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Masdar Institute Summer Intern’s Research Paper Presented at 17th Asia Pacific Automotive Engineering Conference

September 21, 2018

Internship Contributes to Developing Human Capital in UAE and Serves as Excellent Preparatory Ground for Higher Studies in Advanced Technology 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 01 May, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced a scientific research paper based on last year’s summer internship project has received international acclaim at a major conference on automotive engineering in Bangkok.
The scientific paper titled ‘Effect of Ambient Conditions on the Performance of an Open-cathode PEM Fuel Cell Stack: Case Study United Arab Emirates’ was presented at the 17th Asia Pacific Automotive Engineering Conference that was held from 1-3 April in Bangkok, Thailand. It was based on the research work of Hend Al Zeyoudi, an intern at Masdar Institute during the summer of 2012, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Tariq Shamim, Head of Mechanical Engineering, Masdar Institute.

Co-authored by Hend Al Zeyoudi, Dr. Agus P. Sasmito and Dr. Tariq Shamim, the paper focused on developing a sustainable mobility solution by exploring the use of open-cathode fuel cell in vehicles under hot and arid environment. Using the annual climate data of Abu Dhabi, the paper presented the results of a computational investigation of the effect of temperature and relative humidity on the performance of the innovative fuel cell design, which has the advantages of significant weight, space and cost reduction.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The summer internship program serves as an excellent preparatory ground for higher studies as well as careers in advanced technology and renewable energy research. The presentation of the paper about an intern’s research at the Bangkok Conference reflects Masdar Institute’s distinctively different learning experience. The credit goes to the faculty and the intern.

“Masdar Institute effectively contributes to the UAE’s existing R&D and human capacity development measures that will make the country a regional and eventually a global leader in the creation of knowledge capital. With the support of the country’s leadership we have developed the capability to provide such niche research opportunities to undergraduate UAE nationals. We hope student interns during this summer’s upcoming program too will use this opportunity to equip themselves with fresh skills in science-related areas.”

The Bangkok conference was organized by SAE International, a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. Dr. Shamim is a senior SAE member and a past recipient of the SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award.

Dr. Tariq Shamim said: “The presentation based on Masdar Institute summer intern Hend Al Zeyoudi’s research paper at the Bangkok Conference indicates the intense academic and laboratory experience offered at Masdar Institute. It also reiterates the world class facilities available at the sustainable campus for conducting advanced research. I congratulate Hend and assure a productive learning experience awaits those undergraduates keen to sign up for research internship this year at Masdar Institute.”

Similar to last year, the four-week summer research internship program this year offers undergraduate students a wide range of project opportunities in areas strategically important to the UAE such as water, solar energy and fuel cells. The project options are designed to help students develop into career-oriented professionals in clean energy and advanced technology. The internship program also represents one more aspect of the research-based university’s consistent contribution to the UAE’s human capital development objectives.

Undergraduate UAE national students that are current university seniors will be eligible to apply for the summer internships this year. Multiple applications are required for those seeking to register for more than one research projects under the program that commences on 1 July.

UAE national undergraduates interested in applying for the internship program must have Science or Engineering as ‘major’ subjects in their degree course and a GPA of no less than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). An IELTS score of at least 6.0 (or equivalent) is mandatory along with a letter of recommendation.

Mirroring the vision of Abu Dhabi’s leaders, Masdar Institute continues to position itself and Abu Dhabi among the world’s innovation-based economies. Furthermore, serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental 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.