ASP Online Seminars: Science for African Development and Advancement

by Dr Omololu Akin-Ojo (ICTP East African Institute for Fundamental Research, EAIFR)

Tuesday 15 Feb 2022, 13:00 → 14:30 UTC

Abstract:

Some possible ways to address problems in Africa using the tools of physics will be presented. The first one involves the application of Newton's equation to demonstrate a more efficient possible means of transporting the anticancer drug, cis-PtCl2(NH3)2 [Cisplatin]. This transport involves the encapsulation of the drug in a carbon nanotube. Similar tools can be used to study possible drugs for the treatment of neglected tropical diseases some of which occur in Africa. Secondly, the possibility of hydrogen fuel for daily cooking can be made a reality if suitable catalysts for water splitting can be found. The use of Machine Learning (ML) approaches combined with quantum mechanics (QM) in the search for such catalysts will be discussed. ML and QM can also be used in the search for ductile superconducting materials that can work at ambient conditions and which have high critical magnetic fields. Such materials will make MRI machines more common in developing countries since the need for the enormous amount of cooling required for the superconducting magnets will be reduced. The use of ML and QM in the search for new superconductors as well as low-cost powerful magnets for renewable energy (hydropower) will be highlighted. Indeed, many of the problems that can be addressed by physics are not peculiar to Africa and are faced by people in different parts of the world albeit to different extents. We can contribute to addressing these problems by learning the use of tools (e.g., coding, ML, QM, etc) and applying deep study, deep thinking, and hard work.

EAIFR_Present_ASP-Feb.pdf

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video1128266884.mp4