Maliheh Nazari

Maliheh Nazari is a PhD candidate in Materials Engineering, conducting research within the AMMORE project (Ammonia as a Sustainable Fuel in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells-based Systems for Transportation and Energy) at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. Her work focuses on the development of advanced materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), aiming to enable ammonia as a carbon-free, sustainable fuel for both transportation and stationary energy applications. Key aspects of her research include: Materials Design and Optimization: Development and characterization of high-performance electrodes, electrolytes, and interconnect materials for SOFCs operating with ammonia. Electrochemical Performance: Investigation of reaction kinetics, ionic conductivity, and electrode-catalyst interactions to maximize energy conversion efficiency. System Integration: Evaluation of ammonia-fed SOFC system performance, durability, and emission profiles, contributing to sustainable energy solutions. Sustainability Focus: Implementation of novel materials and fuel strategies to reduce carbon footprint and advance clean energy technologies. Through this project, Maliheh applies her expertise in materials science, nanostructured materials, and electrochemistry to tackle challenges in high-temperature fuel cells, contributing to the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. She holds an M.Sc. in Thin Film Physics from the Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC) in Karaj, Iran (2016–2018), where her thesis, “Quartz Crystal Microbalance Coated with Electrospun Nanofibers for Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds,” explored VOC detection in breath as a cancer diagnostic tool. Since 2022, she has pursued her PhD in Nanotechnology, working on “Hydrogen Sensor Selection: MOF-5 Modified with Palladium on Tungsten Trioxide,” aimed at creating a gasochromic sensor for visual hydrogen leak detection at 4% concentration. Maliheh’s research interests span advanced energy materials, nanotechnology, gas sensor development, and sustainable sensing technologies, with strong emphasis on applying nanomaterials to solve real-world challenges. She has held research assistant positions at Tehran University (2017–2021), Sorosh Boarding Clinic Laboratory (2018–2021), and the University of Aveiro’s Laboratory of Chemistry Department (2022–2023). Notable projects include electrochemical sensors for Domoic Acid detection in aquaculture, breath sensors for cancer monitoring, and ammonia-based SOFC materials development. She has presented her findings at international conferences, including ANM2025 (“Facile Fabrication of Pd-WO3 Sensing Particles for Visual Detection of Hydrogen”), Euro Nanomat-2023, and ICNS7. Her technical expertise encompasses Python, DFT, PCA, and nanomaterial synthesis, bolstered by certifications in Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells (Coursera, 2023), Micro and Nanofabrication (edX, 2022), and Fundamentals of Nanomaterials (edX, 2022). Fluent in Persian and English, she combines rigorous research with a commitment to advancing sustainable energy and nanotechnology solutions for societal benefit.