Rachid Sbiaa

Experience and Research Interest

My research interest is in the field of liquid crystals, which is an area of major technological significance. This work involves the use of ultrasound attenuation, acoustic emission, and dielectric, photo-thermal and photo-acoustic spectroscopy to study liquid crystal characteristics. Besides liquid crystals, I work on problems related to Petrophysics and Geophysics that are relevant to the needs of Oman. I also undertake theoretical studies to investigate the geophysical characteristics of rocks and minerals of Oman.

Teaching Interest

I have taught a variety of courses, both experimental and theoretical, ranging from first year undergraduate to postgraduate levels. I have also coordinated many large multi-sectioned courses and established several new courses in which I taught as the first instructor. 

Selected Publications

1. A.K. George, R.N. Singh, S. Arafin, C. Carboni and S.H. Al-Harthi, Physica B (Condensed Matter): 2010, 405, 4586-4593.
2. A.K. George, S. Arafin, R.N. Singh and C. Carboni, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter: 2006, 18, 3691-3701.
3. D.M. Potukuchi, A.K. George, C. Carboni, S.H. Al-Harthi and J. Naciri, Ferroelectrics: 2004, 300, 79-93
4. N.A. George, C.P.G. Vallabhan, V.P.N. Nampoori, A.K. George and P. Radhakrishanan, Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics:  2001, 73, 145-149.
5. A.K. George and K.P. Mohandas, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter: 1992, 4, 7691-7698.

Experience and Research Interest

Symmetries in physics, 4d polytopes and their symmetries, quaternions and octonions, breaking Lie groups to its finite subgroups by Higgs potentials

Teaching Interest

I love to teach introductory physics courses to large classes. Teaching post graduate core courses is also something that I cannot avoid. My main interest is to teach the topics of the group theoretical applications in physics.

Selected Publications

1. “Quaternionic representation of snub 24-cell and its dual polytope derived from E8 root system”, M. Koca, M. Al-Ajmi and N.O. Koca , 2011 Linear Algebra Appl. 434 977.
2. “4d-polytopes described by Coxeter diagrams and quaternions”, M. Koca, 2011 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 284 012040.
3. “Grand Antiprism and Quaternions”, M. Koca, N.O Koca, and M. Al-Ajmi, J.Phys. A. Math. And Theor. J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 42 (2009) 495201.
4. ” On Tumbling ”, M. Koca, Phys. Lett. 107B (1981) 73.
5. ” U(1) as the Minimal Horizontal Gauge Symmetry” , A. Davidson, M. Koca and K. C. Wali, Phys Rev. Lett. 43 (1979) 92.

Experience and Research Interest

For last 40 years ,   I am  actively engaged  in teaching and research. Major part of my professional activities were dwelled at  Max Plank Inst for Metallforschung, Stuttgart ;  Univ of Alberta, Canada; S Q university , Oman; Bhagalpur Univ, India ; Univ of  East Anglia, UK. Topics of research interest include : structure, forces and energetics of  dense  systems ; segregation and immiscibility  in  liquid mixtures and alloys ; transport properties ; phase equilibria and criticality ; undercooled liquid metals and metallic glasses; thermo-elastic properties of crude oil and minerals from Oman.

Teaching Interest

Taught various courses of Physics at  basic, intermediate and post graduate  levels   which include: General Physics, Thermal physics and Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter physics, Physics of disorder Materials and Physics of Fluids.

Selected Publications

1. Interface thermodynamics of nano-sized crystalline, amorphous and liquid metallic system; F Sommer , R N Singh, E J Mittemeijer,     Jr of Alloys and Compounds , , 467, 142-153 , (2009) 2.
2. Specific heat ratio, Gruneisen parameter and Debye temperature  of crude Oil; R N Singh, AK George and  S Arafin ;      J Phys D : Appl Phys 39, 1 (2006).        
3. Thermodynamic properties of He-H2 fluid mixtures over a wide range of temperatures and       
   pressures.  I Ali, S M Osman, N Sulaiman, R N Singh, Phys Rev E, vol 69, 56104  (2004)
4. Segregation   and   immiscibility   of   liquid   binary     alloys,  R N Singh   &    F Sommer ;    Rep.    Prog.    Phys,    60,   57,  (1997)
5. Phonon   dispersion   in   metallic   glasses  :     A   simple   model, A B Bhatia   &  R N Singh ,   Phys.    Rev.    B31,  4751,  (1985)

Experience and Research Interest

My research experiences encompass the theoretical investigation of the thermodynamic, transport, thermo-mechanical and structural properties of metals and alloys using perturbative and non-perturbative methods. I have been also pursuing model based calculations of the dynamic properties of hydrocarbons and simulations on optical problems

Teaching Interest

Teaching of fundamental physics courses at all levels from introductory to graduate level.  Prime interests are in Electromagnetism, Dynamics, Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics.

