MA

Md. Akhlak Alam

Forschungszentrum Jülich, Universität Ulm, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Patna University, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology

ORCID iD 0000-0002-7236-8838
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About

I am a scientific employee at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany, where my current research focuses on the surface and interface investigation of liquid metal catalysts using advanced X-ray–based characterization techniques. My work aims to establish quantitative correlations between catalytic performance and the structural, chemical, and electronic properties of catalyst surfaces and buried interfaces, with particular emphasis on in-situ/operando and surface-sensitive methodologies.

Prior to joining Forschungszentrum Jülich, I was a Postdoctoral Researcher at Ulm University, Germany, within the POLiS Cluster of Excellence, where I worked on next-generation post-lithium battery material characterization. My research centered on the development and application of advanced analytical and materials characterization methods to investigate electrode and electrolyte materials for sustainable energy storage systems. A key focus of this work was understanding structure–composition–performance relationships and degradation mechanisms in battery materials.

I have extensive expertise in X-ray spectroscopy and scattering techniques, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF, micro-XRF, TXRF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray reflectivity (XRR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), complemented by hands-on experience with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). My research interests include trace and minor element analysis, high-resolution elemental mapping, surface and interface characterization, structural investigations, and degradation and reaction mechanisms in functional materials.

In addition to experimental research, I am proficient in Python programming for scientific data processing, analysis, and visualization, and am increasingly applying machine-learning-based approaches to analyze complex, multi-modal datasets and accelerate materials understanding and discovery.

I received a Ph.D. in Physics from the Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai (India), and was a university gold medalist in both B.Sc. (Physics Honours) and M.Sc. (Physics) from Patna Science College and Patna University. With more than seven years of research experience across academia and large-scale research facilities, I am strongly motivated to develop innovative analytical methodologies, foster interdisciplinary and international collaborations, and contribute to advances in catalysis, energy materials, and clean energy. technologies.

Employment

  • Forschungszentrum Jülich Scientist
    2026 - Present
  • Universität Ulm Postdoctoral Researcher
    2024 - 2025
  • Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology Research fellow
    2018 - 2024

Education

  • Homi Bhabha National Institute Ph.D.
    2018 - 2024
  • Patna University M.Sc.
    2016 - 2018
  • Patna University B.Sc.
    2013 - 2016

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (12)