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About Me
Dr. Femi Emmanuel Olu is a Professor of Material Science and Engineerig at the Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University in Ethiopia. He received his PhD in Materials Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science and his MSc in Materials Science from the African University of Science and Technology. Dr. Femi has considerable research expertise in energy materials, electrochemical methods for sensor applications, and thermoelectric materials and has received various accolades and grants, including three visiting faculty posts at the Indian Institute of Science. He has taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and served in several administrative posts at Jimma University, including dean of the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering. Throughout his career, Dr. Femi has successfully supervised and mentored a large number of doctoral and master's students.
Education
- PhD: Indian Institute of Science (India), Materials Engineering: December 2015
- MSc: African University of Science and Technology (Nigeria), Materials Science: December 2009
- BSc: Ahmadu Bello University (Nigeria), Physics: April 2008
Honours and Awards
- World Bank/NMI-AUST 2008/2009 Scholarship Award: (June 2008- December 2009)
- International Student PhD Fellowship, Indian Institute of Science: (August 2010-July 2015)
- Senior Research Associate, Indian Institute of Science: (July 2015-December 2015)
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Kongju National University South Korea: (March 2016-August 2016)
- Visiting faculty Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science: (Monson 2017)
- Visiting faculty Department Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science: (Monson 2018)
- Visiting faculty Department Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science: (Monson 2019)
- African Center of Excellence (A.C.E.) Makerere University Uganda grant: (2019- 2021)
- Jimma University Center of Excellence in Energy, Water, and Agricultural seed grant:(2020)
- Best Researcher in faculty of Materials Sci.&Eng. Jimma University: (2019/2020Academic year)
- Visiting faculty department Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of science. (Spring 2022)
Research Areas
Here are some of our research interests, along with brief descriptions:
- Energy Materials and Electrochemical methods for Sensor applications: Our focus here involves the development and characterization of materials used for energy storage and conversion, such as batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells. It also includes the use of electrochemical methods to develop sensors for various applications, such as environmental monitoring or medical diagnostics.
- Non-precious/precious metal for oxygen/hydrogen evolution reaction: Here we focus on exploring metals (both precious and non-precious) that can catalyze the reactions for oxygen and hydrogen evolution. These reactions are key processes in water electrolysis, which is a method for producing hydrogen fuel.
- 2D-Tellurides for energy applications: Here we explore the development of two-dimensional telluride materials for energy applications. These materials can have unique properties that make them useful in devices like thermoelectric generators or photovoltaic cells.
- Thermophysical properties of superalloys: This research area concerns the study of the thermal and physical properties of superalloys, which are metallic alloys designed to withstand high temperatures and stresses. They are often used in high-performance applications like aircraft turbine engines.
- Ore beneficiation and extraction of precious metals from industrial wastes: Our attention here focuses on the processes used to increase the concentration of valuable minerals in an ore (beneficiation) and to extract precious metals from industrial waste products.
- Alloy development for thermoelectric application: This area focuses on the design of new alloys that have useful thermoelectric properties, such as the ability to convert heat into electrical energy or vice versa.
- Waste reuse for sustainable development: This research area investigates methods for reusing waste materials in a way that supports sustainable development. This could include recycling processes, the transformation of waste into energy, or the development of biodegradable materials.
Processing Techniques
Here are some of the key processing techniques used in our research group:
Rapid Solidification
This process modifies the microstructure of materials during production to enhance their mechanical properties. Rapid cooling of molten metal is required for this process. Small, uniform grain structures can be formed at this rapid cooling rate (up to a million degrees Celsius per second), leading to increased hardness and strength compared to slower cooling methods. Our group have used this approach to improve the mechanical and thermoelectric properties of thermoelectric materials
Ultrasonication
When applied to materials, ultrasonic waves can cause a wide range of physical and chemical changes, a process known as ultrasonication. Ultrasonication processing has many applications in materials processing. We have extensively used this approach in the synthesis of 2D, atomically thin materials for various functional applications.
