Formerly supported physics groups
Ghana
GHA:01 - Applied diode laser spectroscopy
This research group at University of Cape Coast received ISP support between 2005 and 2010. The activities were coordinated by Prof Paul Buah Bassua and Dr Jojo Moses Eghan. The group is a member of the ISP-supported network AFSIN.
Objectives
GHA:01 under cooperation with AFR:02 project and the African LAM network was used as a capacity training of graduate students, research work and exchange of scientists among the Africans in both west and eastern Africa regions. The objectives were:
- Early detection of diseases and the level of resistance to some crop varieties
- Optical/physical properties of some local edible oils
- Detection and analysis of industrial gas emissions using DOAS technique
- Interferometric techniques: Application to strain and stress detection on some Ghanaian woods
- Fibre optics applications in measurements and sensing
- Developing Matlab data program for Spectroscopic data analysis and laser beam propagation for optical diffraction
Contact
Prof Paul K. Buah-Bassuah, Email: buahbass@yahoo.com and Dr Jojo Moses Eghan, Email: eghan_jm@yahoo.com, Laser and Fibre Optics Centre (LAFOC), Department of Physics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Nigeria
NIG:01 - Geophysical Studies and Investigations
This research group at the Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University received ISP support between 1984 and 2010. The activities were coordinated by Prof Isaac B. Osazuwa.
Objectives
The purpose of the research activity is to train high level manpower in the field of geophysics. Among the aims of the projects are:
- to embark on postgraduate programme leading to the award of MSc and PhD degrees in Applied Geophysics
- to design research projects that will address problems of national interest
- to enter into research cooperation with other institutions and government agencies for the purpose of solving scientific problems of mutual and national interest
- to set the pace for sustainable research in geophysics in Nigeria and the Subregion
Contact
Prof Isaac B. Osazuwa, Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University
Email: Iosazuwa@yahoo.com
NIG:02 - The Nigerian Mesoscale Experiment (NIMEX)
This research activity is a collaboration between three Nigerian universities: Department of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Department of Meteorology, Federal University of Technology, and Department of Physics, University of Ibadan. The activities are coordinated by Prof O.O. Jegede. The activity received support from ISP from 1977 to 2009.
Objectives
The NIMEX project aims at building human and infrastructure capacity in systematic observation, weather and climate modelling, as well as atmospheric diffusion, point and multi industrial-source dispersion modelling. The ultimate objective of the project is to provide information that will be useful to agriculture, aviation, communication and water resources.
Contact
Prof Oluwagbemiga O. Jegede, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
RWA:01 - Rwanda astrophysics, space and climate science research group
The Rwanda Astrophysics, Space and Climate Science Research Group (RAASPRG) was located at the Departments of Physics, at College of Science and Technology and at College of Education, both at University of Rwanda.
ISP supported the group 2014-2025. The activities were coordinated by Professor Manasse Mbonye, Professor Bonfils Safari and Dr Pheneas Nkundabakura.
The group is still active in the ISP-supported network EAARN.
Objectives
The group aimed at building the research capacity in astrophysics, space and climate science in Rwanda. The main activity was to develop the human resource research capacity in astrophysics, space, atmospheric and climate science. This took place through training postgraduate students in these fields. The academic staff will be supported to establish collaboration with other scientists through research visits and short trainings.
Contact
Prof Manasse Mbonye, University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology
E-mail: mmbonye@nur.ac.rw
Prof Bonfils Safari, University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology
E-mail: bsafari@nur.ac.rw
Dr Pheneas Nkundabakura, University of Rwanda, College of Education
E-mail: nkundapheneas@yahoo.fr
Senegal
SEN:01 Applied Laser Spectroscopy
This research group at the Department of Physics at University of Cheikh Anta Diop received ISP support between 2005 and 2010. The activities are coordinated by Prof Ahmadou Wagué. The group is a member of the ISP-supported network AFSIN.
Objectives
The research work was conducted on three streams:
- Laser Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Plants
- Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Urban Zone Pollution Monitoring
- Application of Diode Laser Spectroscopy in Medicine
Since several years the Laboratory Atomes Lasers, is running these different topics with a purpose of contributing to the development of laser sciences at the University Cheikh Anta Diop, and also in the region, in term of capacity building of human scientific resources in laser spectroscopy and Atomic physics and also in term of the development of research capacity in the different applications of laser for social and economic development.
The group trained many students from the region, especially from Mauritania.
Contact
Prof Ahmadou Wagué, Laboratoire Atomes Lasers, Inst. de Technologie Nucleaire Appliquee, University Cheikh Anta Diop.
