Dr. Niaz Wali | Low Temperature Plasma Physics | Excellence in Research Award
Researcher at Zhejiang University, China
Niaz Wali is a passionate physicist and plasma researcher currently affiliated with the Plasma Research Laboratory at COMSATS University Islamabad. With a solid foundation in experimental and theoretical plasma physics, he has contributed to the development of non-thermal plasma systems, emphasizing cost-effective designs under vacuum conditions. His academic journey, initiated in Pakistan and culminating in China with a Ph.D. from Zhejiang University, reflects a strong commitment to scientific advancement. Niaz has conducted significant research in low-pressure and atmospheric plasma systems, with applications ranging from sterilization to wastewater treatment. He also engages in materials science through plasma-assisted graphene synthesis. His interdisciplinary expertise includes diagnostics using Langmuir probes, emission spectroscopy, and turbulence in cylindrical plasma devices. As a reviewer for reputed journals like Physics of Plasmas and IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, he is actively involved in the global scientific community. Niaz has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and remains enthusiastic about collaborative innovation, space plasma applications, and sustainability-driven plasma technologies. He brings a blend of experimental skill, theoretical understanding, and international exposure to his work, positioning him as a promising scholar in modern plasma physics.
Profile
Education
Niaz Wali’s academic trajectory reflects a consistent commitment to excellence in physics and plasma research. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Zhejiang University, China (2017–2024), where he developed a cost-effective low-frequency capacitive coupled plasma system. His doctoral work involved plasma dynamics, magnetic perturbation analysis, and diagnostics in various gaseous environments, supervised by Professors Weiwen Xiao and Hui-Chun Wu. Prior to that, he completed his M.Phil. in Physics at the University of Peshawar (2012–2016), focusing on magneto-hydrodynamic spin waves in quantum plasma under the mentorship of Prof. Anisa Qamar. His foundational physics training began with an M.Sc. from Kohat University of Science and Technology (2010–2012), where he conducted a technical project on laser fundamentals under Dr. Muhammad Sajjad. Throughout his education, Niaz has integrated theoretical concepts with practical experimentation, forming a holistic understanding of classical and quantum plasma systems. His academic work is well-recognized, having earned prestigious scholarships including the Chinese Government Scholarship for doctoral studies.
Professional Experience
Niaz Wali has accumulated robust academic and research experience across international institutions. From 2017 to 2020, he served as a Teaching and Research Assistant at the School of Physics, Zhejiang University, under Prof. Weiwen Xiao, where he supported both educational and laboratory-based research activities. His hands-on role included designing experiments, supervising undergraduate research, and contributing to ongoing plasma diagnostics projects. Since January 2025, he has been working as a Research Associate at the Plasma Research Laboratory, COMSATS University Islamabad. Here, his focus is on optimizing novel plasma reactors, including a microwave-powered octopus-shaped chamber for advanced applications in vacuum environments. He is also leading a project on developing Langmuir probes for lunar surface studies, bridging experimental plasma physics with space science. Niaz’s practical experience is complemented by strong technical competencies in vacuum systems, data acquisition tools, and diagnostics instrumentation, making him an integral part of any physics or engineering research team.
Research Interest
Niaz Wali’s research interests span a wide spectrum of cutting-edge plasma physics. His core focus is on low-temperature plasmas—both low-pressure (capacitive and inductive coupling) and atmospheric pressure types such as plasma jets and dielectric barrier discharges (DBD). He is deeply engaged in understanding plasma-material interactions for applications in sterilization, decontamination, and nanomaterial synthesis. Niaz is especially interested in advanced diagnostics including Langmuir probes and optical emission spectroscopy, which he uses to analyze plasma behavior in different environments. His work also includes experimental studies of turbulence transport in cylindrical linear plasma devices and the role of magnetic perturbations in plasma dynamics. He has a growing interest in Tokamak-based fusion plasma research, which connects his skill set to larger, global fusion energy efforts. With recent projects exploring the lunar surface environment, Niaz’s work aligns with both terrestrial and space-based plasma applications. His multidisciplinary approach integrates experimental setups with theoretical modeling, making significant contributions to sustainable technologies, energy systems, and astrophysical plasma studies.
