Star Magazine by kareem muhammad

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Table of Contents The Message Board ----- 02 Overview of SCME----- 03 Faculty at SCME----- 04 Research Groups at SCME----- 06 Facilities at SCME----- 09 Funded Research Projects----- 14 Abstracts of Selected research Papers---- 25 Research Publications----- 43 • Journal Publications • Papers Presented at Conferences Seminars in SCME ----- 47 Information Articles----- 49 Research News----- 51 Conference/Workshop ----- 52

Message from Dean/Principal SCME Since its inception in 2005, the research activities of the School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME) have progressed at a steady pace. The celebrated faculty and research students of the School deserve commendation for their untiring efforts in laying the foundation of research culture and producing quality output. The School is proud to announce that the research output of SCME in terms of quality publications has surpassed all the schools of NUST in mere 8 years of its existence. I would like to congratulate the editorial board of STAR Magazine to have produced a wonderful compilation of research related activities of SCME. It not only delves upon the major thrust areas and the research projects of faculty and students, it also provides a wholesome overview of research facilities, demonstrates SCME capabilities and displays collaboration avenues. This pioneering production of STAR Magazine will go a long way in bringing out the true image of SCME and NUST in general. I shall end my message with a quote

“If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”

Albert Einstein

Research Collaborations----- 52 • University Collaborations • Industry Linkages List of Present Research Students----- 55 List of Graduated Students MS/PhD----- 58

Editorial Board Editor in Chief: Dr. Arshad Hussain Editors: Dr. Haris Ansari Dr. Erum Pervez Supporting Team: M. Waqas Cheema Ayesha Raza Muhammad Hammad Graphics and Layout: Kareem Muhammad Marketing & Communications Office, NUST Publishing

Message from Chief Editor This is the first issue of STAR Magazine and I sincerely hope that this magazine will provide significant stimulation to our faculty and students working on different research projects. I would like to encourage readers, with an interest in the future and ongoing research activities regarding research projects, technical papers and conferences, to submit their contribution & suggestion for the upcoming issues. The idea of introducing “STAR Magazine” has been enthusiastically embraced especially because this offers an excellent opportunity to showcase the research activities which might not otherwise come to the attention of scientific community at NUST and other organizations in the country. I would like to express my appreciation to all authors in this issue of STAR Magazine. It is their generous contributions of time and effort that made this issue possible. At the same time I would like to encourage all our readers to consider sharing their special insights with the STAR editorial team by submitting an article.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

School of Chemical and Materials Engineering School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME) commenced its programmes in 2006, and currently offering undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in the twin disciplines of Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering. In line with the futuristic vision of NUST imparting quality education, maiden undergraduate programmes in the fields of Chemical and Materials Engineering were launched in the year 2008. Presently, the school has 488 students of which more than 170are pursuing degrees at the MS and PhD levels. An important element of the undergraduate programme is the industrial design project, aimed at strengthening their understanding of engineering fundamentals and to develop their advanced engineering skills. The project also develops new outreach activities to inspire promising scholars to study at the University. At a higher level, these industrial design projects may contribute in making vital equipment inventions. The School enjoys reciprocal ties with universities in Europe, China and the ASEAN countries, and continues to forge stronger links with the academia and research communities across the world. In this regard, an MoU has been signed with INPT Toulouse, France, a lead-

ing university in the field of Simulation and Modelling of Fluid Dynamics. Our Materials Engineering Department is also collaborating in terms of students and teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; exchange with Institute of Materials (IMN) Nantes University, France. Several significant industrial projects are at hand, involving private and strategic partners. This is envisioned to provide a framework for present and future collaboration between academia and the industry and to make an important contribution towards revitalizing the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capability. It is due to this conviction that university-industry linkage is being forged at SCME in line with prevalent higher education policy. SCME has a strong tradition of holding seminars and talks on contemporary topics of interest; both in the specific fields of study pursued at the School and areas of wider significance. Internationally recognized faculty involved in cutting-edge contemporary research together with well-equipped, state-of-the-art labs and learning resources provide an ideal setting for professional growth. We encourage, support and celebrate exceptional approaches to teaching that excite and inspire engineering students in a supportive and challenging environment.

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Faculty at SCME Dr Mohammad Mujahid

Principal/ Dean PhD, University of Oxford. Specialization: Nano and Biomaterials, Phase Transformations, Materials Characterization

MATERIALS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Name

Designation

Degree

Specialization

Dr Muhammad Shahid

HoD

PhD. Materials Engineering. University of Manchester, UK.

Corrosion Science & Engineering, Manufacturing processes

Dr Nasir Mehmood Ahmad

Professor

PhD, School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

Macromolecular design, Stimuli-responsive polymeric materials and thin films.

Dr Zakir Hussain

Associate Professor

PhD, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany.

Nanotechnology

Dr Iftikhar H. Gul

Associate Professor

PhD, Quaid e Azam University Islamabad

Nano Technology

Dr Shahzad Hussain

RVF

PhD, Leads University, UK.

Numerical Modeling of Semi Conductor Devices.

Dr Amir Habib

Assistant Professor

PhD, Analytical and Technical Chemistry: University of Technology Vienna, Austria.

Synthesis of Nanopaticles, Ceramic-Polymer Nanocomposites, Organic Electronics

Dr Ahmad Nawaz Khan

Assistant Professor

PhD, National Taiwan University of Sciences and Technology (NTUST) Taipei, Taiwan

Polymer Nanocomposites, Polymer Processing, Polymer Physics

Dr Haris Masood Ansari

Assistant Professor

Ph.D. The Ohio State Univer- Materials Science & Engineering sity, Columbus, OH, USA

Dr Erum Pervaiz

Assistant Professor

PhD, NUST, Islamabad

Dr Khurram Yaqoob

Assistant Professor

PhD. Materials Science, Uni- Phase Transformation versitĂŠ Paris Est, France.

Dr Muhammad Israr Qadir

Assistant Professor

PhD. LinkĂśping University, Sweden.

Materials Science and Nanotechnology

Mr Muhammad Irfan

Lecturer

MS, Hanyang University, South Korea.

Bio Nano Engineering

Mr Muhammad Talha Lecturer Masood

MS. KTJ Royal Institute of Technology

Steel Processing SOFCs

Mr Muddassar Shahzad

MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of the Ulsan (UOU), Republic of Korea (South)

Ferroelectric Polymers and Actuators

Lecturer

Materials Engineering/ Nano Materials

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CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Name

Designation

Degree

Specialization

Dr Arshad Husssain

HoD

PhD, Chemical Engg., OVG University Magdeburg, Germany.

Separation Processes, Mathematical modeling and Simulations.

Dr Habib Nasir

Professor

PhD, University of Karachi

Molecular Nanotechnology and Organic Synthesis Design

Dr A.Q Malik

RVF

PhD. University of Essex, UK.

Energetic Materials viz Propellants, High Explosives & Pyrotechnics

Dr Arshad Chughtai

RVF

PhD. Birmingham University, U.K

Heterogeneous Catalysis, Fischer-Tropsch reactions. Pyrolysis and Gasification

Lt Col (R) Nadeem Ehsan

Assistant Professor

MSc. Explosive Ordnance Engineering, Cranfiud University, UK

Energetic Materials Engineering

Dr Noaman ul Haq

Assistant Professor

Ph.D Chemical Engg., Kyungpook National University, Taegu, Republic of Korea.

Nano and Bio Materials, Polymer Composites Membrane

Dr Iram Mahmood

Assistant Professor

PhD, Chemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.

Nano and Biomaterials, Composites, Catalysis, Photodegradation, Multiphase Reactions,

Dr Muhammad Bilal Khan Niazi

Assistant Professor

PhD, Chemical Engineering: University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

Biopolymers, Product technology, Drying technology.

Ms MonazzaSarwar

Assistant Professor

M.Phill Organic chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad.

Organic Synthesis

Dr Iftikhar Ahmad

Assistant Professor

PhD, Kyoto University, Japan.

Process Systems Engineering, modeling uncertainty of real systems.

Ms Tayyaba Noor

Lecturer

PhD, Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

Nanocatalysis

Mr Nouman Aslam Khan

Lecturer

MS (Mathematics), COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Numerical Maths

Mr Syed Rafay Hussain Jafri

Lecturer

MS (Petroleum Engineering) from University of Technology Malaysia (UTM)

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), Drilling and Reservoir simulation.

Mr Imran Ullah Khan

Lecturer

Karlstad University, Sweden

Pulp, Paper, Surface Treatment and Graphic Technology

Ms Raheela Nawaz

Lecturer

MS, UET Peshawar

Heat Transfer

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Research Groups at SCME The School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME) at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) has a combined strength of 21 PhD and 10 MS faculty members who are qualified from various internationally recognized universities. To make best use of the core competencies of the faculty and the research facilities available at SCME, each faculty member has been assigned to at least one of five research groups, namely, biomaterials, energy and environment, membrane technology, nanotechnology and polymers and composites. Following is the list of faculty with respect to their research areas and some key highlights from ongoing research projects:

Nanotechnology Part of our Nano-Mission goal is to educate and train students in Nanotechnology, teach students skills necessary to become the future leaders in this rapidly emerging industrial revolution, support research and development projects, strengthening of characterization and infrastructural facilities, joint projects between educational institutions and industry for application development.

Research facilities • • • •

GC-MS,HPLC Bomb Calorimeter SEM, XRD,GPC GEMINI VII BET analyzer.

Projects

• Synthesis and characterization of nano ma-

terials/nano ferrites/metal oxides for various applications (pesticides, DSSC, OPVs, coatings, bio imaging, etc.) Chemical and physical ex-foliation of 2D materials (graphene, MoS2 etc.) Chemical functionalization of nanomaterials (e.g. graphene) for biomedical applications

• •

Achievements

• Synthesis, structural and electrical characterization of Sb3+ substituted spinel nickel ferrite (NiSbxFe2−xO4) nanoparticles by reverse micelle technique Synthesis of a novel cryptophane having two hydroxyl groups Nanoparticles by sol-gel process and their catalytic studies.

• •

Members Dr Habib Nasir Dr M. Mujahid Dr Arshad Hussain Dr Zakir Hussain Dr M. Shahid Khan

Dr Amir Habib Dr Noaman Ul Haq Dr Iftikhar Hussain Gul Dr Haris Ansari Dr Irum Mahmood

Contact: Dr. Habib Nasir Email: habibnasir@scme.nust.edu.pk Tel: +92-51-90855111

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Polymer and Composites Polymers are an important category of materials replacing conventional materials in almost all fields of engineering applications. Being lightweight and with ease of processing, demand of polymers is increasing day by day. Also, new formulations and combinations are being explored to make further improvement in properties.

Research facilities • • • •

High speed mixer , Polymer extruder, Melt flow index, Injection moulding Optical profilometer 20 kN universal testing machine for polymers and polymeric composites

Projects

• Modeling and simulation of nano-composites • Development of nano-composites for various applications (e.g. homeland security)

Achievements

• Effect of carbon black on curing behavior, mechani•

cal properties and viscoeleastic behavior of natural sponge rubber based nano composites Sponge Structure in Natural Rubber Effect of Carbon Black on Curing Behaviour, Mechanical Characteristics and visco-elastic nature of Natural Rubber Based Nano-Composites

Members

Dr M. Shahid Dr Nasir Mahmood Dr Habib Nasir

Dr Ahmad Nawaz Khan Dr Noaman Ul Haq

Contact: Dr. Muhammad Shahid Email: mshahid@scme.nust.edu.pk Tel: +92-51-90855201

Energy and Environment Energy and Environment group aims to carry out research in multi-disciplinary and problem-oriented areas like development of materials, products and processes which can contribute in the abatement of GHG emission.

Research facilities

• GC, MS (Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry). • HPLC, GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatogry)

Projects

• Fabrication and characterization of solar cells (DSSC, OPVs) • CO2 capture/CO2 utilization for the production of useful chemicals.

• Hydrogen production from methanol. • Development of sensors for pollutants detection.

Achievements

• CO2utilization for the production of useful chemicals. • Experimental and simulation analysis of hydrogen production from methanol.

• Process analysis of CO2 capture by amine absorption.

Members Dr Arshad Hussain Dr M. Shahid Dr Abdul Qadeer Malik

Contact: Dr Zakir Hussain Dr Amir Habib Dr Khurram Yaqoob

Dr Arshad Hussain Email: arshad.hussain@scme.nust.edu.pk Tel: +92-51-90855105 7

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Bio Materials The study of biomaterials has experienced phenomenal growth in the last 50 years. Many multinational companies are investing large amounts of money into the development of new products, therefore research in this area is of great importance. Biomaterials find applications in everyday life ranging from dental applications, surgery, to drug delivery.

Research facilities • Nanomaterials synthesis lab • AFM, FTIR • SEM, XRF and XRD

Projects

• Synthesis of Nano-Hydroxyapatite • Hydroxyapatite coatings on metallic implant materials with buffer ceramic layers

• Development of nano-composite membranes for orthodontic applications

Contact:

Achievements

Dr. Mohammad Mujahid Email: principal@scme.nust.edu.pk Tel: +92-51-90855001

• Synthesis of nano HA powders at low temperatures. • Scaffolds and porous granules. • HA thin coatings with ceramic buffer layer.

Members

Dr Mohammad Mujahid Dr Amir Habib Dr Irum Mehmood

Membrane Technology Membrane processes have the potential to contribute in Process Intensification as these process are energy efficient, environmental friendly and easy to scale up. Membrane processes improve the energy efficiencyand raise the level of sustainability compared to traditional processes.

Research facilities • GC/MS, FTIR, TG/DTA, HPLC • Gas Permeation Rig.

Projects

• Polymer membranes for CO2 capture from natural gas

• Membranes for biomedical applications • Membranes for the separation of amino acids

Collaborations

Members Dr Arshad Hussain

• MEMFO at Norwegian Technical and Natural Scienc- Dr Mohammad Mujahid es University (NTNU), Trondheim Norway.

Achievements

• CA-Titania blended membrane for CO2 capture from natural gas.

Dr Noaman Ul Haq

Contact:

Dr Arshad Hussain Email: arshad.hussain@scme.nust.edu.pk Tel: +92-51-90855105

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Facilities at SCME High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) A Perkin Elmer Model Series 200 is located inside the facility. Deuterium and tungsten lamps are used as light sources. This model is connected to UV/Visible and fluorescence detectors. Wavelength range is 190-700 nm. High performance liquid chromatography is basically a highly improved form of column chromatography. Instead of a solvent being allowed to drip through column under gravity, it is forced through under high pressures of up to 6200psi. That makes it much faster.

Gas-Cromatograph-MassSpectrometer (Gc-Ms) GC/MS Model Clarus 500 (Perkin Elmer) is located inside the facility to analyze VOCs, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and energetic materials. The gas chromatograph can be employed with a capillary column. The carrier gas usually utilized is He and its flux is controlled digitally. Once separated the analytes are detected by means of a quadrupole mass-spectrometer, equipped with an EI ion source.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) A Perkin Elmer Model Spectrum 100 is used for analysis. This instrument covers the wavenumber ranges 7800 cm-1 - 350 cm-1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is a technique which is used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption, emission, and Raman scattering of a solid, liquid or gas. FTIR spectroscopy will be performed on a Perkin Elmer spectrometer with MCT or DTGS detector and KBr beam splitter for the mid-IR. Spectra can be collected with various resolutions by using scans. The sample chamber is purged by N2 during the measurements. The band positions, shape, and peak intensity decide the characteristics of functional groups.

Thermogravemetric & Differential Thermal Analyzer (TG/DTA) A Perkin Elmer Model Pyris Diamond TGA/DTA is used in our lab. This instrument works at the heating rate of 0.01oC/min to 200oC/ min. The temperature ranges from RT to 1500oC. TG/DTA refers to simultaneous application of TG & DTA to one sample in a single instrument. TG is based on the measurement of mass loss of material as a function of temperature. In thermogravimetry a continuous graph of mass change against temperature is obtained, when a substance is heated at a uniform rate or kept at constant temperature. A plot of mass change versus temperature (T) is referred to as the thermogravimetric curve (TG curve). TG curve helps in revealing the extent 9

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine of purity of analytical samples and in determining the mode of their transformations within specified range of temperature. In DTA the difference in temperature between a substance and a reference material is measured as a function of temperature. The DTA curve provides information regarding different events that have taken place as a result of heating. These events may include glass transitions, phase transitions, crystallization, melting, sublimation etc

Rheometer The REOLOGICA Rheometer is used to measure the rheology of the fluids. Rheology is concerned with the study of the behavior of real materials when subjected to an external force. These materials can be anything between a liquid like oil or water, and an elastic body, like rubber. Rheometer is used for the fluids that cannot be defined by a single value of viscosity and therefore require more parameters to be set. The REOLOGICA Rheometer is designed to be used in combination with a computer working with the instrument software.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Gel permeation chromatography model VE-2001 is located inside the facility. GPC is a type of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) that separates analytesons on the basis of size. The technique is often used for the analysis of polymers. It is often necessary to analyze polymers both to analyze them as well as to purify the desired product. When characterizing polymers, it is important to consider the polydispersity index (PDI) as well as the molecular weight. Polymers can be characterized by a variety of definitions for molecular weight including the number average molecular weight (Mn), the weight average molecular weight (Mw), the size average molecular weight (Mv)or the viscosity molecular weight (Mv). GPC allows for the determination of PDI as well as Mv and based on other data, the Mn, Mw and Mz can be determined.

Bomb Calorimeter The Koehler K88800 Automatic Calorimeter, is located in SCME, offers a compact, integrated modular design for convenient operation. Heat of combustion is determined in this test method by burning a weighted sample in an oxygen bomb calorimeter under controlled conditions. The heat of combustion is computed from temperature observations before, during and after combustion with proper allowances for thermochemical and heat transfer corrections. Either isothermal or adiabatic calorimeter jackets can be used.

Velocity of Detonation (VOD) Meter Explomet-Fo-2000 Model is used to measure detonation velocity up to 10,000 m/s at operating temperature of 0-50 oC. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) method is used to measure the detonation velocity of an explosive product. The unit uses standard coaxial fiber optic cable that can be easily acquired. A properly conducted Velocity of Detonation test can also provide information such as: consistency of detonation, product contamination or dilution, priming efficiency, stemming/decking efficiency, detonator timing accuracy, and sympathetic detonation.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Elemental Analyzer (EA) Elemental Analyzer model EuroVector Euro EA 3000 is used for the determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen content in organic and other types of materials. It is used for the qualitative as well as quantitative elemental analysis of the samples. EA3000 is cost effective for the lowest catalysts and gas consumption. It operates with unprecedented reliability and down time.

Electrochemical Workstation The VSP is a research grade potentiostat system in a 5-channel modular chassis. This allows the VSP to add additional capability in the way of plug-in â&#x20AC;&#x153;modulesâ&#x20AC;? to perform a number of analytical and deposition experiments. VSP obtained for HEC project No. 1603 is mainly being used for electrochemical deposition of thin films for CIGS and CZTS based thin film solar cells. Other applications being explored include cyclic voltametery, I-V characterization, electrophoretic deposition and polarization resistance determination.

Particle Size Analyzer (PSA) HORIBA; LA-920 is being used in surface engineering laboratory for the analysis of range of particle sizes present in given sample. PSA works on the laser beam scattering principle and it is capable of measuring size ranging from 0.02 microns to 2000 microns. Samples are analyzed in form of dilute slurry. For powders, these are dispersed in their respective dispersants to achieve very fine suspension/ dispersion to perform the analysis.

Optical Profilometer (OP) NANOVEA; PS50 is used with 300micron pen to measure the surface parameters of materials. Surface parameters are being measured as per ISO4287 standard. This equipment works on principle of optical chromatism. Thickness measurements can also be performed if substrates are partially coated so that when the scan shifts from substrate to the coating, step size measurements can give the thickness values.

Surface Area & Porosity Analyzer Micromeritics; Gemini VII 2390t uses adsorption theory for measurement of surface area and pore volume of the powdered samples. 99.999% Nitrogen and Helium gases are being used. Specific surface area from 0.01m2/g and pore volume from 4 x 10-6 cm3/g can be measured. This equipment is capable of performing single & multipoint surface area, Langmuir surface area, Total pore volume, Horvath-Kawazoe data reduction, BJH pore size distribution using adsorption as well as desorption isotherms, Dubinin reports, MP-Method reports and DFT reports.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Analytical Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Model No JSM-6490A JEOL JAPAN.A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a type of electron microscope that produces images of a sample by scanning it with a focused beam of electrons. The electrons interact with electrons in the sample, producing various signals that can be detected and that contain information about the sample’s surface topography and composition. The electron beam is generally scanned in a raster scanpattern, and the beam’s position is combined with the detected signal to produce an image. SEM can achieve resolution better than 3.0 nanometer.

X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF) An X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer is used for routine, relatively non-destructive chemical analyses of rocks, minerals, sediments and fluids. It works on wavelength-dispersive spectroscopic principles that are similar to an electron micro-probe (EMPA). However, an XRF cannot generally make analyses at the small spot sizes typical of EPMA work (2-5 microns), so it is typically used for bulk analyses of larger fractions of geological materials. The relative ease and low cast of sample preparation, and the stability and ease of use of x-ray fluorescence spectrometers make this one of the most widely used analysis of ma-jor and trace elements in rocks, minerals and sedi-ments.

X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) The STOE Theta/theta diffractometer is an instrument of outstanding versatility. It combines the advantages of the Theta/theta arrangement of X-ray tube and counter with a flexible choice of beam geometry, sample holders and other attachments. X-ray tube and counter circles are driven independently, while the sample is always kept in a horizontal position. The STOE Theta/theta diffractometer provides excellent Bragg-Brentano diffraction data of high resolution. High- and low-temperature chambers and a humidity chamber are adaptable, preferably to be used with the STOE Linear Position Sensitive Detector. Measurements at low angles and thin film attachment for parallel-beam geometry allow the study of thin films and multilayers.

Corrosion Testing Equipments Corrosion Laboratory is equipped with research grade electrochemical equipments like Gamry Framework ® G 750 Potentiostat with DC 105 and EIS 300 (USA), Cathodic Protection Apparatus (Norwood UK), Anodizing Setups with computerized interface, Analytical Weight Balance 0.0001g (Shimadzu Japan), Reference electrodes, Ph Meters. Experiments can be done with a wide range of materials and corrosive environments.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Mechanical Testing Equipments Mechanical testing lab was established in 2006, it is equiped with different research equipments like, Brinell hardness tester TH 600 Time Group Inc. , Rockwell hardness tester SHR-150E Lianer Sinowon , Vicker Hardness tester HBRVU-187.5 Time Group Inc, Micro Hardness tester (load range 10-1000g) 401/402MVD Wolpert, universal testing machine (20kN)with cross head speed 0.0005-1000.00mm/min AG-Xplus Shimadzu, universal testing machine (300kN) Super 602L Tinius Olsen, Impact testing machine Brooks , used to determine the mechanical properties of engineering materilas.

Metallographic Analysis Equipments Metallography lab includes all of the equipment necessary for the preparation of samples prior to analysis by our high powered metallographic and stereo microscopes. Cold and hot mounting options are available for small to medium sized samples. Our primary metallographic instrumentation includes Grinding and polishing set-ups, Automatic Inlaying Machine (Hot mounting), Polarized Microscopes, Transmission Microscopes, Upright Metallurgical Microscopes, Inverted Metallurgical Microscopes, Biological Microscopes, and Stereo Zoom Microscope.

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Funded Research Projects

Completed No. PSF/038 Indigenous Development of Formulation of Radiation Resistant Polypropylene for Industrial Manufacture of Medical Disposable Syringes Shamshad Ahmed and M.Bilal Email: shamshad_zaki@hotmail.com Ethylene oxide (Eto, a corrosive gas) sterilization of medical disposables is being phased out in advance world due to its cancerous residue (toxicity) and low degree of assurance of sterilization originating from need to control several parameters. Eto is carcinogenic mutagenic, genotoxic and a reproductive toxin. Residue is left because the quarantine time of 10 days is not observed. There is no way toxicity of ethylene oxide and ethylene chlorohydrins (produced from chlorine of PVC based gasket and ETO) can be easily avoided and there is no monitoring practice nor equipment available to do that at least in Pakistan. Priming of dialysis circulatory tube will take time .Trauma and passage of carcinogenic substance over it is ideal for inducing cancer. Genetically vulnerable will be hit promptly Reproductive toxin can have hazards for the mother and the child .Abortions are a common

Quality Control of Radiation Sterilized Syringes Tests performed on radiation sterilized syringes – Mechanical tests – Physical tests (Haze %, yellowness index etc.) – Chemical tests (Toxicity tests) – Biological tests (biocompatibility etc.) – Esthetical tests

Highlights of our Radiation Sterilized Syringes (Mechanical, Chemical) »» Our needle is ultra sharp based on double beveled design, imported from South Korea »» Integrated plunger which prevents the plunger from being accidentally pulled out »» Ultra clear barrel to ensure easy readability »» Assured sterility &freedom from toxic residue »» Latex free »» Resin used is Medical Grade PP copolymer

result. Radiation sterilization has been adopted instead in most advance countries due to its merit of high degree of sterilization and complete and absolute freedom from any type of toxicity. Radiation sterilized syringes using FDA approved additives (sterilized at PARAS, Lahore) have been produced from modified (medical grade resin) PP and their medical quality and performance has been exhaustively tested in Pakistan, Malaysia, Vietnam and many other countries. This process is clean, uses no chemicals and there is absolute assurance of sterilization. Only parameter to control is dose, well controlled through computer aided software. Assurance is so high there is need for a biological lab. There is no residual radiation at all nor is there any adverse influence on syringes, nor induction of radioactivity in the irradiated materials at the level of 1.25MeV.

Gamma Irradiation Plan

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

PSF Project 147 Measurement of Dielectric Properties of Nano-ceramics (R2Si2O7, R= Er, Ho, Dy and Ferrites) Asghari Maqsood Email: maqsoodasghari@gmail.com Dielectric properties of materials are important from the application point of view. A dielectric material is typically a large band-gap material (Eg greater than 4ev) ,that exhibit a high resistivity. When the term dielectric material is used it is generally understood that material is essentially a nonconductor of electricity. An electrical insulator is a dielectric material that exhibits a high break down- field. The Funds from this project were used to establish Thermal Transport Lab at scme. Eight MS and four Ph.Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s completed their research work and three Ph.D students are using the equipment at present. More than thirty papers appeared in the ISI indexed journals. It was shown that nano particles of Er2 O3 and D- Er2Si2O7 can be used for electronic devices [ A. Bakhsh, A. Maqsood: Electronic Materials Letters 8(2012)605; S. Ameer, A. Maqsood: Solid State Communication 152 (2012) 1811]. It was also concluded from the experiments that nanoferrites are good microwave absorbers. For more detail see paper by H. Anwar, A. Maqsood: Electronic Materials Letters 9(2013)641. This graph shows the reflection loss as a function of frequency and composition, for detail see paper by Anwar and Maqsood.

HEC Project No. 1-28/HEC/HRD Establishment of a Molecular Nanotechnology Laboratory Habib Nasir Email: habibnasir@scme.nust.edu.pk Molecular nanotechnology is relatively a new field of science which is growing very fast. Most of the bottom-up synthesis approaches to nanotechnology are based on supramolecular chemistry. Supramolecular chemistry is one of the most important innovations in chemistry in the recent years. It focuses on the noncovalent bonding interactions of molecules. Unlike traditional organic synthesis, which involves the making and breaking of covalent bonds to construct a desired molecule, supramolecular chemistry utilizes far weaker and reversible noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, hydrophobic forces, van der Waals forces, pi-pi interactions, and/or electrostatic effects to assemble molecules into multimolecular complexes. The important concepts in supramolecular chemistry include molecular self-assembly, molecular recognition, host-guest chemistry, mechanically-interlocked molecular architectures, and dynamic covalent chemistry. The increasing control over the arrangement of atoms will create new possibilities for manufacturing nanotechnological devices such as self-healing polymers, chemical sensors, compact information storage

devices for computers, high-performance catalysts for industrial processes, and development of new pharmaceutical therapies by understanding the interactions at a drug binding site. This project aims to establish the facilities to synthesize nanomaterials/macrocyclic compounds by using the pseudo high dilution synthetic procedure. These substances will be used to study host-guest chemistry with neutral molecules, cations and anions. The inclusion complexes of toxic metal ions have important use in cleaning drinking water and industrial waste treatment. The macrocyclic guest molecules can also be used as smart nanosensors in order to specifically detect and quantify the toxic metals ions e.g. cadmium, mercury, arsenic lead, copper, iron and strontium etc. So far 4 MS students have completed their research work and 2 Ph.D students are still working using the facilities of this project. 15

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Funded Research Projects

Inprogress HEC (NRPU) No. 20-1564 Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite and its Products Development for Biomedical Application Mohammad Mujahid (PI), Amir Habib (Co-PI) Email: principal@scme.nust.edu.pk Any material that functions in the biomedical field and is designed for the biological system is called biomaterial. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a form of bioceramic that is chemically similar to bones and hard tissues found in humans. Synthetic HA is biocompatible and do not cause any harm or toxicity. It is also the principal component of natural bone with a chemical formula [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2], and occurs in hexagonal system. About 70% of the bone constitutes of hydroxyapatite with calcium-to phosphorous ratio of 1.67. Due to its excellent biocompatibility, synthetic HA it can be rapidly integrated into human body. In addition, owing to its bioactive property, HA is widely used in medicine and dentistry as a material for metallic implant coatings or for bone cavity fillings. It is believed that nano structured calcium phosphate ceramics can further improve the properties of HA including bioactivity, biocompatibility, solubility, sinterability, fracture toughness and absorption which can be tailored over wide ranges by controlling the composition, size and morphology of the powder particles. For these reasons, it is importance to develop synthesis methods for HA which are focused on the

Collaborations

precise control of these parameters. This vital project has attracted researchers from several organizations for collaboration. The organizations include Lahore College for Women University, Quaid-i-Azam University, Advanced Materials Technologies (AMTech), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Marmara University (Turkey) and Institute of Industrial Control Systems (Rawalpindi). Six masters and three PhD students have been engaged in the research work ranging from production of nano HA via different synthesis techniques to development of bioceramic/HA coatings on metallic implants.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

HEC Project No. 20-1603 Fabrication, Characterization, and Testing of Copperindium-galium-(di) Selenide (CIGS) Based Thin Film Solar Cells for Power Generation Mohammad Mujahid Email: principal@scme.nust.edu.pk Pakistan is facing serious power crisis due to ever increasing demand and limitations of conventional hydroelectric power generation resources. During the summer season, the shortfall between power generation capacity and consumer requirements exceeds 6000 MW, thus leading to extensive hours of load-shedding and shutdown of power supply to major industries. On the other hand, solar energy is abundant in this region throughout the year and can be harnessed if, though not very effective yet cost-effective, photovoltaic technology is developed first in research laboratories and at an industrial scale. CIGS based thin film technology employs the use of chalcopyrite compounds of typical composition Cu(InxGa1-x)(Se2-ySy) as p-type semiconductor absorber coating. The other component thin films are: molybdenum (Mo) as back contact electrode, cadmium sulphide (CdS) as buffer layer, and intrinsic and aluminium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) as front contact transparent conducting oxide (TCO) film. In contrast with established vacuum processing based technology, we propose development of CIGS thin film solar cells and modules primarily based on solution-based processing techniques over cheap, flexible substrates such as soda-lime glass (SLG), polyimide, and metal foils. Adoption of simple, inexpensive solution-based synthesis routes such as spin coating, dip coating, doctor blading, spray pyrolysis, and electrochemical deposition using appropriate precursor solutions and pastes are expected to significantly reduce the cost of electricity produced, expressed as US dollars per peak watt ($/Wp). Using nanocrystals made through colloidal synthesis and inkjet printing process, role-torole manufacturing of modules can be explored. PV as a potential renewable technology will not only reduce load on the national power grid, remote areas can also benefit

HRTEM image of CdS Film

from gridless, stand-alone systems where transmission lines have not reached so far. With a global trend to have less dependence on conventional energy resources and to explore renewable energy technologies, it is need of the hour that direct conversion of sunlight into electricity (photovoltaics) is explored as a major, viable source for power generation.