Selected Publications

1. S.M. Mujibur Rahman, A.M. Harun ar Rashid and S.M.M.R. Chowdhury, 
   Mixed Approach of Linear-Combination-of-Atomic-Orbitals and  Orthogonalized-
   Plane-Wave Methods to the Band Structure Calculations of Alkali
   Halide Crystals,  Phys. Rev.B14, 2613 (1976).
2. R.E. Evans , P.Lloyd and S M Mujibur Rahman, On the Origin of the Hume-Rothery Rules for Phase Stability in  α  and  β  Brasses,  J.Phys. F9,1393 (1979).
3. S.M. Mujibur Rahman and L.B. Bhuiyan, Temperature Dependence of Atomic Transport in Less-Simple Liquid Metals, Phys.Rev.B33, 7243 (1986).
4. A Ben Abdellah, K Bouziane, S  M  Mujibur Rahman, B Grosdidier and J G Gasser, Electrical Resistivity of Alkali Metals: Inflation-Deflation Effect of Fermi Surface , Phil. Mag.  89, 885 (2009).
5. K M Abedin and S M Mujibur Rahman, Computer Simulation of Fresnel Diffraction from Double Rectangular Aperture in One and Two Dimensions Using the Iterative Fresnel Integrals Method, Optics & Laser Technology, DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaster.2011.08.001 ( 2011). 

Experience and Research Interest

Currently, my research is focused on two main areas, viz. solid state physics & magnetism and nuclear radiation Physics. In solid state physics & magnetism, different techniques such as Mossbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD) and VSM are employed. The techniques are applied to investigate the electronic and magnetic structure of alloys, compounds, surfaces, interfaces and nanoparticles of transition metals and metalloids, oxides, natural materials, including meteorites and atmospheric corrosion products
A part of the research collaborators include: Chemistry and Earth Sciences  departments. Vienna University, Austria. Physics Department, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China Instituto de Física La Plata, CONICET, La Plata, Argentina. Department of  Chemistry, the Open University, UK Instituto de Quimica-Fisica ‘Rocasolano’, c/ Serrano 119, 28006, Madrid, Spain. Institute of Physics, Technical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland Physics Department, Al-Azhar University, Egypt. Physics Department, University Lübeck, Germany. Physics Department, Yarmouk University, Jordan. Physics Department, Khartoum University, Sudan. Physics Department, Uppsala University, Sweden. Physics Department Nassau Community College, USA. .Over the years, this work has attracted several undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of solid state physics, nuclear physics and radiation Protection. This includes under graduate courses and advance courses for post-graduate level.

Selected Publications

1. Abbasher M Gismelseed, K A Mohammed, H M Widatallah, A D Al-Rawas, M E Elzain and A A Yousif (2010), Structure and magnetic properties of the ZnxMg1-xFe2O4 Ferrites, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 217 012138.
2. M Elzain1, M Al-Barwani, A Gismelseed, A Al-Rawas, A Yousif, H Widatallah, K Bouziane and I Al-Omari (2010) Effect of Iron on Vanadium (001) Strained Surface Magnetism Journal of Physics: Conference Series 217 012117.
3. H M Widatallah, C Johnson, A Gismelseed, A Al-Rawas, M Elzain and A Yousif, (2010) Structural and Magnetic Characterization of Ti-Substituted Li0.5Fe2.5O4 prepared using Hydrothermal and Solid-State Routes, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 217 012131
4. Widatallah H. M., Al-Rawas, A. D., Johnson, C., Al-Harthi, S. H., Gismelseed, A. M., Moore, E. A. and Stewart, S. J. (2009). The Formation of Nanocrystalline SrFeO3−δ Using Mechano-Synthesis and Subsequent Sintering: Structural and Mössbauer Studies. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 9(4), p. 2510.

Experience and Research Interest

I am working with magnetic compounds, which often exhibit very complicated magnetic behavior. Beside Mossbauer spectroscopy, I use characterization techniques such as VSM, Faraday balance, and XRD. My research also involves synthesizing nanoparticles using techniques such as mechanical alloying. I am also interested in the characterization of a range of natural materials like meteorites, hornblende and others using Mossbauer Spectroscopy as a major tool in these investigations.

Teaching Interest

I taught a variety of both experimental and theoretical courses at undergraduate level. I also have coordinated lab based courses having several sections.

