Usman Salahuddin, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Integrated Sciences & Mathematics
Dhanani School of Science & Engineering

Biography

Usman Salahuddin is an expert in the field of Material Science, specializing in catalysis, sustainable energy, and advanced materials. With a passion for addressing global challenges through scientific innovation, Usman’s academic journey has been marked by excellence, curiosity, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

Usman embarked on his academic pursuit with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering at the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), where he gained a profound understanding of energy technologies and their implications.

He was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for his Ph.D. in Material Science at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Under the mentorship of Professor Puxian Gao, Usman’s research has encompassed a diverse range of cutting-edge projects, including the development of innovative honeycomb monoliths for catalytic applications and environmental sustainability. His work has also extended to investigating low-temperature nitric oxide adsorption in the brain using metal organic frameworks, showcasing his commitment to exploring the frontiers of scientific discovery.

Usman gained invaluable practical experience through his roles at prominent organizations such as Tesla Motors, where he contributed to cathode mixing and cell engineering, and Indus Earth Trust, where he spearheaded distributive solar installation initiatives. As a Fellow at the Future Climate Venture Studio and a participant in the Universitas 21 micro-internship program, Usman continued to demonstrate his unwavering commitment to addressing pressing global challenges, particularly those related to sustainability and climate change.

In addition to his extensive research contributions, Usman has authored and co-authored several impactful publications in renowned scientific journals. His work on brain-machine interfaces, energy efficiency analysis, and nanomaterial synthesis reflects his dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering scientific discourse.
Usman’s technical proficiency spans a wide range of tools and methodologies, including COMSOL, MATLAB, SolidWorks, and Gaussian, reflecting his ability to seamlessly integrate theoretical insights with practical applications.

Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact, Usman Salahuddin’s journey stands as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and innovation. His work exemplifies a tireless commitment to shaping a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.


Education

  • Ph.D. in Material Science, Modeling and Simulation of Catalytic reactions (Fulbright Scholar), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA (2018-present)
  • M.S. in Energy Systems Engineering, US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), NUST, Islamabad, Pakistan (2015 – 2017)
  • B.E. in Chemical Engineering, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan (2010 – 2014)

Research Interests

  • Carbon neutral fuels, Catalysis, Plastic recycling, Lithium-ion batteries, Brain Machine Interfaces

  • Publications

  • Salahuddin Usman and Gao P-X (2021) Signal Generation, Acquisition, and Processing in Brain Machine Interfaces: A Unified Review, Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15:728178.
  • Salahuddin Usman, Haider Ejaz, and Naseem Iqbal. “Grid to wheel energy efficiency analysis of battery and fuel cell–powered vehicles.” International Journal of Energy Research 42.5 (2018): 2021-2028.
  • Salahuddin Usman, Haider Ejaz, and Naseem Iqbal. “Synthesis of copper oxide nanowires with an emphasis on analyzing the effect of oxidation time on the growth of nanowires.” Materials Research Express 6.3 (2018): 035016.
  • Salahuddin Usman, Muhammad Bilal, and Haider Ejaz. “A review of the advancements made in helical baffles used in shell and tube heat exchangers.” International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer 67 (2015): 104-108.
  • Sun, J., Liu, F., Salahuddin, U., Wu, M., Zhu, C., Lu, X., … & Gao, P. X. (2022). Optimization and understanding of ZnO nanoarray supported Cu-ZnO-Al2O3 catalyst for enhanced CO2-methanol conversion at low temperature and pressure. Chemical Engineering Journal, 140559.
  • Zhang Bo; Sun Jiyu; Salahuddin Usman; Gao Pu-Xian; “Hierarchical and Scalable Integration of Nanostructures for Energy and Environmental Applications: A Review of Processing, Devices, and Economic Analyses”
  • Abbas, Akhtar, Muhammad Bilal Sajid, Nadia… and Usman Salahuddin “Barriers and drivers for adoption of energy efficient and environment friendly brick kiln technologies in Punjab, Pakistan.” Energy Reports 8 (2022): 15563-15573.
  • Usman Salahuddin, Jiyu Sun, Chunxiang Zhu, Puxian Gao; “Highly Stable and Efficient Titanate Nanorod Supported Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalyst for Methanol Synthesis”. (Under review in Chemical Engineering Science).
  • Usman Salahuddin, Ralph Shortt, Dongsheng Li, Puxian Gao; “Fast and Cost-effective Experimental Data Driven Optimization for Monolithic CO2 Hydrogenation Reactors.” (Under review in Fuel).
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