Hybrid Nanomaterials Invention Driving Change in Energy Storage

By Tolu Oke

A recent scientific breakthrough, “A Hybrid Multifunctional Nanomaterials Network for Supercapacitor Energy Storage,” co-developed by Dr. Sunniya Iftikhar and a team of expert researchers, including Obah Edom Tawo, Oghenetejiri Emuveyan, Titus Chinedu Egbosiuba, Olaoluwa John Adeleke, and Charles Ochonma, offers efficient ways to store energy providing promising directions for this global problem. The patented design developed through international collaboration by a team of international researchers, integrates nanomaterials into a single, multifunctional network capable of storing more energy, charging faster, and maintaining stability over longer cycles, three qualities that define the next generation of power systems.

The World Bank estimates that more than 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still live without electricity, while South Asia’s expanding industrial base is frequently constrained by unreliable power. For these regions, the efficiency gains of advanced energy storage systems could be transformative.

In a recent media chat with our journalist, Dr. Iftikhar notes that “energy storage is not just a technical issue, it’s an economic and social one.” “When industries have stable electricity, they can plan, invest, and expand. When households have it, education, health, and entrepreneurship all benefit,” she added.

Dr. Iftikhar’s role in the patent reflects this alignment between innovation and accessibility. Her research background in nanostructured systems and material optimization at Howard University focuses on scalability and how laboratory innovations can be adapted for broader industrial applications. “Technology must fit its context,” she noted. “If materials are too expensive or too specialized, they won’t reach the communities that need them most.”

Beyond its technical merits, the patent highlights the value of scientific collaboration across regions. The inventors represent a mix of African and Asian researchers whose shared expertise demonstrates that world-class innovation increasingly emerges from global partnerships, not single institutions or nations.
For policymakers, the lesson is clear: sustained investment in science, cross-border research, and commercialization pathways can yield results that transcend geography. As energy transitions accelerate, the capacity to store and manage power efficiently will determine not only how fast economies grow but also how equitably progress is distributed.

Expounding on this perspective, Oghenetejiri Emuveyan, coinventor emphasizes that “the energy challenges faced by developing economies are, in fact, opportunities for global learning.” She adds, “When solutions prove effective under the most demanding conditions, they demonstrate their true resilience. Ultimately, the real measure of innovation lies in how far its benefits can extend, and whom they can empower.”

Co-inventor Obah Tawo described the project as “a turning point for sustainable energy research,” emphasizing that its design principles could redefine next-generation storage technologies. He added that “the strength of this work lies not only in its science but in its vision, a vision that energy innovation should be both accessible and globally relevant.”

The resulting nanomaterials network integrates the complementary strengths of all three components at the nanoscale, creating an interconnected system that merges the energy density of batteries with the rapid charge–discharge performance of supercapacitors. This balance of speed, strength, and stability positions this work as a key enabler in the global clean energy transition, paving the way for more reliable energy solutions.

Beyond the patent, Dr. Iftikhar has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in globally indexed journals, including Wiley’s Journal of Applied Polymer Science. Her research on hybrid electrocatalysts has been cited internationally for its originality and contribution to sustainable hydrogen production and energy conversion technologies. She also serves as a peer reviewer for the Royal Society of Chemistry, underscoring her reputation as a trusted voice in global materials research.

Experts have hailed the newly patented work as a “transformational innovation” that bridges the gap between laboratory science and industrial application. It not only strengthens the role of women scientists in frontier research but also positions her as a leading figure in the international energy movement.
As the global community moves toward large-scale energy storage goals, the patent represents more than a technical step forward; it symbolizes the potential of shared scientific inquiry to reshape economies, strengthen resilience, and bridge the energy divide between developed and emerging regions. For Africa and South Asia, that bridge may be built one nanomaterial at a time.