I am an academic and researcher with 8 years research experience in the field of advanced materials for energy storage systems, rechargeable batteries, and supercapacitors. I have three years of teaching experience at the undergraduate level in various universities and colleges. Currently, working as a Principal Investigator at ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, where I am involved in various projects for the development of rechargeable batteries including Li/Na/K ion batteries and Li/Na/K metal batteries. I authored 33 articles having total citations >1400, h-index 14, i10-index 22, and >2 articles are under review (Source: Google Scholar). Further, >10 outputs are as the first/corresponding author. In addition, I have been awarded several awards including Youth Talent Excellence Program of Zhejiang University,International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship Program (Talent-Introduction Program), andPeking University Excellent International Student’s Academic Award etc.

-------------Research Interests

• Electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices

• Nanostructured electrode materials (anodes and cathodes) for, Li/Na/K-ion batteries, Li metal batteries, Li-S batteries, water splitting and fuel cells

• In-situ mechanistic study of electrode materials during the running of batteries using in-situ TEM, XRD, etc.

• Failure analysis of secondary ion batteries

• Solid-state electrolytes for secondary ion batteries

-------------Education

2014-2019  PhD-Natural Science (Advanced Materials and Mechanics), Peking University, China (QS Global World Ranking # 12)

2010-2012  MPhil-Solid State Physics, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

2007-2009  MSc-Applied Physics, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan 2004-2006BSc-Physic & Mathematics, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

-------------Professional Positions

2021-continue  Principal Investigator

ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

2019-2021  Postdoctorate

International Center for Quantum Materials and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China

2015-2016  Teacher Assistant

Department of Material Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China

2013-2014  Lecturer

School of Physics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan  

------------- Honors and Awards

2021  Youth Talent Excellence Program, HIC-ZJU, Zhejiang University

2021  Won Shuimu Tsinghua Scholar Program, Tsinghua University

2019  International Postdoctoral Exchange Fellowship Program (Talent-Introduction Program)

2019  Won Boya Postdoctorate Scholarship, Peking University  

2017  Chinese Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship Award

2018  Peking University Excellent International Student’s Academic Award

2014  Chinese Government Scholarship for Ph.D. studies at Peking University

2012  Intel Laptop award during M.Phil. at Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

-------------List of Publications

First/Co-responding Author Contributions

1. Yousaf M*, Naseer U, Imran A, Li Y, Aftab W, Mahmood A, Mahmood N, Zhang X, Gao P, Lu Y*, Guo S*, Pan H, Jiang Y*, Visualization of Battery Materials and their Interfaces/Interphases using Cryogenic Electron Microscopy, Materials Today, 2022, MATTOD-D-22-00237R1, In Press. (SCI, IF=26.943)

2. Yousaf M, Naseer U, Li Y, Ali Z, Mahmood N, Gao P*, Guo S*, A Mechanistic Study of Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries beyond Lithium Ion by In-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy & Environmental Science, 2021, 14(5), 2670–2707. (SCI, IF=39.714)

3. Yousaf M, Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhipeng W, Firdous A, Ali Z, Mahmood N, Ruqiang Z*, Guo S*, Han Ray P S*. A 3D Tri-Layered CNT/MoSe₂/C Heterostructure with an Expanded MoSe₂ Interlayer Spacing for an Efficient Sodium Storage. Advanced Energy Materials, 2019, 9(30): 1900567. (SCI, IF=29.698)

4. Yousaf M, Shi H T H, Wang Y, Chen Y, Ma Z, Cao A, Naguib H E, Han Ray P S*. Novel Pliable Electrodes for Flexible Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices: Recent Progress and Challenges. Advanced Energy Materials, 2016, 6 (17): 1600490. (SCI, IF=29.698)

5. Yousaf M, Chen Y, Tabassum H, Wang Z, Wang Y, Abid A Y, Mahmood A, Mahmood N, Guo S, Han Ray P S*, Gao P*. A Dual Protection System for Heterostructured 3D CNT/CoSe₂/C as High Areal Capacity Anode for Sodium Storage, Advanced Science, 2020, 7(5): 1902907. (SCI, IF=17.521)

6. Yousaf M, Wang Z, Wang Y, Chen Y, Ali U, Maqbool M, Ali I, Mahmood N, Han Ray P S*, Gao P*, Core-Shell FeSe₂/C Nanostructures Embedded in a Carbon Framework as a Free Standing Anode for a Sodium Ion Battery, Small, 2020, 16, 2002200. (SCI, IF=15.153)

7. Yousaf M, Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhipeng W, Aftab W, Mahmood A, Wang W, Guo S*, Han Ray P S*. Tunable Free-Standing Core-shell CNT@MoSe₂ Anode for Lithium Storage. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2018, 10 (17): 14622-14. (SCI, IF=10.383)

