Staff Faculty: Physics and Electronics

Mr. Fabiane teaches a number of general physics courses including thermodynamics and statistical physics. His research area is in Carbon technology and materials with specific activities in Large-area graphene film synthesis, characterization and applications in photovoltaic cells, supercapacitors and electronic devices.

Academic Background: – Completed his BEng in Electronics Engineering at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). – At the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the Electrical Engineering department (in conjunction with iThemba LABS), he completed his MSc which focused on applying concepts of computer vision, image processing and control theory to solve a medical image processing problem involving prostate cancer. – At the Laser Research Institute (Stellenbosch University), in close relations with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), he completed his PhD in Atomic & Laser Physics focusing on demonstration (and control) of the first trapped Ytterbium ion qubits in Africa. Research interests include: 1. Image processing & Computer vision, 2. Machine Learning & Data Science, 3. Adaptive Control & State Estimation, 4. RF Systems & Power Law Noise Modelling, 5. Ion Trapping & Quantum Computing, 6. Quantum Measurement & Feedback Control, 7. Quantum Foundations & Interpretations, 8. Econophysics & Quantum Economics. Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=I_hyY2kAAAAJ Lecturing: Currently teaching the following courses in the department of Physics and Electronics; 1. P2500 Mechanics & Mechanical Properties of Matter, 2. P2508 Introduction to Electronics, 3. P441 Electromagnetic Theory II, 4. P443 Solid State Physics.

Mr. Mathaha has been a consultant in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry for many years and he now teaches thermodynamics and modern physics. His research interests are in utilization of renewable energy technologies for electricity generation in non-grid rural electrification.

Dr. Makhele teaches electrical/electronic engineering courses in the Department of Physics and Electronics at NUL. He is a member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and as well as the Energy Research Centre at NUL. He holds a PhD in electrical/electronic engineering from the university of Leeds. He has been in the industry from late 1999 to 2006 and joined the Department of Physics and Electronics at NUL in the third quarter of 2006 as an instructor in telecommunications courses in the Engineering program. His research interests include: assessment of conventional and pumped storage hydropower’s benefits to transmission systems, renewable energy integration strategies (using hydro), simulation and optimization models for operational improvements. He also works on Digital signal processing for communications, speech and image processing, Wireless communications, Wireless ad-hoc networks (vehicular ad-hoc and mobile ad-hoc networks), Emerging Cellular and new network architectures for 5G.

Dr. Singh teaches undergraduate Physics modules in condensed matter physics and his research interests are Condensed Matter Physics, High temperature High pressure Physics, Thermoelastic properties of nanomaterials.

Dr. Mpholo is the leader of the Energy Research Centre at NUL. He teaches electronics modules: Introductory electronics, semiconductors and microelectronics. His research interests include Renewable Energy focusing on resource assessment (wind profile, solar irradiation, etc). He has published widely on Solar and Wind Energy matters. He continuously works with a number of companies and development partners on renewable energy projects. Moreover, he collaborates on research projects and teaching programs with a number of regional universities and three American universities. His current teaching load and passion address soft skills for scientists, such as, critical thinking, written & oral communication, and entrepreneurship in order to contribute to a decent standard of living for all.529

Dr. Maliehe teaches a number of general Physics modules and conducts research in Upwards movement of tiny water drops on very thin inclined substrates, Self-sustaining and continuous water pumping through a eucalyptus double leaf channel, Magnetic Susceptibility of Carbon Nanotubes with electron-electron interactions and Electronic Density of States in layered systems exhibiting proximity effects and the Andreev-Reflection phenomena.

Molibeli Taele is a Professor of Applied Physics (semiconductor devices and photovoltaic systems). His research expertise includes semiconductor materials, photovoltaics and sustainable energy development. He has published more than 30 scientific journal articles on semiconductor materials, sustainable energy development, including contribution to the mitigation component of the Lesotho Nationally Determined Contribution to the 2015 Agreement under the UNFCCC and lead coordinating author of the Lesotho Second National Communications to the UNFCCC published in 2013. He has made over 30 contributed and invited presentations at international conferences. He has received many honours, amongst them the Lesotho Lions Clubs International prize for best performance in Physics in 1991, National Science Prize for his active role in promotion of Science and Technology in 2006. In 2007 he was elected TWAS Young Affiliate. In 2008 he was selected to participate as 1 of 43 leading “Young Scientists” from around the world at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China. In 2008 he was selected to participate as 1 of 10 young and upcoming scientists from around the world at the 5th Annual Meeting of Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum’s Future Leaders programme, Kyoto, Japan. He is one of the founding members of the Global Young Academy. He is a member of Board of Directors of Lesotho Electricity Company (Pty) Ltd.