AFM 3D image of 1% AZO Film

XRD patterns of AZO films

SEM cross sectional views of Sputter deposited Mo Films

Collaborations

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Pakistan Norway Institutional Cooperation Program CO2 Capture from Natural and Flue Gases by Using Polymeric Membranes Arshad Hussain, May-Britt Hagg Email: arshad.hussain@scme.nust.edu.pk Membrane gas separation (MGS) is the pressure driven process with different industrial applications and represent only a small fraction of potential applications in refineries and chemical industries. With the serial production of commercial polymeric membranes since 1980, MGS has rapidly become a competitive separation technology. Differently from conventional separation unit operation (e.g., cryogenic distillation, absorption and adsorption processes), MGS does not require a phase change. Moreover the absence of moving parts make MGS systems particularly suited for use in remote locations where reliability is critical; in addition the small footprint makes them very attractive for remote applications such as offshore gasprocessing platforms. Up until now the commercial membranes material for gas separation has basically been polymers like poly imides, polyamides and cellulose acetates. This is still the situation, however the research on tailor made materials for specific gas applications has nearly exploded. These new materials include research on advanced polymers with ultra thin skin (membrane) layer, polymers with selective carriers, nano-composites (polymers with a dispersed inorganic phase), other types of mixed matrix materials (organic + inorganic materials), surface modified in-organic materials, or in general ion conducting materials . Pakistan is a developing country and due to its ongoing industrial growth and urbanization, there is alarming rise in CO2 emissions. Recently, Lahore, second largest city of Pakistan has been categorized as one of the most polluted city in the world by WHO. Pakistan has many natural gas reserves like Qadir pur, Swan and Sui gas fields etc. These gas reserves are huge source of natural gas which is being used as main source of fuel for domestic and industrial use. Natural gas is also being used as a fuel for vehicles and as a feed stock for process industry. A part from CH4, natural gas also contains significant

Collaborations

amount of CO2, depending upon the reservoir. Therefore, CO2 capture from natural gas termed as Pre combustion CO2 capture, is important to increase the fuel efficiency avoid the corrosion in natural gas pipe lines and reduce the CO2 emission. Moreover, the power generation sector (mainly using fossil fuel) along with chemical process industry, oil refineries, steel and cement industry are the huge source of CO2 emission in the atmosphere. A membrane based gas separation process offers a great potential for CO2 capture from the industrial exhaust gases (flue gases).This type of CO2 is termed as Post combustion CO2 capture. In view of above, there is a need to synthesize polymeric membrane which can capture CO2 with high permeability and selectivity. Therefore this proposed work will be focused on the development of polymeric membranes for carbon dioxide capture from natural gas and flue gas. The primary objective of this proposal is to develop the polymer membrane which will lead to an integrated, cost effective membrane based separation process which would be environment friendly and less energy intensive.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

HEC (NRPU) No. 20-1326 Synthesis and Characterization of Spinel Ferrite Nanoparticles Iftikhar Hussain Gul, Asghari Maqsood Email: iftikhar.gul@scme.nust.edu.pk Spinel ferrites of Fd3m space group having the general formula of MFe2O4 (M=Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+,Mg2+, Zn2+) is a class of hybrid functional materials which are very important for many recent technical designing of electrical, magnetic and microwave devices. They are considered hybrid as they exhibit good electrical and magnetic characteristics at one time in high frequency applications. An important advantage of ferrites is the huge compositional variability by the substitution of different cations in the parent crystal structure (cubic closed packing of tetrahedral and octahedral sub-lattices) and this variation in cation distribution impacts many physical properties of these ferrites such as increase in DC resistivity, low dielectric losses and required magnetization characteristics. Cobalt ferrite is partially inverse spinel material while nickel ferrites are materials having inverse spinel lattice with semiconducting nature and both exhibits high resistivity, along with moderate magnetization, magneto resistance and very high magneto crystalline anisotropy. These properties can be tailored by proper choice and composition of trivalent cations (Al3+, Cr3+, Gd3+, Ho3+,

Variation of DC electrical resistivity (ln ρ) -1 with inverse temperature (1/KBT eV ) for CoCrxFe2-xO4 (x=0.0-0.25) ferrite nanoparticles

and Nd3+) to replace Fe3+ in the parent lattice of cobalt ferrite caused by a structural variation in the host lattice. Not only a single cation but a combination can be incorporate into the parent ferrite structure to make a mixed ferrite system. Some of the works are available where a divalent cation substitution in cobalt and nickel ferrites enhances the electrical behavior of cobalt ferrites. Cations of Cr3+, Gd3+and Al3+ have been doped in the parent crystal structure of ferrites and structural, electrical and magnetic properties have been studied to see the influence of doping cations on electrical properties in high frequencies. Three masters and one PhD student are working under this project to synthesize different composition of spinel ferrite nanoparticles and to enhance the electrical and magnetic properties of the material for the use in very high frequency and ultra high frequency. There is a drastic change in electrical properties due to substitution of trivalent cations in the cobalt and nickel spinel ferrites. DC resistivity has been increased 1000 times as compared to parent ceramic material.

Fig. Variation of dielectric constant with ln f of CoCrxFe2-xO4 (x=0.0-0.25) ferrite nanoparticles

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

British Petroleum (BP) UK Project Development & Appraisal of Smart Polymer Anti Corrosion Coatings Nasir M. Ahmad Email: nasir.ahmad@scme.nust.edu.pk Various biological systems exhibit the unique and efficient wound healing processes. Inspired from such fascinating phenomenon, several approaches to develop synthetic polymers that can intelligently/smartly repair themselves have recently been explored. In view of the significance of such smart polymeric system, present project aim to appraise the concept of smart polymer anti-corrosion coatings. Project involves the prepration of polymer particles. Various set of polymerizations were carried out

and by changing the reaction paramters and compositions, polymer particles of varying sizes have been developed. Currently, the perforemce of the smart and control coatings are in process of evaluatiuon by exposing these to various heating and corrosive environment for a pre selected period of time. Samples being removed at regular intervals and the chnages in microstructure and extent of corrosion process are in process of evaluation.

Optical Microscope Images of polymer particles and cracks in coatings.

Collaborations

British Petroleum 20

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HEC (NRPU) Project No. 20-3066 Development of LCs Based Biosensor for the Detection of Environmental Pollutants and Pathogens Zakir Hussain (PI), Muhammad Shahid (Co-PI) Email: zakir.hussain@scme.nust.edu.pk

Liquid crystals (LCs) are a state of matter that has properties between those of a conventional liquid and a solid crystal. For example, an LC may flow like a liquid but its molecules are oriented in a crystal like fashion. Liquid crystals exist in various phases and these phases differ from each other regarding orientation of molecules and the amount of order present. Orientation of LC molecules is very sensitive to foreign particles and can be tuned by the nature, size and shape of foreign particles. Moreover, LCs also possess the property of optical anisotropy and may appear bright or dark under cross polarizers depending upon their orientation. These two properties when combined together form the basis of LC based sensors (an example is shown below, left hand sides of both figures (state a) is dark and right hand sides (state b) is bright). When we make an LC-lipid layer at the in-

terface by considering key-lock principle, we are able to detect the presence of any foreign substance, specifically. Liquid crystals based sensors are cheap, portable and do not require highly sophisticated instruments. In this project, we want to develop an LC based sensor for fast, selective and cost effective detection of environmental pollutants, pesticides and pathogens like bacteria (e.g. Escherichia Coli, Enterococci faecalis, Klebsiellaspp pneumonia and Staphylococcus saprophyticus). Evaluation criteria based on simplicity, sensitivity, specificity, reliability, speed, robustness, user-friendliness and costeffectiveness will be addressed. Milestones of the proposed project are to build up proof of concept (POC) for an IP portfolio, protecting the use of LC in high resolution sensing in air.

Fig. Function of LC Based Sensor

Fig. a) aligned LC, b) disrupted LC

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HEC Project No: 20-3052 Preparation, Characterization and Product Development of poly(L-lactic acid)/HA Nanocomposites Ahmad Nawaz Khan (PI), Mohammad Mujahid (Co.PI) Email: ahmad.nawaz@scme.nust.edu.pk

PLLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer and because of its good mechanical property, biodegradability and non-toxic degradation products, it is being used for number of application from biomedical to conventional thermoplastics.

Fig. 1: Chemical Structure of Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) [1].

It is known that the rate of hydrolytic degradation of PLLA is strongly affected by the degree of crystallinity. Therefore, it is well expected that the crystalline lamellar organization plays an important role for controlling the degradation rate. The study on the crystallization of PLLA is, thus, of great importance not only from academic interest but also from the engineering viewpoint. Three crystalline forms (Îą-, Î˛-, and Îł-crystal) have been reported for PLLA depending on the preparation conditions. A variety of physical properties such as mechanical and electrical properties of polymorphic polymers considerably depends on the crystalline structure. As far as the biodegradable polyesters are concerned, their biodegradability is also influenced by the crystal modifications. For this reason, regulating the crystal modifications of polymorphic polymers and its impact of controlling the lamellar organization by the addition of nanofiller is an important approach to tailor the final properties of PLLA. Although PLA has modulus and tensile strength comparable to petroleum based polymers, however PLA has relatively much lower thermal and impact resistance properties. Inorganic or organic nanoparticles have been incorporated to enhance the mechanical, barrier and thermal properties of PLA. Unlike, micro-and macro-scaled particles e.g. talc, glass fiber, carbon particles etc., nanoparticles can improve material properties at much lower added quantities (1-5 wt %). The heightened interest for these nanofillers can be attributed to their ability to dramatically improve material properties of the nanocomposites structures as compared to neat polymer. Depending on the compatibility and strength of interfacial interaction between the polymer matrix and nanofiller, three different types of polymer based nanocomposites are thermodynamically achievable as shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. 2: Illustration of different types of structural formation of nanofiller in the polymer [2].

Nano powder of hydroxyapatite (HA) will be incorporated into the PLLA matrix. HA of varying aspect ratio, shape (rod or flake shape) and sizes will be dispersed in the PLLA matrix. The structure, crystallization kinetics, physical and mechanical properties as well as the biodegradability/biocompatibility of PLLA/HA nanocomposites will be investigated using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, polarized optical microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, extensometer and thermogravimetric analysis.

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HEC Project No.20-2462 Production and Characterization of Graphene and its Application in Nanocomposites Noaman Ul-Haq Email: noaman@scme.nust.edu.pk The graphene offer comparable mechanical and electrical property enhancements, graphene-based materials appear to provide larger thermal conductivity enhancement as well as the advantage of improving barrier properties. Pristine graphene materials are unsuitable for intercalation by large species, such as polymer chains, because graphene as a bulk material has a pronounced tendency to agglomerate in a polymer matrix. It is likely that oxidation followed by chemical functionalization will facilitate the dispersion and stabilize graphene to prevent agglomeration. The functional groups attached to graphene can be small molecules or polymer chains. The

chemical functionalization of graphene is a particularly attractive target because it can improve the solubility and processability as well as enhance the interactions with organic polymers. We aim to exfoliate graphite into graphene and functionalize it by using different process like amination, esterification and isocyanate modification. Also the electrochemical modification of graphene will also be carried out using ionic liquids. The graphite oxides will be prepared from naturally occurring graphite. After oxidation, several chemical methods will be used to obtain soluble graphene.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Research Projects

Submitted S.No

Project Title

Principal Investigator

Submission Cost (Million)

Funding Agency

Biodegradable Food Packing

Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan Niazi

12.317

HEC

Synthesis of Formic Acid through the Oxidation of Methanol

Dr. Iram Mahmood

4.86

HEC

Bandgab Engineering of Group II-VI Nano-Structured Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications

Dr. Iftikhar Hussain Gull

13.385

HEC

Naphtha Cracking by Nano Zeolites for the Production of Light Olefins

Dr. Habib Nasir

16.949

HEC

Intrinsic Benign Antifouling Functional Polymers and Transparent Compositions for Culture / Commercial Scale Photobioreators

Dr. Nasir Mehmood Ahmad

15.1

HEC

Synthesis Characterization and Kinetic Studies of Ferrite-Tio2 , Ferrite-Al2O3 and Ferrite Sio2 Nanocatalyst for Hydrogen Production

Dr. Erum Pervaiz

10.05

HEC

Nanostructures of Boron Nitride for Environmental Applications

Dr. Iram Mahmood

12.057

HEC

Systematic Crystallographic Study of the Binary A15 Phases

Dr. Khurram Yaqoob

0.5

HEC

Indigenous Development of Novel, Slow Release Urea Fetilizer

Dr. Muhammad Bilal K. Niazi

7.61

HEC

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Abstracts

Student Research Projects Titania nanostructures for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) Name: Sofia Javed

Supervisor: Dr. Mohammad Mujahid

Pakistan lies in a region where there is plenty of sunlight throughout the year so development of efficient solar cells would be very advantageous to meet the increasing energy demands.Among various types of solar cells dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) possess great potential for low cost, easy fabrication, low temperature processing and several other advantages along with high efficiency. The configuration and working of DSSC is shown in figure 1. The cell consists of a photoanode made of dye infused nano-titania on ITO coated glass, a counter electrode made of Pt and an electrolyte between the two electrodes. The working involves the electron injection from the photon excited dye into the conduction band of titania which through ITO flows in the external wire. The electron deficiency of the dye is circumvented from redox electrolyte, which completes its deficiency from the

counter electrode, thus completing the cycle. The photoanode material â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;titaniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is under major research focus. Nanoparticulate powders have been successfully prepared by a novel method and characterized to be having phase purity (anatase), less than 10nm crystallite size and BET surface area of around 125 m2/g. Mesoporous thin films using these powders have also been fabricated and characterized. Vertically aligned titania nanotubes using anodic oxidation of Ti film have been produced and characterized in a recent MS thesis work. Research on 1 D nanostructures i.e. nanotubes and nanorods of titania using wet chemistry is also underway in a PhD project and presentable results are being obtained with a modified method. Some novel natural dyes are extracted and tested for their performance in DSSC in a BS project.

Figure 1

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Development and Characterization of Elastomeric Based Sponge and Auxetic Structures for Impact Energy Absorption Applications Name: : M. Arshad Bashir Auxetic materials have a negative poisson’s ratio (NPR). They become thicker, when stretched perpendicular to the applied force. This happens due to their hinge-like structures, which flex on stretching. Auxetic materials can be a single molecule or a particular structure of macroscopic material. Such structures are expected to have mechanical properties such as high energy absorption and fracture resistance. These materials are of interest due to the possibility of enhanced mechanical properties such as shear modulus, plane strain fracture toughness and indentation resistance. Therefore, studying of these non-conventional materials is indeed important from the point of view regarding fundamental research and possible practical applications, particularly in medical, aerospace and defense industries (e.g., protective clothing, body armour, bullet-proof vest, “smart” sensors, sonar, panels etc). The method used for the manufacturing of auxetic structures contains four stages:

Supervisor: Dr. Muhammad Shahid 1. 2. 3. 4.

Compression; Heating; Cooling and Relaxation.

To transform conventional foam into an auxetic one using this technique requires that the foam must be simultaneously compressed in three dimensions to force the cell ribs into buckle. However, different types of polymeric foams (e.g., open or closed) require different heating time and temperatures. Mechanical, rheological, vulcanization and structural properties of the developed material studied. Key Words: - Auxetic material, Negative Poisson’s Ratio, Mechanical properties, Vulcanization, Damping efficiency

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Fabrication of CNT-Aluminum Nanocomposite for Aerospace Applications Name: : Muhammad Mansoor

Supervisor: Dr Muhammad Shahid

The recent trends to strengthen the matrix using filler materials are rapidly transforming from macro- or micro- scale fillers to nano-scale fillers. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), being one of the candidate materials, hold a strong promise to augment not only localized but also global physical and mechanical properties of the composite. During last decade, numerous researchers have quoted their work encompassing amelioration in mechanical and physical properties of CNT-Aluminum composites, however, in each case major limiting factors remained same i.e., dispersion and wettability of CNTs. The prime objectives of the proposed research are: • to synthesize mono-strand CNTs which may render easy dispersion in the composite • fabrication of CNT-Al composite by PM & casting routes with increased wettability of the CNTs • prototype production of CNT-Al composite • surface treatments of the CNT-Al composite (e.g. anodizing) and to study the corrosion behavior in various mediums

Various theoretical and conceptual models have proven the fact that better dispersion and increased wettability of CNTs, not only strengthens the matrix but also render unique physical properties e.g., tailorable electrical and optical characteristics. For alleviated dispersion of CNTs, an approach of CNTs synthesis would be adopted, which may yield mono-stands of CNTs with larger aspect ratios, lesser extent of entanglement and surface defects and for improvement in wetting capability, maneuvering of CNTs’ surface characteristics will be customized using functionalities, surface reactivity by fluxing in meltingcasting and process control agents in ball milling.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Membrane Module Design & Analysis for Gas Separation Name: : Muhammad Ahsan

Supervisor: Dr. Arshad Husssain

Membranes have gained an important place in process industry and are being used in a broad range of applications. The modeling of flow dynamics and concentration polarization in membrane module/channels is very useful. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a very important tool and can be used to investigate the flow dynamics in different membrane modules. This research can help to optimize the design of membrane module by investigating the influence of concentration polarization on the gas flux through the membrane. Moreover, the implications of flow nature (laminar/turbulent) and its influence on the module performance would be interesting to investigate. The outcome of this research will be useful for the optimum design of membrane module. This work will be focused on the study of gas flow dynamics, concentration polarization in a membrane module by employing computational fluid dynamics. Research objectives are

• Optimization of membrane module geometry. • Development of a 2D/3D mass transfer model for gas separation by hollow fiber modules.

• Investigate the model results for desired gas concentrations.

• Investigate the CFD results for different flow conditions.

• Study the flow distribution/patterns in hollow fiber membrane modules.

• The mass transfer model will be applied for various

• • •

conditions, focusing on axial and radial diffusion/ dispersion in the tube and shell sides of the hollow fibers. The modeling results will be validated with experimental data. CFD approach will be used to predict concentration polarization in hollow fiber modules. Analysis of design/operating parameters that affect separation performance of the modules.

Schematic depiction of different hollow fiber geometries for the generation of Dean Vortices: (a) straight; b) helically wound; (c) twisted; and (d) meander formed.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

CO2 capture from Natural and Flue gases using Polymeric membranes Name: : Sarah Farrukh

Supervisor: Dr. Arshad Hussain

Membrane-separation technology has evolved as a rapidly growing field during the past few decades, and it has been approved economically and technically as a favorable and competent separation process compared to the other separation techniques in use because membrane technology offers numerous advantages over other technologies, including a low energy requirement, smaller footprint, low capital and operation costs, environmental friendliness and flexibility in handling at higher flow rate, pressure, and various feed compositions. Membrane gas separation, a relatively young technology, has emerged in the last 15 years to successfully compete with other wellestablished industrial gas-separation processes, such as cryogenic distillation, absorption, and pressure swing adsorption. Membrane gas separation (MGS) is the pressure driven process with different industrial applications and represent only a small fraction of potential applications in refineries and chemical industries. With the serial production of commercial polymeric membranes since 1980, MGS has rapidly become a competitive separation technology. Up until now the commercial membranes material for gas separation has basically been polymers like poly imides, polyamides and cellulose acetates. All these membranes have good permeability for carbon dioxide, but lack in selectivity or vice versa. Gas separation membranes are based on Solution-Diffusion model. These membranes are non-porous. Gas separation membranes follow the Fick’s Law of Diffusion (see in Fig 1), written in modified form as equation 1.

In the view of above, there is a need to synthesize polymeric membranes which can capture CO2 with high permeability and selectivity. The objectives of my research work are given below. • The proposed research will help in developing new polymeric membranes and establish new experimental facility to investigate membrane based gas separation processes. • Different polymeric materials will be investigated to identify the suitable material / compositions / additives for gas separation membranes. • Polymeric membranes for both; Post combustion (CO2 capture from flue gases) and Pre -combustion (CO2 capture from Natural gas) application would be developed. • The successful completion of this work will persuade the process industry to employ membrane based CO2 capture technology to reduce the CO2 emissions. The ICI Pakistan has already shown its interest in the proposed research. • The proposed research work and new experimental facility will help to train the students/researchers and impart the knowledge of membrane based gas separation process. • SCME, NUST will have a dedicated experimental facility on membrane based gas separation. The success of this research project will not only provide an excellent research facility in this scientific area but also contribute in enhancement of fuel efficiency and prevention of global warming.

Figure1.Solution-Diffusion of gases

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Synthesis of Chiral Bidentate Ligands and Their Applications in Combinatorial Asymmetric Catalysis Name: Tariq Zaman

Supervisor: Dr. Habib Nasir

Enhanced effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals is the most sought-after attribute in the field of enantioselective synthesis of chiral molecules where single enantiomer (R or S) is required, for which asymmetric catalysis is an attractive way.

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds in traditional way is difficult, costly and time-consuming process involving the running of long columns which create a lot of waste that causes water pollution. The selectivity of products are equally depends upon the catalyst and conditions of the reaction which makes the task harder for selecting and finding new catalytic system.

Present work deals with the development of five families of chiral ligands libraries for rapid recognition of the best system, by using combinatorial chemistry, during hydrogenation of ketones, a starting material and as intermediate in a number of processes. The ligands were both generated in situ and in pure form for the comparison of results and were obtained by simple condensation, providing one of the starting materials being chiral. Five families namely; bisimine, amine, aminal, imine and oxazoline were synthesized and tested in presence of Zn(II), Rh(I) and Rh(III) by using polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) and diphenylsilane for hydrosilylation and aqueous media for transfer hydrogenation during synthesis of selective chiral alcohols from achiral acetophenone. Overall 1566 catalytic systems were tested and the yield and enantiomeric excesses were found by using 1H NMR and chiral chromatography respectively with more than 90% ee and 99% conversion as the best result for imine ligands. It has been proven that ligands synthesized in-situ gave comparable and almost same results to purified version with best reproducibility.

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Molybdenum disilicide coating on Molybdenum substrate Name: : Fahad Zafar

Despite being a high melting metal with good mechanical properties the use of Molybdenum at high temperatures is limited due to its poor oxidation resistance above nearly 600Â°C.Therefore the use of Molybdenum in high temperature ranges is only possible after application of some suitable protective oxidation resistant coating. Such a coating aspires forming a self-healing protective oxide layer, thus preventing direct atmospheric contact with the substrate. Many coating have been applied onto Molybdenum alloys to provide oxidation resistance including Au, Ni, Cr, Al-Si etc. Among the various coatings applied onto Mo alloys, silicide coatings had proven outstanding for high temperatures. At temperatures above 1000Â°C, the formation of stable glassy silica scale accounts for the oxidation resistance of Molybdenum substrate. Such silica

Figure 1 Oxidation resistance of MoSi2 coated & non-coated Mo substrate

Supervisor: Dr. Mohammad Mujahid scale had been reported to self heal small surface cracks formed onto the surface due to oxidation. This feature, in addition to some other features makes silicide coatings a strong candidate for application onto Mo metal for short term oxidation resistance. Same is represented by the graphical representation (schematic only) in Fig 1.Chracteristic appearance of di-silicide coating is shown in Figure 1 MIcrostructure of MoSi2 as formed (without anneal)and Figure 3 Physical appearance of MoSi2. Various routes had been adopted by researchers for silicide coating onto Mo metal; Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Magnetron Sputtering, Pack Cementation, electro-thermal explosion ultrahigh speed spraying to name a few.

Figure 2 MIcrostructure of MoSi2 as formed (without anneal)

Figure 3 Physical appearance of MoSi2

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Fabrication of Ultra Filtration membranes and its application for water hardness quality Name: : Adnan Alam

Modern world is facing adverse environmental problems. Removal of toxic components from industrial effluents, good quality water for domestic and industrial use, pharmaceutical industry and food industry requires efficient and low cost evaluation techniques. Use of membranes for isolation, concentration and purification has great deal of significance. Membrane technology has been widely used worldwide for separation of mixtures, isolation of desired components. Due to energy efficiency and accuracy, ease of use and environment friendly response, Membrane technology has flourished rapidly since 1960. Membrane processes like microfiltration (MF), Ultra filtration (UF), Nano filtration (NF) and Reverse osmosis (RO) have been successfully used at industrial scale for recycling, cleaning and concentration. Among these processes, Ultra filtration is significant for separation and concentration of macromolecular solutions and colloidal solutions. Molecules of similar sizes cannot be separated by UF. Ultra filtration membranes work under selective pressure. It allows the smaller solute molecules and sol-

Supervisor: Dr. Mohammad Mujahid vent molecule to pass through while retains the larger molecules. For this purpose organic polymer â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cellulose acetateâ&#x20AC;? has significant effects as membrane. CA membranes in ultra filtration have valuable advantage that it performs two tasks in one step i.e. separation and concentration. Further, the performance of membrane is mainly dependent on the pore size. During phase inversion technique, the pore former play key role. It could be solid particle or solvent molecule, but its polarity must be different from the solvent, so that it has negative effect on polymer dissolution. Owing to better results than conventional methods, UF membranes were prepared and quality of water hardness was improved. In UF membrane Cellulose acetate (CA), being the matrix material, the variation in concentration of Chitosen(CS) was the key to control porosity in the membranes. Hence in the present investigation, cellulose acetate was blended with different concentration of Chitosan in formic acid and the results are studied.

SEM results shows membrane porosity is orderly increasing from sample A to F

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Development of Stimuli responsive Polymer Cosmetic Textile for Care of Kids of moon (kids with skin cancer) Name: Sehrish Habib

A new approach for UV protection of cotton fabrics based on electrostatic self-assembly (ESA) technique and development of anti UV emulsion was studied in this thesis. Long-term exposure to UV light can result in a series of negative health effects such as acceleration of skin ageing, photodermatosis (acne), erythema (skin reddening), and even severe skin cancer, developing textiles with UV protection functionality has been widely researched so far. Much research on layer-by-layer (LbL) electrostatic self assembly (ESA) of polyelectrolyte multilayers on charged surfaces has been conducted during the past decades, aiming at providing surfaces and materials with specific properties and functionalities. The present objective of this work is to develop anti-UV emulsion and its optimization for its stability. A modified emulsion evapo-

Supervisor: Dr. Nasir M. Ahmad ration method was devised to encapsulate active ingredient (tinuvin 622 ) to be used for anti- UV purposes. For optimization of emulsion different factors affecting final particle size was studied . All the characterization results showed that the process is praiseworthy for encapsulation of Tinuvin 622 particles for anti UV purposes with a final size of about 175.3 d.nm. And then final work is to fabricate anti-UV emulsion multilayer coatings on cationized cotton fabrics using the ESA technique. The alternating LbL buildup of antiUV emulsion with anionic groups and polyelectrolytes on cotton substrates was performed. The emulsion was characterized by UV spectrophotometer, optical microscope , zeta potential. The cotton fabrics treated in this study provided suitable UV protection .

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Development and Characterization of Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide Nanotemplates in Sulphuric, Oxalic and Sulphuric-Oxalic Acid at Ambient temperature. Name: Hammad Abdul Haseeb

This work demonstrates the fabrication of Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) Film at ambient temperature. Different electrolytes like Sulphuric Acid, Oxalic Acid and mixture of these two Electrolytes have been used to see the changes in microstructure and microhardness occurred. For this purpose oxalic acid is added to conventional Sulphuric acid anodizing to get the same amount of hardness or wear resistance at relatively high temperature (Ambient). The microstructure of samples anodized in the three different electrolytes at different voltages was measured. The current densities and voltages in these electrolytes were investigated with relevant Microhard-

Supervisor: Dr. Muhammad Shahid ness results. It was found that relatively high Microhardness is achieved in Oxalic Acid Electrolyte than other two Acids and the addition of Oxalic to Sulphuric acid increased the microhardness of the AAO film at ambient temperature. It is also shown that much better microstructure or uniform and organized pore formation is obtained in Oxalic Acid Anodizing than the rest of the two at RT. This AAO porous structure also serves as template for the fabrication of CNTs, Nanorods and nanowires of different metals with different diameters and lengths controlled by pore diameter and AAO thickness respectively.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Development of Elastomeric Auxetic Cellular Solid Based on SBR Nanocomposite Name: Muhammad Tanweer Khan

A new class of materials which exhibit negative Poissonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ratio is known as Auxetic Materials. These materials antithetical to conventional materials for example rubber and metals etc. get fatter when pulled and contract transversely when pushed longitudinally. Other properties of auxetic materials that have shown enhancement are indentation resistance, thermal shock resistance, acoustic damping properties and fracture toughness. Auxetic materials possess potential applications in sensors, biomedicine, auxetic fibre reinforced plastics, smart textile, bullet proof vests and helmets, and filters. Auxetic materials research has now reached the phase where a

Supervisor: Dr. Muhammad Shahid growing number of materials and processing method are being developed and speciďŹ c applications are being addressed. There are as many diverse manufacturing routes, for the preparation of auxetic materials, as there are materials. Auxetic cellular foams have been produced from commercially available conventional rubber. The rubber was first compounded, vulcanized and foamed. The foam was then converted into auxetic material through a procedure involving volumetric compression, heating further than the polymerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s softening temperature and then cooling at the same time as remaining under compression.

Y. Liu, H. Hu, Scientific Research and Essays, 5 1052-1063 (2010)

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Synthesis of Polythiophene-BaTiO3 Composite in Aqueous Media and Electrophoretic Deposition of Composite thin film for Dielectric Applications Name: Adnanullah Khan, Adeel Afzal

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles which possess high resistance and excellent dielectric properties were employed to synthesize polythiophene/BaTiO3 composites, possessing core shell structure, via in situ oxidative polymerization of thiophene by Cu(ll) Sulphate. Coating of polythiophene on BaTiO3 nanoparticles increased the processing ability and breakdown field strength and decreased the di-electric loss. But a decrease in dielectric constant was observed. Overall energy density increase was achieved. A very good film of composite

Supervisor: Dr. Amir Habib, Zakir Hussain was prepared by electrophoretic deposition which has wide applications in capacitors, FETs and photovoltaics. Successful coating of polythiophene on BaTiO3 was confirmed by SEM. Chemical nature of the composite was determined via FTIR and XRD. Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) technique was found to be the best method to prepare thinfilm on conducting substrate (ITO, Cu, SS). Capacitive behavior of press pellets were studied by LCR meter.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Lowering of Band Gap of Titania Thin Films by Integration of Graphene Nanosheets Name: Haroon Mahmood

Titania possesses a band gap of 3.2 eV, while work function of graphene 4.5 eV exists near LUMO of titania. The photoexcition of electrons in titania is only possible under ultraviolet radiations. In order to obtain such conversion in visible light range, band gap has to be lowered below 3.1 eV. This research work aims at lowering the band gap of titania thin films by incorporation of graphene nanosheets. Graphene was synthesized using modified Hummer’s method in which graphite flakes were oxidized using KMnO4 in an acidic solution. After washing of graphite oxide, exfoliation was carried out by sonication of graphite oxide dispersion, producing graphene oxide. Reduction of graphene oxide nanosheets was carried out by treating it with hydrazine hydrate resulting in reduced graphene oxide. Oxidation of graphite was confirmed by XRD revealing a peak at 11.8° with interplanar distance of 7.5 Å and EDS analysis showed almost complete oxygenation of carbon. AFM analysis revealed exfoliation of single layer graphene oxide nanosheets having thickness of 0.6 – 1.0 nm. FT-IR analysis confirmed reduction of graphene oxide by revealing removal of carbonyl group (C=O). Titania sol was produced using hydrolysis and condensation of titanium tetraisopropoxide in aqueous acidic

