From a small village in south Kashmir to the forefront of global scientific innovation, Ubaid Manzoor is making a mark in the world of sustainable technology.
A final-year Ph.D candidate at the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Sustainable Metallurgy in Düsseldorf, Germany, Manzoor has pioneered a breakthrough in green nickel production — a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy systems.
His research, published in the prestigious journal Nature on April 30, outlines a hydrogen-based method to produce nickel with drastically reduced environmental impact — a potential game-changer for clean energy supply chains worldwide.
Hailing from Yaripora in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Manzoor’s journey began in a local school where he first developed a passion for science. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from NIT Srinagar and pursued his master’s at IIT Roorkee, where he focused on hydrogen-based steelmaking, laying the foundation for his future research in sustainable metallurgy.
At the Max Planck Institute, under renowned scientist Prof Dierk Raabe, Manzoor turned his attention to nickel, a metal critical to the energy transition. His study, Sustainable nickel enabled by hydrogen-based reduction, co-authored with L. Mujica Roncery, D. Raabe, and I. R. Souza Filho, proposes a carbon-free, energy-efficient method using hydrogen plasma to replace traditional, carbon-heavy extraction processes.
“Nickel is essential for EV batteries and renewable energy systems, but its conventional production is one of the most polluting industrial processes,” Manzoor told Greater Kashmir. “My goal is to make metal extraction sustainable and drive forward a cleaner, more resource-efficient future.”
The Max Planck Institute notes that Manzoor’s method significantly reduces emissions and waste, cutting out the use of fossil fuels and minimising harmful byproducts. As nickel demand is expected to triple by 2030 due to the EV boom, cleaner production techniques are increasingly vital.
An April 2025 Nature news feature emphasised the importance of Manzoor’s work in the race to meet net-zero emissions targets. The science portal Bioengineer.org described his innovation as a “transformative leap” in eco-friendly metallurgy.
“By harnessing hydrogen plasma, Ubaid’s process not only cuts the carbon footprint of nickel production but also ensures that green energy doesn’t come at the cost of environmental damage,” it said.
With broader applications in steel, copper, and other essential metals, his research is already influencing global strategies for sustainable manufacturing.
Manzoor’s story is a powerful reminder that groundbreaking innovation can come from the most unexpected places. His journey from Yaripora to a global scientific spotlight underscores the potential of young talent from small towns to solve the world’s biggest challenges.
“I’m passionate about creating a circular, resource-efficient economy,” he says — a vision aligned with the world’s push toward sustainable industry and clean energy.
Ubaid Manzoor’s work not only promises to reshape how critical metals are produced but also serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, both for Kashmir and for a world in search of climate solutions.