Selected Publications

1. A.D. Al-Rawas, H. M. Widatallah, I. A. Al-Omari, C. Johnson, M. E. Elzain, A. M. Gismelseed, S.Al-Taie,and A.A.Yousif AIP Conf. Proc. 765, 277 (2005)
2. Sobhi Nasir and Ahmed D. Al-Rawas American Mineralogist, Volume 91, 1163-1169, (2006)
3. A.D. Al-Rawas, A.M. Gismelseed, A.A. Yousif, M.E. Elzain, M. A. Worthing, A. Al-Kathiri, E. Gnos, B.A. Hofmann and D.A. Steele, Planetary and Space Science 55 (2007) 859–863
4. A.D. Al-Rawas, A.M. Gismelseed, A.F. Al-Kathiri, M.E. Elzain, A.A. Yousif, S.B. Al-Kathiri, H. Widatalla Hyperfine Interact, 186, 109 - 111 (2008)
5. A.D. Al-Rawas, S. Nasir, A.M. Gismelseed, Hyperfine Interactions 186, 147–151(2008)

Experience and Research Interest

Currently, my research is on electrical and optical characterization of semiconductor devices. In particular, two topics have been the subjects of my recent publications: (1) Interface states in Schottky based contacts from admittance spectroscopy, (2) Surface plasmons as a tool for enhancing effects in semiconductor based structures.

Teaching Interest

My teaching resume at SQU includes teaching General Physics I and II, Physics for Medicine, Electromagnetism, Electronics, Experimental Methods I, II and III.

Selected Publications

1. A. Sellai and M. Mamor, ‘Potential Barrier Inhomogeneities in Irradiated Pd/n-SiGe Schottky Diodes’, Appl. Phys. A, Vol.89, No.2 (2007), pp.503-508
2. A. Sellai and M. Elzain “Characterisics of a dielectric-metal-dielectric plasmonic waveguide”, Physica E 41 (2008) 106-109
3. A. Sellai and Z. Ouennoughi, “Analysis of frequency- and temperature-dependent interface states in PtSi/p-Si Schottky diodes”, Materials Science and Engineering B 154–155 (2008) 179–182
4. A. Sellai, M. Henini, and Z. Ouennoughi, ‘Temperature Dependence of Dark Current in a p-i-n Photodiode Incorporating a Resonant Tunneling Structure, Phys. Stat. Solidi (A), vol. 208, 210-214 (2011)
5. A. Sellai, M. Mamor, ‘Analysis of Interface states in Pd/n-GaN using temperature and frequency dependent admittance’, Phys. Status Solidi C 8, No. 5, 1611–1615 (2011)

Experience and Research Interest

Currently, my research is focused on two main areas, magnetism and liquid crystals.

Magnetism.
In magnetism I am interested lanthanides compounds and alloys. I am interested in crystal field and exchange interaction and particularly in the hyperfine interaction. I am currently investigating the behavior of the hyperfine splitting in the vicinity of energy-level cross-over and the effect of J-mixing on the hyperfine splitting.

Liquid crystals.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of experimental as well as theoretical physics. This includes under graduate courses and advance courses at post-graduate level. The topics I am particularly interested in are electricity, magnetism and optics.

Selected Publications

1. The electro-optic response in a series of chiral bi-mesogen low molar mass organosiloxane.
   C Carboni, A K George, and W M Zoghaib, 2011, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 546, 215
2. Novel fluorinated ferroelectric organosiloxane liquid crystals
   W M Zoghaib, C Carboni, A K George, S Al-Manthari A Al-Hussaini, and F. Al-Futaisi, 2011, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst., 542, 123
3. Threshold field for switching the deVries SA* phase in a low molar mass organosiloxane material
   Carboni, C., George, A.K., Al-Shizawi, W., Zoghaib, M.W., Naciri, J. 2010, Liquid Crystals, 37-11, 1427
4. Magnetic properties of Ba2 HoSbO6 with a frustrated lattice geometry, 2010, Calder, S.; Ke, X.; Bert, F.; Amato, A.; Baines, C.; Carboni, C.; Cava, R. J.; Daoud-Aladine, A.; Deen, P.; Fennell, T.; Hillier, A. D.; Karunadasa, H.; Taylor, J. W.; Mendels, P.; Schiffer, P.; Bramwell, S. T. Physical Review B, 81-6, 064425
5. The behaviour of the interfacial surface tension of liquid-crystal materials in the vicinity of the nematic-isotropic phase transition C Carboni, A Al-Siyabi, S Al-Harthi, A K George and T J Slukin, 2008, Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 494, 114-126

MSc (Southampton, 1989); PhD (Nanjing, 1996)

Nuclear Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science

Experience and Research Interest

Currently my research involves the structural, magnetic and electric characterisation of novel iron-containing alloys and oxides of transition metals and rare elements. In recent years, I have been increasingly shifting my interests to oxide nanostructures. The structural characterisation techniques of interest include XRD, Mössbauer spectroscopy, XPS, TEM and AFM. We also use different techniques such as VSM's and Faraday balances, impedance analysers... etc. for physical characterization. This work is done in collaboration with members of the Mössbauer and Magnetism Group and the Surface and Nanoscience Group of the Physics Department of SQU. I also use theoretical computer codes that employ atomistic and ab-initio simulations to rationalise defect structures of cation-doped transition metal oxides. With all these techniques, my research always is geared towards understanding how the microstructure is related to the fundamental properties of materials. This work is done in close collaboration with Dr. E. A. Moore of the Open University (UK). Over the years, this research has attracted several undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Previously I studied the dynamics of anisotropic nematic liquid crystals using Mössbauer and other experimental nuclear techniques and still retain some interest in this area.
Very recently, and in collaboration with Dr. A. I. Arbab of Khartoum University (Sudan), I have developed an interest in using quaternions and other novel mathematical approaches to generalize fundamental equations in physics. This is not quite a specialized area albeit requiring a good knowledge of basic physics and mathematics.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interests are in the field of solid state physics and nano-science in addition to introductory physics. I have taught advance courses for post-graduate level, in fields of research.

