando, Florida.
“This award means a lot to me. It’s a sign that the effort I’ve put into my research is being recognized,” Chimehrad says. “It encourages me to keep moving forward and reminds me that I’m on the right path.”
Each year, the award recognizes a select group of students and early-career researchers for exceptional contributions in both written and oral scientific communication. The 2025 competition began with 850 abstract submissions, of which only 533 were accepted for presentation. Of the 345 posters presented, just 10 were nominated for the Outstanding Young Researcher Paper Competition. Ultimately, three winners were selected and recognized at the awards ceremony on July 3.
Chimehrad was recognized for his research titled “A Batteryless UV Dose Sensor for Intelligent Food Packaging Enabled by Laser-Induced Graphene and Sustainable Materials.” His work introduces a self-powered, biodegradable sensor capable of tracking both real-time and cumulative ultraviolet light exposure. The device features a clear, visual color-change indicator that does not require an external power source, making it both user-friendly and cost-effective.
By leveraging laser-induced graphene and naturally derived materials, the sensor provides a scalable, eco-friendly solution for intelligent food packaging. Its ability to help prevent food spoilage through visual UV monitoring represents a significant advancement in sustainable technology.
Chimehrad’s research was co-authored by his doctoral advisor Hyoung Jin Cho and fellow doctoral student Pouya Borjian.
“Getting to this point took a lot of time, trial and error, and patience. I spent many months testing different ideas, solving problems in the lab, and learning from every mistake,” Chimehrad says. “It wasn’t always easy, but I stayed focused on my goal and kept pushing through the challenges.”
- Written by Sydney Ford