Asif has conducted academic research in the field of electric propulsion, with a focus on miniature gridded ion thruster systems for small spacecraft applications. His early work at Pennsylvania State University examined the development and experimental testing of a microwave electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) discharge ion thruster, including plasma generation and ion beam extraction. Experimental diagnostics used in this work included Langmuir probe measurements and a Faraday cup for beam current and current-density measurements, which were used to support calculated performance estimates.[7][8]
His later work at Western Michigan University has focused on preparation for long-duration testing of a miniature microwave-frequency ECR gridded ion thruster, including development of system stability practices and grid-manufacturing approaches intended to support wear testing.[9] In 2025, his work reported recycle operations as a precursor to wear testing, combining Langmuir probe measurements with observations of changes in grid geometry and mass associated with repeated restart cycling.[10]
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