Email: wague@refer.sn
Sri Lanka
SRI:01/1 - Atmospheric Physics and Lightning Research
The research group in Atmospheric Physics and Lightning at the Department of Physics, University of Colombo, has received ISP support between 1978 and 2010. The activity is 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.
The collaboration has resulted in:
- 12 graduated PhD students
- 14 graduated Mphil/MSc students
- 25 publications in international journals
- 26 publications in regional and local journals
- 93 conference reports
As a consultancy mission an ISP graduate from the group has trained 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.
Contact
Dr I. M. K. Fernando, Department of Physics, University of Colombo
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.
The collaboration has resulted in:
- 5 graduated PhD students
- 4 graduated Mphil/MSc students
- 11 publications in international journals
- 8 publications in regional and local journals
- 43 conference reports
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 has 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 carries out work mainly in three spheres; research in the fields of post-harvest technology and solar energy, instrument developments, and dissemination of knowledge.
The collaboration has resulted in:
- 2 graduated MPhil students
- 2 publications in international journals
- 22 conference reports
In addition, CID has conducted a MSc program in applied electronics, and several other lecture and training courses related to Electronics.
SRI:02 - Technologically Important New Materials
This research group in Synthesis, Characterization and Investigation of Physical Properties of Technologically Important New Materials at the Department of Physics, University of Peradeniya, has 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.
The collaboration has resulted in:
- 18 graduated PhD students
- 70 graduated MPhil/MSc students
- 108 publication in international journals
- 79 publications in regional and local journals
- 278 conference reports
Members of the research group have been 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 organized in 2009 by the Science Education Unit of the Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya.
Tanzania
TAN:01/1 - Seismology
This research group at University of Dar es Salaam received ISP support from 1987 to 2008. The activities are coordinated by Dr Richard Ferdinand. The group is an active member of the ISP-supported network ESARSWG.
Objectives
The activity's main objective was to maintain a permanent seismic network to monitor seismic activity along the EARS. To achieve this objective, research on seismology related problems and postgraduate training in order to maintain capacity building were established. Currently, the group engaged on development of seismic construction codes for cities and towns located along the Eastern rift as a pilot project for the development of seismic construction code in Tanzania
Contact
Dr Richard Ferdinand, Department of Geology, University of Dar es Salaam
Email: rf@udsm.ac.tz
TAN:01/2 - Materials science and solar energy
This research group at the Department of Physics, University of Dar es Salaam received ISP support 1976-2008, and then again from 2018-2025.
The activities were coordinated by Dr. Margaret Samiji with Dr. Nuru Mlyuka as deputy leader. The group is still an active member of the ISP supported MSSEESA network.
Objectives
The overall goal of the activity is to have an extensive training of young scientists and technologists in materials science through postgraduate programs. The Material Science Research Group has conducted research on materials over the years. Specific areas of research include Selective absorbers, Radiative cooling and condensation, Window coatings, PV cells and systems as well as Corrosion inhibitors.
Contact
Dr Margaret Samiji, University of Dar es Salaam
E-mail: samiji@udsm.ac.tz; esamiji@gmail.com
Dr Nuru Mlyuka, University of Dar es Salaam, E-mail: nmlyuka@yahoo.com
ZAM:01 - Thin film coatings for solar energy
This research group at the Department of Physics, University of Zambia received ISP support 1988-2025. The activities were coordinated by Dr Steven Mudenda.
The group is still an active member of the ISP supported MSSEESA network.
Objectives
Exploring alternative ways of using sustainable energy sources such as solar energy as compared to the current fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and gas which cause large environmental problems, was the prime objective this activity. Solar energy is free and abundant although not very uniformly distributed over the globe. Various conversion processes have been utilized to convert solar energy into usable form of energy such as electricity. The photovoltaic process converts sunlight energy directly into electricity. This process has been widely research but the area of low concentrating photovoltaic systems and the problem of uneven illumination has not been solved.
Hence, one research component of the group concentrated on improving the conversion efficiency of photo-thermal system using novel methods producing hot water and electricity.
The other component of the project design was based on exploring best materials for transparent conducting oxides besides the conventional tin doped indium oxide.
Last but not the least, the group collaborated with the Chemistry Department to continue investigating the emerging polymer based solar cells using P3HT:PCBM blends and dye additives. However, the major drawbacks to solar energy usage are the low energy conversion efficiencies and ingenious ways of improving these conversion efficiencies of solar energy devices is the central aim of this research project.
Contact
Dr Steven Mudenda, University of Zambia
E-mail: stevenmudenda@gmail.com; steven.mudenda@unza.zm