Hydrothermal Synthesis
In this method, substances are crystallized from aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures and vapor pressures. Crystalline nanoparticles and thin films are common products of this process. Hydrothermal synthesis is advantageous because it does not necessitate the use of organic solvents, it can be carried out at low temperatures, and it can produce pure, crystallized products. We have employed this method in producing different nanoparticles for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions
Solvothermal Synthesis
This technique is similar to the hydrothermal route, except that the synthesis takes place in an airtight container (an autoclave) and the water is replaced by a solvent. The reagents react under carefully managed conditions of temperature and pressure to yield the desired compound. The versatility of this technique has led to its widespread adoption for the synthesis of a wide range of inorganic compounds, composites, and hybrid materials
News and Events
- Visit of Top Jimma University Management to the Institute of Science Bangalore, India
Publications
| Title | Authors | Journal | Year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated First Principles and Experimental Investigation of Thermoelectric Transport in Zr/Ti Half-Heusler-Type High Entropy Alloys | Chalchisa GA, Ashutosh S, Surafel SL, Dipanjan K, Yoshihito K, Ayansa TS, Sreeram PR, Femi OE, Chandra ST, Abhishek KS, Kamanio C | Energy Technol. | 2024 | Link |
| Microstructure and thermoelectric properties of as-cast Ag2Te/AgBiTe2 and Ag2Te/Bi2Te3 two-phase alloys | Ayansa TS, Varinder P, SL, Shriparna M, Swagat D, Bhupendra K, Chalchisa GA, Sreeram PR, Manas P, Femi OE , Chandra STiwary, Kamanio C | J.Phys.Chem.Sol. | 2024 | Link |
| MnOx-Coffea arabica Husk and Catha edulis Leftover Biochar Nanocomposites for Removal of Methylene Blue from Wastewater | Jemere Kochito, Abera Gure, Negera Abdissa, Tamene Tadesse Beyene, Olu Emmanuel Femi | Sci.World J. | 2024 | Link |
| Magnetic biochar nanocomposites of coffee husk and khat (Catha edulis) leftover for removal of Cr (VI) from wastewater | Jemere Kochito, Abera Gure, Negera Abdissa, Tamene Tadesse Beyene, Olu Emmanuel Femi | Curr. Res. Green Sustain. Chem. | 2024 | Link |
| The beneficial effect of Fe addition in PbTe-Ni diffusion bonded thermoelectric contact interfaces–A comprehensive phase evolution study | Dipanjan K, Chaltu AM, Olu EF, N Ravishankar, K Chattopadhyay | Acta Mater | 2023 | Link | Thermoelectric Transport of a Novel Zr-Based Half-Heusler High-Entropy Alloy | Chalchisa GA, Ashutosh S, Surafel SL, Yoshihito K, Ayansa TS, Sreeram PR, Femi EO, Chandra ST, Abhishek KS, Kamanio C | Energy Technol. | 2023 | Link |
| Transport properties and microstructural evolution of Bi-Cu-Te ternary alloys | Ayansa TS, Varinder Pal, P. R. Sreeram, Surafel SL, Bhupendra K, Chalchisa GA, Mukherjee S, Manas P, Olu EF, Tiwary CS & Chattopadhyay K | J. Mater. Sci. | 2023 | Link |
| Facile preparation of magnetite cellulose nanocomposite from a sustainable resource | Kebede GS, Surafel SL, Alberto VR, Abubeker YA, Olu EF | Bull. Mater. Sci | 2023 | Link |
| Optimization of Cd (II) removal from aqueous solution by natural hydroxyapatite/bentonite composite using response surface methodology | Desalegn, Y.M., Bekele, E.A. & Olu, F.E. | Sci Rep | 2023 | Link |
| Effects of doping iron on the colouring properties of copper chromate pigment | Eticha, Z.G., Alex, T.C., Olu, F.E. et al | Bull Mater Sci | 2023 | Link |