Selected Publications :

1. H. M. Widatallah, S. H. Al-Harthi, C. Johnson, Z. Klencsár, A. M. Gismelseed, E. A. Moore2, A. D. Al-Rawas, C. I. Wynter and D. E. Brown, J. Phys. D: Applied Physics, 2011, 44, 265403.
2. I. Arbab, H. M. Widatallah, Euro. Phys. Lett. EPL, 2010, 92, 23002.
3. H. M. Widatallah, A. D. Al- Rawas, C Johnson, S. H. Al-Harthi, A. Gismelseed, E. A. Moore, S. J. Stewart, J. Nanosci. Nanotech., 2009, 9, 2510-2517.
4. H. M. Widatallah, C. Johnson, A. M Gismelseed, I. A. Al-Omari, S. J. Stewart, S. H. Al-Harthi, S. Thomas and H Sitepu, J. Phys. D: Applied Physics, 2008, 41, 165006.
5. H. M. Widatallah, I. A. Al-Omari, F. Sives, M. B. Sturla, S. J. Stewart, J. Mag. Mag. Mater., 2008, 320, e324-328.

Experience and Research Interest

A comprehensive approach, based on statistical, electronic and hard sphere like theory, is used to reveal the origin of the intriguing processes that are associated with immiscibility and phase segregation in binary fluid mixtures.
Concurrently, we investigate, through computer simulations, the dynamic properties of polymer chains while packing into and ejecting out of spherical shells (relevant to DNA packaging and ejection) under various conditions of capsid structure, temperature and solvent. We also use simulations to study polymer dynamics while translocating through a molecular sieve, mimicking nuclear-pore complex. Finally, coarse-grained simulations are used to model the motion of RNA-polymerase II along a DNA.

Teaching Interest

Teaching of fundamental physics courses at all levels from introductory to graduate level

Selected Publications :

1. I.Ali and S. M. Osman, Effective Hard Sphere Diameters in Simple Classical Fluids and Applications to Double Yukawa Potential, International Journal of Modern Physics B, 13, 1419 (1999).
2. I.Ali, S. M. Osman, N. Sulaiman and R. N. Singh, Mixing and Phase Separation in Molecular Fluid Mixtures, Molecular Physics, 101, 3239 (2003).
3. I. Ali, S. M. Osman and R. N. Singh, Thermodynamics Properties of He-H2 Fluid Mixtures Over a Wide Range of Temperatures and Pressures, Physical Review E, 69, 056104 (2004).
4. I. Ali, D. Marenduzzo and J. M. Yeomans, Polymer Packaging and Ejection in Viral Capsids: Shape Matters, Physical Review Letters, 96, 208102 (2006).
5. I. Ali, D. Marenduzzo and J. M. Yeomans, Ejection Dynamics of Polymeric Chains from Viral Capsids: Effect of Solvent Quality, Biophysical Journal, 94, 4159 (2008).

Experience and Research Interest

Abinitio methods are used to study the electronic, magnetic and hyperfine structures of metals, alloys, ferrites and semiconducting materials. The discrete-variational method and the full-potential linear-augmented plane wave method are currently employed on the HPC at SQU.

Teaching Interest

Teaching of fundamental physics courses at all levels from introductory to graduate level. In addition, I also teach the computational physics courses.

Selected Publications

1. Thouless D J and Elzain M E  The two dimensional white noise problem and localization in an inverted layer 1978 , J. Phys. C (Solid State Physics), 11, 3425
2. Elzain M E , Ellis D E and Guenzburger D Electronic structure and magnetic an hyperfine properties of Fe/V sandwiches and interfaces 1986,Phys. Rev. B 34, 1430
3. Elzain M E, A A Yousif and H Pollak Electronic and  magnetic Structures of Body Centered Iron - Carbon System J. Phys. Chem. Solids 57, 297 (1996)

4. M E Elzain, A Yousif, A Al Rawas, A Gismelseed, H Widatallah, K Bouziane and I Al-Omari, The electronic and magnetic properties of fcc iron clusters in fcc 4d metals, Hyperfine Interactions  164(2006)3
5. M Mamor,  M. Elzain, K Bouziane and S Al Harthi ‘ Deep level transient spectroscopy study  of the  E-center in Si and in partially relaxed Si0.9Ge0.1 alloy layer’, Phys Rev B  77,  035213 (2008)

Experience and Research Interest

Currently, my research is focused on two main areas, viz. surface/interface physics and nanotechnology. In surface/interface physics, different techniques such as XPS, SPALEED, UPS, ISS, Auger electron spectroscopy are employed; surface tension techniques are used in characterization of liquid-crystal materials. At the moment, we are working on nano-bubbles project, TiO2 nanotubes for solar cell applications, self assembly and nanomaterials used in petroleum Industry.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of solid state physics and nano-science. This includes under graduate courses and advance courses for post-graduate level.