Research Skills
Niaz Wali possesses a comprehensive skill set in plasma diagnostics, instrumentation, and experimental physics. He is proficient in operating and designing plasma systems powered by AC, pulsed DC, RF, and microwave sources, enabling a broad application base. His expertise includes low-pressure reactors and atmospheric setups, giving him versatility in experimental configurations. He has hands-on experience with Langmuir probes, high-voltage probes, and oscilloscopes, essential for measuring plasma properties and dynamics. His skills also extend to advanced analytical tools like optical emission spectroscopy and laser-induced fluorescence, critical for characterizing reactive species and temperature distributions. In material synthesis, Niaz has worked with microwave plasma systems for graphene development. He also has experience in wastewater treatment using underwater plasma discharges. His computer skills include LaTeX, MATLAB, and Origin for data processing, and he is adept in report writing and scientific documentation. Niaz’s unique competence in integrating experimental physics with engineering tools ensures high precision and reliability in plasma experimentation and diagnostics.
Awards and Honors
Niaz Wali has been recognized for his academic achievements and contributions to research through several awards. Most notably, he received the prestigious Chinese Government Scholarship for his doctoral studies from 2017 to 2023, acknowledging his academic merit and research potential. This award enabled him to conduct high-level research at Zhejiang University, one of China’s leading institutions in plasma science. Earlier in his academic career, he was honored with a Laptop Award under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme in 2014, supporting his growing need for advanced computational tools in physics studies. These accolades not only reflect his scholarly excellence but also his dedication to leveraging resources for scientific progress. Beyond formal awards, Niaz’s role as an expert peer reviewer for internationally indexed journals like Physics of Plasmas, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, and Lasers in Medical Science signifies professional recognition of his expertise. Such contributions highlight his active engagement with the global research community and ongoing commitment to quality scholarship.
Publications
Niaz Wali is a prolific researcher with numerous publications in peer-reviewed international journals. His recent works include investigations into plasma discharges for water treatment and studies on low-frequency non-thermal plasma applications in microbial decontamination (J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys, 2025). He has co-authored papers on turbulence energy transfer in cylindrical devices (Phys. Plasmas, 2023) and the synthesis of graphene nanosheets using microwave plasma (Int. J. Mod. Phys. B, 2024). Notable studies also include insights into argon-oxygen plasma behavior (Phys. Scripta, 2025) and nonlinear density fluctuations on the ZPED Tokamak (AIP Advances, 2019). His interdisciplinary approach spans environmental, material, and fusion plasma domains. Niaz is also contributing to space plasma research, with ongoing work on lunar Langmuir probes. With more than ten scientific papers, including those under review, Niaz has demonstrated sustained output, co-authorship collaboration, and thematic consistency. His ability to bridge experimental work with theoretical models and real-world applications has established him as an impactful contributor in the field of plasma science.
Conclusion
Niaz Wali represents a new generation of scientists blending rigorous experimental expertise with global academic exposure in plasma physics. From foundational studies in quantum and classical plasma theory to advanced hands-on diagnostics and reactor development, his work consistently bridges theory and practice. His Ph.D. research under the supervision of internationally acclaimed mentors has significantly advanced low-cost, non-thermal plasma technologies with wide-reaching implications in sterilization, material synthesis, and environmental remediation. Recognized by academic institutions and scientific journals alike, he has built a strong profile through his research outputs, peer-review roles, and collaborative projects. Niaz’s commitment to continued learning and his interest in space-based plasma applications, including lunar probe development, position him at the intersection of fundamental science and technological innovation. With demonstrated excellence in both academic and research environments, Niaz is poised to lead pioneering efforts in sustainable plasma technologies, fusion science, and interdisciplinary collaborations, contributing meaningfully to the scientific advancements of the 21st century.