Physics groups in Ethiopia

ISP Physics supports the following research groups in Ethiopia:

• Synthesis and device characterisation of organic semiconductors at Addis Ababa University
• Seismology at Addis Ababa University
• Advanced materials and solar energy at Bahir Dar University

Synthesis and device characterisation on organic semiconductors

Organisation

This research group at the Department of Physics, Addis Ababa University has received ISP support 1989-2008, and then from 2011 until now. The activities are coordinated by Dr Lemi Demeyu.

Objectives

The research activity of the group is mostly computer modelling and simulations on different fields, including energetics of micron- and nano-sized devices such as Brownian engines and molecular motors, charge and energy transfer dynamics in organic polymer molecular systems and soft matter physics.

Specifically, the group is aimed at doing research (experimental and theoretical) on the electrical and optical properties of the conjugated organic polymers in general and those produced in the synthesis lab by the group in chemistry in particular. The activities include mainly theoretical simulations but the group is working for establishing an experimental laboratory of the characterisation of organic conjugated polymers and related devices.

The group is strongly engaged in training students at the MSc and PhD level to enhance human resource capacity in the country with the aim to provide a new generation of teachers in the higher institutions capable to carry out intensive and sustainable basic and applied researches on modeling, simulation, and device characterisation.

Seismology

Organisation

This research group at the Geophysical Observatory, Addis Ababa University has received ISP support 2005-2008, and then from 2011. The activities are coordinated by Prof Atalay Ayele. The group is also a member of the ISP supported ESARSWG network.

Objectives

• To maintain and strengthen seismological research in Ethiopia by upgrading and expanding the existing Ethiopian Seismic Station Network (ESSN) so as to reliably monitor the earthquake and volcanic events in the region and elsewhere.
• Outreach on earthquake risks to policy makers and the general public.

Advanced materials and solar energy

Organisation

This research group at Bahir Dar University has received ISP support since 2021. The activities are coordinated by Dr Amare Benor.

Objectives

• More info to come