Selected Publications

1. S. H. Al-Harthi, K. P. Revathy, F. Gard, A. Mesli, A. K. George, J. Bartringer, M. Mamor  and N. V. Unnikrishnan, Nanoscale Research Lett., 2010, 5, 1137–1743.
2. S. H. Al-Harthi, K. P. Revathy, A. K. George, M. E. Elzain, A. T. Al-Hinai, A. Mesli and N.   V. Unnikrishnan, Colloids &Surfaces,A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects,2010, 370, 20–27.
3. S. Al-Harthi, M. Al-Saadi, I. Al-Omari, H. Sitepu, K. Melghit, I. Al-Amri A. T. Al-Hinai, and S. Thomas, Appl. Phys. A., Mat. Sci. & Process.,2010, 99, 237–234.
4. S.H. Al-Harthi, M. Al-Barwani.  M. Elzain  Ashraf T, Al-Hinai, N. Al-Naamani, Issa Al-Amri and T. Hysen,  Appl Phys A, 2011, 105:469–477.
5. S.H. Al-Harthi, M. Al-Barwani.  M. Elzain,   N. Al-Naamani, and T. Hysen, J. Appl. Phys. 2011, 110, 044319.

Experience and Research Interest

My research is presently focused on study of the deep interior of the Earth  and study of thermoelastic, transport and dynamical properties of crude oils. The work on deep interior of the Earth is carried out in collaboration with the Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University, New York. Besides these I worked on various fields of geophysics including engineering geophysics and, monitoring earthquakes and volcanoes.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in pure physics and geophysics, which include physics for science and engineering, optics and waves, environmental physics and general geophysics.

Selected Publications

1. Arafin, S., Singh, R.N., George, A.K. and Ali Al-Lazki, 2008, Thermoelastic and thermodynamic properties of harzburgite – an upper mantle rock, J. Phys and Chem  of Solids,  69, 1766-1774.
2. Arafin, S., Singh, R.N. and George, A.K., 2010, Thermal conductivity and diffusivity of harzburgite rock of  Oman ophiolite, Advances in Geosciences, Vol.20: Solid Earth, Page 151.
3. George, A.K., Singh, R.N. and Arafin, S., C. Carboni and S.H. Al-Harthi,  2010, Mesomorphism in a binary mixture of non-mesogens: A thermo-physical study, Physica B  405, 4586 – 4593
4. Arafin, S., Al-Habsi N. and Rahman, S.M., 2011, Transport Properties and Model-Based      Dynamical Properties of Omani Crude Oils, Arabian Journal of Geosciences DOI:10.1007/s12517-011-0301-z, March 2011.
5. Arafin S., Singh, R.N. and George A.K., 2011,Thermal Diffusivity and Heat of Formation of Harzburgite and its Major Constituent Mineral, International Journal of Themophysics, DOI 10.1007/s10765-011-1064-1.

Experience and Research Interest

My research is focused on four main areas. i- Thermodynamic properties of nano-particle fluids, in particular Carbon C60. ii- Miscibility gape of liquid alloys such as Ga-Pb and He-H2 alloys. iii-Theoretical investigation of quantum effects in Hydrogen and Deuterium.  iv- Surface tension of nano-particle fluids.  In surface/interface physics, different theoretical techniques are employed in calculating surface tension, surface profile and surface thickness. One of these techniques is the square gradient expansion of density functional  theory (DFT).
The work in Ga-Pb alloys is carried out in collaboration with Institut de Chimie,  Physique et   Materiaux, Metz University, Metz, France and Electronics & Microwaves Group, UFR (Electronique et Physique du Solide), Faculty of Science and Techniques of Tangier,  Aabdelmalek Essaadi University,  Tangier-MOROCCO.  Over the past ten years, this work has attracted several postgraduate students.
Currently, I engaged  in strategic HM-project  “Estimating natural groundwater recharge and discharge in North Oman”  in which I  provide analytical and/or numerical solutions of partial differential equations which  govern the underground water flow through the porous medium. The SQU project Group  “DRS:    OSMAN  ABDALLA, Talal Al-Hosni,  El Sayed Osman,  ALI AL-MAKTOOMI, Mehiddin Al-Baali  &  Narasimman Sundarajan, Profs:  Anvar Kacimov  &  Ian clarck, Mrs:      RASHID AL-ABRI & ABDULLAH AL-RAWAHI”

Teaching Interest

During the past 10 years, I used to teach theoretical  methods of physics  and electromagnetic theory.   Currently,  my teaching interests are in the field of Statistical thermodynamics and  applications to  several systems such as fluids, fluid alloys, solids, semiconductors and magnetic materials. This includes under graduate courses and advance courses at post-graduate level.

Selected Publications

1. S.  M.  Osman and R.  N.  Singh, Phys. Rev.  E, 1995, 51, 332-338.
2.  I. Ali, S. M. Osman  and R. N. Singh, J.  Non-Newtonian  Fluid  Mechanics, 2004, 120, 79-84.
3.  I Ali, S M Osman, N Sulaiman, R N Singh,  Phys.  Rev.  E, 2004, 69,  056104-1-11.
4. M. Bahaa Khedr, M. S. Al-Busaidy and S. M. Osman. J. Phys. Condensed Matter, 2005, 17, 4411-4422.
5. B. Grosdidier, S. M. Osman and A. Ben Abdellah, Phys.  Rev.  B,  2008, 78, 024205-1-11. 

Experience and Research Interest

I have been instrumental in establishing a High Performance Computing (HPC) Facility at SQU. I have managed this facility since its establishment in 2008. My other academic experiences include being the Assistant Dean for Under Graduate Studies for the college of Science from 2003 to 2005, Chairman of the Computer Users committee for the college of Science from 2001 to 2003 and chaired the physics departmental IT committee since 2000. In addition, I was the pre-major academic advisor for 60 students from the 2000 cohort and I currently advise over 50 physics students from the 2006 cohort. Finally, I have severed on many departmental, college, university and national level committees and have represented the university at several international meetings and visits.
My research interest areas include: High Performance Computing, Parallel Scientific Computing and Computational Physics. Specific areas include Simulation of Liquid Crystals, Colloids and Polymers, the Modeling of defects in solids and Group theory.

Teaching Interest

I have over 11 years of teaching physics courses at the introductory, intermediate and advanced level. These include general physics courses and courses on theoretical and computational physics to undergraduate and M.Sc.

Selected Publications

1. Muataz S. Al-Barwani and Michael P. Allen, Nematic-Isotropic Interface of Sphe- rocylinders, Phy. Rev. E 62, 6706 (2000).
2. Muataz S. Al-Barwani, Gregory S. Sutcliffe and Michael P. Allen, Forces between Two Colloids in a Nematic Solvent, J. Chem. Phys. B. 108, 6663 - 6666 (2004).
3. Mehmet Koca, Ramazan Koc, Muataz S. Al-Barwani and Shadia Al-Farsi, Max- imal Subgroups of the Coxeter Group H4 and Quaternions, Linear Algebra and Its Applications 412 441 - 452 (2006).
4. Mehmet Koca, Muataz S. Al-Barwani and Ramazan Koc, Quaternionic Root
   Systems and Subgroups of the Aut(F4), J. Math. Phys. 47, 043507 (2006).

Experience and Research Interest

Currently, my research is focused on two main areas:
High energy physics and symmetry.
The work in symmetry is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Ramazan Koc (Department of Physics, University of Gaziantap).

Teaching Interest

Currently I am teaching Physics for Engineering II

Selected Publications

1. The African Review of Physics (2011) 6:0007 53, Quasi Regular Polyhedra and Their Duals with Coxeter Symmetries Represented by Quaternions – II.
2. Linear Algebra and its Applications 434 (2011) 977–989, Quaternionic representation of snub 24-cell and its dual polytope derived from E8 root system.
3. Mehmet Koca et al 2009 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 42 495201, Grand antiprism and quaternions.
4. African Physical Review (2008) 2:0009 7, Regular and Semi-Regular 4D-Polytopes of the Coxeter-Weyl Group W(F4) and Quaternions. African Physical Review (2008) 2:0010, Regular and Semi-Regular 4D-Polytopes of the Coxeter-Weyl Group W(SO(9)) and Quaternions.

Experience and Research Interest

 I did my Ph.D. in experimental high energy physics. I spent 4 years at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland.  I have been a member of CMS group at CERN currently investigating Higgs particles in the recent LHC data.  On and off I have done high energy theory. Meanwhile I am doing mathematical physics dealing with the symmetries of high energy physics problems which can be checked through the publication list.  

Teaching Interest

I like to teach introductory physics courses and the courses related to the high energy physics and mathematical physics.   

