The UCT Centre for Materials Engineering in collaboration with the AI Initiative, is delighted to host two world-leading researchers from INRS - Institut national de la recherche scientifique in Varennes, Quebec, Canada. This collaborative seminar series showcases cutting-edge advances in computational materials design and plasma synthesis technologies, offering insights into sustainable solutions for global energy and environmental challenges. Join us for an engaging afternoon of scientific exchange and discover opportunities for international research collaboration.

Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025
Time: 13:00-14:00
Venue: Albert Wessels Seminar Room, E&M Building, Upper Campus, UCT

Seminar 1: A/Prof Kulbir Kaur Ghuman

"Leveraging the Computational Energy Materials Design Infrastructure (CEMDI) to Accelerate Innovation in Sustainable Technologies: Goals and Opportunities for Collaboration"

A/Prof Ghuman is the founder and director of CEMDI, a global platform connecting over 130 researchers across 11 countries including Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, Qatar, and South Africa. She leads the Insilico Matters Laboratory at INRS-EMT, where her research focuses on computational approaches to materials design for sustainable technologies including catalysis, CO₂ capture, solid oxide fuel cells, and batteries. Prior to joining INRS, she held postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Toronto, Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), and Kyushu University (Japan). More information: www.insilicomatters.com

Seminar 2: Prof Mohamed Chaker

"Plasma Synthesis of Oxide Materials for Photonics, Energy and Water Treatment Applications"

Prof Chaker has been a professor at INRS since 1989 and held a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Plasmas applied to micro and nanomanufacturing technologies from 2003 to 2024. He is the director of the Laboratory of Micro and Nanofabrication (LMN) at INRS. With over 370 peer-reviewed publications (20,700 citations, H-index: 80), his research spans advanced plasma sources, thin film and nanomaterials synthesis, and device fabrication. He has played a leadership role in developing Quebec research consortia including Prompt-Québec and NanoQuébec.

All are welcome to attend.