ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY NDUFU-ALIKE, EBONYI …

ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY

NDUFU-ALIKE, EBONYI STATE,

NIGERIA

ENGINEERING PHYSICS:

RECONSTRUCTING AND

COMPLEMENTING ENGINEERING

FOR GREATER IMPACT

BY

MICHAEL UGWU ONUU, Ph.D (Calabar)

FNIP, FASN, FNIIA

Professor of Engineering Physics

Inaugural Lecture Series 1

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Copyright: Senate Committee on Inaugural and Public Lectures

This 1st Inaugural Lecture was delivered under the Chairmanship of:Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba

Vice-Chancellor

Alex Ekwueme Federal UniversityNdufu-Alike, Ebonyi State

Published by:Committee on Inaugural and Public Lectures

Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Inaugural Lecture Series 1ii

iv Inaugural Lecture Series 1

Vice-ChancellorDeputy Vice-ChancellorsRegistrarBursarUniversity LibrarianVisiting, Serving and Former Principal OfficersProfessors and Members of SenateProvost, College of MedicineDeans of FacultiesDirectors of Centres and DirectoratesHeads of Departments and UnitsMembers of CongregationDistinguished GuestsGreat Students of AE-FUNAILadies and Gentlemen

PreambleIt will be recalled that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba, promised members of AE-FUNAI community commencement of Inaugural Lecture during his tenure when he assumed office in 2016. That promise is being fulfilled today. To God be all the glory! With humility, I consider it an honour, great one for that matter, for me to be chosen to be the first to give the Inaugural Lecture since the inception of this great University in 2011, eight years ago. The Vice-Chancellor, has not only made it possible for the Inaugural Lecture to commence, but that I should be the first to present. I say a very big thank you to our dear Vice-Chancellor and his Management. By this singular act of the Vice-Chancellor, fulfilling the promise he made in his address to members of AE-FUNAI community when he assumed office in 2016, all newly appointed Professors of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike can now openly and ceremoniously, with fanfare, be admitted into the full professorial cadre, through this platform that has been created for the 'Academic Baptism' instead of 'nicodemusly' joining

vInaugural Lecture Series 1

them. It is my prayer and hope that this Inaugural Lecture will be sustained in years to come.

Physics, to the uniformed, connotes a subject that is esoteric, especially at the higher level because it is perceived to be an abstract science having limited areas of practical application. This is a conjecture. Engineering, on the other hand, is believed to be more practical in nature and universal in application. What is physics and what is engineering? What is not readily known, however, is that physics is the pivot upon which engineering rests or the foundation on which engineering is laid. In fact, there can be no engineering without physics as every aspect of engineering is para-physics. This assertion is generally believed to be true. Engineering physics, as a discipline, has emerged to, a very large extent, bridge whatever divide that may be existing between physics and engineering. Engineering physics requires knowledge of the many areas of physics (pure and applied) as well as mathematics with enough practical experience involved. In fact, engineering physics provides the blending that engineering needs in the microscopic and macroscopic world. Thus, engineering physics reconstructs and complements engineering for greater impact and provides a seal to the marriage between physics and engineering. This, therefore, becomes a perfect unification. This is the reason for the choice of the title of this Inaugural Lecture, "Engineering Physics: Reconstructing and Complementing Engineering for Greater Impact".

My three main areas of research and professorial competence, namely, Condensed Mat ter Phys ics , Acoust ics and Telecommunications form the basis for this Lecture. It is clear that these areas rightly belong to the domain of physics having originated from particulate matter, vibrations and waves as foundation. First part of this lecture is a general introduction of engineering physics. Some classical foundations of engineering are highlighted in the

viInaugural Lecture Series 1

second part. Main areas of research and professorial competence, and major contributions to the development of research and society are presented in third and fourth parts, respectively. The lecture ends with general conclusion which is the fifth part. It is believed that with the knowledge and application of the fundamental concepts and principles of physics (and engineering physics) in construction and design, engineering will be a much more elegant discipline and profession. The whole idea and ultimate objective are to reposition engineering as a discipline for greater impact. This is our challenge!

Outline

Engineering Physics: An Overview Reconstructing and Complementing Engineering Some Classical Foundations of Engineering Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Theory Classical Physics

Quantum Physics and Quantum Electronics

Statistical Physics

Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials) Physics

Communication Physics

Acoustical Physics and Environmental Acoustics

Vibration and Structure-Borne Noise

Optical, Radio and Sonic Devices

Anisotropy and Inhomogeneity

Main Areas of Research and Professorial Competence

Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials)

Physics and Energy



vii Inaugural Lecture Series 1

Telecommunications, Electronics and Networking

Others

Major Contributions to the Development of Research and

Society

Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials) Physics and

Energy



Telecommunications, Electronics and Networking

Others

Some Projects Undertaken

Future Research

Academic Leadership and Mentorship

Conclusion

References

Acknowledgements

viiiInaugural Lecture Series 1

Engineering Physics: An OverviewEngineering Physics is a broad area of study that combines pure, applied physics and the abstraction of physics to develop solutions, particularly, to engineering and technology problems. Thus in engineering physics, theory and practice must be balanced. It was born out of the dire need for providing an engineering education with very good foundation in physics and mathematics. In fact, the discipline of engineering physics brings about and optimizes solutions to problems through enhanced and thorough understanding and integrated application of mathematical, scientific, statistical and engineering principles. Engineering physics provides a more thorough grounding in the following areas: optics, quantum physics, materials science, app l i ed mechan ics , e l ec t ron ics , nano techno logy, microfabrication, microelectronics, photonics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, nuclear engineering, biophysics, control theory, solid-state physics, energy, etc.

Engineering physics focuses mainly on research and development, design and analysis and lays emphasis on instrumentation and the principle of "bamboo technology". It creates and applies more advanced experimental and/or computational techniques where standard approaches are not adequate or not available as well as abstract – thinking ability to modern engineering challenges. Many universities in the USA and Canada had long commenced programmes in engineering physics at the levels of B. Tech., B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in the 1940s. In Nigeria, Engineering Physics programme were started by Obafemi Awolowo University (formally University of Ife), Ile-Ife, at the undergraduate level in 1976, closely followed by the University of Calabar at the postgraduate level before other universities joined. It is important to point out here that traditional or conventional engineering disciplines are restricted to a particular branch of science unlike engineering physics which is broad in scope.



Careers and branches There are many career opportunities in engineering physics. An engineering physicist, upon graduation, must have acquired advanced problem-solving and instrumentation skills. He will therefore be able to apply his superior mathematical, analytical and abstract-thinking ability to modern engineering challenges. Furthermore, having undergone professional industrial training in relevant areas and also having been equipped mentally and academically, an engineering physicist should be able to apply the knowledge of fundamental physical principles underlying modern technology and processes to achieve considerable success. With proficiency in mathematics and numerical modeling, ability to work independently and in a team, ability to solve complex problems using broad scientific knowledge, gaining of practical skills, and back them up with the deep knowledge of a scientist, ability to make careful measurements with sophisticated equipment in the laboratory, proficiency with modern physics equipping one for tomorrow's technologies, the engineering physicist can work in many different areas of any establishment, including university, where he can be engaged as a lecturer/researcher.

There are many places where qualified engineering physicists can work professionally as engineers and/or physicists in the high technology industries and beyond, becoming domain experts in multiple engineering and scientific fields. Some of these areas are:

Accelerator Physics

Acoustics

Aerospace Systems and Aerodynamics

Artificial Intelligence

Audio Engineering

Biophysics

Chemical Engineering

Communication Physics

Microfluidics

Microfabrication

Microprocessor Design

Microwave Engineering

Nanotechnology

Nondestructive Testing

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Technology

10

Reconstructing and Complementing EngineeringGenerally, most concepts of physics are esoteric, especially at the higher level. Most engineers do not study them but rather just use the technology developed and learn what they need to know in order to do their job efficiently. It is difficult to find a technology that does not depend on physics. Technologies that operate on the principles of physics continue to be invaluable touching everything and groups of brilliant and dedicated physicists in the whole world are working round the clock to cope with the challenges and ensure that development does not "throw us out through the window". Engineering physicists, it is expected, will continue to cope with the ever increasing challenges of tomorrow's technology. Engineering physics reconstructs engineering by showing how engineering really works. It presents us with a better picture of

Computational Physics

Computer Engineering

Cryogenics

Digital Electronics

Digital Signal Processing

Directed Energy Weapons

Electronic Warfare

Energy Engineering

Geoengineering

Metamaterials

Metrological Physics

Microelectronics

Soil Physics

Sonar

Space Technology

Spacecraft Propulsion

Statistical Mechanics

Systems Engineering

Superconductors

Information Theory

Maser Technology

Photonics and Plasmonics

Physical Neural Networks

Plasma Physics

Polymer Science

Quantum Electronics

Radar and Lidar

Radio-Frequency Engineering

Robotic and Machine Learning

Renewable Energy

Semiconductor Physics and Devices

Sensor Fusion

Software Development

Solid-State Physics

Space Physics

Materials Science and Processing

Mechatronics

Medical Physics

Thin Films and Nanostructured Materials

Vehicles Dynamics

Instrumentation and Control

Laser Physics


engineering leading to its better understanding. Engineering physics also complements engineering by adding to the beauty of engineering and making it more attractive. By studying and investigating properties of elementary particles of engineering materials at the microscopic level, using statistical physics and other mathematical concepts as tools, one now has a better understanding of the physical and engineering properties of the ensemble – the engineering materials used in engineering work and construction.

How does the engineer or technologist know that a particular metal or alloy is a better conductor of heat or electricity in order to use it in electrical circuit or for a particular purpose? How does the engineer know that a given semiconductor material is appropriate for the construction of a particular solid-state device? How is a noise control engineer, able to "design-out" noise in a "source-path-receiver system" without a proper understanding of the propagation characteristics of the sound wave? How will the engineer be able to launch a satellite into orbit without knowing the dynamical characteristics of the launcher? Without having a "physicist's eye", how does the aeronautic engineer appreciate the aerodynamic problems that will confront his aircraft? Why wouldn't buildings and bridges collapse when construction materials are not chosen properly or when there is wrong choice of factor of safety, erroneously known as factor of carelessness? Why wouldn't there be reverberation and echoes or absolute silence when studios, halls, classrooms, churches and mosque are designed and constructed without appropriate acoustic materials and furnishings? The answers to the above and many more questions are provided because a physicist or an engineering physicist has provided the engineer with his results or data which the engineer uses to do his work. From the foregoing, therefore, it is clear that engineering physics reconstructs engineering in exactly the same manner that archeology reconstructs history.


Some Classical Foundations of Engineering There are some fundamental principles or bases upon which engineering is founded. These are physics (or engineering physics) concepts or theories that are being referred to in this lecture as f o u n d a t i o n s o f e n g i n e e r i n g . T h e y a r e : Electromagnetism/Electromagnetic Theory; Classical Physics; Quantum Physics and Quantum Electronics; Statistical Physics; Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials) Physics; Communication Physics; Acoustical Physics and Environmental Acoustics; Vibration and Structure-Borne Noise; Optics, Radio and Sonic Devices, and Anisotropy and Inhomogeneity.

Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Theory Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic theory grew out of the discovery of the interrelationship between electricity and magnetism, especially when the fields are varying with time. In fact, everything that is in the phenomenon of electromagnetism and electromagnetic theory is found in the famous Maxwell's equations, which are a set of classical equations relating the vector quantities applying at any point in a varying electric or magnetic field, and the Lorentz force law. These four (4) equations summarize the laws of electromagnetism obtained from experiments. By solving these equations, Maxwell was the first to show that light is an electromagnetic phenomenon. Maxwell's theory deals only with macroscopic phenomena and does not offer an explanation of phenomena arising from interactions on atomic scale, such as dispersion and the photoelectric effect. Quantum mechanical theory of electromagnetic radiation is introduced to explain interactions on an atomic scale.The physical bases of Maxwell's equations are: Gauss' law for electric field, Gauss' law for magnetic field, Faraday's law and Ampere's law. Engineering devices such as electric motors and generators, transformers, loudspeakers, tape recorders, doorbells, maglev (magnetic levitation) trains, relays are based on electromagnetic induction for their operation.


