Masdar Institute At The Cutting Edge of Nano-Technology Research Following Partnership Agreement with Lockheed Martin

Organisers create waiting list to meet demand of young Emirati students wishing to join the STEM inspired education program

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi-UAE: 18 December 2013 – Emirati students and scientists in the UAE will become involved in cutting edge research into nano technologies and nano materials following a new partnership agreement between Abu Dhabi’s research-based Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and global aerospace and security leader Lockheed Martin.

The new relationship was formalized through the signing of a master research agreement by Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, and Brad Pietras, vice-president, Corporate Engineering & Technology at Lockheed Martin.

“We recognize the need to empower Emirati youth through education, knowledge transfer and engagement,” says Brad Pietras. “Through giving local students and researchers direct involvement in hands-on, advanced scientific research we are actively supporting the UAE in the areas of skills and economic development as well as job creation which will deliver tangible, long-term benefits to the Emirates.”

Nano structures and materials have unique properties due to their strength, electrical conductivity and other factors which make them potentially suitable for use in aircraft fuselage design, plastics and water-desalination programs among others.

“Lockheed Martin is committed to supporting the development of a sustainable knowledge-based economy in the UAE and has decades of relevant experience to share with us while we have world class research infrastructure,” comments Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh. “It’s a privilege to partner with such a respected global corporation and to have its support for solving the challenges of tomorrow including  the development and introduction of effective aerospace and water desalination applications, among others, for Emirati business, industry and the wider Emirati community.”

The master research agreement will kick off with two projects that will be undertaken by Masdar Institute faculty. Dr Matteo Cheisa, Dr. Kumar Shanmugam and Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi undertake characterization and modeling of carbon nano-structured materials. Dr Raed Hashaikeh and Dr. Rashid Abu Al-Rub will be conducting research in carbon-nano structure (CNS) – coated membranes, building on a novel approach developed at the Institute that has already resulted in a patent filing.

With one granted US patent and 26 additional patent applications pending, Masdar Institute serves as a key pillar of innovation and human capital to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

From its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, Lockheed Martin Middle East, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, is working to develop business ventures, strategic initiatives and local partnerships which harness the innovation and energy of the Emirates and support the Economic Vision 2030 plan.

The new partnership with Masdar Institute builds on a research partnership with Khalifa University, launched at the Dubai Airshow, which aims to support the work of first responders, security and law enforcement agencies by improving situational awareness through the monitoring and analysis of open source data.

Lockheed Martin Middle East is a trusted partner for the UAE Armed Forces which uses latest-generation F-16 fighter jets to protect its airspace and national sovereignty and C-130 tactical transport aircraft to help meet its air transport needs.

AMMROC, a company operated in partnership with Mubadala Aerospace, provides world class military aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for fixed and rotary wing platforms operated by the United Arab Emirates.

At last month’s Dubai Airshow, it was announced that Dubai International Airport had become the latest to install Lockheed Martin’s WindTracer, a system which detects and reports hazardous winds and aircraft wakes to improve the safety of aircraft operations.