News
News
The China-UK Low Carbon College (LCC) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University attracts students who are not just following a path but forging one. Among them is Sahar Ahrari from Iran, the dedication to exploration and discovery brought her to the Lingang campus to study Energy and Power Engineering.
Sahar chose her Chinese name, 黎明 (lí míng), which means “dawn”—a fitting parallel for her ambition to create the dawn of a new, safer and cleaner energy era. Her journey is unique: with dedicated time to cultural immersion, she is now leveraging the high-level research platform at SJTU to achieve her long-term professional goals.
From Seasoned Explorer to Shanghai Scholar
Sahar’s transition to LCC is the second, nevertheless the most focused stage of her personal adventure. Upon obtaining her bachelor's degree, she deliberately took some time off to study the Chinese language, a period dedicated to travel and cultural exploration across China. In fact, the picture above was taken during her trip to Beijing! This immersion equipped her with the resilience and perspective to handle the challenges from family and friends in Iran.
Caption: Sahar connecting with elementary children in one of her volunteer experience at Guangzhou
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Caption: Cultural immersion is incomplete without trying out the traditional costume!
The contrast between her prior residence in China and Lingang is notable. While she experienced the vibrant culture and energy of Guangzhou, she found Lingang is "much quieter, cleaner, and more organized." "I actually enjoy experiencing both sides of China—the peaceful atmosphere of Lingang and the vibrant culture of Guangzhou" she reflects.
This mindset of seeking and embracing new frontiers is the engine behind her scientific work.
Pioneering Zinc: Research at the Cutting Edge of Energy Storage
Sahar’s commitment to solving the global energy challenge started quite early, rooted in the curiosity about how technology could foster a sustainable future arose from high school. To promote this commitment, she took a highly relevant bachelor’s program in Energy Engineering in Shahid Behesti University in Iran.
A bachelor’s degree was not simply a means to acquire knowledge and a title for Sahar, but rather a platform to immerse herself with professional competency training in this field. The four years of undergraduate studies was devoted on state-funded research projects, Sahar worked as a research assistant for her lab and served as the Executive Committee for the 31st Annual International Conference of the Iranian Society of Mechanical Engineer, and co-authored two journal publications simultaneouely.
The most memorable achievement for her is the research project on “Planning and policy-making to improve the pattern of gas consumption in different consumer sectors with the approach of increasing national wealth”. “This project focused on developing strategies to optimize gas usage and enhance national energy efficiency, I was enlightened with valuable insights into large-scale energy policy and sustainable system design”she explained.
Her passion for sustainable energy systems guided her decision to choose LCC, the global reputation and high academic ranking of SJTU is appealing, whereas it is the specific platform that LCC provided for her vision that ultimately led to her decision.
Her research is focused on a compelling solution for the future: zinc-based battery technologies, specifically optimizing their complex electrolytes. She views this field as a frontier "still relatively new and full of opportunities for innovation." Sahar is pioneering a low-carbon alternative, emphasizing that zinc batteries are a promising candidate due to their low cost, environmental friendliness, and high safety.
"I'm excited to be part of this global movement toward next-generation clean energy technologies," she states.
The Lab as a Launchpad: Hands-On Learning and Independent Discovery
For Sahar, academic success is intrinsically linked to the practical, hands-on environment of the LCC labs. The quiet, peaceful environment of the campus genuinely helps her to “concentrate better”, enables her to stay "focused and productive."
As a scholar, the typical day of Sahar is highly structured around this hands-on work. She spends most of her day at the university, dedicating the afternoon hours to research in the lab. "I really enjoy being in the lab because I can learn from senior students and gain hands-on experience" she says.
Her work is guided by the academic supervisor, who practices an empowering style of supervision. Sahar appreciates that "He gives me complete freedom to explore different research directions" and encourages her to find her own focus through self-directed experimentation. This guidance ensures that she could always receive "helpful guidance and feedback whenever I face challenges".
Life in Shanghai Recently
Exploration remains part of her routine. Riding her bike around Lingang, catching fireworks on weekends and visiting downtown Shanghai monthly, Sahar is enjoying herself thoroughly.
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Her favorite spot, Nanjing Road, holds a special place here. "Every time I look at the photo we took there, it reminds me of how wonderful it feels to reconnect with people and enjoy life in Shanghai" she shares.
Looking ahead, Sahar is eager to "strengthen my research and technical skills" and build more friendships as she continues her pioneering work.
We look forward to witnessing Sahar’s success as she continues to lead the charge towards a sustainable future in the labs of the China-UK Low Carbon College!
UoE Professor Margaret Graham Visits LCC
2025-09-22
