Former physics collaboration in Asia
Bangladesh
IPPS BAN01 - Solid state physics
The research group at University of Dhaka was supported between 1977 and 1996.
IPPS BAN02 - Magnetism and biophysics
The research group at Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and the Atomic Energy Centre (AECD) in Dhaka, was supported between 1986 and 2022. Group leader was Feroz Alam Khan, an ISP physics alumnus.
After 2022 ISP supported only AECD (IPPS BAN02/1).
Objectives
The Dhaka Material Science Group studied composition and structure dependent properties of magnetic materials. The project aimed at developing experimental facilities, training expertise in the field, and forming a network with local, regional, and international scientific cooperation. For example research teams in India and Vietnam (University of Hanoi,) were used as cooperation partners.
Achievements
Between 1987-1994, 2008-2019 the group graduated 3 sandwich and 11 local PhD students and 109 MSc/MPhil students. In addition, they published 182 papers in international ad local/regional scientific journals, and made 358 contributions to scientific conferences.
IPPS BAN03 - Thin films/Solar Energy Materials
The research group at University of Rajshahi was supported between 1986 and 2000.
Achievements
Between 1987-1994 the group graduated 1 PhD and 10 MSc/MPhil students. In addition, they published 30 papers in international scientific journals, 11 papers in local or regional journals and made 21 contributions to scientific conferences.
Cambodia
IPPS CAM01 - Materials science & Master´s programmes
The group at the Department of Physics, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, received ISP support between 2007 and 2018. The activities were coordinated by Dr Chan Oeurn Chey, an ISP PhD alumnus from Linköping University, Sweden.
Objectives
The Department of Physics at RUPP aimed at strengthening its Master´s programme in Physics, as well as initiating research work in both physics and science education since it is expected to contribute to the foundation of a modern education system. The group started a research activity and laboratory for teaching and for research activities in materials science (electronics).
Sri Lanka
IPPS SRI:01/1 - Atmospheric Physics and Lightning Research
The research group in Atmospheric Physics and Lightning at the Department of Physics, University of Colombo, received ISP support between 1978 and 2010. The activity was coordinated by Dr I M K Fernando.
Objectives
Even though two thirds of the lightning activities in the globe takes place in the tropic, research related to the properties of tropical lightning and its impact on the environment are relatively scarce. The main objective of the research group was to study the lightning phenomenon in the tropic and its direct and indirect effects on the structures as well as on humans. The group was also studying the distribution of pollution in Sri Lanka, based on wind distribution and forecast atmospheric changes.
Achievements
Over the years of ISP support the group has graduated 12 PhD and 14 MSc/Mphil students. In addition, they have published 25 papers in international scientific journals, 26 publications in regional and local journals, and contributed to 93 conference reports.
A follow-up study from 2017 showed that an ISP graduate from the group has trained, as a consultancy mission, around 400 Sri Lankan technicians in lightning protection. Whenever there is a lightning problem in Sri Lanka people can turn to the so called data centers, where the trained technicians are available to answer questions. This graduate was also a member of the Sri Lanka Standard Institution working group on developing guidelines for Lightning Protection Systems. In 2008 he was, together with another ISP graduate and a team of professionals from relevant fields, also a part of a committee appointed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, put together to develop a policy proposal to address issues related to structures and installation of antennas, such as health safety, economic, environmental impacts steaming from the rapid implementation of telecommunication networks recently.
Another graduate from the same group has been consulting as a “trainer of trainers”, educator and advisor on lightning and transient protection and has conducted about 80 training programs in over 12 countries. Graduates from the research group were also involved in voluntary projects which included lightning protection of the Sri Lankan railway museum.
IPPS SRI:01/2 - Molecular Description of Biomolecules
The Molecular Desorption Mass Spectrometry research group at the Department of Physics, University of Colombo received ISP support between 1981 and 2010.
Objectives
- The activities of the research group were multidisciplinary and multipurpose in nature. The group concentrated its activities along three different paths:
- Development of mass spectrometers to detect and analyze heavy bio-molecules using Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technique
- Conducting research in the field of proteomics and natural products, an
- Providing mass spectrometry services and postgraduate training to inculcate scientific and research attitude.
Achievements
Over the years of ISP support the group has graduated 5 PhD and 4 MSc/MPhil students. In addition, they have published 11 papers in international scientific journals, 8 publications in regional and local journals, and contributed to 43 conference reports.
