In an era where scientific innovation increasingly depends on accessible digital tools, a Nigerian researcher and staff of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), Dr. Abdullahi Usman is demonstrating how open-source platforms can transform advanced materials research. Dr. Usman, now a postdoctoral fellow at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, has emerged as a leading advocate for using open-source simulation to drive high-performance material design — especially in settings with limited research funding.
Recall that Dr. Usman's academic journey began in the Department of Physics with Electronics at FUBK, Nigeria in 2015. In 2020, he secured an international scholarship to pursue his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) in Bangkok, becoming the first member of the FUBK community to gain postgraduate admission in Thailand. Despite global shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he completed the program in a remarkable two and a half years.
Meanwhile, the doctoral work of Dr. Abdullahi Usman spanned cutting-edge optical technologies: thin-film thickness measurement using modified interferometers, CCD-based holographic imaging for microorganism detection, and fingerprint pattern analysis using digital holography. His studies showed the potential of optical sensors to outperform traditional microscopy in several aspects, capturing high-resolution images that could aid biometrics, forensics and even early medical diagnostics.
Although it was during his postdoctoral research that he ventured into another frontier — solar cell simulation. With renewable energy gaining prominence globally and solar technologies poised to transform power access in Nigeria, Dr. Usman sought to expand his research. However, the high cost of solar-cell experimentation posed a major challenge. To overcome this, he turned to SCAPS, a free and open-source solar cell simulation tool developed at Ghent University.
FUBK Bulletin reports that from advanced optical systems to solar-cell modeling and AI-enhanced material prediction, Dr. Abdullahi Usman's work stands as an inspiring testament to how innovative thinking — supported by accessible research tools — can accelerate scientific progress. His experience highlights a promising path for Nigerian institutions seeking to build capacity in high-impact scientific fields without relying solely on costly laboratory infrastructure.
As global research moves increasingly toward digital and computational methods, FUBK's own Dr. Usman is proving that open-source innovation may be the key to unlocking the next generation of high-performance materials and technologies.