Selected Publications

1. “Quaternionic representation of snub 24-cell and its dual polytope derived from E8 root system”, Koca M, Al-Ajmi M and Koca N O 2011 Linear Algebra Appl. 434 977.
2. “Quasi regular polygons and their duals with Coxeter symmetries Dn represented by complex numbers”, M Koca and N O Koca 2011 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 284 012039.
3. “Catalan Solids Derived From 3D-Root Systems” , M. Koca, N.O Koca, and R. Koc, J. Math. Phys. 51 (043501) (2010).
4. “Grand Antiprism and Quaternions”, M. Koca, N.O Koca, and M. Al-Ajmi, J.Phys. A. Math. And Theor. J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 42 (2009) 495201.
5. “A Study of Inclusive Double Pomeron Exchange in at s =630 GeV”, UA8 Collobaration: A.Brandt, S.Erhan, A.Kuzucu, D.Lynn, M.Medinnis, N.Ozdes (Koca), P.E.Schlein, M.Zeyrek, J.G.Zweizig (UCLA), J.B.Cheze, J.Zsembery (Saclay), Eur.Phys.J. C25, 361-377,2002.
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Experience and Research Interest

We use statistical mechanical theory, incorporating electronic and hard sphere theories, to understand the structure, forces and thermo-physical properties of segregation and demixing in binary fluid mixtures as temperature and pressure tend to critical values.

On the other hand, we also use computer simulations to investigate the dynamic properties of polymer chains while packing into and ejecting from spherical viral capsids under different solvent conditions. Simulations are also used to model the motion of RNA polymerase II along DNA.

Teaching Interest

Teaching of fundamental physics courses at all levels

Selected Publications

1. N. Sulaiman, S. M. Osman, I. Ali and R. N. Singh, Concentration Fluctuations of Monomer-Dimer Mixture, Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 2002, 312-314, 227.
2. Ali, S. M. Osman, N. Sulaiman and R. N. Singh, Mixing and Phase Separation in Molecular Fluid Mixtures, Molecular Physics, 2003, 101, 3239.
3. N. Sulaiman, D. Marenduzzo and J. M. Yeomans, Lattice Boltzmann algorithm to simulate isotropic-nematic emulsions, Physical Review E, 2006, 74, 041708.

Experience and Research Interest

My research interests are modeling and simulation of transport mechanism in nano-electron devices. Scattering mechanisms included in modeling are charge centers, surface roughness and scattering with lattice vibrations. Transport models are implemented to predict the efficiency of latest 32nm node MOSFET developed by Intel® which comprises of high-k dielectric with metal gate. Research is also extended to graphene based MOSFETs and its performance under applied strain. Currently I am working on modeling Single Electron Transistor embedded in conventional MOS structure. Also I am working on solution of coupled Schrodinger--Poisson equation applied to graphene nano-sheet.

Teaching Interest

Currently I am mainly involved in teaching courses related to the newly introduced “Minor in Nuclear Science”. Apart from this I am also involved in labs related to condensed matter physics and nuclear experiments.

Selected Publications

1. R. Shah and M. M. De Souza, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 2007, 54, 2991-2997.
2. R. Shah and M. M. De Souza, Thin Solid Films, 2008, 517, 412-415.
3. R. Shah and M. M. De Souza, Proceedings World Congress on Engineering, London, UK , 2009, 1, 417-422, , 2009. Awarded “Certificate of Merit” on the publication and presentation.
4. R. Shah and M. M. De Souza, Book Chapter; Electronic Engineering and Computing Technology, Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, 1st Edition., 2010, XII, ISBN: 978-90-481-8775-1, Springer. http://www.springer.com/engineering/electronics/book/978-90-481-8775-1
5. R. Shah and T. Mohiuddin, “Temperature Dependent Mobility in Strained Graphene, 2011, II, 1357-1362, Proceedings World Congress on Engineering, London, UK.

Experience and Research Interest

His interdisciplinary research interests cover several areas of interest such as: Cosmic Microwave Background and Simulation of Large Scale Structure of the Universe with GPUs, Astronomy/Physics Education and Human centered Technology, Scientific Miracles of the Holy Quran, Atmospheric Seeing Condition and Moon Sighting (with focus on Visibility on the Sultanate), Web-based Virtual Classroom (Moodle at SQU) and XRD, ESM and Mossbauer Studies of Meteorites.
He also works with several committees such peaceful usage of outer space committee, committee for documenting celestial stars associated with cyclones, agricultural and fishery activities, mobile observatory committee, climate change and adaptation national committee, Technical committee of HM award for voluntary work, and other SQU committees.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of Astronomy and Space Science. This includes both Arabic and English courses in addition to Physics courses.

Selected Publications

1. Al-Shidhani, Saleh; Boosting Productivity: A Framework for Professional/Amateur Collaborative Teamwork, Advanced Global Communications Technologies for Astronomy II, Hawaii, USA, Augest-2002
2. .Al-Shidhani, Saleh S., Online Assessment as an Effective Evaluation Tool for Large Size Astronomy Elective Courses, ICEL2006, Canada, 2006.
3. Ter-Kazarian, G.; Shidhani, S.; Sargsyan, L., Neutrino Radiation of the AGN Black Holes, Astrophysics and Space Science, Volume 310, Issue 1-2, pp. 93-110, 2007.
4. Al-Shidhani, Saleh Said, Online Feedback as an Effective Misconception Remedy Tool for Large Size Astronomy Introductory Courses, The 8th International Conference on Information Technology Based Higher Education and Training (ITHET2007), Japan, 2007.
5. Al-Shidhani, Saleh, Efficiency, Challenges, and Limitations of Web-based Exams for Astronomy Courses, International Conference on Internet and Multimedia Systems and Applications, Honolulu, Aug 2009.

Experience and Research Interest

My present research interests are in Graphene and other two dimensional materials. At present, my ongoing research is related with flexible electronic devices based on graphene. I take great interest in all nanofabrication techniques involved with device fabrication at these dimensions. In the near future I want to explore nanostructured solar cell device technology and also nanoporous membranes for water desalination and purification.

I posses high level of experience in American Federal Standard Class 100 and 1000 clean room facilities. My nanofabrication skills include optical and electron beam lithography. Thin film deposition of various forms; sputtering, thermal evaporation, and e-beam evaporation. In addition I have significant experience with all methods of Atomic Force Microscopy and SEM. I also have experience with measurements and data acquisition techniques.

Teaching Interest

I have over the past couple of years taught introductory Physics to Science and Engineering students. Presently I am teaching and coordinating an intermediate level Experimental Physics Course.

Nobel Prize Winning Research

Profs. A Geim and K Novoselov both of whom were my supervisors during my M.Sc. and Ph.D studies were awarded the 2010 Physics Nobel prize for carrying out ground breaking experiments with the material graphene. Being a part of their graphene research team from 2006-2009 I had a chance to work and produce world class research and my contribution was duly acknowledged by them.  

Selected Publications

1. Giant reduction of charge carrier mobility in strained graphene, Shah R, Mohiuddin Tariq M.G., Singh Ram N, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 2011 (pending publication)
2. Transverse Spin Transport in Graphene, Mohiuddin, Tariq M. G.; Zhukov, A. A.; Elias, D. C.; Hill, E. W.; Morozov, S. V.; Geim, A. K.; Novoselov, K. S.; International Journal of Modern Physics B, Volume 23, Issue 12-13, pp. 2641-2646 (2009).
3. Uniaxial strain in graphene by Raman spectroscopy: G peak splitting, Grüneisen parameters, and sample orientation. T. M. G. Mohiuddin, A. Lombardo, R. R. Nair, A. Bonetti, G. Savini, R. Jalil, N. Bonini, D. M. Basko, C. Galiotis, N. Marzari, K. S. Novoselov, A. K. Geim, and A. C. Ferrari; Phys. Rev. B 79, 205433 (2009)
4. Control of graphene’s properties by reversible hydrogenation. D. C. Elias, R. R. Nair, T. M. G. Mohiuddin, S. V. Morozov, P. Blake, M. P. Halsall, A. C. Ferrari, D. W. Boukhvalov, M. I. Katsnelson, A. K. Geim, and K. S. Novoselov; Science, 323, 610 (2009)
5. Effect of high-κ environment on charge carrier mobility in graphene, L. A. Ponomarenko, R. Yang, T. M. Mohiuddin, M. I. Katsnelson, K. S. Novoselov, S. V. Morozov, A. A. Zhukov, F. Schedin, E. W. Hill, and A. K. Geim; Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 206603 (2009)

Experience and Research Interest

Broadly speaking my research interests relate to magnetism and spintronics. I am particularly interested in studying new and interesting molecular magnetic tunnel junctions for technological applications in series of magnetic devices. I am especially interested in studying these systems in order to improve our understanding of the physics spin diffusion in organic materials and fabrication of devices that can be used for magnetic field sensing for future data storage technologies. Whereby, these technological applications for magnetic sensors is one of important factors has driven the discovery and study of MR phenomena. My research also involves the structural and magnetic characterization of oxide nanostructures using Mössbauer spectroscopy and various techniques of sample reparation including ball milling, annealing and X-ray characterization.

Teaching Interest

I have been teaching an introductory experimental course for students majoring in physics and also teaching a basic course in mechanics for first year students.

Selected Publications

Not available,,,

Experience and Research Interest

My research interest is to study electronic and optical properties of semiconductors at the nanoscale level.

Teaching Interest

I have been teaching introductory physics courses, tutorials and laboratories. I was also involved in teaching Experimental Methods of Physics II, Electronics and Nuclear Physics laboratories.

Selected Publications

1. L. V. Titova, R. Al Harthy, T. Cocker, D. G. Cooke, A.N. MacDonald, A. Hryciw, S. Kuai, A. Meldrum, and F.A. Hegmann, proceeding of OTST 2009 International Workshop on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology, Santa Barbara, California,2009 

Experience and Research Interest

My research interest is in the field of radiation detection technologies. I have been working in the field of metal/semiconductor Schottky contacts and I am planning to  study their applications in radiation detection technologies. I have also worked in corroboration with the Molecular Imaging Department in the college of Medicine to measure the entrance dose of the fluoroscopy unit in SQUH. However, nowadays I am assisting in the preparation of the new nuclear physics minor courses in the Department. 

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of nuclear physics and radiation detection technologies.

Selected Publications