| Synergetic Effect of Three-in-One Nanocomposite Based on AuNPs and rGO-MWCNTs for Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Bio-Diagnostic Applications | Zewdu. M, Sandhu. T., Kaur. N.,Abebe. M, Olu. F., Sabherwal. P. | J. Electrochem. Soc. | 2023 | Link |
| Self-healing Coal fly ash Construction Brick for CO2 and Dust Adsorption | Fayza SK, Kalid AS, Olu EF, Mengistu JD, Rout A | J. Mater. Eng. Struct | 2023 | Link |
| Influence of Cold Rolling and Thermal Treatment on Microstructure and Texture Evolution, and Tensile Behaviour of High Strength Al-Co-Sc-Zr Alloys. | Perugu, CS, Cheksa, EM, Mohan, MS, and Olu EF, Padaikathan P. | J Alloys Compd | 2022 | Link |
| Zr-Based Quaternary Half-Heusler Alloy Systems ZrNimX0.5Sb1.5-m (X=Fe/In): Studies on Phase Evolution, Crystal Structures and Electronic Properties. | Kumar D, Legese, SS, Mukherjee S, Olu EF. N Ravishankar, K Chattopadhyay | J Alloys Compd | 2022 | Link |
| Two-dimensional Cobalt Telluride as Piezo-tribogenerator | Demiss S, Tromer R, Gowda CC, Olu EF, Roy AJ, Pandey P, Galvao D S, Ajayan PM, Kumbhakar P, Tiwary CS. | Nanoscale | 2022 | Link |
| Multifold enhancement in magnetization of atomically thin Cobalt Telluride | Demiss S, Tromer R, Siddique S, Woellner CF, Olu EF., Palit M, Roy AJ, Pandey P, Galvao D S, Kumbhakar P, Tiwary C.S. | Appl. Phys. A. | 2022 | Link |
| A Review of Lamellar Eutectic Morphologies for Enhancing Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance of Thermoelectric Materials | Legesse SS, Olu EF. | J Indian Inst Sci. | 2022 | Link |
| An innovative catalyst of PdNiP nanosphere deposited PEDOT: P.S.S./rGO hybrid material as an efficient electrocatalyst for alkaline urea oxidation | Lera IL, Khasnabis S, Wangatia LM, Olu EF, Ramamurthy PC. | Polym. Bull. | 2022 | Link |
| Effect of Annealing Temperature of Brownish-Red Pigment Based on Iron Oxide Extracted by Hydrothermal Route from Mill-Scale Steel Slag | Eticha ZG, Rojas-Hernandez RE, Olu EF, Yimam A, Hussainova I, Alemayehu E. | J Sust Metal | 2022 | Link |
| Insights into electrochemical behavior and kinetics of NiP on PEDOT: P.S.S./reduced graphene oxide as high-performance electrodes for alkaline urea oxidation | Lera IL, Khasnabis S, Wangatia LM, Olu EF, Ramamurthy PC. | J Solid State Electrochem | 2022 | Link |
| Insights into the Electrochemical Behavior and Kinetics of NiP@PANI/rGO as a High-Performance Electrode for Alkaline Urea Oxidation | Lera, I.L., Khasnabis, S., Wangatia, L.M. Olu, E.F, Ramamurthy. P.C | Electrocatalysis | 2022 | Link |
| Understanding the mechanics of complex topology of the 3D printed Anthill architecture | Brijesh K., Avinash K., Rushikesh S. A., Vinay A., Solomon D. N., Deep B., Femi E. O., Ravi S. A., Varinder P., Kishor K. S., Nicola M. P., Chirodeep B., Chandra S. T. | Oxf. open mater. sci. | 2022 | Link |
| Energy Harvesting from Atomically Thin Co2Te3 | Solomon D. N., Alexey K., Mithun P., Prafull P., Femi E. O., Ajit K. R., Gour P. D., Pulickel M. A., Partha K., Chandra S. T. | J. Phys. Chem. C | 2022 | Link |
| Emerging two-dimensional tellurides | Siddique S, Gowda CC, Demiss S, Tromer R, Paul S, Sadasivuni KK, Olu EF, Chandra A, Kochat V, Galvao DS, Ajayan PM, Kumbhakar P, Tiwary CS | Mater Today | 2021 | Link |
| Anisotropy of Microstructure and Its Influence on Thermoelectricity: The Case of Cu2Te-Sb2Te3 Eutectic | Mukherjee S, Aramanda SK, Legese SS, Riss A, Rogl G, Olu EF, Bauer E, Rogl PF, K Chattopadhyay | ACS Appl Ener Mat | 2021 | Link |