A follow-up study from 2017 showed that there was no research activity in the group. The group started to face challenged early in the collaboration as their activities in building of mass-spectrometric instrumentation are very expensive and require, besides substantial funding, technical personnel trained on an advanced level to operate and maintain the equipment. After the end of ISP support it was hard to obtain a sufficient level of funding from University of Colombo and other sources. The group leader was however at the time of the follow-up study, heading another active research group at the department (IPPS SRI:01/3) started under the ISP collaboration in 2005 and phased out in 2010.
IPPS SRI:01/3 - Instrumental Development
The Centre for Instrument Development (CID) was established in 2001 at the Department of Physics, University of Colombo. This research group received ISP support between 2005 and 2010.
Objectives
The Centre for Instrument Development was established to promote the advancement of technological standard and applied scientific research in Sri Lanka. The CID research group carried out work mainly in three spheres; research in the fields of post-harvest technology and solar energy, instrument developments, and dissemination of knowledge.
Achievements
Over the years of ISP support the group has graduated 2 MPil students. In addition, they published 2 papers in international scientific journals, and contributed to 22 conference reports.
CID conducted a MSc programme in applied electronics, and several other lecture and training courses related to Electronics.
A follow-up study from 2017 showed that after the phase out of ISP
support, the group converted to focus solely on solar energy. The main reason was that the government was supportive of projects in the field of energy as there is a great need for alternative energy sources in the country.
IPPS SRI:02 - Technologically Important New Materials
The research group in Synthesis, Characterisation and Investigation of Physical Properties of Technologically Important New Materials at the Department of Physics, University of Peradeniya, received ISP support between 1984 and 2010.
Objectives
The research was directed towards understanding fundamental physical processes in materials with potential for new devices and applications. The group worked with synthesis and characterisation of ionically and electronically conducting polymers, semiconductor materials and devices as well as structural and functional ceramics.
Achievements
Over the years of ISP support the group graduated 18 PhD and 70 MSc/MPhil students. In addition, they published 108 papers in international scientific journals, 79 publications in regional and local journals, and contributed to 278 conference reports.
Members of the research group were also involved in training pre-university students, high school physics teachers and university lecturers through periodical seminars and science camps in schools in remote, less developed areas of Sri Lanka. Four such camps were organised in 2009 by the Science Education Unit of the Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya.
A follow-up study from 2017 showed that the research activities of the group are ongoing but limited. The challenge is to attract students to pursue a local PhD after their undergraduate studies, especially since the end of ISP support, because the possibility of sandwich type PhD programmes with long-term foreign research training no longer remains.
India
- XRF and PIXE, Panjab University (1971-1992)
- Magnet materials, University of Rajasthan, (1971-1989)
- Mössbauer spectroscopy, Punjabi University (1978-1991)
- Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetism, University of Madras (1989-1991)
- Mössbauer spectroscopy, University of Roorkee (1989-1991)
Pakistan
- Solid state physics, Quaid-I-Azam University (supported 1970-1992)
- Electronics, University of Sind (supported 1977-1986)
- Nuclear physics, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (supported 1978-1986)
Thailand
IPPS THA01: Semiconductor physics
The research group at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, was supported between 1985 and 2003.
Objectives
The Semiconductor Physics Research Laboratory (SPRL) studied semiconductor materials, CuInSe₂ (CIS) and Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS), for thin-film solar cells, since these materials were among the most promising options for producing large-area, high-efficiency solar cells. Despite their strong performance, one of the main challenges in manufacturing large CIGS solar modules was the limited understanding of how these devices work at a fundamental level. The group therefore focused on understanding how these solar cells worked, particularly how electrical current flows through them, to improve their performance and manufacturing.
The group also developed a Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) system to grow high-quality semiconductor films and developed more efficient CIGS solar cells.
Achievements
Over the years of ISP support the group graduated 4 PhD and 22 MPhil/MSc students. In addition, they published 14 papers in international scientific journals, 4 papers in local or regional journals and made 34 contributions to scientific conferences.
More information
A follow-up study from 2017 showed that the research group was still active. The group leaders had retired, but the son of one of the leaders was directing activities. The main focus of the laboratory was still thin film solar cells.
The follow-up study also showed that the research group was one of 24 member research centers of the Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics (ThEP) aiming to strengthen physics research and postgraduate training in the country. The research laboratory was the leading center in the thin film focus area, and one of the former group leaders of the ISP supported research group was the ThEP coordinator in the field of thin films. As a member of ThEP the group received funding and established connection with other research laboratories in the country. Through the Thailand-Japan Technology Transfer project, the group had established connection with several laboratories also in Japan, which provided the group with both research visits and instruments. In addition, the group had received grants from the Japanese ASAHI glass foundation, and from Chulalongkorn University. The group did not have any active collaboration with the former partners in Sweden.
The group has had 6 PhD graduations since the end of ISP support in 2003.
IPPS THA02: 10B-synthesis for medical applications
The research group at Srinakarinwirot University, Thailand, was supported between 1973 and 1993.
IPPS THA03/1: Neutron and ion beam technology
The research group at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, was supported between 1982 and 2005. Collaboration partner was Uppsala University, Sweden.
Obejctives
The Fast Neutron Research Facility (FNRF) aimed to develop future technology for the production and utilisation of neutrons, ions, and plasma, focusing on applications for materials science and medicine. The research activities were directed towards ion beam analysis and computational neutron physics.
The group also initiated a three-year project entitled “Neutrons from space and the reliability of electronics”, in collaboration with Uppsala University. The aim of this project was to investigate the nuclear interaction inside electronic devices that has been induced by cosmic-ray neutrons. The experimental work took place in Uppsala while the analysis was carried out both in Uppsala and Chiang Mai.
Acheivements
From 1982-2002, the group graduated 2 PhD and 41 MPhil/MSc students. In addition, they published 53 papers in international scientific journals, 14 papers in local or regional journals and made 93 contributions to scientific conferences.
The first facility in Thailand for ion beam analysis was installed in 2002: the FNRF installed a He-injector, donated by Uppsala University, and a 1.7 MV Tandetron tandem accelerator donated by Chalmers University of Technology.
ISP funding was used for supplementary instrument and equipment support. More importantly, the funding was used for the establishment of a PhD programme on a sandwich basis at the department, in terms of contacts as well as recognition.
More information
A follow-up study from 2017 showed that the research group was still active. The original group leader retired in 2006 shortly after ISP support ended. Together with a former, retired graduate of the group he founded Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics (ThEP).
The follow-up study also showed that researchers in the group had used Ion beam technology to induce mutations in plant cells. Rice seeds were modified in such a way that the plant grows shorter, which prevents it from collapsing during heavy rain. The PhD who graduated from this project received a large grant from the Thai government with the aim to improve the rice production practices for Thai farmers. In addition, group members developed a technology to improve the quality of gemstones, one of Thailand’s most important export goods. Unlike the former way of stone modification, which used to destroy large parts of the stones, the ion beam technology used a better adapted amount of energy, for gentler processing. This was a new technique that adds value particularly to the lower quality natural gemstones in Thailand.
IPPS THA03/2: Laser research
The research group at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, was supported between 1985 and 2005.
IPPS THA03/3: XRF
The research group at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, was supported between 1982 and 2005.
IPPS THA04: Geophysics
The research group at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand, was supported between 1986 and 2007. The group was collaborating with scientists from Uppsala University and Luleå University of Technology.
Objectives
The research activities of the Geophysics research group included seismology, palaeomagnetism, and rock magnetism which applies to environmental studies, and applied geophysics for ground water prospecting, regional geological structures, engineering, archaeology and environmental problems. The ultimate aim of the group was to be an education and research institute of geophysics in Thailand.
Achievements
Between 1986 and 2002, the group graduated 2 PhD and 12 MPhil/MSc students. In addition, they published 19 papers in local or regional journals and made 18 contributions to scientific conferences.
The ISP supported enabled the gradual build-up of human capital through PhD education of four staff members at the physics department, one at a time, through sandwich training with Swedish host institutions.
More information
A follow-up study from 2017 showed that the group was still active, and was mainly funded by national sources (government and university), but also by private companies. The group is still in contact with its host department in Sweden through research cooperation, joint research project, co-publishing, and supervision of PhD students. A PhD programme in Geophysics started around 2013.
The group had functioned as a host group for PhD and MSc students from the ISP supported geophysics research group at National University of Laos in Laos.
The follow-up study also showed that MSc students from the group, investigated promising areas for locating groundwater wells for a village in the Songkla region in Southern Thailand, where ground water resources are scarce. In related studies, students also mapped out potential areas for tin mining in the region. Data from a PhD study in the same group, was used to analyse the sediment areas for presence of oil, considering the possible mineral resource exploration.