The Physics Advanced Laboratory (PAL) is equipped for research and development work on materials science and renewable energy development. This is in realisation of the fact that only the ready availability of energy, materials and skilled manpower can guarantee energy security, increase industrial productivity and enhance product quality, create jobs and ultimately boost exportation.

An overview of the Physics Advanced Laboratory is available here in pdf format.

The research team is comprised of the following people:

Dr. A. A. Oberafo Director of Research	Dr. M.G. Zebaze Kana Senior Research Fellow	Thomas Research Fellow	N. Alu Research Assistant	D. Obi Research Assistant	O. Keyna Technologist

Research Activities

The first research focus of the Physics Advanced Laboratory is on the development of mechanical and electronics materials. The focus in this regard is on efficient exploitation and diversification of Nigeria's material resources. There is also a need to add value to primary materials by, for example, blending materials to produce composites from the elements, polymers, ceramics and organic materials. Key activities include:

Establishing technologies in Nigeria for the production of bulk and thin film mechanical and electronic materials and devices (including growth of laminate and self-reinforcing materials, hard coatings and bioactive coatings) and their characterisation by mechanical, electrical, optical and magnetic means.

Characterisation and utilisation of naturally occurring materials such as natural fibres, biomaterials, biopolymer, harvest residues etc.

The Physics Advanced Laboratory is also involved in renewable energy research and development. The aim is to accelerate Nigeria's development by exploiting renewable energy resources and optimising their use through improvement in generation, distribution and utilization. Activities here include:

The establishment of technologies for producing and characterising organic-based solar cells (e.g. organic dye-sensitised and fullerene-based solar cells), and inorganic-based solar cells (e.g. crystalline and amorphous semi conductor-based solar cells).

Panelling of solar cells for micro, mini and macro power application.

Modelling and simulation work on optimisation of energy generation, distribution and utilisation.

Equipment

Major equipment at the Physics Advanced Laboratory include film evaporator system, radio frequency sputtering system, electron beam evaporator, diffusion furnace, four-point resistivity probe systems, a liquid nitrogen plant, differential capacitance meters, facilities for low to high temperature electrical transport measurements, inert gas purifier with oxygen analyser, optical-interference microscope assembly, double beam monochromator assembly, class A solar simulator, uv-vis spectrometers, and spectrum analyser. Some of these equipment are shown below.