UL physicist highlights energy‑storage research and school outreach

Dr Maria Alhajji, an assistant professor in the physics department at the University of Limerick (UL), explained her work on electrochemical energy‑storage systems and the Sophia Project, a physics outreach programme for school students.

Alhajji, who holds a BSc from King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia and an MSc and PhD from UL, said she is fascinated by linking scientific concepts to everyday observations. Her teaching covers mechanics, electromagnetism, semiconductor devices, electronics, modern physics and materials analysis.

Her research focuses on how electrode properties affect reactions at the surface, aiming to improve battery design for grid‑scale storage. She highlighted redox‑flow batteries as a promising solution for long‑duration, large‑scale applications, noting that performance, durability and cost must be enhanced for wider deployment.

Alhajji’s broader goal is to clarify the relationship between a material’s structure, surface chemistry and electrochemical function, emphasizing the importance of interfaces in battery efficiency and lifespan. She also stressed the need for effective storage to complement renewable generation, ensuring power is available when wind or solar output is low.

Through the Sophia Project, Alhajji works to show students that physics is an active, evolving discipline that shapes daily life, rather than merely a collection of equations.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: Polina Tankilevitch / Pexels.