| Thermophysical and magnetic properties of Co-Ni-Mo-Al-Ta class of tungsten free Co-based superalloys | Singh MP, Olu EF, Pandey P, Chattopadhyay K. | J Alloys Compd | 2021 | Link |
| Polypyrrole@polyaniline-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite support material and Cobalt for the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of nickel phosphide microsphere towards alkaline urea oxidation | Lera IL, Khasnabis S, Wangatia LM, Olu EF, Ramamurthy PC. | Mater Res Express | 2021 | Link |
| Synthesis and characterizations of (Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn)O high-entropy oxides | Desissa TD, Meja M, Andoshe D, Olu EF, Gochole F, Bekele G, Zelekew OA, Temesgen T, Brehane B, Kuffi KD, Hunde T, | S.N. Appl Sci | 2021 | Link |
| Scalable Synthesis of Atomically Thin Gallium Telluride Nanosheets for Supercapacitor Applications | Siddique S, Gowda CC, Tromer R, Demiss S, Gautam A.R.S., Olu EF, Kumbhakar P, Galvao DS, Chandra A, Tiwary C.S. | Appl Nano Mat | 2021 | Link |
| Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic study of Pd supported on CeO2–N, S-rGO composite towards hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction | Woldetinsay M, Soreta TR, Palani K, Maiyalagan T, Olu EF | J Mater Sci Mater Electron | 2021 | Link |
| Thermoelectric properties of BiSbTe-type alloys prepared by chill-casting and cryo-milling | Olu EF, Elangovan H, Mukherjee S, Tripathi S, Chattopadhyay K | Mater Chem Phys | 2021 | Link |
| Effect of support material on the electrocatalytic activity of palladium Nanoparticle toward hydrogen evolution reaction | Woldetinsay M, Soreta TR, Maiyalagan T, Olu EF | Mater Res Express | 2021 | Link |
| Production of magnetite nanoparticles from Ethiopian iron ore using solvent extraction and studying parameters that affect crystallite size | Sebehanie KG, Del Rosario AV, Ali AY, Olu EF | Mater Res Express | 2020 | Link |
| Fabrication of large-scale p-type 75%Sb2Te3-25%Bi2Te3 thermoelectric materials by gas atomization and hot isostatic pressing | Yoon SM, Madavali B, Lee C, Olu EF, Lee J, Song SH, Hong SJ | Mater Res Bull | 2020 | Link |
| Synergetic effect between MoS2 and N, S- doped reduced graphene oxide supported palladium nanoparticles for hydrogen evolution reaction | Woldetinsay M, Refera T, Olu EF, Maiyalagan T. | Mater Chem Phys | 2020 | Link |
| Electrocatalytic Investigation of M@Pd (M=Ni, Co, Cu) Core-Shell Nanostructure Supported on N, S-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide towards Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reaction | Woldetinsay M, Olu EF, Soreta TR, Maiyalagan T. | ChemistrySelect | 2020 | Link |
| Molecularly imprinted polyaniline molecular receptor-based chemical sensor for the electrochemical determination of melamine | Regasa MB, Soreta TR, Olu EF, Ramamurthy PC, Kumar S. | J Mol Recogn | 2020 | Link |
| Development of Melamine Electrochemical Sensor Using Molecularly Imprinted Conducting Polyanilne-Oxalic Acid Blend as a Molecular Recognition Element | Regasa MB, Olu EF, Soreta TR, Ramamurthy PC, Kumaran S. | Nano Hybrids and Composites | 2020 | Link |
| Mechanical and Thermoelectric Properties of Eutectic Composite (Bi,Sb)2Te3/Te Thermoelectric Material | Olu EF, Hong S, Chattopadhyay K. | Trans Indian Inst Met | 2020 | Link |
| Development of Molecularly Imprinted Conducting Polymer Composite Film-Based Electrochemical Sensor for Melamine Detection in Infant Formula | Regasa MB, Refera Soreta T, Olu EF, Ramamurthy PC | ACS Omega | 2020 | Link |