8. Yousaf M, Naseer U, Ali I, Li Y, Aftab W, Mahmood A, Mahmood N, Gao P^*, Jiang Y^*, Guo S^*, Role of Binary Metal Chalcogenides in Extending the Limits of Energy Storage Systems: Challenges and Possible Solutions. Science China Materials, 2022, 65(3): 559-592. (SCI, IF=8.64)

9. Yousaf M, Mahmood A, Wang Y, Chen Y, Ma Z, Han Ray P S*. Advancement in Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Composites for Lithium and Sodium Ion Batteries. Journal of Electrical Engineering, 2016, 4 (2): 58-74. (Impact Factor: pending)

10. Yousaf M, Imran A, Arif MA, Mustafa GM, Ahmad S, Afzal N, Ghauri IM^*, Effects of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion by Bacillus Megaterium Bacteria on the Mechanical Properties of Al-Cu Alloy, Materials Today: Proceedings, 2015, 2(10): 5669-5673 (IF=1.46)

11. Yousaf M, Arif MA, Imran A, Ahmad S, Mustafa GM, Afzal N, Ghauri IM*, Mechanical response of electron beam irradiated Nitinol, Materials Today: Proceedings, 2015, 2(10): 5622-5626 (IF=1.46)

Co-Author Contributions

1.  Li Y, Gao T, Ni D, Zhou Y, Yousaf M, Guo Z, Zhou J, Zhou P, Wang Q, Guo S*, Two Birds with One Stone: Interfacial Engineering of Multifunctional Janus Separator for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Advanced Materials, 2021, 34(5), 2107638. (SCI, IF=32.086)

2.  Wang Y, Ma Z, Chen Y, Zou M, Yousaf M, Yang Y, Yang L, Cao A*, Han Ray P S*, Controlled Synthesis of Core–Shell Carbon@MoS₂ Nanotube Sponges as High-Performance Battery Electrodes, Advanced Materials, 2016, 28 (46): 10175–10181. (SCI, IF=32.086)

3.  Wang Y, Wang Z, Chen Y, Zhang H, Yousaf M, Wu H, Zou M, Cao A*, Han Ray P S*. Hyperporous Sponge Interconnected by Hierarchical Carbon Nanotubes as a High-Performance Potassium-Ion Battery Anode, Advanced Materials. 2018, 30 (32): 1802074. (SCI, IF=32.086)

4.  Mahmood A, Li S, Ali Z, Tabassum H, Zhu B, Liang Z, Meng W, Aftab W, Guo W, Zhang H, Yousaf M, Gao S, Zou R*, Zhao Y. Ultrafast Sodium/Potassium Ion Intercalation into Hierarchically Porous Thin Carbon Shells. Advanced Materials, 2018, 31 (2): 1805430. (SCI, IF=32.086)  

5.  Chen Y, Wang Y, Wang Z, Zou M, Zhang H, Zhao W, Yousaf M, Yang L, Cao A*, Han Ray P S*. Densification by Compaction as an Effective Low-Cost Method to Attain a High Areal Lithium Storage Capacity in a CNT@Co₃O₄ Sponge. Advanced Energy Materials, 2018, 8 (19): 1702981. (SCI, IF=29.698)

6.  Chen Yi, Yousaf M, Wang Y, Wang Z, Lou A, Yang Y*, Han Ray P S*, Cao A*. Nanocable with Thick Active Intermediate Layer for Stable and High Areal Capacity Sodium Storage Nano Energy, 2020, 78, 105265. (SCI, IF=19.069)

7.  Wang Z, Wang Y, Chen Y, Yousaf M, Wu Z, Cao A*, Han Ray P S*. Reticulate Dual Nanowire Aerogel for Multifunctional Applications: a High Performance Strain Sensor and a High Areal Capacity Rechargeable Anode. Advanced Functional Materials, 2019, 29 (11): 1807467. (SCI, IF=19.924)

8. Aftab W, Mahmood A, Guo W, Yousaf M, Tabassum H, Huang X, Liang Z, Cao A, Zou R*. Polyurethane-Based Flexible and Conductive Phase Change Composites for Energy Conversion and Storage. Energy Storage Materials,2019, 20, 401–409. (SCI, IF=20.831)  

9.  Li Y, Zhou Y, Yousaf M, Zhou J, Guo Z, Tan H, Guo S*, Nanocellulose and Its Derivatives toward High-Performance Lithium Sulfur Batteries, ACS Materials Letters, 2021, 3(8), 1130–1142. (SCI, IF=11.17)

10.  Maqbool M, Asif M, Yousaf M, Zhang Y, Aftab W, Ali I, Guo H, Abid A Y, Bai S*, Microwaves Heating Strategy to Synthesize Few Layer Graphene for Polymer Composites towards Thermal and Electrical Applications, Composites Science and Technology, 2020, 200, 108402. (SCI, IF=9.879)

11.  Chen Y, Wang Y, Yousaf M, Ma Z, Zou M, Cao A^*, Han Ray P S*, A 3-D Binder-Free Nanoporous Anode for a Safe and Stable Charging of Lithium Ion Batteries, Materials Research Bulletin, 2017, 93, 1-8. (SCI, IF=5.6)

12.  Jamil R, Ali R, Loomba S, Xian J, Yousaf M, Khan K, McConville C F, Mahmood A*, Mahmood N*, The Role of Metal-Nitrogen Bonds on Electrochemical Water Splitting,Chem Catalysis, 2021, 1, 802-854. (Impact Factor: Pending)

13.  Ma Z, Wang Y, Yang Y, Yousaf M, Zou M, Cao A^*, Han Ray P S*, Flexible Hybrid Carbon Nanotube Sponges Embedded With SnS₂ from Tubular Nanosheaths to Nanosheets as Free-Standing Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries, RSC Advances, 2016, 6 (36): 30098–30105. (SCI, IF=4.036)

14.  Mahmood A, Ali Z, Tabassum H, Alluqmani A, Mahmood N, Aftab W, Ali R, Loomba S, Adil M, Yousaf M, Akram A. Carbon Fibers Embedded with Iron Selenide (Fe₃Se₄) as Anode for High-Performance Sodium and Potassium Ion Batteries, Frontiers in Chemistry, 2020, 8: 408 (SCI, IF=5.545)

15.  Farooq M I, Khan M S, Yousaf M, Zhang K, Zou B*. Antiferromagnetic Magnetic Polaron Formation and Optical Properties of CVD-Grown Mn-doped Zinc Stannate (ZTO), ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 2020, 2, 1679−1688. (SCI, IF=4.494)

16.  Farooq M U, Duan Z, Farooq M I, Fatima K, Khan M A, Li Z, Liu Y, Yousaf M, Zou B*. Spin induced Magnetic Anisotropy in Novel Co-doped GaN Nano-needles and their Related Photoluminescence. New Journal of Chemistry, 2018, 42 (11): 8338-8341. (SCI, IF=3.925)

17.  Imran A, Jiang J*, Eric D, Zahid M N, Yousaf M, Shah Z H. Optical Properties of InAs/GaAs Quantum Dot Superlattice Structures. Results in Physics, 2018, 9, 297–302. (SCI, IF=4.565)

18.  Imran A, Jiang J*, Eric D, Zahid M N, Yousaf M, Ahmad M, Hassan S A, Efficiency Enhancement Through Flat Intermediate Band in Quantum Dot Solar Cell, Results in Physics, 2018, 10, 241-247. (SCI, IF=4.565)

19.  Imran A, Sulaman M*, Song Y, Eric D, Zahid M N, Yousaf M, Saleem M I, Li M, Li, D. Modeling and simulation of high-efficiency GaAs PIN solar cells, Journal of Computational Electronics, 2020, 20, 310–316. (SCI, IF=1.983)

20.  Hannan A, Khalil A, Habib M, Wattoo AG, Yousaf M, Naeem H, Kebaili I, Alrobei H, Alzaid M, Ferromagnetic Properties of Ni₉S₈/MoS₂ Hybrid Structure, Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism, 2022, 1-7. (SCI, IF=1.506)  

21.  Imran A, Jiang JL, Eric D, Yousaf M, Size and shape dependent optical properties of InAs quantum dots, 2017 International Conference On Optical Instruments And Technology: Micro/Nano Photonics: Materials And Devices, 2018, 10622, 1062209.

22.  Imran A, Jiang JL, Eric D, Yousaf M, Numerical modelling of high efficiency InAs/GaAs intermediate band solar cell, 2017 International Conference On Optical Instruments And Technology: Micro/Nano Photonics: Materials And Devices, 2018, 10622, 106220A.  

23.  Deen KM, Yousaf M, Afzal N, Riaz S, Naseem S, Farooq A, Ghauri IM, Microbiological influenced corrosion attack by Bacillus Megaterium bacteria on Al–Cu alloy, Materials Technology, 2014, 29(5): 269-274. (SCI, IF= 3.297)

-------------Links to Professional Websites

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xiAZ6foAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muhammad_Yousaf37

https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-5116-1328

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57475379300

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-muhammad-yousaf-44731613a/

-------------Key Subjects

Advanced Energy Materials Functional Materials

Electronic MaterialsMaterial Chemistry ElectrochemistryNanotechnology Nanomaterials Energy Technology Defect in Crystals  Semiconductor Physics

Surface Engineering and CharacterizationCharacterization of Materials