Classical PhysicsThe mathematical study of motion of everyday objects and forces that affect them is called classical mechanics. Essentially, the study builds on the three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation of Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) and so classical mechanics is often referred to as Newtonian Mechanics. Sir Isaac Newton first presented his three laws of motion in "Principia Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis" (Mathematical Principle of Natural Philosophy) in two volumes in 1687 and was translated into English by Andrew Motte. It concerns motion of bodies whose speeds are far more less than the speed of electromagnetic wave or the speed of light

8 -1(3.0 x 10 ms , approximately). Classical physics is macroscopic in nature and excludes relativity and quantum theory in its scope. When it is of such wide application it is referred to as classical physics.

Newton's laws are very important to mankind. Before Newton at the end of 1600s, virtually all progress was trial and error. After Newton, laws were used to predict how things would work before they were built. Yes, Leonardo da Vinci was an intuitive thinker, Newton was a calculating thinker, it is often said. England became the world leader of innovation and engineering and technology in the 1700s and 1800s because of Newton's laws and the Royal Society for which Newton served as president. In fact, when Newton died in 1727, Alexander Pope wrote, " Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in Night, God said, "Let Newton be!" and all was light".

Newton's laws are universal as they work here on Earth and in the Heavens. Giordano Bruno was burned alive for stating that the stars were just our sun, but further away. Galileo Galilei was nearly executed for stating that the sun (not the Earth) was at the centre of the universe (and there were mountains on the moon). That was thought to be contrary to the teaching of religion and an attempt to undermine the authorities of the Church. Thank God for Pope John Paul II who in a kind of restitution pleaded to the whole world and regretted the high handedness of the Church during the time of Galileo and stated that


there is harmonious complementarity between science and religion (Onuu, 2014). Because of its universal applicability, Newton's laws of motion are thought to be the biggest shift in the history of mankind.Engineers apply Newton's laws of motion in their design and construction of motor vehicles and aeroplanes. The motion of an aircraft resulting from aerodynamic forces, aircraft weight and thrust are determined using Newton's laws of motion. Launching of rockets into space, satellites into orbits and space travel all depend on physics. In design, engineers vary the angle of projection and or initial velocity of rocket artillery, shell-firing guns or mortars to determine the maximum height and or any value of horizontal range during warfare. Operators of these machines are trained on what to do to achieve good results in times of war. These are results of improved technology based on Newton's laws of motion in physics.

Quantum Physics and Quantum ElectronicsIn 1902, Max Plank had shown that the experimental observations in black-body radiation could be explained on the basis that the energy from the body was emitted in separate or discrete packets of energy known as quanta of energy of amounts hf, where f is the frequency of radiation and h is Planck's constant (Nelkon and Parker, 1978). This is quantum theory of radiation, the forerunner or precursor of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is a mathematical/physical theory or a mathematical model of reality that radically departs from classical (Newtonian) mechanics in application. It involves the wave-particle duality of electromagnetic radiation and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. In the form of wave mechanics, quantum mechanics is used to solve the energy states of atoms and molecules and hence explains the electrical behaviour of metals, insulators and semiconductors, in energy band theory, in these engineering materials. It can be extended to satisfy the principle of relativity and other branches of physics. When it is this wide in scope quantum mechanics becomes quantum physics. Although quantum physics was developed to explain observations that defied classical understanding, it is very important for the understanding of quantum computing, quantum


communication, quantum metrology, quantum materials, etc. Therefore, the importance of quantum physics for engineering now and in the future is very imperative.

Statistical PhysicsStatistical physics is the branch of physics that is concerned with the study of properties of macroscopic system by considering the statistical behaviour of their constituent particles. For example, thermal and electrical conduction of a metal is dependent on the thermal and electrical conductivity of electrons making up the material or for a large volume of molecules in a vessel the total energy is the sum of the energy of each of the molecules. This is made up of energies of vibration, rotation, translational and electronic energy. Unlike traditional engineering, engineering physics is interested on how the physical properties of a system (the material) are acquired instead of just using it (the material) in design and construction. O?Connell and Prausnitz (1968) have asserted that statistical thermodynamics may be analogous to the Valley of the Shadow of Death in Pilgrim's Progress, but its applications are becoming increasingly relevant to the solution of chemical engineering problems. Generally, statistical physics plays a major role in all aspects of engineering.

Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials) Physics Condensed matter physics is concerned with both macroscopic and microscopic physical properties of solids. Solid state physics is a branch of condensed matter physics that is concerned with the study of microscopic properties of a solid such as its structure and properties and other related phenomena such as electrical conductivity. These include superconductivity mainly in semiconductors, photoconductivity, photoelectric effect and field emission. In solid state physics, we try to understand how the macroscopic properties of solids result from their microscopic or atomic scale properties. In fact, solid state physics forms the theoretical basis and is the largest branch of materials science which


has materials physics or applied solid state physics as its subset. Condensed matter (solid state and materials) physics plays major roles in the design and production of semiconductor diodes, transistors and the semiconductor chips and, generally, integrated circuit (IC) which is the reason for modern electronics in this era of miniaturization and compactness, especially in engineering (Myles, 1915). Nanotechnology grew out of the study in the fields of solid state, condensed matter and materials (science) physics.

Communication Physics Communication physics is the physics concerned with and practice of the transfer of information from one point to the other. Communication may involve short distances or long distances (telecommunication). Short-distance communication requires that the source of information and the receiver be close enough. In short-distance communication, transducers may not be required. Some human organs are involved. Air from the lungs of the talker is modulated through the the canal and orifices including the nose and the mouth. The sound propagates through a material medium such as air creating regions of low particles density (rarefactions) and regions of high particle density (compressions) as it is involved in simple harmonic motion. The sound carrying the information gets to the pinna (the outer ear) of the hearer. It is transmitted through the eustachian tube (in the middle ear) and then to the inner ear through the bones or ossicles (incus, malleus and stapes) as they vibrate. Information is then passed to the brain through the auditory nerves and is interpreted.

Telecommunications is derived from the Greek word "tele-" meaning afar of. In telecommunication, information is transferred by means of any electromagnetic means such as wire or radio waves. In this case, the use of transducers and telecommunication system which is the complete assembly of apparatus and circuits (radio, television, telephony) required for the transfer of information is necessary. In both forms of communication, particles transfer energy from one


point to another as well as a result of varying pressure level. Communications physics is the backbone of ICT that is the driving force of engineering.

John Henry Poynting (1852-1914) of Poynting vector and a physicist opined that one of the important characteristics of an electromagnetic wave is that it can transport energy from point to point (Resnick and Halliday, 1966). Onuu (2013 and 2018) explained that the energy could be in form of data. Since the discovery of radio waves by Heinrich Hertz in 1800 (Resnick and Halliday, 1966), many researchers of various nationalities have made significant contributions to the development of telecommunications. Notably among them are Hans Christian Oersted (1777-1851), Michael Faraday (1791-1867) and James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879).

Acoustical Physics and Environmental Acoustics Acoustics is a branch of science that is concerned with production, properties and propagation of sound wave. Acoustics has many areas and is important for many engineers and architects, medical doctors, psychologists, biologists, oceanographers, media professionals, etc. Since acoustics has to do with sound waves, it also belongs to the domain of physics and so we talk of acoustical physics to be specific. Physical acoustics has a wide range of application which are: bioacoustics, communication, electroacoustics, sonics, hearing, musical scales and instruments, noise and vibration, psychoacoustics, room acoustics, seismic waves and atmospheric waves, sonar and ultrasonics. Acoustics has been described to be very important for sustainable development because its study helps us to create quality environment, both indoors and outdoors. It is important to ensure that acoustics of a room is good enough for speakers, musicians and listeners. Living and working environment should be "free" from harmful and/or intruding noise and vibrations with acoustics comfort. For the purpose of this Inaugural Lecture, some areas require special attention.


1. Room acoustics Sound waves in a room undergo refraction, reflection, absorption, scattering and interference as they interact with the walls of the room, the ceiling/roof, floor, doors, windows and furnishings. To maintain good quality sound, it is therefore important to control sound waves in a room, the extent of control depending on the application to which the room is put. In large halls, the reverberation time, defined as the time for the sound energy density to decay to the threshold of

6audibility from a value 10 times is large, i.e. a fall of 60 decibels, is very important. Optimum reverberation times lie between 1 and 2.5 seconds. The reverberation time should be low for the room (hall) used for speech and light music but large for room used for orchestral music. In general, optimum reverberation time is directly proportional to the linear dimensions of the room according to Sabine formulation for room acoustics. Special acoustic materials are used for the floor in plastering of the walls and ceiling to ensure that optimum reverberation time is achieved. Depending on what the room is to be used for, cement, sand and concrete are to be mixed in a given proportion (Croome, 1977). If the acoustic materials chosen have high reflection coefficient (or reflectivity) there will be echo or reverberation in the room. On the other hand, if the materials have high absorption coefficient (or absorptivity), audibility will be poor. Therefore, a compromise has to be reached at building and furnishing stage. Unfortunately, the practice to ensure optimum reverberation time is often neglected in this part of the world. The result is rooms, halls and studios that have poor sound quality.

2. Environmental noiseNoise in environmental acoustics is defined as unwanted sound. The question is, Who wants the sound and who does not want it? This definition is, therefore, very subjective and unscientific as one man's noise is another man's music or one man's soporific is another man's insomnia. In this context, noise can be defined as sound with characteristics (amplitude and frequency) such that it can interfere


with task, conversation, etc. Noise, as pollution, has increased in significance. This is the reason why the International Congress on Acoustics in London in 1971 adopted the theme, "Environmental Noise". Since then, environmental noise pollution and control has been the subject of discussion frequently in developed countries of the world. Although, people often talk of nuclear holocaust, earthquakes, landslide and tsunamis, what is not usually known is that noise as a pollutant has far-reaching and wide-ranging effects, some of which are irreversible, and difficult to be controlled by physical means alone. Its control involves legislation and cannot just be decreed from the desk.

Anti noise laws and ordinances vary among regions and countries, and even within a state. This is because of the subjective measurements, in addition to subjective ones, involved in environmental noise pollution studies, since reactions to environmental noise as pollution vary depending on communities. Different types of environmental noise exist and some of them are: road traffic noise, aircraft noise, construction and industry noise and noise made by people and animals. Other sources of noise include: ventilation systems in buildings, outboard engines, household, machines, etc. The source that contributes most to the environmental noise climate of a place depends on the place. In towns and cities, road traffic noise is most pervasive. It is steady during the day (0700-2200). Aircraft noise level is highest near airports during landing and takeoff. Noise of humans pervade the neighbourhood, in churches and mosques while that due to animals is more in the early morning and night. Noise due to animals is prevalent in villages.

Noise control is now a very important part of engineering and involves the source, the path (through which sounds travels) and the receiver. Noise control from the source has to do with taking measures to reduce noise emission from the source or taking the source away (further) from the receiver. In controlling noise from the path, a barrier has to be built along acoustic line-of-sight (LOS)


between the source and the receiver. Trees and shrubs that can absorb the acoustic energy, especially, between 1 and 4 kHz, where the ear of a normal human being is most sensitive, can also be planted between the source and the receiver. To control noise at the receiver requires protection of the receiver from the source. This involves wearing of ear muff. The receiver can also be moved further away from the source in order to protect it from the noise from the source. Many disturbances of electrical nature produce noise in telephones and radio receivers, so that the term noise has a much broader connotation in communication engineering. In physics and electrical engineering, noise is defined as spurious voltage of random nature having little or no periodicity. This definition is much more general and all embracing. Noise voltages show pulse-like waveforms, some with large peaks, which occur quite randomly and continuously.

3. General classification of noise Noise may be classified according to type, source, effect or in relation to the electronic or communication circuit depending on the circumstance. Most conveniently, here, noise is divided into two broad groups - noise whose sources are external to the receiver and those within the receiver itself.

(a) External noiseExternal noise can be atmospheric noise, extraterrestrial noise or man-made noise.

i. Atmospheric noiseAtmospheric noise comprises spurious radio waves which include voltages in the antenna which intend to interfere with programme. The majority of the radio waves come from natural sources of disturbance. This is atmospheric noise generally referred to as static noise. Static noise is caused by lightening discharges in thunderstorm and other naturally occurring electric disturbance in the atmosphere. It is in the form of impulses and because of the randomness of such processes in nature, it is spread overall the entire radio spectrum


normally used for broadcasting. Atmospheric noise is propagated over the earth in the same way as ordinary radio waves of the same frequency, so that at any point on the ground, static noise will be received from local thunderstorms and also from distant ones. At frequencies above 30 MHz, atmospheric noise becomes less severe because, first, such frequencies are limited to out-of-sight propagation and, secondly, the nature of the mechanism generating this noise is such that very little of it is created in very high frequency (VHF) range and above.

ii. Extraterrestrial noise Extraterrestrial noise is also referred to as space noise. For convenience, a division into two sub-groups will suffice.

- Solar (cosmic) noise Solar noise is radiated by suns and distant stars in their high temperatures. This type of noise is also referred to as cosmic or thermal (or black-body) noise and is distributed fairly uniformly over the sky.

- Galactic noiseGalactic noise is emitted by our own galaxy (the milky way) and other galaxies. It is very intense. It comes from sources such as Cassiopela A and Cygnus A which are among the strongest sources that have been discovered.

iii. Man-made noiseMan-made noise includes interference produced by sources such as automobiles and aircrafts, ignition, electric motors and switching gears, leakage from high-voltage lines and many other heavy electric machines. Another powerful source of man-made noise are fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lights should not be used where sensitive receiver reception or testing is carried out. The noise is produced by the arc discharge present in all these operations. The radio receiver is also a source of man-made noise. The radio receiver


may emit noise that may interfere with other electronic or communication circuits. Parts of the radio circuit radiate noise directly. Noise current flowing in the power cable conducts noise to other circuits. Also, noise current flowing in the power lead causes the lead to radiate additional noise. Therefore, designing equipment to minimize noise generation by engineers is also as important as designing the equipment that is not susceptible to noise.

Vibration and Structure-Borne NoiseThe rapid to and fro motion of a system is referred to as vibration. Although every material vibrates when exited, depending on its temperature, elastic solids and fluids in contact with a material vibrate most. The time taken to complete each to and fro motion is period, T, and the frequency, f, is the number of complete to and fro motion (vibration) in one second. The periodic time is inversely proportional to the frequency and vice versa. Noise from machines often conducts from solid to the humans or buildings in contact with the solid and vice versa. This is structure-borne noise and also manifests itself as vibration. Mechanical resonance, a condition in which a vibrating (solid) system responds with maximum amplitude, is one of reasons why buildings and bridges collapse. Therefore, vibration isolation has become a major field of engineering.

Optical, Radio and Sonic Devices In this section, some optical, radio and sonic devices which are useful tools in solving problems in engineering are considered. Majority of these devices were discovered during World War II to detect enemy planes and vessels.

(a) Optical devices 1. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER)LASER is acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation and works under the principle of population inversion


and optical pumping. It is an optical electronic device that generates an intense (very narrow beam of single colour (monochromatic)) light by pumping (amplifying) photons with more energy through collisions with some photons. Lasers are usually referred to as optical masers. Laser beams, depending on the source of power, can carry enormous amount of energy (as much as 100 million watts per square centimeter) and can travel far distances without dispersion. Depending on the energy, engineers use lasers as CD/DVD writing and reading, communication, metal cutting and welding and anti-missiles defense. Medical Doctors use lasers in surgery and researchers use them in pollution studies, etc.

2. Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)LIDAR, which is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing device that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges or variable distances to the Earth and to examine or study the surface of the Earth. A lidar device mainly consists of a laser, a scanner and a specialized GPS receiver. Engineers, scientists and researchers that are working on inundation and storm surge modeling, hydrodynamic modeling, shoreline mapping, emergency response, hydrographic surveying and coastal vulnerability analysis use lidar.

(b) Radio devices1. Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (MASER)MASER is an acronym for Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Maser is a device that produces coherent electromagnetic waves through amplification by stimulated emission. Engineers use masers in satellite communication and astrophysicists use them in research.

2. Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR)Radio Detection and Ranging is an acronym for RADAR. It is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the range, angle,


or velocity of moving objects. The reflected radio wave can be used to study the surface of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations and terrain. A complete radar system should have a source of microwave power such as magnetron, a modulator to produce pulses of microwave energy where necessary, transmitting and receiving antennae, a receiver that detects the reflected signal (echo) and a screen that displays the waveform. In pulsed radar system or continuous wave system, radio waves from the transmitter are reflected off the (target) object return to the receiver and are analyzed. They then give information about the location and speed of the object on a screen.

Sonic devicesSound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR)SONAR is an acronym for Sound Navigation and Ranging and uses sound propagation (usually underwater, as in submarine navigation) to navigate, communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water, such as other vessels. Sonar can also be used to detect the depth of the seabed. A passive sonar "listens" for the sound made by vessels while an active sonar emits pulses of sound and "listens" for echoes. Sonars are mainly used by engineers in underwater acoustics or hydroacoustics.

Anisotropy and Inhomogeneity Anisotropy and inhomogeneity are concepts that rightly belong to the domain of physics.

1. Anisotropy Isotropy is uniformity of a physical quantity in all directions in material medium or space. The word is derived from the Greek "isos" ("equal") and "tropos" ("way"). In this case, the physical quantity does not vary with direction. For example, the refractive index of a piece of glass may not vary with direction. On the other hand, anisotropy describes situations where physical


properties vary with direction or is direction dependent. For example, the Young's modulus of elasticity of steel specimen will vary depending on the direction of rolling.

2. InhomogeneityA term used in physics to describe situations when matter or particle density does not vary with direction is homogeneity. A homogeneous material or system has the same properties at every point, being uniform without irregularities. A uniform electric field (which has same strength in every direction) is compatible with homogeneity. In an inhomogeneous system, matter or particle density varies with direction.

Anisotropy and inhomogeneity of media or space are reasons for the formulation of boundary value problems in physical sciences and their consequent use in engineering. Once the boundary value problem is properly formulated, it can be solved and the value of the physical quantity in question could be found at x, y and z in a rectangular coordinate system, for instance. Solving the problem and substituting, as appropriate, will lead to the determination of the physical property or volume of matter at the points x, y and z.

Main Areas of Research and Professorial Competence Although we have made wide-ranging and far-reaching contributions in many areas of engineering physics that have reconstructed and complemented engineering for greater impact, only the main areas of research and professorial competence are presented. These main areas are Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials) Physics and Energy; Acoustical Physics and Environmental Acoustics; Vibration and Structure-Borne Noise; Telecommunications and Others.

Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials) Physics and EnergyThe samples used for tensile, creep and fracture mechanics tests were locally produced steels designated ST 60 Mn in DIN 1611 of the West German Norm for commercial steels. The steel, which has the


Table 2: Chemical composition of Matrix: JIS AC8A Alloy also used in the creep tests

Composite Condition Chemical composition (Wt. %)grade

Al

(max.)

Si Ni

(max.)

Cu Mg

(max.)

Fe

JIS AC8A Matrix composite (Al Alloy)

12.32

0.8-

1.5 1.0

0.7-1.3 0.25 < 0.8

Table 1: Chemical composition of ST 60 Mn steel grade used in the investigation

Steel Condition Chemical composition (Wt. %)

grade C S Mn P

(max)

Cu

(max)

Cr

(max.)

N

(max)

Sn

(max)

ST 60 Mn Hot-rolled 0.35

-

0.42

0.20

-

0.30

0.90-

1.20

0.04 0.25 1.10 0.11 0.05

product code B/120/006, was produced by combined Midrex reduction process (electric arc furnace route). The liquid steel was cast into billets, which were hot-rolled into 25mm-diameter rods. The chemical composition of the steel grade obtained with Emissions Spectrometer PV 8350 is given in Table 1.

Tests on the ST 60 Mn were carried out in the Department of Physics, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria and the State Key Laboratory for Fatigue and Fracture of Materials (SKLFFM), Institute of Metal Research (IMR), Shenyang, P. R. China.Another material also used for creep tests was the Matrix: JIS AC8A composite (material) alloy sent by Mitsubishi Motor Company, Japan. Mitsubishi was using the composite material in the production of engines of racing cars. The chemical composition of the composite material is shown in Table 2.

The reinforcement, 9Al O .2B O , made the composite material very 2 3 2 3

attractive. Some of its mechanical properties can be found in the catalogue.


1. Plasticity (Time-invariant plastic deformation)

Time-independent plastic deformation tests were carried out. They involved subjecting a locally produced stem to tensile tests. - Sample preparation and testsThe specimens which were subjected to uniaxial tensile loading were machined from the as-received bar of 25.00 ± 0.01mm diameter to 4.00 ± 0.01 ready for restraining that was accompanied by plastic flow. After prestraining, the material was extruded by passing it though a highly polished die at Trident Steel Company, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Samples produced were reduced to various diameters of 3.00 ±0.01, 2.50 ± 0.01, 2.00± 0.01 and 1.53± 0.01mm. Tensile testing of the specimens which were

0destructive tests was carried out at 28 C under a laboratory atmosphere by means of the Monsanto tensometer of 20 kW maximum capacity (Onuu, 1988 and 2015). Details of sample preparation procedure and tests are as outlined (Onuu, 1988 and Onuu, 2015).

2. Creep (Time-dependent plastic deformation) and creep rupture

Creep is the progressive accumulation of plastic strain in a specimen or machine part under stress over a period of time. Creep also depends on stress, temperature and internal structure of the material. At high temperatures creep is diffusion controlled while at low temperature it is due to dislocation movement (Lupic, 1981). Creep ruptures typically appear without necking and without warning.

The importance of allowing for creep in the design of certain components at elevated temperatures and stresses had long been recognized. Accordingly, two leading British Laboratories Metro-vics and National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Engineering Division, undertook analytical study for experimental work in this field as early as the 1930s (Bressers, 1978), making substantial progress especially in the study of the entire phenomenon.


- Sample preparation and testsAs stated earlier, the material used for the creep and creep rupture studies are the locally produced low carbon steel, ST 60 Mn, as prepared (Onuu, 1998 and 2005) and the Matrix composite, JIS AC8A. The machine and furnace used for creep measurements on ST 60 Mn were designed and constructed at RSUST, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria by us. Details of the design and construction, heating, temperature control and creep measurements have been given (Onuu, 1998). Cyclic creep, fatigue and fracture tests on the Matrix composite, JIS AC8A were carried out at SKLFFM, IMR, P. R. China. Creep tests were conducted at intermediate temperature (T/T ~ 0.5) m

and high temperature (T/T > 0.5), where T is the test temperature and m

T is the melting temperature; Or (0.25 < T < 1.0) of the sets of m R6 -2

specimens at various intermediate stress levels (~10 Nm ). Here, T R

is the reduced temperature defined as the ratio of working temperature (T) to the melting temperature (T ) of the steel (i.e Tm R =

T/T ) T , T and T are absolute temperatures.m R m

3. Fracture Mechanics Fracture mechanics is applied at the macroscopic level to develop predictive models of fracture in engineering structures and machines. The theory of fracture mechanics assumes pre-existence of a crack-like defect in specimen. It provides a means for estimating some critical parameters at the onset of crack extension, as well as certain material properties, and can therefore assist in the selection of optimum material.

Linear Elastic fracture Mechanics (LEFM) and Crack Opening Displacement (COD)One form of fracture mechanics test-methods is based on the assumption of linear elastic material behaviour and so the procedure is often referred to as Linear Elastic fracture Mechanics (LEFM). In LEFM, scant intercept procedure (SIP) could be applied. Another


approach to fracture mechanics testing is the crack opening displacement (COD) method. The main objective of the COD test is to determine the critical COD at the tip of a crack at the onset of crack extension. Although the two tests are performed using a unified testing procedure employing similar test pieces, the LEFM approach is recommended only when the test piece dimensions meet some major criteria for validity testing, (plane strain test), while COD testing is used where gross plastic deformation has occurred (plane stress tests) in which case LEFM becomes valid.The properties investigated when the crack surfaces move directly apart (mode I) are:

a. Plane strain fracture toughness b. Critical elastic energy release rate per crack-tip extension c. Plastic zone radius and COD parameters.

J-integral method was also used to characterize the ST 60 Mn material.

- Sample preparation and testsThe as-received material of diameter 25.00mm was machined down and compact tension test pieces were produced. The linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and crack-(tip) opening displacement (COD) test pieces had single edge notches carefully introduced by a hack saw into them. Generally, the specimens for LEFM and COD tests met the unified testing procedure by the British Standard Institute (BSI) (Priest, 1978) and the basic steps in performing fracture toughness tests (Kaufman, 1975; Knott, 1979 and Parker, 1981) followed. In the COD tests, a Tensometer of 20 kN maximum capacity was used. Travelling microscope was used to measure crack (-mouth opening displacement) from which corresponding values of crack (-tip opening displacement) were determined.

The use of a travelling microscope to determine COD by Onuu (1998) in the absence of knife-edge and strain gauge is regarded as a significant feat in fracture mechanics. The tests were conducted in Structures Laboratory of RSUST, Port-Harcourt and details have


been described (Onuu, 1988; Onuu and Adjepong, 1992 and 1994). From the Fracture mechanics tests and the J-integral (theoretical approach) (Onuu, 2000a), several LEFM and COD parameters of the ST 60 Mn were determined. Comparative study of stress intensity factor (SIF) of alumina, iron, mild steel, low carbon steel, stainless steel, concrete silica glass and PVC being some engineering materials for modes I, II and III (Arikpo et al., 2013) as well as fracture characterization of some engineering materials using Boundary Element Method (BEM) (Arikpo and Onuu, 2014) have been undertaken. Onuu (2016) has also given an appraisal of fracture mechanics characterization of locally produced (and local) engineering materials in Nigeria.

4. Solid state physics and energyOnuu (1991) assessed renewable energy sources and addressed the challenges of the global energy demand (Onuu, 1998). The possibility of obtaining electrical energy from acoustic energy was explored (Onuu, 2014d). Collaborating with other researches, Onuu made significant progress with respect to solving the energy problem in Nigeria and globally (Onuu and Ofe, 2012; Efurumibe et al. 2012a; 2012b; 2012c; 2012d; 2014 and Nwosu et al., 2017) working on superconducting materials, solar cells, other solid state devices and global warming abatement. Also, Ofe et al., 2014, collaborating with Onuu and others applied Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) and GGA+U with Wien 2k codes to the study of electronic and structural (lattice constant) properties of CaH and α-MgH . 2 2

Acoustical Physics and Environmental Acoustics Acoustics or the study of sound and its application is not new and the whole essence of environmental acoustics is noise control or abatement. Noise control experts tried to "design out" noise in churches in ancient Rome and it was lamented how movement of animals in Rome in the night during the reign of Julius Caesar was condemning Romans to everlasting insomnia. Modern technology, which is a blessing and a curse, has resulted in continuous rise in


noise levels causing a corresponding increase in environmental noise climate of developing, developed and industrialized cities of the world. Research into the application of sound, and noise control and abatement has therefore attracted a lot of attention in such countries of the world. In Nigeria and other developing countries, this is relatively new. The first public outcry about the menace of noise in Nigeria, it is thought, is probably after the civil war in the early 1970s in Onitsha when community residents complained bitterly against the noise made by blacksmiths (Menkiti, 1976). This made Government to relocate blacksmiths to somewhere close to River Niger. Since then, attention has gradually been drawn to the effects of environmental noise pollution in Nigeria resulting from high noise levels (Menkiti, 1982, 1987 and 1989; Onuu and Menkiti 1990, 1993; Onuu, 1992, 2000b, 2000c, 2000d, 2000e, 2000f, 2000g, 2001a, 2001b and 2007).

High noise levels hinder communication and, depending upon the level, quality and exposure time, it may result in feelings of annoyance and irritation, sleep disturbance, tension, headache, reduction in efficiency with which tasks are performed, accidents at work place, etc. Noise induced effects include hearing losses, vasoconstriction, changes in heart rate, heart disease, blood pressure, muscular activity, metabolic rate, slow sleep breathing, increases in gastrointestinal mobility, diastolic pressure, respiratory rates, blood glucose, and urinary 17-ketosteriod, and decrease in salivary and gastric secretion, slowing of digestive functions, heart diseases, and electrolytic (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium) imbalances (Berglund and Lindvall, 1995; CHABA, 1966), and guidelines for control should not be decreed from the desk (FEPA, 1974) .

There are many cases of reported deaths due to noise pollution. People have committed suicide because of exposure to high noise level and have killed their neighbours because they refused to reduce the noise level after their neighbours complained. Min and Min (2018) reported that there is a significant association between


exposure to nighttime noise and the risk of suicide death in adults in the republic of Korea. Since 1978, the number of complaints about domestic noise has risen by 390% to more than 88,000 in 1994 in UK. There are about 10,000 deaths per year as a result of noise in Europe (Noise, 2006 and European Noise Agency, 2014).

Wide-range measurements of levels, spectral analysis and statistics of road traffic noise and other sources have been carried out for the major cities in Southeastern Nigeria using the Precision Sound Level Meter (Bruel and Kjaer, B & K, Type 2203 and its associated Band Filter, B & K, Type 1613), Tape Recorder (B & K Type 7005), B & K Type 2121 Noise Level (Statistical) Analyzer and B & K Type 2307 Level Recorder. The Meter was calibrated using the (B & K) Pistonphone. The cities were Aba, Calabar, Enugu, Ikot-Ekpene, Onitsha, Owerri, Port-Harcourt and Uyo (Onuu, 1992; Onuu and Menkiti, 1993; Onuu, 1999a; 1999b and 1999c). Vibrations and Structure-Borne NoiseOnuu et al. (2000 and 2014) studied and characterised available engineering materials as potential shock isolators/ absorbers for use in vibration isolation. These materials included elastic gaskets, dampers and others that could be used to check the adverse effects of vibration and structure-borne noise in environmental engineering.

Telecommunications, Electronics and NetworkingTheoretical and practical concepts of satellite communication have been presented (Onuu, 2004). This was followed by the investigation of propagation characteristics of ultra high frequency (UHF) waves in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria (Onuu and Adeosin, 2008). Pe r fo rmance as sessment and appra i sa l o f Nige r i a Telecommunications Ltd, NITEL, and public telephone switches was carried out by Ogbulezie et al. (2008a and 2008b) and Bolarinwa et al. (2008a and 2008b).


Okoro et al. (2009) used symmetric and asymmetric key cryptographies to investigate data security. In another development, Okoro and Onuu (2009) studied user-response characteristics of computer networking cables in parts of Southeastern Nigeria. A general theory of filter design for various windows and windowing as well as normalization has been proposed and presented (Onuu and Anso, 2005). Prototype traffic control systems were designed and constructed (Onuu and Nkanu, 2006), and an improved version (Osigbemeh et al., 2017) using diodes and hybrid lighting systems have been produced. This was an attempt to eliminate confusion, chaos, time-wasting and accidents at road junctions and intersections.The effects of radio waves on health were appraised by Onuu (2011) who also assessed the good, the bad and the ugly of GSM phones (Onuu, 2013). Ogbulezie et al. (2013) developed propagation models for some Nigerian cities and also studied some radio wave characteristics of some other Nigerian cities (Ogbulezie et al, 2014). Also, potential nanosensor for use in communication was developed and analyzed using carbon nanotubes, CNTS, (Usibe et al.,2013). Prospects and challenges of Project Ozma and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) have been highlighted by Onuu (2017) who also assessed the progress so far made in radio astronomy (Onuu, 2018).

Major Contributions to the Development of Research and Society

Condensed Matter (Solid State and Materials) Physics and Energy

1. Plasticity (Time-invariant plastic deformation)Empirical relationships between some design parameters such as failure stress, σ , maximum percentage elongation, %E, and f

maximum strain, ? , and relevant parameters such as the test -(or max.

design length, l , and original cross-sectional area, a ) pertaining to o o

the steel have been developed. Significant tests at 5% level were


carried out for these relationships using F-tables and they were all found to be significant at that level. Regression coefficients for the models were found to lie between 0.9680 and 0.9958 showing that the data fit the points very well (Onuu, 1988 and 2015).

2. Creep (Time-dependent plastic deformation) and creep ruptureThe results of the creep and creep rupture tests were obtained and discussed (Onuu, 1988; Onuu and Adjepong, 1998 and Onuu et al., 1999).

Creep curves

All the creep curves for the intermediate stress levels at a constant 0

temperature of 650 C (923K) have positive slopes. This shows the absence of precipitation processes implying that the locally produced steel was not precipitation hardened. From the log-log plot, the steady-state exponent, n, was estimated to be 3.42.The creep involved is a power-law creep with n = 3.42 implying that the steel exhibits class A behavior under the test conditions. At the test temperatures and stresses, the creep behaviour of this sample is parabolic. Activation energy for the steady-state creep was

-1found to be 108.40 ± 4.52 kJ mol . It was found that there could be, at least, two activation processes involved in creep: The creep deformation proceeds primarily due to dislocation motion when 0.25< T <1.0 (intermediate temperature range). But the amount m

of motion that takes place per unit time is in turn controlled by the flux of point defects (vacancies mainly) which allow them to move;That when T →1 (high temperature creep) and the stresses are small, R

it is possible that the creep is entirely due to flux of vacancies in the material; a process called diffusional creep or Nabarro-Herring creep.

Prediction of long-time creep behavoiur of locally produced steelAs part of our on-going programme to study local materials in relation to use, we were able to predict long-time creep behaviour of


steel, ST 60 Mn, locally produced by the Delta Steel Complex, Aladja, Delta State, Nigeria from a short-time laboratory test duration

1of 6 /3 hours (Onuu,1988).(a). Abridged Method

-2Under limiting design strain of 5.6 x 10 , the design life of 10 years 6 -2

was predicted at 5.50 x 10 Nm design stress.

(b). Mechanical Acceleration Method-2Under limiting design strain of 1.8 x 10 , the design life of 5.2 days

6 -2 was predicted at 5.00 x 10 Nm design stress.

(c). Thermal Acceleration Method6 – 2 Also, a design life of a day and 16 hours at 5.25 x 10 Nm and design

0temperature of 650 C was predicted for the material using Thermal Acceleration Method. "Safe" stress regions were predicted when the steel material is used in design with a factor of safety taken into consideration. Using our results, designers and engineers can extrapolate to any design life at contemplated design strains and stresses. Results further showed that under equivalent operating conditions and for the predicated design lives, the steel, ST 60 Mn, a height-strength steel of low ductility, can find application as a load-carrying member in power plants, refineries or chemical processing

0plants whose optimum working temperature is about 650 C.

3. Fracture MechanicsThe following results were obtained (Onuu, 1988; Onuu and Adjepong, 1992 and 1994 and Onuu, 2000) in fracture mechanics studies of ST 60 Mn.

LEFM Parameters (plain strain) and COD parameters (plane strain/stress)

(a) Fracture toughness The plane strain fracture toughness, K , for ST 60 Mn was calculated IC


-3/2 to be K = 76.42 ± 0.19 MNm after size requirements have been IC

2met, that is 2.5 [(K /σ )] = 0.0022 < B, a, W/2 where K is the value of Q Y Q

K before size requirements are met; σ is the yield stress and B, a and IC Y

W are thickness, effective notch length and net width, respectively.

Griffith constant for the material: critical elastic energy relates rate per crack-tip extension.The critical plane strain elastic energy release rate per crack-tip extension (or the toughness of the material) G was found to be -IC

-2 29.33±1.31 kJm (approx.). It is negative because energy is released as crack propagates.

(b). Plastic zone radius The plane strain plastic zone radius, r , for the material was estimated IY

to be 0.005 (approx.). Since r = 0.005mm < 0.02a (=0.06), this IY

requirement for standard specimen size is satisfied.Therefore, the effective crack length is given by a*= (a + r )IY

= 4.80+0.005 a* = 4.805mm.

The crack-tip opening displacement (COD), δ, from crack-mouth opening displacement (recorded displacement), V , for each of the g

test-pieces of various crack length were calculated. The data obtained were used in plotting the force vs COD curves (Onuu, 1988). It was also shown how the critical value of the COD, δ , at the onset of crack c

extension varies for each of the test-pieces. The variation of δ and a, c

K are also shown (Onuu, 1988 and 1994) where K is fracture c c

toughness with no particular mode. Results show that the use of J-integral in the study of fracture characteristics of ST 60 Mn has validated earlier investigation based on crack-tip opening displacement, COD approach and has shown some relevance for studying fracture characteristics of semi-ductile material under both plane strain and plane stress conditions for the specimen geometry considered (Onuu, 1999). Generally, investigation has shown that for

?


a fixed net-width, COD (δ ), decreases with crack-length or crit c

increases with unbroken ligament.

4. Solid state physics and energyMathematical modeling and dispersion relation on some physical characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cell have been established (Efurumibe et al., 2012a; 2012b and 2012c). Onuu and Ofe (2012) re-examined existing data on transmission and distribution in some African communities and transmission and distribution of electric power in Nigeria via superconductor power cables.

Ofe et al. (2014a and 2014b) calculated the electronic and structural (lattice constant) properties of CaH and α-MgH in orthorhombic 2 2

phase using density functional theory and Wien 2k codes. As stated in Chapter 2, Ofe et al. (2014a and 2014b) solved Kohn-Sham equations using the Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave (FP-LAPW) method. Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) GGA+U approximation were used as exchange correlation; they found that these materials are largely semiconductors. Using nanomaterials and associated technologies, Nwosu et al. (2017) examined fossil fuel combustion and global warming abatement. Nwosu and Onuu (2017) successfully fabricated and characterized reflectors by physical vapour deposition of nanoscale thin films of silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) for concentrated solar thermal power application.

Onuu (1998) who addressed the world energy demand observed, among other things, that the energy programme of most countries are uncoordinated and lacking in focus. It was advised that local industries should be established and encouraged to manufacture the spare parts of renewable sources of energy to save foreign exchange. Training of manpower by governments and other agencies as well as making funds available to researchers involved in research and development of energy were advocated.



1. Road traffic and aircraft noiseOur findings, based on road traffic noise studies, showed that: Levels exceeded for 10% of the measurement time, L , varied from 10

50 dB(A) at 50 Hz to 86 dB(A) at 500 Hz for Aba, to 60 dB(A) at 80 Hz to 106 at 1.6 kHz for Uyo. It is clear that road traffic noise is the major environment noise pollution in Southeastern Nigeria and dominates the low frequency spectrum peaking at about 250 Hz to 2 kHz in all the cities where measurements were conducted. This is most probably because of the use of low gears in most areas since most of the roads are built on hills (Onuu, 1992; Onuu and Menkiti, 1993, and Onuu and Menkiti, 1997). The spectral acoustic energy distribution could be used to characterized a city or determine the degree of urbanisation. Noise from motorcycles is difficult to control (McNulty, 1987).

Measured values of maximum sound level, L , were as high as 105 max..

dB(A). Residents were exposed to instantaneous levels of road traffic noise as high as 110 dB(A). Values of equivalent noise level (L ) and eq

day-night level (L ) were 84.6 and 68.0 dB(A), respectively, and dn

sometimes higher in some cities. Calculated L correlated positively 10

with field data with a correlation coefficient of 0.8551. Measured L 10

was always higher than calculated L by about 4.5-8.8 dB(A) 10

probably because of the reckless use of the horn by motorists and reflection from the hills and trees (Onuu, 1992 and 2000b).

Onuu (2003) successfully measured and predicted road traffic noise along Nigerian Highways taking into consideration the effect of atmosphere attenuation and shielding. Measurement were carried for over 40 sites subjected to road traffic with average speeds of 50-88 km/h including four (4) sites having configuration, geometry and a wide-range of conditions, namely: horizontally separated carriageways, elevated road on grass banks, road with purpose-built


noise barrier and a curved road to which a two-segment approximation was applied. Mean values of measured L and 10

predicted L for the 40 sites were obtained as 81 ± 7 dB(A) and 71 ± 5 10

dB(A), respectively. It was found that atmospheric attenuation due to air absorption is very low (Onuu, 2003). Measured (mixed) road traffic noise spectra were compared with the predictions from theory and measured L dB (A) with predicted results (Onuu, 2003).10

Results further showed that an average source density at the quietest period of the night was 0.07 vehicles/km representing 0.5% of the maximum of daytime (noisiest period) contributing about 1.2% of the acoustic energy received at most frequencies. For the majority of the results for the four (4) sites, the sound pressure band level is at its peak at 32-63 Hz and decreases with increase in frequency at the rate of 5-12 dB per decade above 2 kHz.

Obisung et al. (2007) conducted physical measurements and surveys of levels and spectra of aircraft noise and people's reactions in and around Margaret Ekpo, Port-Harcourt and Murtala Mohammed International Airports, Nigeria. Levels and indices clearly showed values in excess of recommended limits with residents near Nigerian airports being exposed to psychological and physiological damage and serious activity interference.In acoustical surveys that comprised enumerating aircraft noise events and some parameters as well as measurement of associated noise levels, Onuu and Obisung (2005) showed the contribution of aircraft noise climate in some Nigerian cities.

One of the models developed for an operating aircraft engine and some aircraft parameters suggests that the former behaves like a pulsating balloon that radiates noise. Results have further shown that the difference between the maximum noise levels emitted at take-off and landing is 16-20 dB. The graph of maximum number of passengers plotted against engine capacity is that of a harmonic oscillator that was initially damped and freed. Our model will be


useful to noise control and aircraft engines in the quest to "design-out" noise.

2. Jungle acousticsIn his investigation of sound propagation over grass, Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), Onuu (2000) found attenuation spectrum to have displayed absorption dips at low and mid-frequencies (32-63 Hz) and (500-200 Hz), respectively, with emission peak at 250 Hz and steady increase in attenuation from 2000 Hz. The BPLs exhibited a wide spread for propagation 0.4-2.0 m above grass in all the 1/3-octave bands above 63 Hz, where there were observed characterized dips at 1.8 m. The results show possible use of Panicum maximum in environmental noise control. Our findings laid credence to the findings of earlier investigations in jungle acoustics (Ering, 1946; Embleton, 1963; Aylor, 1972; Piercy et al., 1979; Martens, 1981; Attenborough, 1982, 1983 and 1985; Fricke, 1984; Fégeant, 1999a and 1999b).

3. Industrial noiseMeasured values of L were as high as 119.5 dB(A) while workers max.

were exposed to noise levels as high as 115 dB(A). From acoustical and social surveys of noise and its impact on workers in Akwa Ibom state, Southeastern Nigeria, it is clear that industries are not acoustically safe and that workers have very low probability being healthy (Akpan et al., 2003).

Akpan and Onuu (2004) conducted a wide-range of measurements of industrial noise in 27 industries in Southeastern Nigeria and found that machine tools and metal construction companies produced sound levels that ranged from 100.5 to 114 dB(A) with deafening levels of between 86.5 and 97.5 dB, respectively. Sound and deafening levels generated by Road Construction Companies, Rubber Production Companies, Plastic Manufacturing Companies, Wood Processing Companies, Mill Production Companies, Cloth Weaving Companies, Paint Production Companies, Bore-hole


Drilling Companies and Cement Manufacturing Companies have been reported (Akpan and Onuu, 2004). Results show octave band pressure levels well above 90 dB(A) which were Gaussian and peak at about 2 kHz where the normal ear is very sensitive. Temporal pattern of noise levels in the industries were fairly flat with characteristic peaks and dips of 5 dB maximum difference, implying that although industrial noise levels are high with associated pathological and psychological effects and loss of speech intelligibility during conversion, factory workers are likely to experience little annoyance due to the low fluctuating noise level.

In an investigation that involved objective and subjective measurements, analysis, dose and effects, Onuu and Akpan (2006) assessed noise pollution in industries in Nigeria with a total of 750 workers with working schedules of 6-12 hr/day, over five (5) working days and with exposure times that varied between 0 second and 37.5 minutes. Noise exposure ratings of greater than unity were obtained in over 20 of the industries. This bodes ill for workers in these industries (Onuu and Akpan, 2006).

In a wide-range acoustical and social surveys of industrial noise in quarries and neigbouring communities, Onuu and Tawo (2005) measured L as high as 128 dB (A) at drilling basting point 1m away max.

with acoustical energy as high as 80.0-104.0 dB(A) at low frequencies (32-63Hz) and between 90.0 and 106.0 dB(A) at 1-4 kHz where the normal ear is very sensitive. Noise levels at the facades of houses in the communities and schools and noise exposure levels range from 59.8 to 68.0 dB(A) and 53.0 to 70.2 dB(A), respectively, implying that only about 45% sentence intelligibility is achieved in the classrooms.

4. Indoor noiseOnuu (1999) collected data for various indoor noises with flat spectra, analyzed them and developed a new set of empirical relationships between sound pressure levels (SPL) and objectionable


qualities of noise. There was evidence of strong linear and logarithmic relations in all the variate regressions as the variables correlated well with field data with an overall prediction accuracy of 92-98%.

5. Noise and the university communityIn a wide-range measurements of vehicle volume, composition and noise levels in over 100 points in the University of Calabar, Onuu and Inyang (2004) measured a total of 2,442 vehicles entering the University of Calabar, Nigeria during noisy period (0700-2200) in the categories of heavies and buses (0.6%), cars (15.6%) and motorcycles (83.8%) with calculated L (1h) (69.7-70.9 dB(A)), 10

maximum outdoor day-night levels (81.7 dB(A)), maximum indoor, L , for quiet (2200-0700) and noisy periods of 43.0-46.4 dB(A) and max..

63.5-70.0 dB(A), respectively. Results of the social survey showed that noise heard always was that of adults followed by that of road traffic. University of Calabar community reported being very sensitive to noise. They complained that headache constituted the greatest effect of the menace while the least was fatigue (Onuu and Inyang, 2004).

6. Acoustics and environmental noise studies in NigeriaReviewing and assessing the status of acoustics in Nigeria in his paper in honour of Professor Alex I. Mentkiti, Onuu (2007) noted that research in acoustics in Nigeria is poor as in other African and underdeveloped countries of the world where most people see noise as a necessary consequence of urbanization and industrialization even though they are "dying" slowly. This, Onuu (2007) warned, bodes ill for community residents and called for rapid increase in awareness campaign against noise.

7. Community response to noiseThe study of cross-city response characteristics of road traffic noise involved acoustical and social surveys in eight (8) cities in Southeastern Nigeria. It was found that residents were exposed to


instantaneous and noise pollution levels (L ) as high as 110 and 95.6 NP

dB(A), respectively. Results show that relaxing, sleep disruption and conversation intelligibility were reported seriously affected, and that sex has no effect on community response to road traffic noise.

The type of house lived in, the disturbances of various activities by road traffic noise (RTN) and neigbourhood noise, which were most annoying to residents, were known to strongly affect the percentage responses obtained with respective correlation coefficient of 0.9925, 0.9714 and 0.7237 with the usual poor correlation, ranging from 0.3 to 0.4, between dissatisfaction response and noise exposure obtained in the investigation (Onuu, 1992 and 2000c). There appeared to be an income bias with respect to community response to RTN, with low-income neigbourhood residents of busy cities in Southeastern Nigeria reporting less evidence of adaptation to road traffic noise.

In their investigations that involved acoustical measurements and surveys each day for 24 hours during the daytime (0700-2200) and nighttime (2200-0700) periods in some Nigerian cities (Onuu, 2000b, 2000c, 2000d, 2000e, 2000f and 2000g; Asuquo et al., 2009a and 2009b, and Oluwasegun et al., 2015) the following results were obtained:i Road traffic noise is a major environmental problem in Southeastern Nigeria and noise levels are higher than those measured in cities in well-planned and developed countries.,ii Most residents of Southeastern Nigeria suffer a level of annoyance and disturbance and therefore prefer to move away and live in quieter areas;iii The rate of hearing loss among residents in Calabar, Nigeria, can be reduced by reducing noise levels and duration of exposure;iv That exposure to loud noise may not have an immediate effect on blood pressure. But a long period exposure (four (4) years in this particular study) leads to significant rise in blood pressure;v That 93.8% of respondents were bothered/disturbed by motorcycle noise, 97% by car noise while 75% by noise of


lorries/heavies and buses in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

Vibration and Structure-Borne Noise In their study of available engineering materials as potential shock absorbers, elastic gaskets, dampers and isolators that could be used to check the adverse effects of vibration and structure-borne noise in environmental engineering, Onuu et al. (2000 and 2014) characterized such materials. They found that static deflection (and natural frequency) of the isolators (eight (8) in number) varied from 26.00 mm (3.1 Hz) to 0.23 mm (33.3 Hz). They enjoined engineers to use the frequency ratio ( / ) ≥3, where is the signal frequency n

and is the natural frequency of the system and observe safety n

precautions which will limit the transfer of vibration and structure-born noise from the machine to the human body. Onuu and Akpan (2006) have advised industries to provide suitable hand gloves, shoes, etc. for their workers to ensure that they adequately protect or isolated them from vibration and structure-borne noise.

Telecommunications, Electronics and NetworkingOgbulezie et al. (2008a and 2008b) and Bolarinwa et al. (2008a and 2008b) made some significant findings:

i That the answer-bid ratio, answer seizure rate and call completion ratio for the Calabar exchange routes (six (6) in

all), were the ranges of 9.70-47.40, 10.10-47.80 and 77.70-100. This means that not up to half the number of calls were effectively carried, thereby implying poor performance compared to international evaluation indices.

ii That not up to 50 calls out of a 100 were effectively carried even though the call completion rates were very high in the determination of key teletraffic performance and key traffic events for public telephone switches in Calabar.

ww ww


iii That the assessed analogue route has signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 30 dB as against expected figure of 40 dB, implying that working condition of the transmission equipment was approaching its tolerance limits due to aging. It was also found that the network manageability of analogue transmission along exchange route was poor.

iv That the voice transmission along digital transmission along NITEL exchange route has good voice clarity with a Bit Error

– 3 Rate (BER) of 10 which requires SNR of about 16 dB to achieve the error performance level. Results further showed that the network manageability of the digital transmission along NITEL exchange route is very good.

Okoro et al. (2009) clearly achieved data security by means of prime number system and modular multiplicative inverse. Okoro and Onuu (2009) showed that the states are characterized by percentage response (%R) on preferred cables and those currently in use for each of the states. Findings by Usibe et al. (2013) showed that with the introduction of graphene-based nanoantennae and electromagnetic nanotransceivers, using CNTS,nanosenor devices can communicate among themselves in the THz frequency (0.1-10) Thz.

Onuu and Adeosin (2008) concluded that city or degree of urbanization influences UHF propagation in a characteristic manner. This investigation was extended to some other Nigerian cities at 900 and 1800 MHz radio bands for Okumura-Hata and COST 231 Hata models and characteristics that agree with acceptable international range were obtained (Ogbulezie et al., 2013 and 2014). Analysis has been done on the parameter M that determines the selectivity of filter for various windows and others (Onuu and Anso, 2005).


OthersOnuu (1994, 2004, 2014a, 2014b and 2014c) adopted a physical approach in studying nature and concluded that:

i. The laws of nature can be more fully understood by apprehension of the laws of physics;

ii. Physics and Christianity do hold convergent views being more in concordance rather than discord with each playing complementary role;

iii. The first group of living things was probably synthesized from hydrogen molecules, water or vapour or from thin soup of amino acids in the waters when God commanded life into them. This does not probably include Adam and Eve who were created from the dust.

Some Projects Undertaken

The following are some projects/community services/proposals I have undertaken/participated in: 1. Health, Safety and Environmental Week Organized by Shell Pet. Dev. Corp. Nig. In Port-Harcourt, Nigeria – Participant , 1990;2. Environmental Noise Survey of South Eastern Nigeria – Leader, 1990-1995;3. Design of University of Calabar Conference Centre – Acoustic Consultant ,1992-1995;4. Investigation of Industrial Noise Pollution in Calabar Nigeria – Team Leader,1996-1997;5. Investigation of Prospects of Lasers in Environmental Noise Pollution Studies – Team Leader,1993-date;6. Vibration and Noise Pollution Studies at Mbiama Microwave Station of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Port-Harcourt – Consultant, 1994;7. Acoustic Input for the UNICALCONS Conference Centre Project (Phase One), 1994; 8. Investigation of Vibration Isolation Properties of On-Shore/Off- Shore Materials – Team Leader, 1999-date;9. Comprehensive Environmental Noise Survey of Nigeria (Fed. Min. of Sci. and Tech./UNICAL Joint Project)


–Consultant,1998-date;10.Training for the Minimization of Air, Noise Pollution and Road Traffic Danger. Client: The Nigeria Police/Federal Road Safety Corps, 2001;11. Environmental and Occupational Noise Assessment and Meteorological Studies of the Calabar Free Trade Zone in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of CFTZ. Client: Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Federal Government of Nigeria, pp. 66-256, 2002;12. Noise Survey of Helipad Environment at Amadi-Ama Port-Harcourt. Client: TOTALFINAELF, 2004; 13. Acoustic Input in UNICAL Chapel of Redemption Ultramodern Chapel Complex. Client: UNICAL Chapel of Redemption, 2008;14. The Challenges in Urban Environmental Management. Client: Vox Dei Consult, 2008;15. Disaster Prediction, Management and Rehabilitation. Client: Vox Dei Consult, 2010;16. Creep, Creep Rupture Studies and Environmental Effects on Some Engineering Materials on Ground and at the International Space Station. Client: National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, 2014;17. Hydrocarbon Potentials of the Afikpo Basin, Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria – Oil Field Safety and Environmental Consultant. Client: PTDF, 2014.

Future Research From the foregoing, it is clear that we have contributed, in our own little way, to the development of research with the limited resources at our disposal. It is our desire to continue to advance research in the areas of engineering physics so much so that conventional engineering is reconstructed and complemented for greater impact in the service of humanity. On this wise, future research will centre on the following:

1.Nanomaterials and quantum dots;


2.New materials and production of solar cells from local materials available;

3.Vibration isolation;4.Environmental noise pollution and control;5.Silent aircraft initiative;6.Characterisation of cities using acoustic and UHF waves;7.Project Ozma and search for extraterrestrial intelligence

(SETI); 8.LASERs in environmental noise pollution studies.

Academic Leadership and MentorshipAs part of my contribution, I have been providing academic leadership and mentorship before and after I became a Professor, and I hope to continue to do same as long as I live. This is based on my understanding of the fact that true success in one's career or life is in producing a successor. As a successful careerist, I have tried to replicate myself always.

1. Academic leadership

I have tried to lead in the leadership positions which I have held. They are many but a specific mention of a few is necessary. I have been Head of Department in three different universities namely: University of Calabar (2003-2005); Cross River University of Technology (2005-2006), and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (2012-2013). In the University of Calabar and under my leadership as the Head of Department of Physics, with the approval and support of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ivara E. Esu, now Deputy Governor of Cross River State, we acquired radio for communication, and using communication cables connected every office to a room we furnished and equipped as our computer room. With the establishment of radio line-of-sight (LOS), our receiver was able to "see" the transmitter at the Computer Centre and there was a link. Members of staff in our Department began to browse/access the internet in their offices. Thus, the Department of Physics became the


first Department in the University of Calabar to own its radio for internetworking in 2005 under my headship.

At AE-FUNAI, the former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, appointed me to oversee the affairs in the Department of Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Science/Informatics in 2014 when I was the Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology. Before then, as the Head, Department of Physics/Geology/Geophysics, I ensured that academic seminar commenced in the Department, and this was extended to other Departments and the Faculty when I assumed office as the Dean of the Faculty. Also, the Faculty under my watch as the Dean had the highest number of academic staff in the University doing postgraduate programmes in Nigeria and overseas; produced the first annual staff profile showing papers published, conferences, workshops/seminars attended and papers presented; and published the first newsletter in AE-FUNAI. As the Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, I signed the memoranda of understanding (MoU) on behalf of AE-FUNAI for collaboration with Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Nigeria and Kagoshima University, Japan; submitted proposals to National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to conduct experiments on local materials at the International Space Station, and to Petroleum Technology Trust Fund (PTDF) on the production of solar cells using locally available materials. On inquiry, we were informed that ours was the only proposal received by NASRDA while PTDF has not done any selection. We submitted proposals to the AE-FUNAI Senate for the commencement of B.Sc. programmes in Science Technology to be domiciled in the Faculty of Science and Technology, and for the establishment of the Institute of Biotechnology. As the Dean of the Faculty, and with the support of the Heads of Departments then, I made a presentation to the Senate for the demerger of departments in the then Faculty of Science and Technology so as to give the Departments and Lecturers focus in this world of competitive academic community; supervised the planning for the establishment and ensured successful takeoff of the Faculty of


Engineering and Technology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike in 2014 and FUNAI Journal of Science and Technology (FJST) for which I am the Editor-in-Chief. I have been Chairman of several important Committees at the Departmental, Faculty, Senate and University levels as well as member of the Governing Council, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike. I have been the Director of the Directorate of General Studies where we planned and commenced the writing and publishing of General Studies texts as empowered by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum U. Nwajiuba, among other things. I am currently the Director of Centre for Educational Services, the main source of internally generated revenue (IGR) for AE-FUNAI. In all these positions and others, I gave them academic touch, displayed transparency, clearly provided leadership and was very visionary. In fact, my selfless service to the university system is my open testimonial.

2. Academic mentorship Apart from letting my students know that "You make yourself more than your university makes you", a saying, according to them, that has become proverbial and a springboard, my mentorship prowess is generally known to be predicated upon my four principal mottos which I pass to my mentees and subordinates. The mottos are the following:

i. Man and condition are variables that are separable. ii. Only those who do not try do not make mistakes.iii. What one person can do, another can.iv. Equal opportunity is an equal opportunity to prove unequal

talent.

I am said to be very objective and never known to be bending rules, no matter who is involved.I have supervised not less than 145 undergraduate projects, 25 M.Sc. and 12 Ph.D. theses. Some of my former students are now Professors, fulfilled academics and seasoned administrators heading one important unit or the other in Ministries, Departments, Agencies and


Universities all over the world. I have continued to provide mentorship to them and others. In addition, I have assessed not less than 30 academics in the professorial cadre and examined many candidates for the B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees for many universities as well as consult for National Universities Commission (NUC).

ConclusionIn this Inaugural Lecture, classical foundations or bases of engineering which are purely physics have been presented. Also presented are results of our research in condensed matter (solid state and materials) physics and energy; acoustical physics and environmental acoustics; vibration and structure-borne noise; telecommunications, electronics and networking that rightly belong to the domain of physics. Part of this lecture is on natural philosophy as it concerns physics in understanding nature. These classical foundations will further equip the engineers to enable them deliver more efficient services to the society and, together with the data accumulated in our various studies, be able to satisfy their clients. Thus, engineering has been repositioned for greater impact in the service of humanity. From this lecture, it is clear that engineering physics plays a major role in engineering as a discipline, the former being a sine qua non in excellent engineering services. It has been shown that engineering physics reconstructs and complements engineering for greater impact. It is clear that a thorough understanding of physics concepts and principles, and application of findings in physics will result in better engineering designs in the service of humanity. This should be encouraged and exploited.

ReferencesAkpan, A.O. and Onuu, M.U.(2004). Levels and Spectra of Industrial

Noise in Southeastern Nigeria, African Journal of Environmental Pollution and Health, 3(1), 26-32.

Akpan, A.O., Onuu, M.U., Menkiti, A.I. and Asuquo, U.E.(2003). Measurements and Analysis of Industrial Noise and Its


Impact on Workers in Akwa Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 15(2), 41-45.

Arikpo, J.U. and Onuu, M.U.(2014). Fracture Analysis of Some Engineering Materials Using Boundary Element Method (BEM), Journal of the Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics, 28(1), 301-308.

Arikpo, J.U., Onuu, M.U. and Usibe, B.E.(2013). Comparative Study of Stress Intensity Factor of Some Engineering Materials, Elixir Chemical Physics, 65, 20096-20102.

Asuquo, U. E., Onuu, M.U., Akpan, A.O. and Asuquo, U.A.(2009a). Noise and Blood Pressure: A Cross Sectional and Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Exposure to Loud Noise on Residents in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, International Journal of Acoustics and Vibration, 14(2), 56-69.

Asuquo, U.A., Onuu, M.U. and Asuquo, A.U.(2009b). Effects of Exposure to Loud Noise on the Hearing of Residents of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, Noise and Vibration Worldwide, 40(8), 2-14.

Asuquo, U.E., Menkiti, A.I.,Onuu,M.U.and Opaluwa, E.H.O.(2001). Global Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences, 7(2), 339-344.

Attenborough, K.(1982). Predicated Ground Effect for Highway Noise, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 81(3), 413-424.

Attenborough, K.(1983). Acoustical Characteristics of Rigid Fibrous Absorbents and Granular Materials, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 73, 785-799.

Attenborough, K.(1985). Acoustical Impedance Models for Outdoor Ground Surfaces, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 99(4), 521-544.

Aylor, D.E.(1972). Noise Reduction by Vegetation and Ground, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 51(1B), 197-205.

Berglund, B. and Lindvall, T. (Eds.)(1995). Community Noise, Archives of the Centre for Sensory Research, 2(1), 1-195.

Bolarinwa, H.S., Onuu, M.U. and Bassey, D.E.(2008a). Appraisal of


Analogue Transmission along NITEL Exchange Route, Medwell Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 3 (1), 385-389.

Bolarinwa, H.S., Onuu, M.U. and Bassey, D.E.(2008b). Performance Assessment of Digital Transmission Along NITEL Exchange Route, Asian Journal of Information Technology, 7(6), 245-248.

Bressers, J.(1978). Creep Technique, Proc. INSPRA Serm., (Varese), Italy, 47-72.

CHABA(Committee on Hearing Bioacoustics and Biomechanics) (1966). Hazardous Exposure to Intermittent and Study-State Noise, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 39(3), 451-464.

Croome, D.J.(1977). Noise Building and People: International Series of Heating, Ventilation and Refrigeration 11: 62-147.

Efurumibe, E.L., Asiegbu, A.D. and Onuu, M.U.(2012a). Disperssion Relation Due to the Interaction of the Atoms of Titanium and Oxygen Owing to Energy Trapping of the Anode (TiO ) of a Dye-sensitized Solar Cell, Asian Journal of 2

Applied Sciences, 5(1), 290-298.Efurumibe, E.L., Asiegbu, A.D. and Onuu, M.U.(2102b).

Mathematical Modeling of Electron Transport Through the Anode of Standardized Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell, Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 5(1), 33-42.

Efurumibe, E.L., Asiegbu, A.D. and Onuu, M.U.(2102c). Dye Built-Sensitized Solar Cell –A Confirmatory Test of a Mathematical Model, Journal of Technology and Policy, 2(2), 27- 29.

Efurumibe, E.L., Asiegbu, A.D. and Onuu, M.U.(2014). Variation of the Dye Thickness With Time Owing to Electron Transport Through the Anode of a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell – A Review of Efurumibe ET AL. Work, International Journal of Engineering and Technology Studies, 1(2), 1-8.

Egunjobi,A.I., Akomolafe, T., Bolanwa, H.S. and Onuu, M.U.(2008). Effects of Temperature and Thiourea on the Growth Rate of


Cadmium Sulphide Thin Films Designed for Effective Control of Solar Radiation in the Tropics, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 20(2), 257-282.

Embleton, T.F.W.(1963). Sound Propagation in Homogeneous, Deciduous and Evergreen Woods, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 35(8), 1119-1125.

European Noise Agency (2014). Sonic Doom: How Noise Pollution Kills Thousands Each Year, Godwin R. (2018), The Guardian, via www.theguardian.com.

Ering, C.F.(1946). Jungle Acoustics, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 59, 267-277.

Fégeant, O.(1999a). Wind-Induced Vegetation Noise. Part I: A Predication Model, Acoustica /Acta Acoustica, 85(2), 228-240.

Fégeant, O.(1999b). Wind-Induced Vegetation Noise. Part II: Field Measurements, Acoustica /Acta Acoustica, 85(2), 241-249.

FEPA (1974). Guidelines and Standards for Environmental Noise Pollution Control in Nigeria, Federal Environmental Protection Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.

Fricke, F.(1984). Sound Attenuation in Forests, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 91(1), 149-158.

Kaufman, J.G.(1975). Application of Fracture to Design, Proceeding nd

of the 22 Sagamore Army Materials Research Conference, New York.

Knott, J.F.(1969). Fundamentals of Fracture Mechanics, Materials rdScience, 3 edition, Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.

London, 1-10.Kryter, K.D.(1994). The Handbook of Hearing and the Effects of

Noise: Physiology, Psychology and Public Health, Boston: Academic Press.

Lupic, V.(1981). Creep and Fatigue in High Temperature Alloys: A Publication of CEC High Temperature Material Information Centre, The Netherlands, Bressers, J. (ed.), Applied Science publishers, 7-40.

Martens, M.J.M.(1981). Noise Abatement in Plant Monocultures and


Plant Communities, Applied Acoustics, 14(3), 167-189. McNulty, G.J.(1987). Impact of Transportation Noise in Some New

Industrial Countries, Applied Acoustics, 21(2), 81-87. Menkiti, A.I.(1976). Combating the Menace of Noise. Dialy Times,

27, 28-29.Menkiti, A.I.(1982). Housing, Community Development and

Environment, Being a Memorandum Submitted to House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Menkiti, A.I.(1987). Noise Studies in Oil Drilling Environment, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 6, 16-26.

Menkiti, A.I.(1989). Analysis of Noise Border by Survey Method, Journal of West African Science Association, 32.

Min, J.Y. and Min K.B.(2018). Night Noise Exposure and Risk of Death by Suicide in Adults Living in Metropolitan Areas, Depress Anxiety, 35(9), 876-883.

Myles, C.W.(2015). Motivations to Study Solid State Physics. Charles W. Myles' Homepage. Last modified 21/08.2015 23:00:34

Nelkon, M. and Parker, P.(1978). Advanced Level Physics. Published by Heineman Education Books, London.

Noise: Health Effects and Controls (2007). University of California, Berkeley, Archived from the Original.Noise(2006). Natural Resources and the Environment, 188-189,

Archived from the Original on November 14, 2011.Nwosu, C.N. and Onuu, M.U. 2017). Fabrication and

Characterization of Reflectors by Physical Vapour Deposition of Nanoscale Thin Films of Ag and Cu for Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Applications, International Journal of Energy Engineering, 7(2), 39-50.

Nwosu, C.N., Uche, E.O., Obot, E.P., Daniel, T.O., Onuu, M.U., Yohanna, C. E. M. and Ezeh, C.V.(2017). Fossil Fuel Combustion and Global Warming Abatement Using Nanomaterials and Associated Technologies, Journal of Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics, 43(Sept.


& Nov.), 375-388. O?Connell, J.P. and Prausnitz, J.M.(1968). Applications of

StatisticMechanics, Industrial Engineering and Chemistry, 60(1), 36-65.

Obisung, E.O., Onuu, M.U. and Menkiti, A.I.(2007). Levels and Spectra of Aircraft Noise and People's Reaction in Some Nigerian Cities, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 19(2).

Occupational Safety and health Act, OSHA(1975). OSHA Regulation ANSI Z24.22 and Amended in 1975.

Ofe, U., Onuu, M.U. and Udoimuk, A.B.(2014a). Electronic and Structural Properties of α-MgH Using GGA and 2

GGA+U Approximation, Elixir Condensed Matter Physics, 65, 19976-19981.

Ofe, U., Onuu, M.U. and Udoimuk, A.B.(2014b). Electronic and Structural Properties of CaH Using GGA and GGA+U 2

Approximation With Wien 2k Codes, Journal of the Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics, 27, 257-262.

Ogbulezie, J.C., Onuu, M.U. and Bassey, D.E. and Etienam-Umoh, S.(2013). Site Specific Measurements and Propagation Models for GSM in Three Cities in Northern Nigeria, American Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4(2), 238-245.

Ogbulezie, J.C., Onuu, M.U. and Bassey, D.E.(2008a). Assessment of NITEL Exchange, Calabar, Nigeria. Medwell Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 3(1), 55-58.

Ogbulezie, J.C., Onuu, M.U. and Bassey, D.E.(2008b). Determination of Some Key Performance Indicators in Public Telephone Switch in Calabar, Nigeria, Asian Journal of Information Technology, 7(1), 15-18.

Ogbulezie, J.C., Onuu, M.U., Menkiti, A.I. and Arikpo, J.U.(2014). Radiowave Propagation at 900 and 1800MHz Bands in Lagos, Nigeria, Elexir Network Engineering., 71, 24527-24530.

Ogbulezie, J.C., Onuu, M.U., Ushie, J.O and Usibe, B.E.(2013). Propagation Models for GSM 900 and 1800MHz for Port-


Harcourt and Enugu, Nigeria, Network and Communication Technologies, 2(2), 1-10.

Okoro, R.C., Onuu, M.U. and Asuquo, U.E.(2009). Data Security Using Cryptographic Approach, An International Journalof Information and Communications Technology, 6(1), 77-83.

Okoro, R.C., Onuu, M.U.(2009). User-Response Study of Computer Networking Cables in Parts of Southeastern Nigeria, Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 5(12), 2126-2130.

Oluwasegun, O.O., Onuu, M.U. and Oyenekan, O.E.(2015). Study of Road Traffic Noise Pollution and Impacts on Residents of Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 6(5), 212-221.

Onuu, M. U.(1988). Investigation of Some Mechanical Properties of Locally Produced Steel. M.Phil. Thesis Submitted to the Department of Physics, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Onuu, M.U. and Adeosin, A.(2008). Investigation of Propagation Characteristics of UHF Waves in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Indian Journal of Radio and Space Physics, 37(3), 197-203.

Onuu, M.U. and Adjepong, S.K.(1992). Estimation of Some Valid Plane Strain Facture Mechanics Parameters of Locally Produced Steel, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 4, 83-88.

Onuu, M.U. and Adjepong, S.K.(1994). Investigation of Plane Stress Fracture Mechanics Parameters of Locally Produced Steel, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 6, 8 – 15.

Onuu, M.U. and Adjepong, S.K.(1998). Creep of Locally Produced Steel at Intermediate Temperatures and Stresses, Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 4(2), 181-186.

Onuu, M.U. and Akpan, A.O.(2006). Industrial Noise in Nigeria: Measurements, Analysis, Dose and Effects, Journal of Building Acoustics, 13(1), 69-80.

Onuu, M.U. and Anso, M.(2005). Frequency and Amplitude


Normalization and Filter Design, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 17, 57-65.

Onuu, M.U. and Menkiti, A.I.(1990). Effective Noise Control, Champion, September 27, 5.

Onuu, M.U. and Menkiti, A.I.(1993). Spectral Analysis of Road Traffic Noise in Parts of Southeastern Nigeria, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 5, 1-9.

Onuu, M.U. and Menkiti, A.I.(1996). Analysis of Nigerian Community Response to Road Traffic Noise, Journal of Science, Engineering & Technology, 3(2), 536 – 547.

Onuu, M.U. and Menkiti, A.I.(1997). Acoustic Power Spectra of (Mixed) Road Traffic Noise Sources in Southeastern Nigeria, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 9,15-19.

Onuu, M.U. and Nkanu, P.I.(2006). On the Electronic Signal Direction Detector for the Control of Road Traffic, Nigeria Journal of Physics, 18(1), 67-78.

Onuu, M.U. and Obisung, E.O.(2005). Airport Acoustics: Aircraft Noise Distribution and Modeling of Some Aircraft Parameters, Nigerian Journal of Physics, Special Volume, 17S, 177-180.

Onuu, M.U. and Tawo, A.N.(2005). Industrial Noise Studies in Quarries and Neigbouring Communities, International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 1(1), 124-130.

Onuu, M.U. and Uko, O.(2012). Towards Solving the Problem of Transmission and via Semiconductor Power Cables, Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 18(3&4), 169-177.

Onuu, M.U.(1999). A New Set of Empirical Relationships Between Sound Pressure Levels and Objectionable Qualities of Noise, Acoustics Letters, 22(11), 208-211.

Onuu, M.U.(1991). Towards Renewable Energy Sources, Daily Times, August 6, 31.

Onuu, M.U.(1994). Physics (or Science) for the Understanding of Nature, Journal of Research in General Studies, 2(1), 24-29.

Onuu, M.U.(1992). Measurements and Analysis of Road Traffic Noise and Its Impact in Parts of Southeastern Nigeria, Ph.D.


Thesis Submitted to the Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Onuu, M.U.(1998). The Challenges of the Global Energy Demand, Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 4(3), 311-318.

Onuu, M.U.(2000a). The Study of Fracture Characteristics of ST 60 Mn by J – Integral Method, Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(1), 663-672.

Onuu, M.U.(2000b). Cross-City Response Characteristics of Road Traffic Noise: Acoustical and Social Surveys, Journal of Applied sciences, 3(2), 933-942.

Onuu, M.U.(2000c). Environmental Noise: Why Nigerians are Supersensitive, South-South Express, July 4, 15.

Onuu, M.U.(2000d). Noise Pollution in the Urban Environment: Assessment of Objectionable Qualities of Road Traffic Noise, Nigerian Journal Physics, 12, 68-71.

Onuu, M.U.(2000e). Presidential Jet: Noise Levels and Anti-Noise Laws, National Times, April 7, 13, 30.

Onuu, M.U.(2000f). Road Traffic Noise in Nigeria: Measurements, Analysis and Evaluation of Nuisance, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 233 (3), 391-405.

Onuu, M.U.(2000g). Sound Propagation Over Grass, Acoustics Letters, 24, 42-46.

Onuu, M.U.(2001a). In An Updated Catalogue of 521 Social Surveys of Residents' Reactions to Environmental Noise (1943-2000), James M. Fields (Ed.), Wyle Laboratories, El.Segundo, California. National Aeronautics & Space Administration, Contract NASA- 20103, 1, 6, 40, 81, 96.

Onuu, M.U.(2001b). Senate and Environmental Noise Control: Are Anti-Noise Laws and Ordinances Adequate? South-South Express, May 22, 15; May 29, 15 and June 5, 15.

Onuu, M.U.(2002a). A Proposal on Training for the Minimisation of Road Traffic Danger, Air and Noise Pollution, Federal Road Safety Corps, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.

Onuu, M.U.(2002b). Noise Pollution Assessment of the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ) in Environmental Impact Assessment


(EIA) of CFTZ; Client: Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, 66.

Onuu, M.U.(2004). Satellite Communications: Theory and Practice. Index Educational Foundation Publishers, Abuja, 133p.

Onuu, M.U.(2005). Time-Invariant Plastic Deformation of ST 60 Mn: Predication Models and Design Criteria, International of Nature and Applied Sciences, 1(1), 120-123.

Onuu, M.U.(2017). Project Ozma and SETI Searches: Overview, thChallenges and Prospects, Being a Paper Presented at the 7

Annual National Conference of the Astronomical Society of Nigeria, held at Coal City University, Enugu, Nigeria.

Onuu, M.U.(2007). The Status of Acoustics in Nigeria: A paper in Honour of Professor Alex I. Menkiti, Nigerian Journal of Physics, 19(1), 139-179.

Onuu, M.U.(2016). On Fracture Mechanics Characterisation of Locally Produced (and Local) Engineering Materials in Nigeria, In Building Entrepreneurial University in a Developing Economy: Issues, Challenges and Prospects – Festschrift in Honour of Distinguished Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, FUNAI Press, 290-306.

Onuu, M.U.(2011). Radio Waves and Effects on Health, Being an thInvited Paper Presented at the 7 International Conference of

Nigerian Union of Radio Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Onuu, M. U. (2013a). Environmental Noise: Levels, Indices, Community Reactions and Control, Being the First Departmental Seminar Presented to the Department of Physics/Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Ailke, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Onuu, M.U.(2013b). GSM Phones: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Being the Second Departmental Seminar Presented to the Department of Physics/Geology/Geophysics. Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Ailke, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Onuu, M.U.(2014a). Science and Religion: Concordance or Discord,


Being a Seminar Presented in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State.

Onuu, M.U.(2014b). Philosophical Models of Reality: Basic Postulates and Assumptions, Being the First Departmental Seminar, Department of Mathematics/Computer Science/Statistics/Informatics, Alex Ekwueme Federal

thUniversity, Ndufu-Ailke, Ebonyi State, Nigeria,11 March.

Onuu, M.U.(2014c). Natural Philosophy: The Science of Everything, Being the First Faculty Seminar, Faculty of Science and Technology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-

thAilke, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 12 October.

Onuu, M.U.(2014d). Acoustical Energy for Electricity in Nigeria: th

Prospects and Challenges, Being a paper presented at 4 Annual Conference of Renewable Energy Society of Nigeria, held at Imo State University, Owerri, 23-26 February.

Onuu, M.U.(2018). Radio Astronomy: The Journey So Far, Being an th

invited paper presented at the 8 National Annual Conference of Astronomical Society of Nigeria, Afe Babalola University, 21-22 November, 2018.

Onuu, M.U., Adjepong, S.K. and Peter, M.A.(1999). Predication of Long-Term Creep Behaviour of Locally Produced Steel. Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology, 6(2), 1740-1749.

Onuu, M.U., and Inyang, A.(2004). Environmental Noise Pollution in Nigerian Universities: A Case Study of the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Journal of Nigerian Environmental Society (JNES), 2(1) 100-109.

Onuu, M.U., Menkiti, A.I., Ekine, A.S. and Anusionwu, B.C. (2014). Vibrations and Waves, Spectrum Books Ltd., Ibadan.

Onuu, M.U., Obot, A.U. and Isangedighe, P.A.(2000). On the Isolation of Vibration and Structure-Borne Noise, Tropical Environmental Research, 2(1&2), 148-159.

Onuu, M.U., Ofe, U.(2011). Towards Solving the Problem of Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power in Nigeria


Via Semiconductor Power Cables, Global Journalof Pure and Applied Sciences, 18(3 & 4), 169-177.

Oriaku, C.I. and Onuu, M.U.(2006). Optical Communication in the World of Telecommunications, Asian Journal of Information Technology, 5(11), 1202-1205.

Osigbemeh, M. O., Onuu, M. U. and Asaolu. O.(2017). Design and Development of an Improved Traffic Light Control System Using Hybrid Lighting System, Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition), 4(1), 88-95.

Parker, A.P.(1981). The Introduction of Fracture and Fatigue (An stIntroduction), 1 ed. Published by E. & F. N. Spon in

association with Methuen, Inc., USA.Piercy, J.E., Embleton, T.F.W. and Daigle, G.(1979). Excess

Attenuation or Impedance of Common Ground Surface Characterized by Flow Resistance, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, Suppl. 1 65, S63.

Priest, .H.(1978).Experimental Methods for Toughness Measurement. A General Introduction to Fracture Mechanics, Published by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, London.

Resnick, R. and Halliday, D.(1966). Physics I & II (Combined edition), John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Rosenhall, U., Pedersen, K. and Svanborg, A.(1990). Presbycusis and Noise-Nduced Hearing Loss, Ear and Hearing, 11(4), 257 – 263.

Schmid, R.E.(2007). Aging Nation Faces Growing Hearing Loss, th

CBS News, Archived from the Original, 18 February.Senate Public Works Committee, SPWC(1972). Noise Pollution and

nd ndAbatement Act, S. Rep. No. 1160, 92 Congress, 2 Session.

Usibe, B.E., Menkiti, A.I., Onuu, M.U. and Ogbulezie, J.C.(2013). Development and Analysis of a Potential Nanosensor Communication Network Using Carbon Nanotubes, International Journal of Materials Engineering , 3(1), 4-10.


Acknowledgements

In my academic sojourn, which has been without breaks and, which started in 1964 when I was admitted into St. Patrick's Primary School, Ndibe, Afikpo in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as an elementary one pupil, to 2005 when I became a full Professor, until now that I am delivering this Inaugural Lecture which I refer to as "Academic Baptism", it is a very impossible task for me to thank and acknowledge everybody who has assisted me, in one way or the other, towards achieving success in my career. I appreciate the fact that nothing in this life is possible without God, the giver of life Himself and the God who makes me believe that, no matter the circumstances, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". He has been there for me. To Him be all the honour and glory.

I sincerely acknowledge the efforts of the Chairman of the Committee on Inaugural and Public Lectures, Prof. Rosemary O. Igbo, and members of that Committee, who worked tirelessly to ensure that this Inaugural Lecture has this very beautiful finishing and is presented today at AE-FUNAI. The pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe and Registrar, Mr. Gabriel O. Chukwu succeeded in bringing me to AE-FUNAI; the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof. James Epoke and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu almost did not "let me go". I very sincerely thank them for the role they have played in my life for harkening to the voice of God who has a purpose in every man's life.

I would not have been alive today without the nurture and care, at that critical period of my life, of my loving mother, Late Mrs. Ugo Oko Onuu, my beloved maternal grandmother, Madam Akpu Chukwu, of the blessed memory; and my father, Late Mr. Gerard Onuu Ugwu, who saved my life during the civil war of 1967. He came and took me along to Ogiri, Oso Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi, where he lived as a farmer, when schools were closed down in this part of the country in 1966, before Afikpo was taken over by


ththe Nigerian soldiers on 19 April, 1968. I thank them immensely for taking care of me during that period of uncertainty in my life. My beloved wife, Late Mrs. Nkechiyere O. Onuu, who accepted to marry me at that my very young age and early stage of my life, commenced this academic journey with me, provided enabling environment, encouragement and handed the baton to my loving wife, Mrs. Chioma C. Onuu, who saw me through. I appreciate the role you people have played in my life and thank God for you. My children, Onyebuchi, Nkechinyere, Chinedum, Chika and their spouses, Isaiah and Emmanuel, and I have grown up together more as siblings, not of course, forgetting that I am their father. I am grateful for your love, care and pieces of advice.

My grandchildren, Janelle, Joella, Freddy, Benita and Jayden, have all made my work easier in one way or the other at this later stage. May God bless you all. My foster children, Kelechi, Ginikachi, Nnanna and others, have all played their various roles in making it possible for me to be what I am today. Chief (Madam) Ugwuome Idume, Mrs. Juliana E. Chukwu, Elder and Mrs. Raymond J. Nwaokoma, are some of my kind-hearted, indefatigable and ever caring in-laws. You will all reap the fruit of your labour. My siblings, Late Chris U. Onuu, Chief Emeka Ezeali and my cousins Juliet, Judith, Patrick and Pius, etc. are greatly appreciated for the various roles they have all played in my life. My Late uncles, Mr. Ewa Olile, Mr. Ignatius C. Oko, Chief Emmanuel O. Oko and Mrs. Ogeri Eluu, my aunt, that nursed me as a child are all remembered today and always for their prayers and support when I needed them most. I am indebted to Chief H. Ikpor, Mrs. P. U. Aluu, Prof. E. Uche-Nwachi and Late Chief S. E. Dike for the various roles they played in my life.

I also say a very big thank you to my mentors and past teachers, Prof. A. I. Menkiti, who introduced me to engineering physics and was the Chief supervisor of my Ph.D. work; Prof. S. K. Adjepong, Dr. M. A. Peter, who were members of Supervisory Committee for my M.Phil. work in solid state physics; Prof. D. A. Akeanpong, Prof. E. W.


Mbipon, Prof. J. Klosinski, Prof. A. Drobnik, Prof. W. Michalak, Prof. J. Kotaski, Prof. A. V. Gholap, Prof. I. D. U. Ebong, Prof. M. K. Onuoha, Prof. I. Onyido, Prof. C. C. Onochie, Prof. S.E. Okoye Prof. A. Animalu, Prof. C. E. Okeke, Prof. P. N. Okeke, Prof. B. Ekwueme, Prof. Yiyi Li, Prof. Z. G. Wang, Dr. F. C. Obi, Dr. C. Agu, Dr. S. I. O. Agugbuo, Dr. A. C. Anuforom, Dr. G. Emembolu, Mr Samuel Nzuko, Mr. Gab. U. Chukwu, Mr. G. B. I Ikedimma, Mr. T. N. Ezeh etc. etc. I remain grateful to you for encouraging me and ensuring that I was academically equipped. To my senior colleagues and friends, Prof. E. E. Okwueze, Elder P. Aham, Dr. V. I. Ezeanyim, Prof. C. S. Okereke, Prof. S. C. Uche, Prof. O. I. Enukoha, Prof. A. Selemo, Prof. A. B. Udoimuk, Prof. U. J. Ekpe, Prof. E. J. Uwah, Prof. J. Ebeniro, Prof. C. O. Ofoegbu, Prof. J. Ofem, Prof. O. Osim, Prof. F. N. Okeke, Prof. O. Ekpe, Prof. M. N. Nnnabuchi, Dr. B. Asuquo, Prof. F. B. Sigalo, Prof. M. Dosunmu, Prof. C. Akujor, Prof. P. Ezeonu, Prof. S.O. Elom, Prof. J. Urama, Prof. S. U. Udo, Prof. I. O. Akpan, Prof. A. A. Okiwelu, Mr. J. B. C. Onyeje, Prof. V. I. Obianwu, Prof. R. C. Okoro, Prof. S. O Inyang, Dr. M. Ikpi, Dr. O. Egwu, Prof. E. Udosen, Prof. F. X. O. Ugodulunwa, Prof. A. D. Asiegbu, Dr. G. U. Chukwu, Dr. M. N. Alo, Dr. A. C. Ekwe and a host of others, I thank you very much for your various encouragements and support at one time or the other.

My mentees and former students, some of whom are now Professors in Nigeria and abroad, you are very many and cannot all be acknowledged in this roll of honour. Some of them authored articles with me and their names appear in the References section. Thank you very much for all your efforts. Always remember my message to you, "You make yourself more than your university makes you". I also acknowledge the prayers and support of the following men of God, at one time or the other, Apostle G. D. Numbere, Evangelist E. T. Pepple, Rev. (Prof.) E. Uka, Rev. F. Ajoku, Rev. J. D. Ekpe, Rev. N. E. E. Eyo, Rev. S. Ogbonna, Rev. D. Ugwu and Rev. (Dr.) P. Chukwu. Of a truth, there will be no space enough to thank all those who have contributed in one way or the other, especially my mates and colleagues, in all the schools I attended, worked and served, in many


universities, institutes, in Nigeria and abroad, in making me what I am today. May the Almighty God, who owes no one, bless and reward you all abundantly.



Documents

ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY NDUFU-ALIKE, EBONYI …