Supervisor: Dr. Amir Habib solution containing glacial acetic acid and hydrochloric acid. The TiO2-graphene composite was prepared by two routes. In one method, liquid phase dispersion of graphene oxide was added in titania sol and reduction of deposited films was done by exposing hydrazine hydrate vapors. In second method, nanoparticles of reduced graphene oxide were dispersed in titania sol and thin films were fabricated subsequently. Thin film fabrication was carried out using spin coating. Every film deposited was dried at 80°C for 5 min and annealed at 450°C for 50 min at a heating rate of 2°C min-1. TiO2-graphene films characterized using SEM, revealed homogenous dispersion of graphene nanosheets among homogenously distributed titania nanoparticles of uniform size distribution (~ 30-50 nm). Surface roughness of about 16 nm was observed by AFM topographic images. The HOMO/LUMO levels were calculated by cyclic voltammetry and subsequent band gap was calculated which came out to be as low as 2.9 eV. Ti-O-C chemical bonding between titania and graphene sheets resulted in enhanced electron transport in the obtained composite films. These results favor the use of such films in Inverted Organic PVs as electron collecting layer and active layer in normal OPVs.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Synthesis of Aluminum, Teflon & Viton (ATV) Pyrotechnic Compositions Name: Muhammad Aamer

Aluminum and Teflon based composition are widely used in IR decoy flares formulation because of their large energy output compared to other pyrotechnic mixture, low hygroscopicity, low dependence of burning rate on pressure and temperatures, and relatively high degree of safety in preparation. Viton (binder) is commonly added to AT mixture for easy processing by improving homogeneity of mixture and also protect aluminum against oxidation by moisture during storage. This work focuses on the synthesis characterization and thermal analysis of ATV composition. We have employed shock gel synthesis method using auto-clave at about 3500 kPa and 2000C with continuous stirring and continuous supply of liquid CO2. The main advantage of this procedure is that it ATV composition energetic material can be syn-

Supervisor: Dr.Iram Mahmood thesized without producing large volume of hazardous waste. The synthesized material has been characterized by XRD, TGA/DTA, FT-IR, SEM techniques. XRD results shows phase purity and crystalline nature of ATV. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of ATV composition while, SEM analysis shows the nano-morphology of Aluminum particles. Thermal endurance of synthesized ATV was investigated by TGA/DTA, which showed that ATV has good environmental stability and only get oxidized in air at higher temperature range. In addition to exceptional energy output ATV composition has excellent environment and thermal stability characteristics and good compatibility with most materials used in pyrotechnic ordnance.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Synthesis and Characterization of MgO Nanoparticles by Modified Sonochemical Method Name: Sharif Ullah, Sumera Mahboob, Jamshid Khan

Supervisor: Dr. Habib Nasir

In the present work magnesium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized successfully by modified sonochemical method. Magnesiumnitrate hexahydrate Mg(NO3)2.6H2O and NaOH were used as the precursor materials with distilled water as a solvent. PVP was used as structure director to prevent agglomeration and control morphology of nanoparticle. Different concentrations of precursors were used to check their effect on size and morphology of particles. The Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles obtained from this method were calcined at 500 0C in order to get

MgO nanoparticles. All the samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UVvisible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), AFM, BET and TGA-DTA. Results showed that particle size and surface area of MgO nanoparticles are pH sensitive. The XRD spectra indicated that the synthesized nanocrystalline MgO has a cubic structure. SEM images were accorded with the AFM and XRD data showing that the average sizes of the particles were in the range of nanometer.

XRD Spectrum of MgO Nanoparticles

SEM & EDX images of MgO Nanoparticles

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Improvement in the Mechanical Properties of Rubber Composite by Doping of Nanoparticles Name: Sadaf Bashir Khan

Research on nano-composite having polymeric matrix containing nanoparticles is a new area of research in material science. Magnetic Nano-composites fascinate because of their extensive application in technologies, such as electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI), drug delivery, bioprocessing, medical diagnosis, ferrofluids, and drug targeting. For this purpose, different magnetic particles are used in combination each having its own importance and distinctive physical and chemical properties, which enhance the properties of composites. Research scholars at SCME-NUST in Thermal Transport lab have been working on the application of ferrites in technological material applications.One such work has been done by synthesizing nickel zinc ferrites at nanoscale in order to improve the mechanical properties of composites by doping of nanoparticles in polymer matrix. Different methods are used to synthesize nano particles but in this research, co-precipitation method is used to synthesize nickel zinc ferrites nanoparticles as it controls

Figure 1 Stress as a function of strain plot for RF composite representing tensile strength

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Asghari Maqsood particle size, degree of agglomeration and chemical homogeneity. These nanoparticles are then functionalized by APTMS abbrivated as (3-aminopropyl)-trimethoxysilane also known as silane coupling agent. Nanoparticles are functionalized due to the following two reasons. It makes strong covalent bond between matrix and filler and improves the strength and mechanical properties of the composite. These functionalized nano composites then are dispersed in Poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS) through ultra-sonication and mechanical stirring. SEM results shows that nanoferrites are homogenously dispersed in PDMS. PDMS is optically clear, inert, non-toxic, and non-flammable polymer. In the present research, filler loadings of same weight but various compositions are used. Composite having nickel and zinc ferrite nanoparticles in (1:1) shows the best tensile strength and good compressive strength.Using Scanning Electron Microscope, it was found that the size of nanoparticles embedded in the polymer matrix is(30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;50 nm) as shown in the following figures

Figure 2 SEM of Rubber composite doped with Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Improved Carbon-Based Sorbent for CO2 Capture Name: Maha Yusuf

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology is relatively a new concept and has recently drawn great attention owing to the contribution of fossil fuel emissions to global warming and climate change. The idea behind the technology is to capture waste carbon dioxide (CO2) from large sources such as fossil fuel power plants or even the very atmosphere and store it to such sites where it will not be able to enter the atmosphere. For this purpose, advanced CO2 sorbents are being synthesized across the globe and research is very active. The use of such sorbents is not just limited to mitigating climate change but can also be used for industrial applications for example, replacing liquid amine as a CO2 capture adsorbent in

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Habib Nasir industry. In our work, we are proposing new methods for developing an advanced carbon-based sorbent for CO2 capture, making use of nano-graphene as the base material. Nano Graphite is converted to Nano Graphene Oxide (NGOs) via a new Hummerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s methodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; yielding higher The NGOoxidationisthenconverted tolevelsNGO wit framework which is then, functionalized by ethylene diamine (EDA) for increasing the carbon adsorption capacity. Characterization techniques like BET with CO2 is used for compiling CO2 capture data, XRD for determining the crystallinity of the intermediates and SEM - EDAX for elemental composition in the samples made.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Hydrogen Production by Al-H2O Reaction in Presence of Chlorides Name: Safdar Hayat

Energy plays very important role in present era of industry, society and transportation. Almost every country is facing or expecting to face an energy shortfall in near future. Pakistan having a large number of rivers and abundant water flowing across the country, a nuclear state, vast open lands for wind/solar energy and large reservoirs of coal may generate enough energy to meet its present requirements but in future Pakistan must be looking for alternative sources of clean energy. Presently large portion of energy is mainly produced by oil, gas and coal and very less portion is derived from renewable sources. Rapidly decreasing, exhaustion of fuel reservoirs and environmental concerns are major factors towards the use of renewable clean energy. The use of hydrogen to generate energy is an interesting approach because of the

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Habib Nasir salient features of this gas. Metal Aluminum, not only the most abundant metal in the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crust but also is a potential and promising candidate for hydrogen production from water because of its electrochemical properties. In addition, the metal consumption is identified to be an efficient, user-friendly, and harmless approach for hydrogen production. Hydrogen is often considered as clean fuel but its greenhouse clean effect mainly depends on the method of hydrogen production. If it is produced in the same conventional manner by use of coal or fossil fuel, we cannot pronounce hydrogen as clean fuel because the CO2 emission has already taken place. So the process of hydrogen production is more important and should be a clean method of production.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Research

Publications-2013 Journal Publications 1. Abrar Arshad, Adeel Ahsan, Arslan Aziz , Omair Ali, Nasir M. Ahmad and Abdul Hamid Elaissari “Smart Magnetically Engineering Colloids and Biothin Films for Diagnostics Applications” Journal of Colloids and Biotechnology, Vol. 2, pp: 19 26, 2013 2. Ahmad Nauman Shah Saqib, Amir Waseem, AtherFarooq Khan , QaisarMahmood, Afsar Khan, Amir Habib and AbdurRahman Khan, “Arsenic bioremediation by low cost materials derived from Blue Pine (Pinuswallichiana) and Walnut (Juglansregia)” Ecological Engineering, 51, pp:88-94, 2013 3. Ahmad Nawaz Khan, Po-Da Hong and Wei-Tsung Chuang “Relaxation behavior of poly(trimethylene 2,6-naphthalate) in nanoclay confinement”. Journal of Polymer Research, 1022-9760, 20, pp. 280-288, 2013. 4. Arshad Hussain and Habib Nasir; “Mohammad Ahsan Process design analyses of CO2 capture from natural gas by fixed site carrier membrane”. Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan (Manuscript No: JCSP-2504139921, accepted) 2013. 5. Erum Pervaiz and I.H. Gul “High frequency AC response, DC resistivity and magnetic studies of holmium substituted Ni-ferrite; A novel electromagnetic material” Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials), Vol. 349, pp: 27-34, 2014 6. Erum Pervaiz and I.H. Gul “Low Temperature Synthesis and Enhanced Electrical Properties by Substitution of Al3+ and Cr3+ in Co-Ni nano ferrites” Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, Vol. 343, pp: 196-202, 2013. 7. ErumPervaiz, I.H. Gul, Humaira Anwar “Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and nanorods” Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism, Vol 26, No.2. pp 415-424, 2013 8. Fozia T. Minhas, Shahabuddin Memon, Imdadullah Qureshi, M. Mujahid and M. I. Bhanger “Facilitated Kinetic Transport of Cu(II) Through a Supported Liquid Membrane with Calix arene as Carrier Comptes Rendus” - Chimie, vol. 16 (8), pp. 742-751, 2013. 9. Fozia T. Minhas, Shahabuddin Memon, M. I. Bhanger, Nadeem Iqbal and M. Mujahid “Solvent Resistant Thin Film Composite Nanofiltration Membrane”: Characterization and Permeation Study Applied Surface Science, vol. 282, pp: 887-897, 2013 10. G Hussain A. Hammed, J G Hetherington, K. Sanaullah and AQ Malik “The explosive formed projectile (EFP) as a standoff sea mine neutralization device”, Journal of Energetic Materials Vol: 31 PP: 100-114, 2013 11. G Hussain A. Hammed, J G Hetherington, PC Barton and AQ Malik “Hydrocode simulation with EFP with modified Johnson Cook Model and Experimental analysis of explosively formed projectiles” Journal of Energetic Materials Vol: 31 PP: 143-155, 2013 12. Haris M. Ansari, Michael D. Rauscher, Suliman A. Dregia and Sheikh A. Akbar, “Epitaxial pore-free gadoliniadoped ceria thin films on yttria-stabilized zirconia by RF magnetron sputtering.” Ceramics International, 39 (8), 9749 (2013) 13. Haris M. Ansari, Vikas Dixit, Lawrence B. Zimmerman, Michael D. Rauscher, Suliman A. Dregia and Sheikh A. Akbar, “Self-assembly of nanoislands on YSZ-(001) surface: A Mechanistic Approach Toward a Robust Process.” Nano Letters, 13 (5), 2116 (2013). 14. Haseeb Sheikh, Moshin Hassan and Nasir M. Ahmad “Self assembled Multilayer Thin Films of PDAC/Methyl Orange Azo Dye: Light SwicthableAbsorance and Morphological Characteristics” Photonics and Nanostructures – Fundamentals and Applications, pp: 1569-4410, 2013. 15. IramMahmood, Ishfaq Ahmad, Chen Guo, Huizhou Liu. “A surfactant-coated lipase immobilized in magnetic nanoparticles for multicycle ethyl isovalerate enzymatic production” Biochemical Engineering Journal 73, pp: 72– 79, 2013 16. IramMahmood, Ishfaq Ahmad, N.B.Wong, H.Z.Liu, Chen Guo. “A New Strategy for the Synthesis of Polyaniline Nanostructures Using m-CPBA as an Oxidant”. Journal of Material Science, Materials in Electronics, 24, pp: 1181–1186, 2013 17. Ishfaq Ahmad, IramMahmood, Imran Riaz Malik, Irshad Ahmad Arshad, Ehtsham-ul-Haq, Zahid Iqbal. “Probability Analysis of Monthly Rainfall on Seasonal Monsoon in Pakistan. International” Journal of Climatology, published online: 20 May 2013. 18. Ishfaq Ahmad, Said Farooq Shah, Iram Mahmood, Ehtsham-ul-Haq. “Modeling of Monsoon Rainfall in Pakistan based on Kappa” Distribution Science international, 25(2), pp: 333-336, 2013. 19. K.M. Zia, N.A. Qureshi, M. Mujahid, K. Mahmood and M. Zuber, “Morphological studies of chitin based polyu43

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine rethanes using hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 59, pp: 313-319, 2013. 20. KhurramYaqoob and Jean-Marc Joubert, “Experimental investigation of the Mo–Ni–Re system” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, ISSN: 0925-8388, Volume: 559 Page: 101-111, 2013 21. KhurramYaqoob, Laure Guénée, Radovan Cerný and Jean-Marc Joubert, A modulated structure derived from the σ phase in the Mo-Ni-Re system Intermetallics, ISSN: 0966-9795, Volume:37, page 42-45, 2013 22. M. Ahsan and A. Hussain, “A comparison of numerical methods used to solve cross flow model for multicomponent membrane gas separation”, World Applied Sciences Journal 22 (5), 703-711, 2013. 23. M. Ahsan and A. Hussain, “An alternate mathematical approach to recover hydrogen with high permeate purity from gas streams of small-medium level oil refineries” Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan 35 (03), pp: 621-628, 2013 24. M. Arshad Bashir, NadeemIqbal, Mohammad Shahid, Quratulain and Riaz Ahmed, “Structural, Viscoelastic, and Vulcanization Study of Sponge Ethylene–Propylene–Diene Monomer Composites with Various Carbon Black Loadings”. J. APPL. POLYM. SCI. DOI: 10.1002/APP.39423, 2013. 25. M. Ihsan Danish, Ishtiaq A. Qazi, AkifZeb, A. Habib, M. Ali Awan and Zahir-ud-din Khan “Arsenic removal from aqueous solution using pure and metal doped Titania Nanoparticles coated on glass beads: Adsorption and Column studies” Journal of Nanomaterials, vol. 17, 2013 26. M. Israr-Qadir, S. Jamil-Rana, O. Nur, M. Willander, L.A. Larsson, P.O. Holtz “Fabrication of ZnO nanodisks from structural transformation of ZnO nanorods through natural oxidation and their emission characteristics” Ceramics International, Available online 19 August 2013, (Published Online) 27. M. Khalid, M. Mujahid, A. N. Khan, R. S. Rawat and K. Mehmood, “Effect of Arc Current on Phase Evolution, Texturing and Wear Behavior of Plasma Sprayed CaZrO3 Coatings”, Ceramics International, vol. 39(3), pp: 22932302, 2013. 28. M. Khalid, M. Mujahid, A. N. Khan, R. S. Rawat, “Dip Coating of Nano Hydroxyapatite on Titanium Alloy with Plasma Assisted γ-Alumina Buffer Layer: A Novel Coating Approach” Journal of Materials Science & Technology, vol. 29(6), pp: 557-564, 2013. 29. M. Khalid, M. Mujahid, S. Amin, R.S. Rawat, A. Nusair and G.R. Deen, “Effect of surfactant and heat treatment on morphology, surface area and crystallinity in hydroxyapatite nano crystals” , Ceramics International, vol.39 (1), pp. 39-50, 2013. 30. M. Tanveer, A. Habib and M. B. Khan “The inverted double heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices using electrospun TiO2 nanofibers”, International Journal of Soft Computing and Engineering, 2, pp:101-106, 2013 31. M. Tanveer, A. Habib, M. B. Khan “Dependence of organic inorganic photovoltaic device performance on precursor’s concentration used for electrospun TiO2 nanofibers”, Nano, Vol 08, No 3, pp: 7, 2013 32. M. Tanveer, A. Habib, M. B. Khan “Infiltration of polymer through the pores of electrospunnanofibers and performance of TiO2 nanofibers/ P3HT photovoltaic devices”, Current Nanoscience, Vol. 09, pp: 351-356, 2013 33. Mahmood, Q., A. Afzal, H. M. Siddiqi and A. Habib “Sol–gel synthesis of tetragonal ZrO2 nanoparticles stabilized by crystallite size and oxygen vacancies”. Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology: vol. 67 pp 670–674, 2013 34. Muhammed A. Hassan, M. Saqib, Nasir M. Ahmad and Abdelhamid Elaissari, “Magnetically Engineering Smart Thin Films: Towards Ultra Sensitive Molecular Imaging for Lab on Chip”. Journal of biomedical Nanotechnology, 2013, Vol. 9, Pages 467 474. ISSN: 1550-7033, 2013 35. Nadeem Iqbal, Nasir M. Ahmad, Sadia Sagar, Faisal Iqbal, Mohammad H. K. Tareen, Taimoor A. Khan, Saad Mehfooz, M. Bilal Khan and Tahir Jameel, “Development of Kevlar-Supported Novel Polypropylene Membranes: Effect of the Concentration of the Nucleating Agent on the Properties and Performance”. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2013, Vol. 130, pp. 2821-2831, 2013. 36. Nasir Mahmood, Mohammad Islam, Asad Hameed, Shaukat Saeed and Ahmad Nawaz Khan “Polyamide-6-based composites reinforced with pristine or functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes produced using melt extrusion technique”, Journal of composite materials, 0021-9983, pp: 1 – 11, 2013. 37. Niazi, M.B.K.; Zijlstra, M.; Broekhuis, A.A Spray drying thermoplastic starch formulations: need for processing aids and plasticizers?” European Polymer Journal, volume 49, pp. 1861-1870, 2013. 38. Pervaiz, E., I. Gul, and A. Habib “Hydrothermal Synthesis, Structural and Electrical Properties of Antimony (Sb3+) Substituted Nickel Ferrites”. Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism: p. 1-10. 2013 39. R. Mathieu , N.Dupin, J.-C.Crivello , K.Yaqoob, A.Breidi, J.-M.Fiorani, N. David and J.-M.Joubert “CALPHAD description of the Mo–Re system focused on the sigma phase modeling” CALPHAD: Computer Coupling of Phase Diagrams and Thermochemistry, ISSN: 0364-5916,Volume:43 Page:18-31, 2013 40. S. Hafeez, A. Hussain and N. Iqbal, “Fabrication and Characterization of Micro filtration blended Membrane Desalination and Water Treatment” pp: 1-8, 2013 41. S.S. Batool, Z. Imran, M. Israr Qadir, M. Usman, H. Jamil, M.A. Rafiq, M.M. Hassan, M. Willander “Comparative Analysis of Ti, Ni, and Au Electrodes on Characteristics of TiO2 Nanofibers for Humidity Sensor Application” Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 29(5), 411, 2013. 42. Shameel Farhana, Noaman Ul-Haq, “Degradation Behavior of 4D Carbon/Carbon Composites under Supersonic Oxidative Air Plasma” Ceramics International 39, pp:7135 – 7142, 2013 43. SS Batool, Z Imran, MQ Israr, JR Sadaf, M Usman, H Jamil, MA Rafiq, MM Hasan, Omer Nur, M. Willander “Silica nanofibers based Impedance type humidity detector prepared on glass substrate” Vacuum, 87, pp: 1-6, 2013 44

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine 44. Tariq Zaman; Habib Nasir and Enda Bergin, “Parallel Screening of Asymmetric Bidentate Ligands in Zinc Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation” Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan (Manuscript No: JCSP-150313-9811, accepted) 2013. 45. V. N. Psychoyios, G.-P.Nikoleli, N.Tzamtzis,D. P. Nikolelis, N.Psaroudakis, B.Danielsson,M Q Israr,M. Willander “Potentiometric Cholesterol Biosensor Based on ZnO Nanowalls and Stabilized Polymerized Lipid Film” Electroanalysis, 25(2), 367, 2013, 46. Xuan-Hung Pham, Minh-Phuong Ngoc Bui, Cheng Ai Li, Kwi Nam Han, Muhammad Irfan, Myung Hyo Hong & Gi Hun Seong,Hydrazine detection by shape-controlled palladium nanostructures on carbon nanotube thin films. BioChip J. (2013) 7(2): 156-163. 47. Z. Imran, S. S. Batool, H. Jamil, M. Usman, M. Israr Qadir,S. H.Shah, S. Jamil Rana, M. A. Rafiq, M. M.Hasan, M. Willander, “Excellent humidity sensing properties of cadmium titanate nanofibers” Ceramics International, 39(1), 457, 2013 48. Zaheer-ud-din Babar and Abdul Qadeer Malik “Thermal and kinetic comparison of various oxidizers used in propellant /pyrotechnic compositions Caspian” Journal of Applied Sciences Research 2(7), pp. 63-69, 2013

Conference Papers 1. A Ali, M S AlSalhi, M Atif, Anees A Ansari, M Q Israr, J R Sadaf, E Ahmed, O Nur and M Willander “Potentiometric urea biosensor utilizing nanobiocomposite of chitosan-iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles” Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2013, 414, 012024. 2. A. Habib, M Tanveer “Use of electrospun ZnO and TiO2 nano fibers in normal and inverted BHJ devices based on P3HT and PCBM” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes, 22-24th Aug. 2013, SCME, NUST Islamabad Pakistan. 3. Ahmed Nawaz Khan :Mechanism of Intercalation extent in polymer/clay nanocomposites” Conference on emerging materials and processes (CEMP), August 22-24, 2013, Pakistan, 4. Ahmed Nawaz Khan “Glass transition behavior and chain dynamics of PTN in nanoclay confinement” International symposium on Advanced Materials (ISAM), September 23 – 27, 2013, Pakistan. 5. Arshad Hussain “Combustion Kinetics Studies of Nano-Thermite System” Conference on emerging material and processes (CEMP), 22-24th August, 2013. SCME NUST, Islamabad Pakistan 6. Arshad Hussain “Improved carbon-based sorbent for CO2 capture” Conference on emerging material and processes (CEMP), 22-24th August, 2013. SCME NUST, Islamabad Pakistan 7. Arshad Hussain “Pursuance of Functionalized titania Nanoparticles on Morphology and gas permeation of standalone cellulose acetate membrane” Conference on emerging material and processes (CEMP), 22-24th August, 2013. SCME NUST, Islamabad Pakistan 8. Arshad Hussain “Synthesis and characterization of cyanate ester based thermoset resin system and their application in carbon fiber composites” Conference on emerging material and processes (CEMP), 22-24th August, 2013. SCME NUST, Islamabad Pakistan 9. Bilal Khan Niazi “Is spray drying a route to thermoplastic starch-based products” Emerging Materials and Processes 2013” in National University of Science and Technology, NUST, Islamabad, the Pakistan, 22-24 August 2013 10. Iram Mehmood “Adsorption and magnetic removal of neutral red dye using hollow nanospheres” Conference on emerging material and processes (CEMP), 22-24th August, 2013. SCME NUST, Islamabad Pakistan 11. Jamshid Khan; Habib Nasir; Sumera Mahboob; Sharifullah, “Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Modified Sol-Gel Method” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 22-24 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 12. Javid Khan; Hameed Ullah; Habib Nasir; Muhammad Khan; Muhammad Sohail, “Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nano-meterials via Xerogel from Zn(II) beta-diketonates” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 22-24 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 13. M Awais Anwar, HamzaIrfan, *Muhammad Shahid, NabeelAhmed “Alloying addition to improve mechanical properties of ductile cast iron” Conference on emerging material and processes (CEMP), 22-24th August, 2013. SCME NUST, Islamabad Pakistan 14. 14. M. Tanveer, A. Habib, M. B. Khan “Interface modification of inverted bulk heterojunction organic solar cell by ZnO and CuOx” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes, 22-24th Aug. 2013, SCME, NUST Islamabad Pakistan. 15. M. Tanveer, A. Habib, S. M. Khan, M. B. Khan “Interface modification of inverted bulk heterojunction organic solar cell by TiO2 and CuOx” International Symposium on Advanced Materials, 23-27th Sep. 2013, Islamabad Pakistan. 16. Maha Yusuf; Wei Yin Chen; Habib Nasir; Arshad Hussain; Mohammad Mujahid, “Improved Carbon-Based Sorbent for CO2 Capture. Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 22-24 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 45

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine 17. Muhammad Asif Khan; Habib Nasir; Arshad Hussain; Iram Mehmood, “Combustion Kinetics Studies of Nano-Thermite System” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 22-24 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 18. Muhammad Shahid “Pharmaceutical compounds and plant extracts as eco-friendly inhibitors for corrosion protection” ISAM 2013. 19. Qanita Tayyaba, Hina Farooq, Muhammad Shahid, Ammer Khan Jadoon, M Shahzad and AH Qureshi “On the stress corrosion cracking of lean duplex steel in chloride environment”. ISAM 2013 20. Rabia Anwar, Mohammad Kaleem, Muhammad Shahid, Mohammad Mujahid, A Shah , A Habib, A S Khan, F Anwar, S Andleeb, A Masud, S Khanand A Sadaat “In vitro analysis and biocompatibility of local andimported osteosynthetic maxillofacial titanium bone plates”. ISAM 2013 (International Symposium on Advanced Materials) IST, Islamabad. 21. S. A. Moiz; H. Nasir; A. M. Nahhas; Kh. S. Karimov; M. M. Ahmed, “Electrical Properties of Ag-Silicon Schottky Diode with Orange-Dye as Interface Layer Deposited at Various Gravity Accelerations” The Second Saudi International Electronics, Communications and Photonics Conference (ed. 27-30 April 2013 (accepted, submission number 283). King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 22. S. Nosheen, S. Fatima, M. Mujahid, A. Hussain, A. Habib, A.Q. Malik “Synthesis of GIS Type Nano-Crystalline Zeolite”, proceedings IBCAST Jan 2013, Islamabad 23. S. Rehman, I. Calgeris, M. Mujahid, E. T. Oner “Synthesis and Characterization of Bio-Compatible Ferromagnetic Hydroxyapatite Composite”, International Conference on Nanoscale Magnetism (ICNM-2013), September 02– 06, 2013, Istanbul, Turkey. 24. Safdar Hayat; Habib Nasir; Arshad Hussain; Sharif Ullah; Muhammad Asif Khan, “Hydrogen Production by AlH2O Reaction in Presence of Chlorides” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 2224 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 25. 25. Sarah Farrukh, Arshad Hussain, Sofia Javed, Mohammad Mujahid “Pursuance of Functionalized TiO2 Nanoparticles on Morphology and Gas Permeation of Cellulose Acetate Membrane” IUPAC 44th World Chemistry Congress 2013, 11-16 Aug 2013, Istanbul, Turkey. 26. Shaneela Nosheen, Sundus Fatima, M. Mujahid “Nano sized DAC zeolite for environmental protection applications”, 246th ACS National Meeting, 8-12 Sep. 2013, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 27. Sharif Ullah; Habib Nasir; Sumera Mahboob; Jamshid Khan; Safdar Hayat; Ghulam Nabi Abbasi, “Synthesis and Characterization of MgO Nanoparticles by Using Methyl Cellulose Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 22-24 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 28. Syed Sajid Ali Shah; Habib Nasir; Noaman Ul-Haq; Arshd Hussain, “Synthesis and characterization of Cyanate ester based thermoset resin system and their application in carbon fiber composites” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 22-24 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 29. Tariq Zaman; Habib Nasir; Enda Bergin, “Modular and Flexible Synthesis of Instant Catalyst Libraries for High Throughput Catalysis” Conference on Emerging Materials and Processes (ed. Mujahid, M.) 22-24 August 2013. School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology, H-12, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. 30. Umar Khalid, M HuzaifaNajeeb, Muhammad Shahid “Corrosion behavior of imported and local titanium bone plates in various human body fluids” Conference on emerging material and processes (CEMP), 22-24th August, 2013. SCME NUST, Islamabad Pakistan

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

List of

Seminars-2013 at SCME 1. Dr. Yasir F Joya, “Antibacterial Silver-Anatase Nanocomposite Film Generated by Pulsed Excimer Laser Processing”, 02 January 2013 2. Dr. Abdul Matin, Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engg, Isb “Nanoparticles Application in Drug Delivery System.” 23 January 2013 3. Dr. Raza Naqvi “Analyzing Performance of Biofuel Production using Gasification on Technology with Chemical Pulp Mills” 08 Feb 2013 4. Dr. Haris Masood Ansari, “Self-Assembled Nanostructures in Oxide Ceramics”. 20 Feb 2013 5. Dr. Imtiaz Ali “Mechanical behavior of fibers towards rewetting and drying, application to paper and paperboard” 20 Feb 2013 6. Dr. Khurram Yaqoob, “Experimental Determination of the Mo-Ni-Re System”. 13 March 2013 7. Mr. M Imran Ahmad, “Analysis of Main Structural Members to Propose Replacement of Damaged Components of an Aircraft”. 15 March 2013 8. Dr. M Israr Qadir, “Chemically Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nano-Structures and their Device Applications”. 02 April 2013 9. Engineer Fawad Ali, “Hard Coatings (Effect of experimental parameters on TiN, TiAIN and TiCrN Films properties and multilayer coatings)” 03 April 2013 10. Mr. Waqas Cheema “Nuclear Desalination” 04 Apr 2013 11. Mr. Faisal Naseem Siddiqui “Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Foam as a Fire Retardant Material” 12 Apr 2013 12. Mr. Bilal Anjum Ahmed, “Effect of Various Shapes and Sizes of Micro and Nano Filters on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Transfer Molded Polyamide ” 16 April 2013 13. Dr. Waseem Haider, University of Texas Pan-America, “Enhanced Biocompatibility of Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Implant Materials”. 22 May 2013 14. Dr. Waseem Haider, University of Texas Pan-America, “Enhanced Biocompatibility of Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Implant Materials”. 23 May 2013 15. Dr. Laurent Duclaux and Dr. Manuel Lagache, French Professors, “Composites and Porous Materials, 27 May 2013 16. Mr. Haroon Mehmood, “Lowering of Band Gap of Titania Thin Films by Intergration of Graphene Nanosheets”. 17 June 2013 17. Ms Sarish Rehman, “Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite and Study of his Bioactivity”. 28 June 2013 18. Mr. Nadeem Iqbal, “Ablative Based on Multiple Reinforced Elastomeric Composites for Aerospace Applications”. 28 June 2013 19. Mr. Altaf Karim “Designing Functional Nanomaterials for Green Energy Applications” 15 Jul 2013 20. Mr. Nadeem Ahmed “Viscoelastic Properties of Polyurethanes with Particular Reference to Morphology, Thermal & Mechanical Behaviour” 02 Aug 2013 21. Mr. M Khalid “Hydroxyapatite Powder and Films on Metallic Alloys with Ceramic Buffer Layers”. 19 August 2013 22. Raja Muhammad Asif Khan, “Thermal – Cum Kinetic Behavior of Thermites” 21 August, 2013 23. Mr. Ijaz Ahmed “Effect of Confinement on Velocity of Detonation (VOD)” 26 Aug 2013 24. Syed Sammar Abbas “Synthesis and Study of Ce Substituted Co Ni Spinel Nano Ferrite” 27 Aug 2013 25. Ms Amna Safdar, “Growth of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Thin Films by Wet Chemistry Routes; as a Light Absorber Layer in CIGS based Thin Films PV Technology”. 28 August 2013 26. Mr. Adnan Qamar “Signatures of Various Ordnance” 30 Aug 2013 27. Mr. Safdar Hayat “Thermal & Kinetic Studies of Micro/Nano Aluminum Particles and their Applications for Hydrogen Production” 06 Sep 2013 28. Mr. M Rizwan Saleem, “Design, Fabrication and Analysis of Photonic Device Nanostructure”. 17 Sep 2013 29. Mr. Saeed Anwar, “Synthesis & Characterization of CU0.5Ni0.5AlxFe2-xO4 Ferrite Nano Particles by Chemical Coprecipitation Method”. 19 Sep 2013 30. Mr. Sharif Ullah “Synthesis & Characterization of MgO Nanoparticles by Modified Sonochemical Method and their Catalytic Studies Against Organophophates & Pesticides” 20 Sep 2013 31. Ms Wajeeha Usman, “Fabrication & Characterization of Zinc Telluride Based Thin Films by Closed Space Sublimation (CSS) Technique”. 30 Sep 2013 32. Ms Sadaf Bashir Khan, “Preparation & Characterization of Rubber Composites with Doping of NixZn1-x NanoFerrites”. 03 October 2013 47

