The University of Gondar celebrated its 60th anniversary with the Diamond Jubilee Launch Event from January 3-5, 2014, which included the 4th Gondar School of Science and Technology focusing on disciplines like astrophysics and emerging technologies. The event brought together various academics, professionals, and students to promote STEM education and sustainable development through a series of keynote speeches, workshops, and collaborative discussions. Key activities included a fun run and displays showcasing the university's history and future aspirations.

1. University of Gondar - Serving the Country since 1954
DIAMOND JUBILEE LAUNCH EVENT
03 - 05 January, 2014
THE 4th
GONDAR SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
03 – 05 January, 2014
MOST ESANGelfand Family

2. Serving the Country since 1954!
GROWTH DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION

3. 1
University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
SCHEDULE & ABSTRACTS
DIAMOND JUBILEE LAUNCH EVENTS
03 - 05 January, 2014
THE 4th GONDAR SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY
 Cosmology, Astrophysics & Astronomy
 Space Science & Earth Systems
 Emerging Technologies, & Computational
Science & Engineering
 Parallel Sessions
03 – 05 January, 2014
Gondar, 2013

4. 2
SPONSORS & COMMITTEE FOR GSST
Sponsors:
University of Gondar
The Gelfand Family Charitable Trust
Ethiopian Scientific & Academic Network
Ministry of Science & Technology
Organizing Committee:
Mr. Amdeselassie Atske, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Dr. Abebe Kebede, NC A & T State University, USA
Dr. Dawit Lebenie, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Steering Committee:
Prof. Afework Kassu, V/President for Research & Community Services
Dr. Desalegn Mengesha, V/President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Yemataw Wondie, Director for Teaching-Learning
Mr. Amdeselassie Atske, Department of Physics
Dr. Dawit Lebenie, Department of Earth Science
Dr. Solomon Belay, Ethiopian Space Science Society
Dr. Ayalew Temesgen, Dean of Faculty of Natural Computing Sciences
Mr. Solomon Assefa, V/Director for International Relations
Mr. Solomon Mesfine, Technology Incubation Center
WORKING GROUP FOR DIAMOND JUBILEE
Mekdes Alemayehu
Gerum Teklewold
Mingizem Misganaw
Mustofa Worku
Solomon Assesfa
Tazebachew Demelash
Tewodros George
Thomas Syre

5. 3
Diamond Jubilee Celebration
The year 2014 marks the 60th Anniversary of the
University of Gondar - our Diamond Jubilee!
Initially established as Public Health College and
Training Center in 1954, the University of Gondar
has steadily grown and evolved into one of the
largest and most distinguished higher educational
institutions in Ethiopia, which a long and proud
history of educational achievement and service.
Established in response to community need, our institution maintains its
commitment to contribute to the growth and development our nation. Today
through the creation of knowledge, the provision of quality education and a closer
association with society, we seek to contribute to the sustainable socio-economic
development of our nation.
We stand at the eve of our 60th Anniversary and look forward to the opportunity
to celebrate all our past achievements, to honor the countless contributions made
by many during our journey, to stand in acknowledgement of our current
accomplishments and to envisage a long and fruitful future.
We ask our students, friends, supporters, partners and collaborators to join us in
preparing for and joyously celebrating our 60th Anniversary.
Professor Mengesha Admassu
President, University of Gondar

6. 4
The Gondar School of Science & Technology
The Gondar School of Science and Technology (GSST) is the evolution of a series
of successful Schools inspired by Astronomy and Space Science. Though GSST’s
primary objective is to provide a platform for disseminating research works and
findings, and exchanging ideas on current development in science and
technology, it is also used as stage for promoting STEM education and other
activities like Life Skills Training and All Inclusive Education. The School is
hosted and sponsored annually by the University of Gondar since 2010. Previous
and current sponsors include North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University, Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology, Ethiopian Space
Science Society, and Ethiopian Scientific & Academic Network.
The School is praised for harnessing local talent
and resources, and its program is organized to
include several modular courses, workshops,
seminars and campaigns that are tied to the
regular curriculum. The format of the school is
lecture, practices and research discussions.
Sections will be added to accommodate
colloquium and posters in any field of
study within the university, as well as
specific topics that interface science and
technology learning and development. This
allows for future planning and enhanced
participation of Ethiopian academics living
abroad. GSST will also host Outreach for
the public & schools, as well as ESAN
seminars.
The 4th GSST is organized in four main sessions: (I) Astrophysics, Astronomy,
Space Science and Technology, (II) Remote Sensing and Earth Systems, (III)
Computational Sciences and Technology Tools, and (IV) Emerging Technologies
for Sustainable Development. As the previous three Schools, GSST-2014 is also
expected to bring together high school teachers, university instructors and
professors, professionals from Scientific Societies and Organizations, and a large
number of students. Finally the School will be concluded with two special events:
Book & Equipment Donations and “Run-4-Science & Innovations”.
Organizing Committee, GSST - 2014

7. 5
SCHEDULE

8. 6
I. Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremony
Friday, January 03, 2014
Diamond Jubilee Opening Ceremony
8:00 - 8:20 Registration
Jubilee Launch
Ceremony Group
&
GSST-Organizers
8:20 - 8:30 Introduction & Welcome
8:30 - 8:45 Opening Remarks,
Prof. Mengesha Admasu,
President, University of Gondar
8:45 - 9:15 Keynote Speech,
H.E. Dr. Sentayehu Woldemariam
Board Chair, University of Gondar
9:15 - 9:45 Keynote Speech,
9:45 – 10:15 Short Video, Songs, Promotions …
10:15 - 10:45 The Jubilee Entertainment & Refreshment

9. 7
II. Main Sessions of GSST - 2014
Keynote Speech: GSST - 2014
10:45 - 11:15 Dr. Abebe Kebede, NCAT State University
Ethiopian Astronomy Indigenous Knowledge
Chairs:
Dr. Tulu Besha
Dr. Abebe Kebede11:15 - 11:45 Dr. Hailemicheal T Demissie, TUT, S. Africa
Title: Can Ethiopia Afford not to Join the
Nanotechnology Revolution?
11:45 - 12:15 Dr. Desta Gebeye, Addis Ababa University
Title: Sustainable Energy Future
12:15 - 2:00 Lunch Break
First Session: Cosmology, Astrophysics & Astronomy
2:00 - 2:40 The Universe as Seen by the Planck Satellite
Dr. Yabebal Tadesse, Via della Ricerca
Chair:
Dr. Tulu Besha
2:40 - 3:15 Touch the M Profile
Dr. Wanda L. Diaz, University of Glasgow
3:15 - 3:30 Health Break
3:30 - 4:00 User Centered Data Exploration Tool
Dr. Wanda L. Diaz, University of Glasgow
Chairs:
Dr. Yabebal T.
4:00 - 4:30 Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs)
Fayisso Sado, Addis Ababa University
Second Session: Space Science and Earth Systems
4:30 - 5:00
Space Research Facilities and Activities at
Washera Geospace and Radar Science Lab.
Tsegaye Kassa, Bahirdar University & WaGRL
Chairs:
Dr. Yabebal
5:00 – 5:30
Guideline for Nanotechnology Research Center
at University of Gondar,
Yelkal Mulualem
Chairs:
Dr. Hailemichael T.

10. 8
Saturday, January 04, 2014
Second Session: Space Science and Earth Systems
8:15 - 8:45
Airborne Gravimetry & a New Vertical
Reference System for Ethiopia
Dr. Tulu Besha, Entoto Observatory & ESSS
Chairs:
Tsegaye Kassa
8:45 - 9:15
Integration of Different Scale Meteorological
Models for Wind Energy Assessment
Gemechu Fanta, Addis Ababa University
9:15 – 9:45
Tunnel Health Monitoring Using Active Seismic
Mesay Geletu, University of Oslo (UiO)
9:45 - 10:00 Health Break
10:00 - 10:30
Ionospheric Response to Solar Eclipse of
Selected Events during 2009 - 2013 in Different
Ethiopian Regions
Tsegaye Kassa, Bahirdar University & WaGRL
Chairs:
Dr. Tulu Besha
10:30 – 11:00
The Equatorial Ionosphere Electrodynamics &
E × B Drift Velocity Estimation from Ground
Based Magnetometer Measurements
Mulubrehan T/Kiross, University of Gondar
Third Session: Emerging Technologies & CSE
11:00 – 11:30
Physics of Materials Research: Transport and
Magnetic Properties of Selected Materials
Dr. Abebe Kebede, NC A&T State University
Chairs:
Dr. Desta Gebeye
11:30 – 12:00
Electron Scattering in Graphene by Impurities
with Electric and Magnetic Dipoles
Yohannes Achenefe, Addis Ababa University
12:00 - 2:00 Lunch Break

11. 9
Third Session: Emerging Technologies & CSE
2:00 - 2:30
Organic Light-emitting Diodes: Device Physics,
Fabrication Technologies and Applications
Dr. Desta Gebeye, Addis Ababa University
Chairs:
Dr. Hailemichael T.
2:30 – 3:00
Density Functional Study of Gold-Coated Iron
Nanoparticles (Potential for Medical
Applications)
Eyachew Misganaw, Debretabor University
3:00 - 3:30
The Clean Development Mechanism Project
Potentials and Current Status in Africa
Haileselassie, Mekele University
3:30 - 3:45 Health Break
3:45 - 4:15
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Heat
Engine
Kumneger Tadele, Addis Ababa University
Chairs:
Amdeselassie A.
4:15 – 4:45
Evaluation of the Realization of Scientific
Speculations on Future Advancement in
Computer Technology
Fitehanegest Kassa, Mekele University
4:45 - 5:15
Fiber Optic Sensors for Safety of Ethiopia’s
Huge Projects
Yelkal Mulualem, University of Gondar
5:15 – 5:45
Tools for Teaching Undergraduate
Computational Physics Course
Amdeselassie A Amde, University of Gondar

12. 10
Sunday Morning, 05 January 2014
&
Sunday Afternoon, 05 January 2014

13. 11
KEYNOTE SPEECHES
&
ABSTRACTS

14. 12
I. Diamond Jubilee Launch Events
03 – 05 January 2014
The Diamond Jubilee Celebrations will be launched using the preexisting
platform within in the University of Gondar:
1. Science & Technology Conference – being held during 3rd – 5th of January 2014
2. Tourism Week – Closing Stage 3rd of January 2014
Morning - Friday 3rd of January
Science & Technology Conference
Morning stage ceremony to officially open
the Diamond Jubilee celebrations
Morning – Friday 3rd of January
Tourism Week Closing Stage
Morning stage ceremony to kick start the
Diamond Jubilee celebrations with
the University Community
3rd – 5th of January
Science & Technology Conference
Displays and information booth within the
conference venue
Morning - Sunday 5th of January Fun Run (participants will include
conference attendants, the University staff
and students,
OPENING CEREMONY
Date & Time: 8:00 – 10:45 a.m., 3rd of January 2014
Venue: Conference Hall, Science Amba
Guests:
Board members of the University, State level guests, Local & Regional
Government Offices, Representatives from NGO Partners, members of the
University Council, and participants of the conference
Activities:
 Opening and Key Note Speeches
 Short Videos:
o Summary of history of the University;
o infomercial urging people to participate and outlining of the upcoming
celebration activities
 Photo slide show
 Short play (organized by the Theatre Dept and Cultural Center)
 Performance of University song by school children

15. 13
 Candle lighting to mark the beginning of the celebration year
 Cake cutting and refreshments
 Promotion for the run
PROMOTION DURING CONFERENCE
Date: Sunday Morning, 3rd - 5th of January 2014
 Banners and posters in the conference venue
 Information booth for the duration conference
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE RUN
Date: Sunday Morning, 5th of January 2014
Participants:
Honored guests, conference participants, staff and students, the University
community, Gondar town residents
The Fun Run Activities:
 The activity is designed as a ‘fun run’ with a family friendly atmosphere heavy
on entertainment.
 The route starts at the CMHS, via Maraki to Piasa (with different markers to
recognize the runners that manage to make it through the different stages).
 3500 registered participants will receive a specially designed T-Shirt.
 Promotional materials displayed throughout the route.
 Commentary, entertainment and announcements will be provided throughout
the route.
Diamond Jubilee Stage & Finish Line at Piazza
 There will be live music, different stage shows and performances, face
painting, promotional video and various refreshments stands.
 There will be speeches from the University administration and other invited
honored guests.
 The 2014 celebrations calendar will be unveiled.

16. 14
II. Main Sessions of GSST - 2014
Keynote Speech
Ethiopian Astronomy Indigenous Knowledge- Developing Conventions for
Translations and Transliterations: Approach to Astronomy and Space
Science Vocabulary Conventions
Abebe Kebede,
Department of Physics, NC A&T State University, 1601 East Market Street
Greensboro NC 27411, abkebede@gmail.com, http://sirius-c.ncat.edu
The Ethiopians have a tradition of star lore s and legends. In the distant past the
knowledge of astronomy and mathematics was abundant. Books such as the
mysteries of heaven and earth, the book of Enoch and Abu shaker are devoted to
this knowledge. There is a large body of indigenous knowledge of astronomy that
people use to keep time. This presentation proposes the development of carefully
studied conventions for adoption and transliteration of scientific terms including
those used in contemporary astrophysical and special studies. The proposed
conventions include:
1) Convention-Tangible (CT): Identification and adoption indigenous names for
celestial object Cosmology, celestial processes and events drawn out of
Ethiopian experiences, languages and cultures.
2) Convention Intangibles (CI1): Ethiopia possesses historical landmarks,
historical and mythological figures, festivals, scripts and alphabets. Upon
agreement such intangibles can be used to name celestial objects and special
physical characteristics of stars.
3) Convention Intangible (CI2): Stars and other celestial bodies can be given
creative names that reflect their general physical and specific characteristics.

17. 15
Thinking Big with Small Technology: Can Ethiopia Afford Not to Join the
Nanotechnology Revolution?
Hailemichael Teshome Demissie,
PhD, Research Fellow, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
The late Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, is quoted saying that “[b]ecause we are
poor, we can’t afford not to use ICT”. The topicality of his statement is equally
valid for a whole slew of other emerging technologies including nanotechnology.
However, the debate in Ethiopia and the developing world at large is still fixated
on other technologies especially biotechnology. There is a clear need to move on
to the next level with regard to other technologies. The debate on nanotechnology
and Ethiopia’s stake in the unfolding nanotechnology revolution should begin
now. The significance of the technology is such that it is set to change everything
from the food we eat to the clothes we wear, from the way we treat diseases to the
way we combat poverty.
The paper provides a brief overview of the meteoric rise of nanotechnology and its
phenomenal spread to the four corners of the globe. It will look at the state of the
technology in Africa and Ethiopia. With this as background, it will be argued that
Ethiopia needs to quickly follow those countries with advanced nanotechnology.
While this might not sound as a moot point, the gist of the argument here refers
to the numerous distractions that discourage developing countries from engaging
high-technoscience. The challenges are no longer insurmountable and
opportunities that were unavailable during the development of previous
technologies such as biotechnology are now available to developing countries. The
consequences of failure to seize this opportunity to hop onto the nano-train would
be extremely disastrous for developing economies as the technology is incredibly
disruptive. For Ethiopia and the rest of the developing world, early engagement
with the technology is crucial to avoid the grim prospect of relegation to
irrelevance to the global economy.

18. 16
Sustainable Energy Future: Focus on Organic and Dye-sensitized-based Solar
Photovoltaics Technologies
Desta Gebeyehu,
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
dgebeyeh68@gmail.com
Over two billion people around the world (one third of the global population) have
no access to grid electricity or to other forms of modern commercial energy
supply. Lack of electricity and heavy reliance on traditional biomass are
hallmarks of poverty in developing countries. The poor are disproportionately
affected by environmental degradation and lack of access to clean, modern and
affordable energy services. Thereby, the growing concern about our environment
and sustainable development focuses attention on renewable energy sources. One
of these sources is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity by means of
photovoltaic cells. Our sun is the only sustainable energy source large enough to
supply carbon-neutral energy to meet humanity's entire energy demand. Solar
power is unique in that it could singly supply the enormous power requirements
of mankind without widespread degradation to the global environment. With
respect to present status of photovoltaics technologies, improvements in three
areas have to be made: costs, applicability, and sustainability. Thereby, low-cost
organic and dye-sensitized-based photovoltaic systems have come into the
international research focus during the past couple of years for a sustainable
energy demand for future power generations. In this paper is discussed the
fundamental principle of organic and dye-sensitized photovoltaics, the status of
organic and dye-sensitized-based photovoltaics technologies, efficiency limits,
commercialization efforts, future prospects and challenges.
Keywords: Organic and dye-sensitized semiconductors; photovoltaic technologies;
solar energy conversion

19. 17
First Session: Cosmology, Astrophysics & Astronomy
The Universe as Seen by the Planck Satellite
Yabebal Tadesse Fantaye,
Via della Ricerca Scientifica - 00133 Roma
The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, which comes from the time
when the Universe was just under 400,000 years old, is the oldest electro-
magnetic radiation that any civilization anywhere in the Universe can see. The
CMB encodes information about the birth and evolution of the Universe. Thanks
to satellite, balloon and ground experiments of the CMB we now have the
standard model of Cosmology which states that our Universe is composed of 25%
of cold dark matter (CDM), 70% Dark Energy and only 5% of baryons i.e.
ordinary matter that humans, stars, galaxies and other luminous objects in the
Universe are made of.
The European Space Agency Planck satellite mission has recently produced the
most accurate picture of the Universe by measuring the CMB with unprecedented
precision. The scientific findings of this mission are presented in a series of
science papers. These papers present a simple but challenging picture of the
Universe http://sci.esa.int/planck/51551-simple-but-challenging-the-universe-
according-to-planck/. Despite being consistent with the standard picture, the
Universe seen by Planck has some anomalies whose interpretation might require
a new physics. In this talk I will present a brief summary of the main results.

20. 18
Touch the M Profile
Wanda L Diaz,
University of Glasgow, Scotland, diazw@mac.com
This presentation describes a lesson to present concepts regarding the study of
galaxies to visually impaired students using a tactile Cartesian plane. We explain
the concept of spectra with a tactile graph of a Hi-spectrum of a galaxy taken at
Arecibo Observatory. This spectrum is used to measure the distance to the galaxy
using Hubble's Law. By calculating the area under the graph an estimate is made
of the mass of the galaxy.

21. 19
User Centered Data Exploration Tool
Wanda L Diaz,
University of Glasgow, Scotland, diazw@mac.com
Space Science data as received on the ground very often bear little resemblance to
the original sensor data. Prototypes employed in space science should make easy
the perceptualization and interpretation of the data. As well as creating views the
scientist need, these prototypes should be easy to create and sufficiently quick in
producing results. In this presentation i will convey results of a focus group and
usability evaluation and the work done to develop a user centered multimodal
data analysis prototype at the Heliophysics Laboratory at NASA Goddard Space
Flight Center in collaboration with the Visual Learning laboratory at the Harvard
Smithsonian center for Astrophysics and the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

22. 20
Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs)
Feyyiso Sado,
Department of Physics, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
fayosd6@gmail.com
Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), the most powerful explosions in Universe. They are
classified as Short and long based on afterglow and host galaxy observations.
When their extragalactic origin was discovered in the 1990s, it became clear that
GRBs could offer a unique way to probe relativistic physics of newly formed black
holes and, through their intense afterglow light curve, provide better
understanding of the GRB environments, their host galaxies, and the ISM. GRB
studies now connect with almost all fields of modern astronomy including stellar
evolution, supernovae, compact objects, and cosmology. Thus, we devoted to the
impacts of recent discoveries made by Swift GRB mission, including x-ray flares,
late-time flares, and the prompt high-energy emission and their afterglows
(central engine). In addition, GRB abilities to increase the conductivity of the
Earths ionosphere and biosphere killing potential are now being taken into
account in our understanding of the GRB physics.

23. 21
Second Session: Space Science & Earth Systems
Airborne Gravimetry & a New Vertical Reference System for Ethiopia
Tulu Besha Bedada (PhD)
Entoto Observatory & ESSS, Ethiopia, tulubesha@yahoo.com
This research used airborne gravity data, the 2008 Earth Gravity Model (EGM08)
and Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) digital elevation data in a
‘Remove-Compute-Restore’ process to determine absolute vertical reference
system for Ethiopia. This gives a geopotential height at any isolated field point
where there is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement without
reference to a network of surveyed heights. Previously, height was determined
conventionally by connecting the desired field point physically to a nearby bench
mark of levelled heights using co-located measurements of gravity and spirit
levelling. With the use of precise GNSS positioning and a gravity model this
method becomes obsolesce.
The new ‘Remove-Compute-Restore’ approach uses airborne gravity and gravity
model of the topography to complement the satellite gravity data. The ‘Remove-
Restore’ process is used to eliminate longer to shorter wavelengths from the
measured gravity data using EGM08 and geometrical and condensed gravity
models of the SRTM data. This provides small, smooth and localised residuals so
that the interpolation and integration involved in transforming gravity to
geometric height is reliable - Stokes-like integral can be legitimately restricted to a
spherical cap. A very fast, stable and accurate computational algorithm has been
formulated by combining ‘hedgehog’ and ‘multipoint’ models in order to make
tractable an unavoidably huge computational task required to remove the effects
of about 1.5 billion! SRTM topographic mass elements representing Ethiopia and
its immediate surroundings at 92433 point airborne gravity observations.
The Compute stage first uses an iterative Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to predict
residual gravity at aircraft height as a regular grid on to the surface of the
ellipsoidal Earth and then it used a Fourier operation equivalent to Stokes’
integral to transform the localised gravity disturbance to residual potential. The
restore process determines the geopotential number on or above the Earth’s
surface where practitioners need it by restoring the potential effects of the
removed masses.

24. 22
The accuracy of the geopotential number computed from gravity and topography
was evaluated by comparing it with the one derived directly from EGM08 and
precise geodetic levelling. The new model is in a good agreement across 100 km
baseline between Addis Ababa and Adama with a standard deviation of 5.6 cm
and 3.9 cm relative to EGM08 and levelling, respectively. Recent evaluation of the
gravity model against the existing Blue Nile levelling heights which are found
around Debre Birhane, Addis Ababa, Jima and Gore towns showed good
agreement with a standard deviation of 2.41cm; this error is further reduced to
1.09cm when the prey assumption for mean gravity is constrained by surface
gravity observation.
The new method provides an absolute geopotential height of a point on or above
the Earth’s surface in a global sense by interpolating from geopotential models
prepared as the digital grids carried in a chip for use with the GNSS receiver in
the field.

25. 23
Integration of Different Scale Meteorological Models for Wind Energy
Assessment
Gemechu Fanta, Addis Ababa University, gemechufanta@gmail.com
In wind resource assessment high resolution meteorological model runs are often
used. However, for wind farm micro-siting, the macro scale models mostly cannot
capture the small scale terrain induced effects. Thus it is indispensable to
integrate the time varying data from the meteorological models with high
resolution flow models used for wind site selection applications. Optimal wind
energy siting assessments must consider processes such as surface-atmosphere
interactions inducing local scale circulations, frontal passages, and the micro
scale effects of atmospheric stability. Applicability of nesting is also essential.
Nesting finer scale simulations within coarser-scale simulations is used for grid
refinement and representation of a broad scale of physical processes.
In this study, the difference in synoptic scale and meso-scale meteorological
model runs is shown. Time averaged values over a given pressure level is depicted
using rose diagrams. The vertical distribution of wind is documented.
Distribution of wind over sample area around Addis Ababa is shown using the
micro scale flow model.

26. 24
Space Research Facilities and Activities at Washera Geospace and Radar
Science Laboratory (WaGRL)
Tsegaye Kassa,
Washera Geospace and Radar Science Laboratory (WaGRL) & Physics Program,
Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, tsegaye8684@gmail.com
Space weather is aimed to investigate conditions on sun and solar wind,
magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere that inuence space-based and
ground-based technological systems. Washera Geospace and Radar Science
Laboratory (WaGRL) was established on the bases of space weather research
themes about four years ago. Since then, we have deployed instruments and
carried out series of research activities in the area of Space Science. In this
presentation, we have summarized research facilities, activities and scientific
events (schools, conferences) organized and facilitated by WaGRL.

27. 25
Ionospheric Response to Solar Eclipse of Selected Events during the Period
of 2009 - 2013 in Different Ethiopian Regions
Tsegaye Kassa
Washera Geospace and Radar Science Laboratory (WaGRL) & Physics Program,
Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, tsegaye8684@gmail.com
The variability of ionospheric response to the solar eclipse during the period of
2009-2013 has been studied by analyzing the GPS data recorded at different
Ethiopian low-latitude stations. The retrieved ionospheric vertical total electron
content (VTEC) shows a significant reduction. The maximum decrement in VTEC
occurs some time after the maximum obscuration. The reduction in VTEC
compared to the quiet mean VTEC depends on latitude as well as longitude,
which also depends on the location of the satellite with respect to the solar eclipse
path. The amount of reduction in VTEC decreases as the present obscuration
decreases, which is directly related to the electron production by the
photoionization process. The oscillatory nature in total electron content data at all
stations is observed with different wave periods, which are attributed to gravity
wave effects generated in the lower atmosphere during the total solar eclipse.
Keywords
Ionosphere, TEC, Solar eclipse

28. 26
Tunnel Health Monitoring Using Active Seismics
Mesay Geletu1, Dominik Lang2, Isabelle Lecomte2, Valerie Maupin1
1University of Oslo (UiO), and 2NORSAR, Norawy.
Utilization of underground structures, particularly tunnels for storage and
transportation purposes, is a suitable solution for improving life in urban
environment. However, the construction processes and utilization of tunnels are
risky, often affected by hazards, particularly by collapses due to stress changes in
the surrounding rock. Due to this, systematic checks and monitoring procedures
of existing tunnels are required to guarantee non-interruptive utilization of
tunnels. In this study a new approach, called THEAMTM, is presented. The
THEAMTM methodology is a non-invasive tunnel health monitoring method using
active seismic. The fundamental idea of the THEAMTM procedure is to artificially
generate a controlled seismic signal at the tunnel wall, and to record the response
from the tunnel surrounding system at fixed receivers attached to the tunnel
surface. The changes in seismic signatures overtime are used as a precursor
about the tunnel rock wall conditions.
The THEAMTM procedure was applied at Oslofjord tunnel (Norway). The results of
this study suggest that the THEAMTM methodology is a robust and potentially
very applicable procedure for long-term monitoring of the tunnel rock wall
conditions before any hazardous collapse. This method is more powerful
compared to conventional method like visual inspection, because it provides fast
and continuous reliable information about the geological rock wall conditions in
the tunnel. Furthermore, the THEAMTM method is easy to accomplish because
once system is instrumented the data is acquired by remote control from office.

29. 27
Equatorial Ionosphere Electrodynamics & E × B Drift Velocity Estimation
from Ground Based Magnetometer Measurements
Mulubrehan T/Kiross
Department of Physics, University of Gondar,
The daytime vertical E × B drift velocity plays a significant role on equatorial
ionosphere processes such as formation of equatorial ionization anomaly. The
equatorial region ionosphere, which exhibits very dynamic processes, has been
less studied due to lack of enough ionospheric monitoring instruments. Studies
have been done on developing climatological models to represent the global
equatorial region plasma drift velocity using ground and/or space based
observations. The climatological empirical E × B drift velocity model has been
developed using limited Radar and Magnetometer measurements taken in
Peruvian sector. This model has not yet been validated in detail using recently
installed magnetometers data taken in East-African region. In addition, it is well
known that such empirical model can only mimic the long time trend of the data
but not the physics behind. Therefore, in this thesis new technique that can be
used to estimate the E × B drift velocity and E region E-field using physics based
model derived from Ampere’s and Ohm’s Law has been described. The difference
of the daytime horizontal components of the geomagnetic field obtained (on quiet
days) from two magnetometers installed near 00 latitude and 60 latitude off the
magnetic equator in East-African sector has been used as input to the physics
based and empirical models to reproduce drift velocity observed by C/NOFS
(Communication/Navigation Outage Forecast System) satellite while it passes
over the East-African region. In addition the performances of the other E × B drift
velocity (IRI) and E region E-field empirical models have been examined by
running the models at the time and the position where we have measurements
taken in the East-African sector.
We have found out that the drift velocity estimated using physics based model
shows better agreement with C/NOFS observation than the other models.
Furthermore, we have shown well agreement between the physics based and
empirical models in reproducing the E region E-field for the East African sector.
Key word: E-region dynamo, equatorial electrojet, F-region dynamo, prereversal
enhancement

30. 28
Third Session: Emerging Technologies & CSE
Physics of Materials Research: Transport and Magnetic Properties Selected
Materials
Abebe Kebede and Ron Gamble
Department of Physics, NCAT State University, USA, abkebede@gmail.com
This talk presents generalized routes to establish a multi-disciplinary research
effort to develop fundamental experimental and theoretical research into the
physical properties of amorphous, ordered, and nanostructured solids. The
materials being investigated include metals, insulators, semiconductors and
amorphous solids. The Phenomena of interest include phase transitions,
localization, electronic, magnetic, and lattice structure of solids. The general
procedure to realize a sound physics of materials research involves:
1. Synthesis, characterization, and analysis of new materials by novel methods
and establishing the optimum processing parameters to produce high quality
single crystal and bulk materials, and
2. Thermal characterization under low or ultra-low temperatures, ultra-high
pressures, and high magnetic fields, and non-destructive testing such as
photoemission and neutron scattering studies and other surface studies.
Since physics of materials research involves a variety of set of skills and
experiences, in this talk specific examples of research endeavors and results are
presented. These include superconductivity and magnetism in Iron Chalcogenide,
high temperature Superconducting thin films, and transport properties of
graphene, Impurity Studies in CeCoIn5 alloys and impurity studies in High
Temperature Superconductors.

31. 29
Organic Light-emitting Diodes: Device Physics, Fabrication Technologies
and Applications
Desta Gebeyehu
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, Ethiopia, dgebeyeh68@gmail.com
Research over the past two decades has made great progress on efficient
fabrication of blue, green and red organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) into
matrix display. Besides the potential application in back light unit of flat panel
displays, OLEDs are expected to be used as the alternative lighting sources for
general solid-state lighting applications. Lighting consumes a significant amount
of generated electrical power in developing countries, and it uses over 20% of the
energy supplied in developed countries. Solid-state lighting promises to change
the way we light the world, yet much work and research are still needed.
Therefore, semiconductor-based light sources with high energy efficiencies are
critical technologies for the reduction of global carbon footprint. As an emerging
lighting technology, organic light-emitting diode has received huge worldwide
attention in recent years, partially driven by its success in the flat-panel display
market and partially driven by its technology virtues such as a unique thin, flat,
foldable form factor. In this paper, the recent results in the development of
organic materials, device architectures, light extraction schemes, and fabrication
techniques that can lead to cost-effective OLED lighting will be reviewed.
Specially, a detailed overview of the state-of-the-art blue, green, red as well as
white OLED design concepts including their working principles and out-coupling
techniques will be presented. Finally, some recent developments in large-area
fabrication techniques of OLEDs that might be appropriate for solid-state lighting
and display applications will be provided.
Keywords: OLEDs fabrication techniques, working principles, display and solid-
state lighting applications

32. 30
Electron Scattering in Graphene by Impurities with Electric and Magnetic
Dipoles
Yohannes Achenefe,
Department of Physics, Addis Ababa University, y.achenefe@yahoo.com
The scattering of electrons by deferent scatterers in graphene has been
intensively studied since its experimental discovery. The main characteristic of
graphene is that its electrons are described by the Dirac’s like equation for
massless particles. This results in the linear dispersion of the electron energy on
the wave vector and in very high electron mobility. The main result of these
studies of electron scattering in graphene through different mechanisms with
radially symmetric potentials is the absence of the back scattering.
The interaction between magnetic moment of the magnetic dipoles (or electric
moment electric dipoles) and the electron can be considerable and appears in the
zero approximation with respect to the small parameter v/c (v is a velocity of
electron and c is the speed of light) unlike the spin-orbit interaction proportional
(v/c)2.
The magnetic field of magnetic dipoles (or electric field of electric dipoles) interacts
with the charge of moving electron and with its intrinsic magnetic moment. The
first interaction does not depend on the electron spin. The second one depends on
the electron spin. The spin-dependent scattering of electrons by nanomagnets in
2D geometry was studied theoretically on the base of the Pauli equation, where in
the Born approximation the scattering of polarized beams of electrons by
nanomagnets has been considered. It was shown that the scattering can
considerably change the polarization of the slow incident electrons depending on
the scattering angle. The anisotropy of 2D spin-dependent electron scattering may
be used to control the spin currents. The corresponding scattering amplitudes
can be increased by using a large number of scatterers.
In this paper, we study the scattering amplitude, differential cross section,
differential cross section for backscattering ( - ), and transport cross section for
scattering of electron in graphene with electric and magnetic dipoles. The electron
scattering by central symmetrical potential will also be discussed, we consider the
elastic electron scattering by impurities with electric and magnetic moments. The
electric dipole moment oriented parallel to the plane of monolayer graphene and

33. 31
the magnetic moment perpendicular to the graphene plane, within the frame of
Born approximation. Its modification has been developed for 2D relativistic - like
Schrodinger equation. In this case the spin dependent part of the electron -
impurity interaction can be ignored. The scattering potential formed by the vector
potential of the electric and magnetic dipoles moment is not central symmetric.
The calculated scattering 2D cross section is not equal to zero for the
backscattering.

34. 32
Density Functional Study of Gold-Coated Iron Nanoparticles (Potential for
Medical Applications)
Eyachew Misganew,
Department of Physics, Debretabor University, eyachew1@yahoo.com
In this paper, the first principle studies on the ground state structure, binding
energy, and magnetic moment of gold-coated Fen, bare Fen, and their oxides,
FenO2 have been carried out within a density functional formalism. The first
systematic theoretical study of gold-coated iron nanoclusters, aiming at
understanding the magnetic properties of this core-shell structure used in
biomedical applications. The calculations based on density-functional theory
focus on the effect of gold coating on the magnetic and structural properties of
iron clusters of various sizes, and the reaction of the bare iron clusters with
oxygen. My results show that the magnetic moment of iron nanocore with gold
coating is still significantly higher than that in bulk Fe; the coupling between Fe
atoms remained ferromagnetic. The improved chemical stability by gold coating
prevents the iron core from oxidation as well as the coalescence and formation of
thromboses in the body. Thus, it is shown that gold coating is very promising for
the magnetic particles to be functionalized for targeted drug delivery. The ground
states of Fen clusters have a magnetic moment of around 2.94 μB per atom. The
O2 molecule is found to be dissociatively absorbed and its most significant effect
on spin occurs in Fe, Fe2, Fe5 and Fe6, where FeO2, Fe2O2, Fe5O2, and Fe6O2 show
antiferromagnetic spin arrangements, respectively.

35. 33
The Clean Development Mechanism Project Potentials and Current status in
Africa: A lesson to Ethiopia
Haileselassie
Department of Physics, Mekelle University
The Kyoto Protocol which was signed in 1997 and entered into force in 2005
when 50 Parties representing 55% of global GHG emissions ratified; is one of the
notable international responses to the escalating impacts of climate change in the
21st century. Under the Kyoto Protocol developed countries took legally binding
obligations to cut their emissions by 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012 in
aggregate and developing countries participate in climate change mitigation
through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) where emission reduction
credits from projects in developing countries are bought by industrialized
countries to meet their own commitments. While its main goal is ensuring cost-
effectiveness of mitigation measures, the CDM has the second aim to benefit host
developing countries by promoting investment in sustainable development and
facilitating technology transfer, thereby contributing to their transition to a more
climate-friendly economy.
In the last 12 years the CDM has leveraged an estimated USD 315 billion in
capital investment to underpin climate mitigation efforts and support the
achievement of a range of sustainable development outcomes for host parties.
This contributed to the development of 110 gigawatts of new renewable energy
capacity through the issuance of over 1.38 billion CERs and stands ready to
further contribute through the crediting of a further 1.4 to 6.2 billion emission
reductions by 2020 (UNFCCC,2013).
While the CDM remains one of the most celebrated policy instruments of the
UNFCCC -Kyoto Protocol, developing countries (Non-Annex I parties) especially
those in Sub Saharan Africa have still witnessed disparity in the distribution of
CDM projects (Roberts and Park 2007). Out of 6060 registered projects as of
January 2013, only 1.9% were in Africa, compared to 85.3% for Asia and the
Pacific in which South Africa had the most projects with 85, followed by the Ivory
Coast with 38 and Kenya with 32(UNFCCC 2013). A study by the German
Environment Ministry to explore options for better integrating African LDCs into
the carbon market across 11 East African countries (Arens C. and Burian M.
2012), shows that Ethiopia comes first with an estimated potential for 32.0

36. 34
million Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) per year, primarily in the energetic
use of agricultural residues followed by hydropower, forest residues and cooking
stoves. Tanzania with 24,500kCERs/y, DRC with 18,000kCERs/y and Uganda
with 17,650kCERs/y come in this sequence with the same sectors.
In spite of this huge opportunity Ethiopia does have only three officially registered
CDM projects (Humbo afforestation/reforestation project, Methane Capture and
Flaring from Addis Ababa Repi open dump fill, and Clinker Optimization in
cement types production at Derba MIDROC cement Plan) as of September 2013.
The Humbo Project is the largest World Bank forestry project in Africa to gain
CDM registration worth 165,000 tonnes of carbon credits which is expected to
remove an estimated 880,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere over the next 30 years. The amendments to the Kyoto Protocol
relating to second commitment period from 2013 – 2020 and the determination of
UNFCCC to resume CDM as a global uninterrupted response to underpin climate
change impacts, are golden opportunities for LDCs like Ethiopia.

37. 35
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Heat Engine
Kumneger Tadele, Mulugeta Bekele and Tatek Yergou.
Department of Physics, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
The fundamental limit that thermodynamics imposes on the efficiency of thermal
machine is a central issue in physics. The upper limit for efficiency of a heat
engine is thermal efficiency of a reversible Carnot cycle also called Carnot
efficiency, ηC. Since a heat engine working at Carnot efficiency delivers zero power
within finite time, the notion of efficiency at maximum power has been
introduced. The upper limit for efficiency at maximum power of a heat engine is
Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency, ηCA. Due to the need of providing a sustainable supply
of energy and to strong concerns about the environmental impact of the
combustion of fossil fuels performance efficiency of a heat engine becomes a
major problem in thermodynamics. In this work we study the thermodynamic
process in the working substance of endoreversible heat engine where the
working substance is considered to be real gas. The inter-molecular interaction
and its impact on the performance of a heat engine have been considered. The
variation of performance efficiency of a heat engine with parameters like piston
speed and power output has been considered. We employ classical molecular
dynamics (MD) simulation technique to study the problem.

38. 36
Evaluation of the Realization of Scientific Speculations on Future
Advancement in Computer Technology with Special Emphasis on Moore’s
Law of computing
Fithanegest Kassa,
Department of Physics, Mekelle University
Scientific predictions made by professional scientists mainly rely on existing
fundamental laws of science and prototypes of existing technologies. Physicists
and those who are dynamic actors in the creation and shaping of present day
technology have been so successful in predicting future advances in technology.
One of the leading theoretical physicist, Michio Kaku, had delivered a number of
exciting prophecies in computing, DNA, and quantum revolution. Kaku had also
set specific time frames for the evolvement and realization of his future
predictions in his book ‘Visions’.
Kaku’s predictions on the future of computer technology are based on success
and collapse of Moore’s law of computing (computing power doubles
approximately every two years).Some of the major speculations are: The
disappearing PC, Ubiquitous computing, smart office and homes of the future,
wearable computers, , the mushrooming of wall screens, the death of Moore’s law
of computing, and the flourishing of new computer architectures.
This paper addresses the following major questions: How realistic are these
scientific predictions? How many of such predictions have met the time frame set
by the speculators? How far have these speculations helped in shaping the
current development in computing technology? Will Moore’s law sustain several
generations of chips in the future? Or will it be doomed in the time envisioned by
the speculators?
The paper tries to compare the technologies actualized from 2000 up to the
present to the predictions speculated in the time frame up to 2020.The paper will
also identify and analyze successes, failures, and major flaws in those seemingly
wild prophesies.

39. 37
Keep the Safety of Our Huge Dams and Railways: Is it a Right Time for
Ethiopia to Implement Optical Fiber Sensors for its Huge Dam and Railway
Projects?
Yelkal Mulualem, Dottore Magistrale, Lecturer, University of Gondar
When Ethiopia starts its growth and transformation plane in 2002, building huge
infrastructure was one of its parts. Through the last five years, Ethiopia is doing a
tremendous job in dam building across the country and railways in Adiss ababa
metropolitan city. There is a clear need to move on to the next level with regard
to other technologies to protect the safeties of these huge projects. The
significance of the technology is such that it is set to change everything from the
food we eat to the clothes we wear, from the way we treat diseases to the way we
combat poverty.
The paper provides a brief overview of the meteoric rise of optical fiber optic
sensors, applications and its phenomenal spread to the four corners of the globe.
It will look at the state of the technology in all over the world. With this as
background, it will be argued that Ethiopia needs to quickly follow those
countries with advanced fiber optic Sensors for the safeties of its huge projects.
Distributed fiber optic sensors have lots of advantages to use in different areas
including huge projects. The challenges are no longer insurmountable and
opportunities that were unavailable during the development of previous
technologies are now available to developing countries. The consequences of
failure to seize this opportunity to hop onto the sensors would be extremely
disastrous for developing economies as the technology is incredibly disruptive.
For Ethiopia and the rest of the world, early engagement with the technology is
crucial to avoid the grim prospect of relegation to irrelevance to the global
economy.

40. 38
Tools for Teaching Undergraduate Computational Physics (UCP)
Amdeselassie A Amde,
Department of Physics, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Computational Physics (as a multidisciplinary subject combining aspects of
science, mathematics, and computer science) uses computing approach to gain
understanding, mainly through the analysis of mathematical models implemented
on computers. It provides the capability to study and gain novel insights into
physical systems, especially for those cases where no analytical solutions can be
found or an experiment is too complicated or expensive to carry out.
In fact, the use of computation and simulation has now become an essential and
integral part of contemporary basic and applied sciences, and computation has
become as important as theory and experiment. In Ethiopia, the Undergraduate
Computational Physics (UCP) course was first introduced in 2003 G.C. as an
elective course in University of Gondar’s Applied Physics Curriculum. Starting
from 2010 UCP is included as a compulsory course in the Harmonized
Undergraduate Physics Curriculum at all Ethiopian Universities.
Though computational physics is now becoming an integral part of
undergraduate physics curriculum, there is no still standardization in the
contents, programming language and methodology used to teach UCP.
The decision of what language to use to teach UCP is not an easy one. Some
prefer using a general purpose programming language (such as FORTRAN,
C/C++, Java or Python) while others prefer using symbolic or numeric computing
environment (such as MATHEMATICA, Sage, MATLAB, or Octave …). A few even
tried to answers the question with the unusual approach by using non-specific
pseudocode. At University of Gondar we chose Java to teach UCP and have been
using it since 2005. Currently, we are considering using Java with Python.
In this paper we’ll discuss uses of computers in physics and significance of
simulation in studying physics. We’ll also discuss why we preferred Java and
specific contents for the course. Our experience using Java to teach UCP is
demonstrated by installing and configuring JDK & OSP tools, and by compiling
and running some codes.

41. 39
SCHEDULE, ABSTRACTS &
TRAINING CONTENTS

42. 40
1. Workshop on the Radio JOVE Project
04 January 2014
1Stephen Marks, 2Wanda Diaz, 3Abebe Kebede, 4Amdeselassie A Amde
1Radio JOVE Project-UK, 2University of Glasgow, 3NCAT State University,
4University of Gondar
1. CONTENT/ SYLLABUS
Radio JOVE is a hands-on educational activity that brings study of Jupiter and
the Sun to students, teachers, and the general public. This is accomplished
through the construction of a simple radio telescope kit and/or the use of a real
time radio observatory on the Internet. Radio JOVE has two major parts
electronic receiver kit and antenna.
Radio JOVE receiver kit is short-wave receiver which wills pick-up radio signals
from the planet Jupiter and also from the Sun. This receiver contains over 100
electronic components and pieces of hardware. Fabrication will include the
handling of small, delicate, electronic parts, most of which will be mounted and
soldered on a printed circuit (PC) board.
The antenna intercepts weak electromagnetic waves from Jupiter and sun, and
the signal is converted to weak RF voltage at the antenna terminals. The signals
are delivered to the antenna terminals of the receiver are amplified by the receiver
and converted to audio signals of sufficient strength.
Before configuration & use the Antenna kit construction must follow important
procedures: (1) pre-assembly preparations & requirement, (2) preparing the
dipoles and coaxial cable, (3) antenna mast assembly, & (4) field setup, safety and
testing. Antenna configuration is guided by the latitude of your observatory and
the position of Jupiter and the Sun in your sky.
Audience or Users
• High School science classes
• College science courses or laboratories
• Middle school classrooms

43. 41
• Interested individuals
Goals
• Educate people about planetary and solar radio astronomy, space physics, and
the scientific method
• Provide teachers and students with hands-on radio astronomy exercises as a
science curriculum support activity
• Enable access to an on-line radio observatory that provides real-time data via
the Internet
• Allow interactions among participating schools by facilitating exchanges of
ideas, data, and observing experiences
General Contents
• Discussion of possible site for a Jove receiver in a school
• Use of co-axial cable, length / impedance / terminations etc…
• Safety considerations
• Building the R-J circuit
• Power Supply
• Collecting / Saving Data
• Interference
• Making Insulators
• Radio Jove Forums
• Identifying components
• Soldering & Safety
• Anti-static protection
• Fault-Finding

44. 42
2. SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 04, 2014
Session: Antenna Kit
8:00 – 8:30 Basic Antenna Theory Facilitators:
Steven Mark
Wanda Diaz
Abebe Kebede
Amdeselassie A
8:30 – 9:30 Antennas for Jove
9:30 - 10:00 Antenna Pre-assembly
10:00 - 10:15 Health Break
10:15 – 10:30 Preparing Dipole and Coaxial Cable Facilitators:
Steven Mark
Wanda Diaz
Amdeselassie A.
10:30 – 11:30 Antenna Mast Assembly
5:00 – 5:30 Field Setup, Safety and Testing
12:00 - 8:00 Lunch Break
Session: Radio Jove Receiver Kit
2:00 – 2:30 Theory of Operation Facilitators:
Steven Mark,
Wanda Diaz2:30 – 3:00 Components and Circuit Diagram
3:00 - 3:15 Health Break
3:15 – 4:30 Identifying Parts and Wiring the PC Board Facilitators:
Steven Mark,
Wanda Diaz,
Amdeselassie A.
4:30 – 5:00 Assembly of Enclosure
5:00 – 5:30 Testing and Alignment

45. 43
SEMINAR ON:
 Academic Networking & Promotion for
Research & Scientific Culture
 Women in Physics
Guest Speakers:
1. Dr. Abebe Kebede, NCAT State University
2. Dr. Wanda Diaz, University of Glasgow
Date: Sunday, 05 January 2014
Time: 10:30 – 12:00
Venue: Conference Hall, Science Amba

46. &

47. Serving the Country since 1954!
GROWTH DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION
The 4th
Gondar School of Science and
Technology
03 – 05 January 2014, UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR