Muhammad Abdullah at his graduation at Nazarbayev University
Nazarbayev University
Muhammad Abdullah

Materials Researcher, Renewable Energy Lab

MSc Chemical and Materials Engineering, Class of 2024

MATERIALS RESEARCHER · NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY

Muhammad Abdullah

REBCO superconductors that carry more current. Surfaces that repel water and ice.

15Peer-reviewed publications
5Kazakhstan patents granted
11PEC CPD points · 2025

ABOUT
MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH

I’m a chemical and materials engineering researcher at the Renewable Energy Lab, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University. My current research centres on REBCO bulk superconductors, improving flux pinning and reducing AC losses for practical power applications, alongside superhydrophobic surfaces, functional semiconductors, and materials for sustainable energy.

With an MSc from Nazarbayev University, I connect materials design and characterization with practical challenges in water management, anti-icing, and hydrogen generation.

Alongside my research, I build digital platforms that help students and researchers discover opportunities, tools, and practical knowledge.

Explore My Research
01 / Research focus

Small structures.
Meaningful applications.

Connecting materials design with
practical environmental and energy challenges.

01  -  SUPERCONDUCTING MATERIALS

REBCO superconductors for
practical power applications.

My current research: REBCO bulk superconductors, strengthening flux pinning and reducing AC losses, including doping with sustainable bio-derived additives such as eggshell calcium, chitosan, and rice-husk silica.

02  -  SURFACE ENGINEERING

Surfaces that repel.
Materials that endure.

Superhydrophobic coatings for concrete and asphalt, anti-icing performance, and water management using functionalized sand.

03  -  SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Functional materials for
hydrogen generation.

Hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxysulfides and semiconductor thin films for photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical water splitting.

04  -  ADVANCED MATERIALS

Understanding structure.
Shaping performance.

Powder flow, non-spherical particle mixtures, nanowire morphology, and functional semiconductor materials.

02 / Publications

A record of exploration.

View Google Scholar ↗

15 publications · 2025–2026.

Preview of the SACS conference poster: Stearic Acid-Coated Sand for sustainable water management in agriculture
Conference Poster

Stearic Acid-Coated Sand (SACS): A Superhydrophobic Material for Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture

4th International Symposium on Emerging Materials and Devices · May 28 to 30, 2025

Muhammad Abdullah, Mergen Zhazitov, Nazerke Kydyrbay, Tolagay Duisebayev, Yerbolat Tezekbay, Olzat Toktarbaiuly

View poster (PDF) ↗ Related paper: View DOI ↗
03 / Background

Research grounded in practice.

Research & professional experience

AUG 2024  -  PRESENT

Research Assistant

Renewable Energy Lab, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University

Current work on REBCO bulk superconductors: flux pinning, AC losses, and doping with bio-derived additives. Also anti-icing and practical applications of superhydrophobic coatings, alongside functional semiconductor materials and zinc oxysulfide synthesis. Supervised by Dr. Olzat Toktarbaiuly.

NOV 2022  -  NOV 2023

Research Assistant

Nazarbayev University

Centrifugal additive manufacturing for fine powder composites, supervised by Prof. Boris Golman.

2021  -  2022

Industrial engineering experience

Plant Supervisor · 3A Apparels, Lahore

Production operations, resource-efficient washing and compliance documentation. Earlier experience as a Service Engineer installing and maintaining RO plants and industrial steam boilers.

Education & development

2022  -  2024

MSc, Chemical and Materials Engineering

Nazarbayev University · Astana, Kazakhstan

Thesis: Analysis of Dynamic Flow Properties of Powder Mixture with Non-spherical Particles.

2017  -  2021

BSc, Chemical Engineering

NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology · Multan, Pakistan

Thesis: Production of Diesel from Waste Plastic.

JUL 2026

MatRIX Research Training

INMET, Nazarbayev University

Intensive materials research training in SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, FTIR, data analysis and scientific writing.

LEADERSHIP

Founding President, NU Adventure Club

Building a university community around outdoor exploration and adventure.

Applied innovation

Patented materials & processes

KAZAKHSTAN · #12463

Method for Producing a Composite Photocatalytic Film Based on a Combination of Gold and Gallium Zinc Oxides

Utility model · Granted 2026

KAZAKHSTAN · #11017

Method for Producing Composite Thin Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Utility model · Granted 2025

KAZAKHSTAN · #10726

Method of Preparation of High-Performance Oxide Thin-Film Coatings Based on InGaZnO

Utility model · Granted 2025

KAZAKHSTAN · #10716

Method of Hydrothermal Production of Zinc Oxysulfides with Controlled Properties

Utility model · Granted 2025

KAZAKHSTAN · #10437

Method of Production of Superhydrophobic Quartz Sand

Utility model · Granted 2025

PythonCOMSOLDEM / LIGGGHTSAspherix GUIXRDSEMFTIRRamanHydrothermal synthesis
Certificates

Certificates & Training

Certificate of participation awarded to Muhammad Abdullah for his talk at the Computational Materials Science and Engineering for Nuclear Energy Graduate Student Symposium 2025
Speaker, Graduate Student Symposium 2025Analysis of FeCrAl Alloys for Nuclear Reactors Using CMSE · Nazarbayev University · 28 November 2025
MatRIX certificate of completion awarded to Muhammad Abdullah, INMET, Nazarbayev University
MatRIX Research Training, Certificate of CompletionMaterials Training in Research & Innovation Exchange, INMET · Nazarbayev University · July 2026
Certificate of participation awarded to Muhammad Abdullah for his talk at the 4th International Symposium on Emerging Materials and Devices
Speaker, 4th International Symposium on Emerging Materials and DevicesStearic Acid-Coated Sand (SACS) · Nazarbayev University · May 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council

CPD webinar certificates, 2025 · 11 CPD points

Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Digital Transformation in Engineering
Digital Transformation in EngineeringPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 7 February 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Procurement and Contract Management
Procurement and Contract ManagementPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 15 February 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar The Role of Pumped Storage Hydropower in Advancing Energy Transition in Pakistan
The Role of Pumped Storage Hydropower in Advancing Energy Transition in PakistanPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 17 February 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Six Sigma Techniques in Total Quality Management (TQM)
Six Sigma Techniques in Total Quality Management (TQM)Pakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 20 February 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Process Safety and Risk Management in Chemical Engineering
Process Safety and Risk Management in Chemical EngineeringPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 15 March 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Industrial Automation & Smart Manufacturing
Industrial Automation & Smart ManufacturingPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 16 March 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Entrepreneurship for Engineers
Entrepreneurship for EngineersPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 20 March 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Leadership and Management
Leadership and ManagementPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 22 March 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems
Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity for Industrial Control SystemsPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 28 April 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Construction Using Digital Tools
Construction Using Digital ToolsPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 11 May 2025
Pakistan Engineering Council CPD certificate awarded to Engr Muhammad Abdullah for the webinar Service Leadership and Professional Ethics
Service Leadership and Professional EthicsPakistan Engineering Council · 1 CPD Point · 13 May 2025
04 / My websites

Beyond the laboratory.

Explore the platforms I’m building.

Creative Projects

05 / Get in touch

Let’s explore
what’s possible.

For research conversations, collaborations, and opportunities in functional materials and sustainable energy.