AU Nanotech Lab

A. Uddin Nanomaterials Chemistry and Advanced Composites Lab

The A. Uddin Nanomaterials Chemistry and Advanced Composites Lab, led by Dr. Azim Uddin, focuses on pioneering materials and processes in polymers and composites for microwave electronics, particularly in the context of 5G and 6G technologies. The lab specializes in developing new materials with tailored properties, including high-performance biodegradable fibers, metamaterials, microwave absorption, dielectric properties, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and rheology. It emphasizes process simulation and durability analysis for optimal life cycle strategies. The research explores advanced smart multifunctional materials, such as metallic fibers, 2D micro-nanostructures, porous carbon, and biomass-cellulose-based polymer composites, targeting applications in energy storage and high-frequency measurements critical for next-generation microwave bioelectronics.

Introduction to Dr. Uddin

Dr. Engr. Azim Uddin is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UNISA and a Project Manager at the Zhejiang High-Level Foreign Experts Innovation Center in China. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Physics and Chemistry from Zhejiang University, a Master’s in Nanotechnology from NUST MISiS in Russia, and a Bachelor’s in Electronics from PAF-KIET in Pakistan. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in major international journals (cumulative impact factor >350), and has an h-index of 14. As a co-investigator, he has participated in several National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects and a Key R&D project of the Ministry of Science and Technology. His work includes developing portable electronic biosensors for point-of-care diagnostics and advanced electromagnetic composite materials for industrial applications. Dr. Uddin was honored with the Young Researcher Award 2023 by the Chinese Society of Composite Materials (CSCM), China. He serves as an academic editor, topical advisory panel member, and reviewer for several international journals.

Dr. Azim has officially joined the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) at the University of South Africa as a researcher in 2026, where he will contribute his expertise to an industrial project focused on advancing water treatment technologies.

Dr. Azim presented an invited lecture series at the Beihang International Summer School (BISS) 2026 – China-Brazil Exchange Program, showcasing his cutting-edge research on nature-inspired materials and sustainable chemistry held from July 22 to July 31, 2026.

Dr. Azim was invited to give a lecture at Ningbo Institute of Materials Engineering & Technology (NIMTE) to share some of his ongoing researchs on biomass carbon-based composite wave-absorbing and shielding materials.

Dr. Azim presented an invited talk at the 14th Joint European Magnetic Symposia – JEMS 2025 (Frankfurt, Germany), showcasing his cutting-edge research on magnetic functional materials and composites.

Dr. Azim presented his cutting-edge research at The 16th ECerS Conference for Young Scientists in Ceramics-2025, Novi Sad, Serbia, showcasing sustainable materials innovation for electromagnetic applications.

Dr. Azim organized and led summer camps and educational workshops for children and young students, delivering hands-on training in 3D printing and science technology to nurture future talent in STEM fields.

Dr. Azim is awarded 2nd prize in the 4th Shaoxing Global High-Level Talents Postdoctoral Innovation Competition (Shaoxing Talent Category B), 2024 Shaoxing, China

Dr. Azim receiving the title of ‘The Young Researcher Award’ at the 12th Asian Australian Conference on Composite Materials in Hangzhou, China in 2023

Dr. Azim delivered a keynote talk on Green Composite Materials at the College of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing China in 2023

Dr. Azim has been an active member of the Chinese Society of Composite Material (CSCM) since 2021.

Dr. Azim finished his Ph.D. in Materials for Physics & Chemistry from School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, China in 2020

Dr. Azim was invited to give a talk in Doctoral forum: Experiencing China- Sun-Island international material in Harbin institute of technology, Harbin, China in 2019

Published Papers

Conferences and Patents

International Collaboration in Laboratory Research

Dr. Azim collaborates with Prof. Larissa V. Panina, a full professor at the National University of Science & Technology MISiS in Russia since 2015. Her teaching focuses on magnetic materials and material physics, while her research includes amorphous magnetic microwires and GMI-based microwires. NUST MISIS is a leading scientific and educational center that promotes innovation and creativity among students. Before joining MISiS, Prof. Panina worked at Nagoya University and Plymouth University, bringing expertise in giant magneto-impedance and magnetic sensors. She has published over 120 peer-reviewed papers and delivered 18 invited lectures at international conferences.

Dr. Ghulam Rasool is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia. He holds degrees from the University of the Punjab, Quaid-i-Azam University, COMSATS University, and a Ph.D. from Zhejiang University. His research focuses on fluid flow models for heat transfer management, particularly in latent heat, thermal energy storage, and battery systems. With over 80 publications in high-impact journals, he collaborates internationally on heat transfer and energy storage projects. Dr. Rasool is committed to nurturing future engineers in renewable energy and efficient resource utilization in KSA and beyond.

Prof. A.T. Kuvarega is a Full Professor at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), UNISA, where he leads a research group focused on advanced water treatment technologies. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg and is an NRF C2-rated researcher. His expertise spans photocatalysis, membrane technology, and the development of integrated systems combining membrane filtration with advanced oxidation processes for enhanced contaminant removal. He has published over 190 documents with an h-index of 30 and currently supervises three master’s and twelve doctoral students. His research interests align directly with your work on 3D printed composite membranes for water treatment, making him a key collaborator in this area.

Dr. Moustafa A. Darwish, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Physics Department at the Faculty of Science, Tanta University, located on Al-Geish St., Tanta 31527, Egypt. His research focuses on advanced materials, including ferromagnetics, ferroelectrics, ceramics, polymers, composites, antennas, and electromagnetic shielding applications. With over 80 publications in reputable journals, Dr. Darwish actively contributes to both national and international conferences, sharing his findings and collaborating with peers to advance the field of materials science. He is the Principal Investigator for a project under the Egypt-China Cooperation Program, focusing on novel magneto-dielectric composites to enhance 5G/6G communications.