| Bioinspired Aluminum Composite Reinforced with Soft Polymers with Enhanced Strength and Plasticity | Rout A, Gumaste A, Pandey P, Oliveira EF, Demiss S, Mahesh VP, Bhatt C, Raphael K, Ayyagari RS, Autreto P.A.S., Palit M, Olu EF, Galvao DS, Arora A, Tiwary C.S. | Adv Eng Mater | 2020 | Link |
| Novel multifunctional molecular recognition elements based on molecularly imprinted poly (aniline-co-itaconic acid) composite thin film for melamine electrochemical detection | Regasa MB, Soreta TR, Olu EF, Ramamurthy PC, Subbiahraj S | Sens Bio-Sens Res | 2020 | Link |
| Microstructure, and thermoelectric properties of Cu2Te-Sb2Te3 pseudo-binary system | Mukherjee S, Olu EF, Chetty R, Chattopadhyay K, Suwas S, Mallik R.C. | Sci Rep | 2018 | Link |
| Effects of Ni and carbon-coated Ni addition on the thermoelectric properties of 25Bi2Te3+75Sb2Te3 base composites | Yoon SM, Dharmaiah P, Olu EF, Lee CH, Hong SJ | Mater Chem Phys | 2017 | Link |
| Improved Mechanical Properties of Al-Si Alloys by Adding an Extrusion Process to Conventional Processing Method | Han JY, Olu EF, Kilicaslan F, Jeong CU, Baeg CH, Hong SJ | Arch Metall Mater | 2017 | Link |
| Thermoelectric Properties of Bi Doped Tetrahedrite | Prem Kumar DS, Chetty R, Olu EF, Chattopadhyay K, Malar P, Mallik R.C | J Electron Mater | 2017 | Link |
| Effect of processing route on the bipolar contribution to the thermoelectric properties of n-type eutectic Bi22.5Sb7.5Te70 alloy | Olu EF, Akkiraju K, Murthy BS, Ravishankar N, Chattopadhyay K. | J Alloys Compd | 2016 | Link |
| Microstructure evolution and thermoelectric properties of Te-poor and Te-rich (Bi,Sb)2Te3 prepared via solidification | Olu EF, Ravishankar N, Chattopadhyay K | J Mater Sc | 2016 | Link |
| Thermoelectric Properties of In-Doped Cu2ZnGeSe4 | Chetty R, Bali A, Olu EF, Chattopadhyay K, Mallik R.C | J Electron Mater | 2016 | Link |
| Silicene and transition metal-based materials: Prediction of a two-dimensional piezomagnet | Dzade NY, Obodo KO, Adjokatse SK, Ashu AC, Amankwah E, Atiso CD, Olu EF, Udeigwe JO, Waghmare UV | J Phys Condens Matter | 2010 | Link |
Undergraduate Student Section
If you are an undergraduate student, you are invited to test your knowledge of Solid State Physics for Material Science. As part of this course, I am currently offering tutorials for 5th year undergraduates who will be taking the National Exam in July. Whether you're looking to brush up on your understanding of Solid State Physics or want to challenge yourself with more advanced topics, these practice questions are a great way to test your skills and deepen your understanding:
Disclaimer: The questions presented here are intended solely for practice purposes, and are designed to help you increase your understanding of the fundamentals of Solid State Physics for Material Science. Please note that there is no guarantee that the same or similar questions will appear on the National Examination:
Note:If you have any questions or require further clarification on any of the practice questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.
Note: At the end of the practice questions, please refresh the page to start over again:
Have a question?
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Contact
Feel free to reach out to me via:
- Email: foluemm@gmail.com, olu.femi@ju.edu.et
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/femi-olu-76b92494/
- Twitter: @femo4reall