Research group: Microelectronics Lab (meLAB)

Yawar Abbas (PhD) is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in the James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow, UK.He has over six years of experience working as a Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Khalifa University, UAE, and Hanyang University, South Korea—both recognised as leading research universities in their respective countries—where he specialised in the fabrication and characterisation of advanced electronic devices.His research is centred on pioneering advancements in nanoscale materials and devices for next-generation electronics. His work spans the development of neuromorphic computing systems (memristors), innovative nanosensors for environmental and biomedical applications, and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for sustainable energy harvesting. His expertise also includes the analysis of nanomaterials and thin films with advanced modes of the atomic force microscope.

Dr Abbas leads a research programme focused on the fabrication and characterisation of thin-film devices using state-of-the-art techniques including atomic layer deposition, focused ion beam engineering, and advanced scanning probe microscopy. His research has secured significant competitive funding from international bodies, including the National Research Foundation of Korea and the ASPIRE programme in Abu Dhabi, cumulatively worth over £1 million.

An accomplished scholar, Dr Abbas has authored more than 70 publications in high-impact, Scopus-indexed journals, including Advanced Functional Materials and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. His research impact is demonstrated by a Google Scholar, h-index of 26 and over 2,000 citations, with several papers recognised as among the top 10% in their field.

Dr Abbas is a dedicated educator and mentor, with over six years’ experience teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses such as semiconductor devices, Electronic System Design and nano-fabrication. He has successfully co-supervised multiple PhD and Master’s students to completion and is an active contributor to the academic community, serving as a reviewer for leading journals in materials science and nanoelectronics, such as Advanced Functional Materials and others.

Research Interests

Research focuses on creating innovative electronic technologies by combining advanced materials and device engineering across four key areas:

1. Memristors for Digital and Neuromorphic Computing: Development of next-generation memory devices and crossbar architectures designed to go beyond traditional computing. Optimising the switching materials enables faster, energy-efficient in-memory processing and paves the way for brain-inspired neuromorphic systems.

2. Advanced Semiconductor Packaging: Exploration of packaging solutions that enhance the reliability and performance of semiconductor devices. By developing new materials and effective thermal management strategies, this research supports the durability of high-performance electronics used in modern industry.

3. Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting: Design of innovative devices that convert small-scale vibrations into usable electrical energy. By tailoring material combinations, this work aims to power biomedical technologies and wearable systems through clean, sustainable energy sources.

4. Fabrication of Advanced Sensors: Creation of sensitive and reliable sensors capable of detecting toxic gases and biological species. These technologies are intended to improve safety in industrial settings and support early diagnosis in healthcare applications.

List by: Type | Date

Prior publications

• National Research Foundation of Korea. Memristor Crossbar Array for the Digital Memory: Duration: March 2013 ~ Feb. 2017. My role and contribution: managing work progress, seeing technical issues, and publishing research work. 

• National Research Foundation of Korea. Engineering of Memristor Switching Layers for the Neuromorphic Applicatoins: Duration: March 2017 ~ Feb. 2018. My role and contribution: Co-supervise the project, organize the research meeting, submit report and publish research papers. 

• An Internal funded project of Khalifa University.  Memory Storage in the Single Metal Nanoparticle with Atomic Force Microscope: Duration: Nov. 2018 ~ Dec. 2021. My role and contribution: Project leading research to manage the funds, performing experiments, purchasing consumables and capital expenditure and writing research papers in Q1 journal to meet the targets. 

• ASPIRE, Government of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. MOSFET Structured Charged Metal Nanoparticle Monolayers for the DNA/Molecular Detection: Duration: June 2022 ~ Dec. 2023. My role and contribution: Participant (Help in writing proposal/literature review, fabricating the sensors using laser lithography systems and testing the nanosensors for the molecules. Budget, meeting deadline 

▪ Electronic System Design (ESD – 3009): Focuses on the analysis and design of electronic circuits, with emphasis on operational amplifiers (op-amps) and their linear and non-linear functionalities. Students learn practical circuit implementation and system-level design concepts.

▪ Semiconductor Physics and Devices: Introduces the fundamental physics of semiconductors and their applications in modern electronic devices. Topics include carrier transport, p-n junctions, and device characteristics.

▪ Advanced Electronic Devices: Covers next-generation devices such as MOSFETs, memristors, and nanoscale transistors. Emphasis is placed on device physics, fabrication processes, and emerging applications.

▪ Condensed Matter Physics: Provides an in-depth understanding of the structure and properties of solids, including crystal structures, band theory, and electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of materials.

Research Opportunities and Interdisciplinary Expertise:

I am actively recruiting highly motivated researchers to join my group as Research Associates (postdoctoral fellows) and PhD candidates, including applicants interested in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship and Newton International Fellowship schemes, in the areas of:

• Memristor technology for neuromorphic computing
• Materials synthesis for thin-film–based devices
• Wet-chemical and ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) thin-film deposition techniques

My research combines device physics, materials engineering, and nanotechnology, bridging fundamental science with applied electronic systems. Selected works illustrating this interdisciplinarity include:

• Neuromorphic Characteristics of Germanium Telluride (Advanced Functional Materials, 2023)
• Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting (Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2025)
• Compliance-Free Neuromorphic Device (Scientific Reports, 2018)
• Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications of Thin Films (Advanced Electronic Materials, 2024)
• Nanostructured TiO₂ Films for Switching Devices (Nanoscale, 2019)

International Research Collaborations:

I believe impactful advances in science emerge through collaboration. I welcome partnerships across academia and industry to translate innovative research into meaningful technological and societal outcomes. Previous collaborations include:

• Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
• University of Waterloo, Canada
• Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
• Seoul National University, South Korea
• Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

External Links:

• Google Scholar Profile
• Scopus Author Profile