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine 33. Mr. Jamshid Khan “Synthesis & Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles by Modified Sonochemical Method and their Catalytic Studies Against Organophophates” 04 Oct 2013 34. Mr. Muhammad Tanveer, “Application of Metal Oxide Nanofibers and Thin Films in P3HT Based Solar Devices for Efficiency Improvement”. 07 October 2013 35. Ms Nosheen Sultan “Synthesis & Characterization of Co Doped Mn Ferrites by Co-precipitation Method”. 10 October 2013 36. Mr. Muhammad Siyar “Development of Graphene Based Cobalt Ferrites Nanocomposites for Microwave Shielding”. 24 October 2013 37. Mr. Manzoor Illahi “Effects of Fillers on Mechanical, Physical, Swelling and Thermal Properties of HNBR” 31 Oct 2013 38. Mr. Muhammad Aamer “Synthesis of Aluminum, Teflon & Viton (ATV) Pyrotechnic Composition and its Application” 12 Nov 2013 39. Mr. Ghulam Nabi “Conversion of High-Molecular Weight Hydrocarbons to More Valuable Compounds by Nano Catalysts” 21 Nov 2013 40. Dr. Saif Ullah “Co-existence of Ferromagnetic and Ferroelectric Behaviour in Li Doped ZnO Nanoparticles and Thin Films”. 21 Nov 2013 41. Mr. Muhammad Asif Khan “Synthesis, Characterization & Thermal/ Kinetic Studies of Nano Energetic Al-Metal Oxides Thermites System” 25 Nov 2013 42. Ms Erum Pervaiz “Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt and Nickel Based Spinel Ferrites by Wet Chemical Methods”. 28 Nov 2013 43. Dr. Nasir Mahmood Ahmed, “Design and Establishment of Drinking Water Plant with Constructive modifications” 05 December, 2013 44. Ms. Arooj Nawaz, “BioNEMS and Microfluidics” 12 December, 2013 45. Dr. Akhtar Hayat “Nano/bio devices: a potential technology for diverse applications” 19 December. 2013.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Information Articles

Glorious Graphene Mohammad Yousuf Mehmood

Batch Che 05

Smart-phones, tablets and laptops are all the rage these days, with new variants emerging every few months or sooner. Equipped with the latest hardware and cutting edge software, these machines easily outperform even the super computers of as late as a decade ago. More storage, better battery life, faster processors and most importantly a thinner package for all of that is essential for every new model that goes on sale. Behind all of this is incredible innovation and precise engineering. Those of you who have watched Apple’s or Microsoft’s keynotes probably know what I’m talking about. However we’re coming to a tipping point, that is, sooner or later this progress in speeds and increase in storage will slow down, and according to some estimates, will stop completely. Every year the computer industry manufactures smaller and smaller transistors to increase the computing power of processors (smaller transistors mean more transistors in a processor chip which in turn means more calculations can be done and faster than the previous processor). This is why Intel comes up with a faster line of processors every year (Core 2 Duo, i5, i7 etc). Similarly batteries are made more efficient by figuring out how to store more energy per area. But this can’t go on forever. After all, this process is simply squeezing more information into smaller and smaller space. Space has to run out some time. That is unless the method to store information is altered. In 2010 the Nobel Prize for Physics went to Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov from the University of Manchester for their “groundbreaking” experiments on the two dimensional material, graphene. Graphene is a single atom thick layer of hexagonally shaped carbon rings. Graphene seems to be the savior of the computer chip industry. Up until recently the com-

puter industry had been making computer chips out of silicon, but its capacity to evolve in to a faster processor every year is running out. Graphene, a newly discovered allotrope of carbon will be able to solve this problem, simply because its structure allows for faster transistors to be manufactured. In 2011 IBM unveiled a graphene transistor able to function at an incredible speed of 155GHz. Go home and check the speed of your computer processor and notice the difference. If that wasn’t enough, graphene is proving to be a Super, supercapacitor. Richard B. Kaner, a chemist from the California Institute of Polymers discovered that if he charged a graphene strip for just a few seconds, he could power an LED for over five minutes. This, if implemented on a large scale could mean instant charging for cell phone, tablet, laptop and even electric car batteries. Imagine running out of battery power just when you need to make a phone call and plugging in your phone for a few minutes, and being at full power again. That is achievable in the near future. Graphene has been dubbed the “Wonder Material” and rightly so. Like the discovery of any new material, the advent of graphene holds amazing new applications and inventions and promises to revolutionize the industry and usher in a new era of not just energy efficiency, but clean energy. Why? Because graphene is pure carbon, when you’re done with it as a battery or a computer chip you can recycle it without any harmful by products. It’s amazing that the same element that makes up coal makes up diamonds, the graphite in your pencil and will very soon make up the batteries and processors in the computers you use every day. Yeah you read correctly, all those things are pure carbon. 49

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Engineering Conundrums #1

Powering the Biggest Dam in the World Muhammad Hassaan Munir

Batch Che 05

Hydropower has been a veritable source of electricity since Lord Armstrong engineered a 4 Kilowattsdomestic dam in Northern England in late 1878. Since Armstrong’s invention, numerous dams have sprung up around the world because of the clean and cheap electricity they generate while providing flood-management and reservoir capabilities. Not to mention, they have evolved continually – getting more complex in design and having generation capacities of thousands of Megawatts. Without doubt, the pinnacle of dam construction was attained with therecent inauguration of the Three Gorges Dam in China. Rising from the depths of the mighty Yangtze River, it is the largest dam in the world. The Three Gorges Dam rises to a colossal 60 stories and is 2 kilometers wide. This exquisite engineering feat is also the biggest concrete structure on the planet with a whopping peak generation capacity of 22,500 Megawatts, which roughly equals the amount of electricity generated by Pakistan& UAE combined! Constructed in a period of 17 years by a workforce of over 40,000, it had to deal with a plethora of problems. Including flood alarms, the exothermic effect of 27million cubic meters of concrete or dealing with shipcrossings in the busiest river in China. The project engineers passed these tests with flying colors until a bigger

problem surfaced. The Three Gorges dam has 32 generators with a single generator costing $50 million. Each of these generators is connected to a total of 48 governor pumps. These rotary pumps have to pump hydraulic oil to the heavy flood gates of the dam to control water inlet to the turbines that in turn power the generators. These pumps have to operate, without reprieve, 365-days-a-year. This calls for paramount quality and durability. So, a top pump firm, Acorax Enterprises, was called in and they had to deal with a unique phenomenon at the Three Gorges – varying outlet pressure. It is relatively easier to design components under steady pressure. During variations, however, pressure on the various components is extremely difficult to predict and handle. In addition to damaging the pump’s casing, frequent changes in pressure lead to the destruction of rotating parts of the pump

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine as well. Also centrifugal pumps, which can handle pressure changes very well, could not be used here as the liquid being pumped is viscous which would have led to decreased flow rate and foaming because of turbulence. The firm had to stick with rotary pumps and they had to design them to acclimatize to fluctuating pressure differences. After a month of hard work, they claimed to have design the perfect governor pump for the Three Gorges. A test run was conducted with a single turbine. The pump started well, project heads were impressed and then after a mere four hours of service the pump burst. Thanks to the rapid action of the onsite workers, any damage to the expensive turbines was avoided but the pumpcompany was sent packing. After this initial setback, the Three Gorges Enterprises

of the governor pumps. The pumps they installed at the Three Gorges site are the triple-screw SMH1300. These screw pumps are positive displacement pumps that displace a fluid across the spindles on the screw’s axes. A triple screw pump, as evident from the name, has three screws to it. There is a rotating central screw, which is sandwiched between two auxiliary screws. As the central screw moves, it induces counter-rotations in the other screws, i.e., the other screws move in opposite direction. This movement allows the liquid to move along the spindles of the screws with minimum turbulence while also being compressed. Rotary screw pumps are an industry mainstay when it comes to hydraulic applications and they are working seamlessly at the Three Gorges since 2004.

knocked on the door of the Germany-based, Allweiler Corporation. They managed to design pumps that took into account the water level variations in the dam reservoir and thus dealt with the fluctuations in discharge pressure

Standing on the shoulders of historic engineering, the Three Gorges Dam is the ultimate hydroelectric dam in the world. That is, until someone builds and even bigger one.

Research Visits Mr. Rahim Jan (PhD scholar ME-SCME) has performed part of his PhD work at School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. The opportunity was provided by IRSIP, HEC for six months (January-July 2013). Rahim worked under the supervision of Professor Jonathan N. Coleman. The main course of the work was related to the liquid exfoliation of 2D nanomaterials and their applications with the polymeric matrices. Some of the work, he carried there, has been published in a well reputed journal ‘Nanoscale’. Mr Muhammad Ahsan (PhD scholar of SCME) spent the six months as a visiting scholar in Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada under HEC International Research Support Initiative Program.During his stay at Waterloo Mr Muhammad Ahsan has worked closely with Dr.Xianshe Feng on

topic of “Membrane Module Design & Analysis for Gas Separation”. His work has resulted in a multitude of publications. Mr Ahsan has written 04 research papers.Diversity of subjects is treated in these publications, ranging from numerical analysis to computational fluid dynamics via applications of mathematical modeling in membrane gas separation. Ms. Sarah Hafeez (PhD scholar of SCME) has spent six months (October 2013 –March 2014) as a visiting scholar in Institute for Materials and Processes, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom under HEC International Research Support Initiative Program. During her stay at Edinburgh University. Miss Sarah has worked under the supervision of Dr.Xianfeng Fan and Dr. Claudia Martin Fernandez on CO2 adsorption on dense polymeric membranes. She has synthesized number of polymeric membranes and tests these membranes on adsorption rig, which was designed by her. To study the kinet-

ics of CO2 adsorption, different models were applied on the results. She wrote three papers based on this work and are submitted in reputed journals. M. Aftab Akram joined City University of Hong Kong from August 2013 to January 2014 as visiting PhD student under supervision of Chair Prof. Chun Sing Lee. During his visit he worked on novel 1-D core-shell nano-structures for CIGS and CZTS based thin film solar. Research papers based on experimental work have been submitted to reputed journals. Miss Sofia Javed visited City University of Hong Kong for six months under HEC’s ‘International research support initiative program’. She was working in centre for super diamond and advanced films with Chair Prof. Chun Sing Lee on synthesis of novel dyes for dye sensitized solar cell applications. Research papers based on experimental work are under review in reputed journals.

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Conference/Workshop - SCME-2013 Conference on Emerging Materials & Processes (CEMP) The conference on emerging materials was held on August 22nd - 24th, 2013 at School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME), NUST, Islamabad. The goal of this conference was to bring together physicists, chemists and engineers from academia and industry to share ideas, problems and solutions related to the development of advance materials and chemical processes. CEMP provides an opportunity to bring together students, researchers and professionals and provide a platform to create links that may enrich the professional networks among the participants. This event marks the first conference of the series to be organized by the School of Chemical and Materials Engineering NUST. The school is planning to host the event every year starting from the year 2013.

LS DYNA Training SCME had conducted five days LS DYNA Training from 25th -29th MARCH 2013. Lectures were delivered by Associate Prof Dr. Qasim H. Shah, currently working as Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia. The training involved the practical usage of the world famous explicit finite element software called LS DYNA which is used by scientists and engineers to perform computer simulations of dynamic structural loading events like impact, crash, explosions, and fluid structure interaction. The application of LS DYNA finds its way into all branches of engineering like Mechanical and Civil Engineering. The training was conducted using step by step instructions in a computer laboratory with brief discussions to acquaint the participants to the software in a friendly atmosphere.

Research Collaboration University Collaboration School of Chemical and Materials Engineering is collaborating with renowned universities around the world. In this regard SCME has signed an MOU with university of NANTES, France. The agreement covers the supervision of students in their projects, collaborative research projects including the joint thesis, exchange of academic and research materials. It includes exchange of students, faculty members and researchers. The agreement is valid for a period of five years form the date of signing. Another initiative has recently been taken between Marmara University of Istanbul, Turkey and School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Science & Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. The two sides have decided to sign an agreement to reach an MOU between the two universities. This agreement contains the terms of closer scientific and educational links between these two universities, exchange of knowledge and expertise of the two sides to enhance cooperation in teaching and learning and to strengthen academic excellence among two universities. The exchange of students, visiting staff, academic expertise and projects of joint interest are as well the part of this agreement. This MOU will be automatically renewed after every five years. 52

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Industrial Collaboration School of Chemical and Materials Engineering is comprised of two departments namely Chemical Engineering Department and Materials Engineering Department. Both the departments are working with the industry of Pakistan. These are research based projects to solve the problems being faced by the industry. This helps to build good industry-academia relationship at R&D level without which no country can advance in this modern era. The collaboration with industry also includes internship and industrial visits of students.

SCME-Industry Joint Research Projects

Some of the industrial projects which are currently being undertaken:

S.No. Industry

Project Title (PI)

RESO Chemicals, Lahore

a. Production of formic acid (Dr. Iram Mahmood, Dr. Arshad Hussain) b. Synthesis of ABS resins (Dr. Erum Parvez, Dr. Arshad Hussain) c. Preparation of UV protected sportsware (Dr. Habib Nasir) d. Preparation of water protected sportsware (Dr. Habib Nasir) e. Development of CMC (Dr. Muhammad Shahid) f. Pilot plant designing for recycling of waste lead metal (Dr. Muhammad Shahid)

Nimar Chemicals

a. Investigation and catalyst performance for production of PA (Dr. Arshad Hussain) b. Membrane distillation process for recovery of waste water (Dr. Arshad Hussain)

FFC

a. Synthesis of slow release urea (Dr. Bilal Niazi ,Dr. Arshad Hussain) b. Synthesis of zinc coated urea (Dr. Bilal Niazi, Dr. Arshad Hussain)

ICI Soda Ash

Utilization of calcium chloride for synthesis of useful chemicals (Dr. Arshad Hussain)

Rastgar

Improvement of mechanical properties of ductile cast iron through different alloying additions (Lec. Nabeel Dr. Muhammad Shahid)

Rice Industry of Pakistan

Development of Abrasive polishing rolls for rice industry (Dr. Muhammad Shahid)

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)

Failure analysis of Air craft component (Dr. Muhammad Shahid)

Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF)

Reverse Engineering of shock absorber for riffles (Dr. Muhammad Shahid)

SNGPL

HDPE Plastic Pipe Employed for Fluid Transportation: Investigation of Joining Techniques (Dr. Nasir M. Ahmad)

Improvement of mechanical properties of ductile cast iron through different alloying additions”. Rastgar Engineering Company Ltd provided students with inoculation facility along with induction furnaces to carry out required experiments. Rastgar also promised to provide actual samples for comparison against the results of another project which involved the use of simulation by the use of solid-cast software for optimization of rigging systems and minimization of casting defects. MOL Pakistan, an oil & gas industry sponsors projects for our undergraduate as well as postgraduate students due to excellent corrosion research facilities available at SCME. One of such projects is “Failure analysis and corrosioncontrol in carbon steel produced water flow lines in oil & gas industries.”. Various failure analysis projects have been and are still being sponsored by defense industries such as Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra and Pakistan Ordinance Factories,(POF) Wah. NESCOM and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), also support our students who are interested in research in composite materials, ferrites , development of stealth coatings and thermal barrier coatings etc. Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) is currently sponsoring an undergraduate project based on “reverse engineering of engine components of Al-Khalid tank”. There are various such projects all of whom cannot be accommodated here. 53

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Internship and Job

Local and Foreign Opportunities Several industries provide internships to our students every year for 06-08 weeks. Moreover graduates of SCME are working at various positions in the following prestigious organizations:

S.No.

Industry

Attock Refinery Limited (ARL)

Chanab Engineering Ltd, Faisalabad

Engro Chemicals

Engro Fertilizer

Engro Foods

Fatima Fertilizer Pvt. Ltd

Fouji Fertilizer Company (FFC) Ltd

Heavy industries, Taxila

Heavy Mechanical Complex

ICI Polyester Pvt Ltd

KSB Pumps

MOL Pakistan

Muree Brewery Co. Ltd

NESCOM

Nestle Pakistan

OGDCL

PAC Kamra

Pakistan Steel Mills

PCSIR

Petrofac, Dubai

Pinstech

POF Wah

Rastgar

Schlumberger

Steel Casting & Engineering Works (SCEW) Gujranwala

Sui Nothren Gas Pipe Line (SNGPL)

Reg. No.

Name of Student

NUST201260675MSCME67612F

NUST201260671MSCME67612F

NUST201260676MSCME67612F

NUST201260673MSCME67612F

NUST201260672MSCME67612F

NUST201260669MSCME67612F

NUST201260678SCME67612F

NUST201260679SCME67612F

NUST201362330MSCME67813F

NUST201362343MSCME67813F

NUST201362342MSCME67813F

NUST201362345MSCME67813F

NUST201362339MSCME67813F

NUST201362338MSCME67813F

NUST201362348MSCME67813F

NUST201362336MSCME67813F

NUST201362329MSCME67813F

NUST201362350MSCME67813F

NUST201362349MSCME67813F

NUST201362332MSCME67813F

MS CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

NUST201260670MSCME67612F

1 Wastewater treatment through nanocatalysis

To study properties of PVP/Boron Nitride Composites

Title

Mutawara Mahmood Baig

Sannan Salabat Butt

Ali Muqaddas

Ayaz Mahmood

Sikandar Junaid

Behram khan

Israr Ahmed

Tariq Mehmood

Ali Sarosh

Mina Arshad

Awais Khan

Daniyal Hassan

Farrukh Naveed

Imran Yousaf

Muhammad Ayub

Muhammad tahir Khattak

Nadir Raza

Muhammad fahad Aziz

Dr. Iram Mahmood

Supervisor/Co-Supervisor

Dr. Iram Mahmood

Dr Arshad Hussain

Dr. Habib Nasir

Dr Noaman Ul Haq

Dr Habib Nasir

Dr A.Q Mlik

Dr Bilal K Niazi

Dr Arshad Hussain

Dr Bilal K Niazi

Dr Arshad Hussain

catalytic activity and kinetic studies of ferrite titania core shell nanostructures for photocatalysis

Catalytic activity and kinetic studies of ferrite Alumina core shell nanostructures for production of hydrogen

Dr Erum Pervaiz

synthesis and Characterization of Ferrite Silica nanospheres for Cata- Dr Erum Pervaiz lytic Applciation

Development of novel slow release urea fertiizers

Seperation of Benzoic acid from waste stream of Phtalic anhydride process

Influence of Carboxylic acid on Mechanical properties of thermoplast starch by spray drying

Influence of Amphphilic Plasticizer on thermoplastic starch films

Feasibility study of membranes for dehydration in Phthalic anhydride production

Kinetic study of employing VOT catalyst from Phthalic anhydride from Dr Arshad Hussain O-Xylene

Catalytic conversion of methanol to formic acid

Polymeric films and nanocomposites for Packaging Application

Oxidation of Methanol to formic acid

Dehydration of Hydrazine by Pervaporation

Hydrogen Production by Al & Nano Modifiers

Synthesis and characterization of Ba based hexferrites

Synthesis and characterization of MgO/ZnO nanocomposites on activated charcoal/carbon fabric

Sustainability of process industry in view of existing risk factors

Cracking of Higher Molecular Hydrocarbons by Photo Nano Catalysis Dr Habib Nasir

Muhammad Junaid Mughal Boron Nitride and epoxy nanocomposites

Shafi ur rehman

Muhammad Hamid Tahir

MS ENERGETIC MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Sr. #

Present Research Students

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Reg. No.

Name of Student

NUST201260695MSCME67712F

NUST201260701MSCME67712F

NUST201260693MSCME67712F

NUST201260688MSCME67712F

NUST201260699MSCME67712F

NUST201260690MSCME67712F

NUST201260700MSCME67712F

NUST201260681MSCME67712F

NUST201260686MSCME67712F

NUST201260698MSCME67712F

NUST201260689MSCME67712F

NUST201260691MSCME67712F

NUST201260703MSCME67712F

Saad Javaid

Rizwan Ullah

M. Shahzad

Saba Naz Mujahid

M. Hussain

Faraz Shoukat

Sehrish Habib

Nasrullah Khatri

Safina Iram Javed

M. Mudassar Rauf

Zeeshan Ahmad

Sumiya Aziz

Farhana Rahat

Zeeshan Ali

2011-NUST-TfrPhD-MS-E-98

2012-NUST-TfrPhD-MS-E-57

NUST201390095PSCME2413F

NUST201290014PSCME2412F

NUST201290090TPCME2412F

Qurat-ul-Ain

Sajid Khan

M Imran Ahmed

Allah Bakhsh

M Aamir Hassan

PhD MATERIALS AND SURFACE ENGINEERING

NUST201260694MSCME67712F

MS MATERIALS AND SURFACE ENGINEERING

Sr. #

Biodegradable polymer/HA nanocomposites

Three components hybrid polymer composites

Fabrication and Characterization of Hybrid Solar Cells for Improved Efficiency and Stability.

Solar Cells Thin Films.

Nanostructures for Photovoltaic.

Electrical and Mechanical Investigation of single layer MoS2/Graphene Reinforcement Nanocomposites.

Fabrication and Characterization of SnO2/Graphene nanosheet Composites.

Characterizing the prop. Of PC/graphene nanocomposites.

Studying the properties of phenolics/Carbon fiber composites.

Investigating the properties of epoxy/CNTs nanocomposites.

Physical and mech. Prop. Of PVA/CNTs nanocomposites.

Development of Biomedical Anti-UV Textile for Protection against Skin Cancer.

Improved Design and Fabrication of Water Purification Plant based on Polymer Membrane.

Liquid Crystal based Sensor for the Analysis of Environmental Pollutants.

Isothermal and Hot Corrosion of Ni-20Cr Coatings Sprayed by Air Plasma Spraying System.

Effect of Multiple Repair Welds on HSLA Steel.

Development of NanoComposite HA with PMMA for bone fixation

Development of polymer - Nanohydroxyapatite composite films.

Synthesis of Titania Nanotubes via electrochemical anodization for dye synthesized solar cells.

Title

Dr. Ahmed Nawaz

Dr. Amir Habib

Dr. Iftikhar Gul

Dr. M. Mujahid

Dr. Amir Habib

Dr. Ahmed Nawaz

Dr. Nasir M Ahmad

Dr. Zakir Hussain

Dr. Muhammad Shahid

Dr. Mohammad Mujahid

Supervisor/Co-Supervisor

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Reg. No.

2008-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-08

2011-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-88

2011-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-90

2011-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-89

2010-NUST-DirPhD-EM-E-40

2010-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-69

2010-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-43

NUST201290040TPSCME2512F

2010-NUST-DirPhD-EM-E-25

NUST201290041TPSCME2512F

2008-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-20

2010-NUST-DirPhD-EM-E-26

2008-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-15

2008-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-10

2011-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-78

2011-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-89

PhD CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Sr. #

Effects of Nano ZSM-5 Zeolites on Catalytic Cracking of Naphtha for the Production of Light Olefins

Polymeric membranes for Gas Seperation

Membrane Module Design & Analysis for Gas Separation

Development of Super Thermite Compositions

Development of Novel Indigenous And Quick Instrumental Method of Gun Propellants Stability Testing

Design of pilot plant for Re-utilization of decanted TNT

Synthesis and chracterization of nano-composites from functionalised graphene.

Liquid Phase exfoliation of graphite to graphene and its applications in Polymeric nanocomposites

Title

Modeling & characterization of two phase flow

Blast impact mechanics & Blast proof Organic Nano Coatings

Composite Propellant System

Development and Characterization of Polymeric Membrane for Biomedical Applications

Mukhtar Ahmed

Zaheer-ud Din Babar

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Malik

Dr M Bilal Khan

Dr. Noaman Ul Haq

Dr. Arshad Hussain

Dr M Bilal Khan

Dr. Arshad Hussain

Dr. Habib Nasir

Dr. Arshad Hussain

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Malik

Dr. Arshad Hussain

Dr. Habib Nasir

Dr. Noaman Ul Haq

Supervisor/Co-Supervisor

Modeling and Simulation of Shaped Charges Vis a Vis verification Through Dr. Abdul Qadeer Malik FXR Experimentation

Thermal , kinetic and morphological studies of various propellants/pyrotechnic compositions and their ingredients.

Muhammad Muneer Synthesis of Polymer Composite Nano-membranes for Multi Component Separation and its Hydrodynamics/Thermodynamics Study

Afrasyab Khan

Naveed Islam

Zahid Mahmood

Hizba Waheed

Muhammad Saleem Design & Study of Warheads Tahir

Amir Mukhtar

Sara Hafeez

Muhammad Ahsan

Sajid Nawaz Malik

Muhammad Muddassir Ahmed

Muhammad Farooq Ahmad

Syed Sajid Ali Shah

Khalid Nawaz

Name of Student

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

Reg. No.

Name of Student

2010-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-05

2010-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-06

2010-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-08

2010-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-11

2011-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-02

2011-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-05

2011-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-07

2011-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-13

2011-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-15

Reg. No.

Sr. #

2010-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-12

2010-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-17

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-06

Effect of Confinement on Velocity of Detonation (VOD)

Title

Synthesis & Characterization of MgO Nanoparticles by Modified Sonochemical Method and their Catalytic Studies Against Organophosphates & Pesticides

Effects of Fillers on Mechanical, Physical, Swelling and Thermal Properties of HNBR

Thermal – Cum Kinetic Behavior of Thermites

Synthesis & Characterization of Un-Doped/Doped Tio2 SolGel and Sol-Hydrothermal Routes to Improve Photo-Catalytic Properties

Doping/Functionalization and Characterization of Mono and Few Layer Graphene

Name of Student

Muhammad Asif Khan

Safdar Hayat

Synthesis & Characterization of CU 0.5 Ni 0.5 AlxFe2-x O4 Ferrite Nano Particles by Chemical Co-precipitation Method

Bilal Anjum Ahmed Effect of Various Shapes and Sizes of Micro and Nano Filters on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Transfer Molded Polyamide 6’

Syeda Sana Hurain Synthesis and Characterization of TiO2 Thins Films and NPs by SolGel and UAACVD for Photocatalytic Degradation of βNaphthol in UV-light

Saeed Anwar

Title

Synthesis, Characterization & Thermal/Kinetic Studies of Nano Energetic Al-Metal Oxides Thermites System

Thermal & Kinetic Studies of Micro/Nano Aluminum Particles and their Applications for Hydrogen Production

Syed Samar Abbas Synthesis and Study of Ce Substituted Co Ni Spinel Nano Ferrite

Sharifullah

Manzoor Ilahi

Raja Muhammad Asif Khan

Muhamamd Imran

Muhammad Asif

Muhammad Aamer Synthesis of Aluminum, Teflon & Viton (ATV) Pyrotechnic Composition and its Applications

Ijaz Nazeer

MATERIALS AND SURFACE ENGINEERING

2010-NUST-MS PhD-EM-E-04

ENERGETIC MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Sr. #

Graduate list of MS Students in 2013

18 Dec 2013

01 Oct 2013

29 Aug 2013

30 Sep 2013

07 Nov 2013

05 Sep 2013

28 Feb 2013

18 Jun 2013

19 Dec 2013

26 Aug 2013

Dr. Ahmed Nawaz Dr. Muhammad Shahid

Dr. Amir Habib, Dr Muzammil

Dr. Iftikhar Gul,

24 Apr 2013

01 Aug 2013

01 Oct 2013

Supervisor/Co-Supervisor Notification

Dr. Habib Nasir

Dr. Arshad Hussain Dr. Habib Nasir

Dr. Iftikhar Gul

Dr. Habib Nasir, Dr. Sumera Mehboob

Dr. Noaman Ul Haq Mr. M Rafique

Dr. A Q Malik, Col Nadeem

Dr. Amir Habib

Dr. Habib Nasir Dr. Amir Habib

Dr. Iram Mahmood Dr. Noaman Ul Haq

Dr. A Q Malik, Col Nadeem

Supervisor/Co-Supervisor Notification

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-17

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-22

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-23

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-24

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-26

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-28

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-33

Muhammad Imran Ahmed

Wajeeha Usman

Sarish Rehman

Sadaf Bashir Khan

Nosheen Sultan

Amna Safdar

Muhammad Siyar

Haroon Mahmood

Analysis of Main Structural Members Propose Replacement of Damaged Components of an Aircraft

Fabrication & Characterization of Zinc Telluride Based Thin Films by Closed Space Sublimation (CSS) Technique

Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite and Study of his Bioactivity

Preparation & Characterization of Rubber Composites with Doping of NixZn1-x Nano-Ferrites

Synthesis & Characterization of Co doped Mn Ferrite

Growth of Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide Thin Films by Wet Chemistry Routes; as a Light Absorber Layer in CIGS based Thin Film PV Technology

Development of Graphene based Cobalt Ferrites Nanocomposites for Microwave Shielding

Lowering of Band Gap of Titania Thin Films by Intergration of Graphene Nanosheets

Reg. No.

Name

2008-NUST-TrfPhD-MS-E-09

2009-NUST-TrfPhD-MS-E-82

2009-NUST-DirPhD-MS-E-77

2009-NUST-DirPhD-MS-E-68

Erum Pervaiz

Muhammad Tanveer

Nadeem Iqbal

Muhammad Rizwan Saleem

Muhammad Khalid

2008-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-07

2008-NUST-TfrPhD-EM-E-06

Ghulam Hussain

Nadeem Ahmad

ENERGETIC MATERIALS ENGINEERING

2008-NUST-TrfPhD-MS-E-04

MATERIALS AND SURFACE ENGINEERING

S.No

Exclusively Formed Projectiles

17-5-2013

01 Oct 2013

04 Jul 2013

08 Oct 2013

10 Oct 2013

30 Aug 2013

28 Oct 2013

22 Jul 2013

Dr. Iftikhar Gul, Dr. Asghari Maqsood

Dr. Amir Habib Dr. M Bilal Khan

Dr. M Bilal Khan Dr. Asghari Maqsood

Dr. M Bilal Khan Dr. Zaffar M Khan

Dr. Mohammad Mujahid Dr. Aamir Nusair Khan

Dr. AQ Malik

26 Oct, 2011

02 Aug 2013

28-Nov-2013

07 Oct 2013

28 Jun 2013

17 Sep 2013

19 Aug 2013

Supervisor/Co-supervisor Thesis Date

Dr. Fahim Hashmi Dr. Mohammad Mujahid

Dr. Asghari Maqsood, Dr. Iftikhar Gul

Dr. M. Mujahid Dr. Shaneela

Dr. Asghari Maqsood

Dr. Iftikhar Gul

Dr. M. Mujahid

Dr. Asghari Maqsood,

Dr. Amir Habib Mr Asif Jamil

Viscoelastic Properties of Polyurethances with Particular Dr. M Bilal Khan Reference to Morphology, Thermal and Mechanical Behavior.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt and Nickel Based Spinel Ferrites by Wet Chemical Methods.

Application of Metal Oxide Nano-fibers and Thin Films in P3HT based Solar Devices for Efficiency Improvement.

Ablative Based on Multiple Reinforced Elastomeric Composite for Aerospace Applications.

Design, Fabrication & Analysis of Photonic Device Structures.

Hydroxyapatite Powder & Films on Metalic Alloys with Ceramic Buffer Layers.

Thesis Title

Graduate list of PhD Students in 2013

2011-NUST-MS PhD-MS-E-10

SCME / Annual / Star Magazine

SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES & TECHNOLOGY H-12, ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN