Department of Electrical and Smart Systems Engineering

Prof PO Umenne

College of Science, Engineering and Technology
School of Engineering
Department: Electrical Engineering
Associate Professor
Tel: 011 471 3482
E-mail: umennpo@unisa.ac.za

Expertise

  • Computer networks and modelling
  • Josephson Effect and Superconductivity
  • Micro Electronics
  • OPNET
  • Telecommunications

Qualifications

  • Eng. (HONS) Electrical and Electronics Engineering, N.U.S.T Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 2003.
  • Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Mid-Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden, 2006.
  • PhD in Physics (Microelectronics, Superconductivity) from UNISA, 2018.

NRF Rating

C3

Currently teaching

  • Embedded Systems design.
  • Telecommunications.
  • Computer Networks Modelling
  • Electronics
  • Micro and Nano Electronics

Fields of academic interests

Research interests:

  • Telecommunications
  • Femtosecond laser applications
  • Josephson Junctions and the Josephson Effect
  • Superconductivity
  • Nanotechnology

Expertise

  • Computer networks and modelling
  • Josephson Effect and Superconductivity
  • Micro Electronics
  • OPNET
  • Telecommunications
  • Femtosecond Laser and Laser applications

Field of Specialisation

  • Embedded Systems design
  • Telecommunications
  • Computer Networks Modelling
  • Electronics

Journal articles

Research output in five years: 2023 -2018

ISI Indexed journal articles
  • Patrice Umenne, “An Image Catalogue of Micron- and Sub-micron-Sized Constrictions Fabricated with the Femtosecond Laser and Created with the AFM”, JOM, The Journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), 75, issue no. 9, pp. 3373-3384, September 2023, Available Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-023-05917-0
  • Chrispin Tumba Tshiani and Patrice Umenne, “The impact of the Electric Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC) in Reducing Stress and Improving Battery Lifespan in a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) System”, Energies, vol. 15, Issue no. 22, Article no. 8680, pp. 1-18, 18th November 2022, special issue Modern Electric Power Delivery Systems (MEPDS), Available online: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228680
  • Chrispin Tumbi Tshiani and Patrice Umenne, “The Characterization of the Electric Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC) Using Python/MATLAB/Simulink (PMS)-Hybrid Model”, Energies, Vol. 15, Issue no. 14, Article no. 5193, pp. 1-14, 18th July 2022, Available online: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15145193
  • Patrice Umenne, “Fabrication of S-shaped Micron Sized Constrictions on FeC (steel) surface using Femtosecond Laser Ablation with Beam Shaping”, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 116 (9-10), pp. 3043-3050, October 2021, Available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-07638-7..
  • Patrice Umenne, “AFM Analysis of Micron and Sub-Micron Sized Bridges Fabricated Using the Femtosecond Laser on YBCO Thin Films”, Micromachines, 11, issue no 12, article number 1088, 8th December 2020, https://doi.org/10.3390/mi11121088.
  • Patrice Umenne, “Micron sized constrictions fabricated using the femtosecond laser technique on YBCO thin films”, Journal of superconductivity and Novel Magnetism, published online 12th December 2019, hardcopy published 8th May 2020, vol 33, issue no. 5, pp. 1457-1462, ISSN 1557-1939, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-019-05349-5.
  • Patrice Umenne and V.V Srinivasu, “Constrictions Fabricated on YBCO Thin Films using the Femtosecond Laser: Limiting Factors”, Acta Physica Polonica A, published as a special issue of the 7th International Advances in Applied Physics and Materials Science (APMAS 2017), Vol. 134 (July 2018), issue no 1, pp 100-102, ISSN:1898-794X, DOI: 12693/APhysPolA.134.100.
  • Patrice Umenne, S. Lam, J. Du, and V. V Srinivasu, “Josephson Effect in the Micron and Submicron YBCO Constrictions Fabricated Using the Femtosecond Laser Technique,” Supercond. Nov. Magn., Vol. 31, no. 5, pp 1341- 1350, May 2018, http://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-017-4371-3.
  • Patrice Umenne and V. V Srinivasu, “Femtosecond-laser fabrication of micron and sub-micron sized S-shaped constrictions on high superconducting YBCO thin films: ablation and lithography issues,” Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron., Vol. 28, no. 8, pp. 5817–5826, April 2017, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10854-016-6253-z.
  • Odhiambo Marcel O, Umenne Patrice O, “NET-COMPUTER: Internet Computer Architecture and its Application in E-Commerce”. Journal; Engineering, Technology and Applied Science Research (ETASR),2, No.6, December 2012, pp. 303-309, e-ISSN 1792-8036, pISSN: 2241-4487, https://etasr.com/index.php/ETASR/article/view/145.

Peer reviewed conferences

Conference papers: 2023 -2018

  • Sidwell Hlalele and Patrice Umenne, “The Impact of Virtual Learning Environments on the Practical Skills of Open Distance Learning Students in Electrical Engineering”, International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD 2022), Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, 4-5th August 2022, pp. 1-5, ISBN 978-1-6654-8421-3, DOI: 1109/icABCD54961.2022.9856040 , Available online : https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9856040
  • Dion Njova, Kingsley Ogudo and Patrice Umenne, “Modelling the IEC 61850 and DNP3 Protocol Using OPNET in an Electrical Substation Communication Network”, International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD 2022), Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, 4-5th August 2022, pp. 14-20, ISBN 978-1-6654-8421-3 , DOI: 1109/icABCD54961.2022.9856151 , Available Online: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9856151
  • Gerrit Jordan and Patrice Umenne, “Marine Aquarium Temperature Controller and the IoT (Internet of Things)”, International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD2021), Durban, South Africa, 5-6th August 2021, pp. 16-22, ISBN – 978-1-7281-8591-0, Available online: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9519356
  • Terene Govender and Patrice Umenne, “Design of a Fingerprint Biometric Access Control System with GSM Functionality”, International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD2021), Durban, South Africa, 5-6th August 2021, 101-106, ISBN – 978-1-7281-8591-0, Available Online: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9519320
  • Dion Njova, Kingsley Ogudo and Patrice Umenne, “Analysis of the IEC 61850 Protocol when used for communication during Maintenance operation in and Electrical Substation Grid”, international Conference on intelligent and Innovative Computing applications (ICONIC 2020), Plaine Magnien, Mauritius, 978-1-4503-7558-0, pp 335-341, 24 – 25th September 2020, https://doi.org/10.1145/3415088.3415133
  • Dion Njova, Kingsley Ogudo, Patrice Umenne, Packet Analysis of DNP3 over TCP/IP at an Electrical Substation Grid modelled in OPNET, 7th Annual PES/IAS Power-Africa Conference (PAC 2020), Nairobi, Kenya, ISBN number: 978-1-7281-6746-6, pp 683-687, 9th September 2020, 1109/PowerAfrica49420.2020.9219968
  • Patrice Umenne, Sidwell Hlalele, Evaluation of the effectiveness of Virtual laboratory’s for Electronics in the Open distance learning Context, 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD 2020), Durban, South Africa, ISBN nr: 978-1-7281-6769-5, pp 525-529, 4th August 2020, Doi: 1109/icABCD49160.2020.9183831
  • Nkululeko Ntombela, Patrice Umenne, Access Control with Automated on Duty Notification Tool in air traffic Services, 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communications Systems (icABCD 2020), Durban, South Africa, ISBN nr: 978-1-7281-6769-5, pp 10-14, 4th August 2020, Doi: 1109/icABCD49160.2020.9183828
  • Sandile Zondo, Kingsley Ogudo, Patrice Umenne, Design of a Smart Home System Using Bluetooth Protocol, 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD 2020), Durban, South Africa, ISBN nr: 978-1-7281-6769-5, pp 22-26, 4th August 2020, Doi : 1109/icABCD49160.2020.9183815
  • Kingsley A. Ogudo, Patrice Umenne, “Design of a PV based Power supply with a Non-Inverting Buck-Boost Converter”, IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica Conference, 20-23rd August 2019, Abuja, Nigeria, ISBN 978-1-7281-1010-3, pp 553-557, published 17th September 2019, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8928656
  • Lindinkosi L. Zulu, Kingsley A. Ogudo, Patrice O. Umenne, “Emulating Software Defined Network Using Mininet and OpenDaylight Controller Hosted on Amazon Web Services Cloud Platform to Demonstrate a Realistic Programmable Network”, published 5th December 2018 by the International Conference on Intelligent and Innovative Computing Applications (ICONIC 2018), IEEE Mauritius Subsection, 6-7th December, 2018, Mon Tresor, Mauritius, ISBN number 978-1-5386-6476-6, pp 148-154, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8601254.  
  • Lindinkosi L. Zulu, Kingsley A. Ogudo, Patrice O. Umenne, “Simulating Software Defined Networking Using Mininet to Optimize Host Communication in a Realistic Programmable Network”, International Conference on Advances in Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD 2018), IEEE Mauritius subsection, 6-7th August, 2018, Durban, South Africa, ISBN: 978-1-5386-3059-4, published 22nd August, 2018, IEEE conference proceedings, pages, 490-495, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8465433.
  • Patrice Umenne, V.V Srinivasu, “Microwave power dependence of the I-V characteristics of submicron and micron YBCO constrictions”, 2nd International Conference on Condensed Matter and Applied Physics (ICC2017), Nov 24-25, 2017, Bikaner, India, ISBN : 978-0-7354-1648-2, Vol. 1953, Published May 8, 2018, AIP Conference Proceedings, 1953, pg. 120069, (2018); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5033134.
  • O Umenne, Odiambo Marcel O, “Performance Analysis of a WiMAX/Wi-Fi System whilst streaming different Video Conference applications with varying network loads”. International conference on Wireless Networks ICWN 2013, Las Vegas, Nevada, 22nd-25th July 2013, pp. 419-423, ISBN: 1-60132-250-X.
  • O Umenne, Odhiambo Marcel O, “Performance Analysis of a WiMAX/Wi-Fi System Whilst Streaming a Video Conference Application”. International Conference on Mobile, Optical and Wireless Communications ICMWOC 2013, London UK, 8th-9th July 2013, WASET issue 79, Article 135, pg. 703-707, ISSN 1307-6884.
  • O. Umenne, Odhiambo Marcel O, “The Performance of an 802.11g/Wi-Fi network whilst streaming voice content”. International Conference on Mobile, Wireless and Optical Communications ICMWOC 2012, Rome Italy, September 26-27th 2012, WASET Issue 69, Article 156, pg 794-800, pISSN 2010-376X.
  • Odhiambo Marcel O, Patrice Umenne, Paul Amimo, “Application of Intelligent Agents in E-Commerce”, the 7th Annual International Conference-“Knowledge and dissemination for the realization of millennium development Goals 6th -9th September 2011”. Moi University Eldoret, Kenya, ISBN 978-9966-26-001-7, pp. 77-88.

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

Professional Affiliation:

  • Registered as a Professional Engineer with ECSA, Pr. Eng – 20180452
  • IEEE Member

Awards and honours

  • International patent filed PTC Patent Application No. PCT/IB2017/051676 in the name of UNISA. Generated a provisional patent from PhD    Work – Patent Number 2016/01975,  “Method for the Fabrication of MICRON and NANO constriction type on a YBCO Superconducting thin film”, Prof Srinivasu Vallabhupurapu, Umenne Patrice.
  • European Patent TITLE FEMTOSECOND LASER BASED METHOD FOR FABRICATION OF MICRO AND NANO CONTRICTION TYPE STRUCTURES ON A YBCO SUPERCONDUCTING THIN FILMS, NUMBER IN EUROPE, 3485507. GRANTED 3rd MARCH 2021 TILL 23RD MARCH 2037

Projects

Postgraduate supervision:

MTECHS
  • Mr Chrispin Tshiani, “The characterization of the Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) and its application in Microgrids, UNISA.
  • Linda Zulu “Simulating and prototyping Software defined networking (Sdn) using Mininet approach to optimise host communication in realistic programmable networking environment”.
  • Dion Njova “Evaluating of DNP3 protocol over Serial Communication on the Eastern Operating Unit Substations and improving SCADA performance”.
  • Moise Ndihano “Modelling haptic feedback in an augmented reality environment”.
  • Josias Kanyinda Kanyinda, “GAN Vs LDMOS Power Amplifier Evaluation”.
  • Avedi Evans Kitui “Design of an Energy Management System for Data Centers”.
PHD's
  • Dion Njova “Software Defined Networking (SDN) for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems using Python programming and MATLAB to perform Maintenance Operations at an Electricity Supply Commission (ESKOM) Power Utility in South Africa” UNISA.
  • Adegoke Ademola Sheriff, “Development of A Low-Cost, Low-Power Wireless Sensor Network for Rodent Detection”, University of Johannesbur.
  • Lisungu Oteko Tresor, Development and Implementation of an Efficient real time Face Detection and Recognition System for Color Images using Cascaded Convolutional Neural Networks with Boosting and Deep Learning, University of Johannesburg.

Postgraduate opportunities:

Looking for a PhD student on the topic “Fabrication of Josephson Junctions using the Atomic Force microscopy (AFM) method on high Tc Superconducting Iron Nitrides based Thin Films” in microelectronics.

Other

Short Biography:

Patrice Umenne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), University of South Africa (UNISA). He received his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Mid-Sweden University in 2006, where he worked on the “Modelling of the SiC MESFET power amplifier using the APLAC modelling tool”. He has completed his PhD in Applied physics with the thesis title “Fabrication of NANO Josephson’s Junction using the Femtosecond laser technique on YBCO superconducting thin films” in 2018.

Research Profile

Students Graduated

  • Linda Zulu (Master of Technology MTECH ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING) STUDENT NUMBER 61366935
  • “Simulating and prototyping Software defined networking (SDN) using Mininet approach to optimise host communication in realistic programmable networking environment” (Graduated 14th November 2019).
  • Dion Njova (Master of Technology MTECH ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING) STUDENT NUMBER 53113934
  • “Evaluating of DNP3 protocol over Serial Communication on the Eastern Operating Unit Substations and improving SCADA performance”. (Graduated 5th November 2021).
  • Chrispin Tshiani (Master of Engineering MENG ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING), University of South Africa, Student Number 57674728, Titled: “The characterization of the Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) and its application in Microgrids”. (Graduated 29th March 2023)

Students in Progress

  • MS S Shafiei Khosroshahi, PhD in Engineering in Electrical Engineering at the University of South Africa, Title: “Ag-iodide nano scaled materials as seed nano-compounds for cloud seeding.”, YEAR 2022- Ongoing , CO-SUPERVISOR.
  • Dion Njova (PhD in Electrical Engineering), University of South Africa, Student Number 53113934, Titled: “Software Defined Networking (SDN) for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems using Python programming and MATLAB to perform Maintenance Operations at an Electricity Supply Commission (ESKOM) Power Utility in South Africa. YEAR 2022 – Ongoing, MAIN SUPERVISOR.