Use of Electron Microscopy Facilities to Help Abu Dhabi Gain Insights into Renewable Energies, Environment, Oil and Gas, Advanced Technologies;

Student Qualifies to Operate Hi-Technology Equipment

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 05 November, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced several industries within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE have shown keen interest in utilizing the FEI Quanta™ 3D DualBeam™ microscope – the only one in the UAE.

The microscope brings new capabilities and flexibility to scientists, engineers and researchers needing to characterize materials and conduct failure analysis or control processes. Sectors related to nanotechnology in the UAE including new materials, oil and gas, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductor industry are expected to benefit from this specialized hi-tech equipment that is installed at the Masdar Institute campus.

The FEI Quanta 3D Dual Beam is one of the six extremely advanced electron microscopes at Masdar Institute and the unique nature of these facilities have already caught the attention of local industries that are keen to utilize them for industrial and scientific purposes.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The high-technology facilities at Masdar Institute contribute to the advancement of innovations and research and development in various industrial sectors. But more importantly, as directed by the country’s leadership, Masdar Institute offers its facilities to industrial sectors of strategic importance to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. We thank the UAE’s leaders for their support and feel confident that our advanced equipment, such as the electron microscopy facility, will assist in improving the productivity rate and bring long-term benefits to the country.”

Students of Masdar Institute across the various programs have excelled and remained in the forefront, acquiring knowledge and special expertise. Jin Huang, a Master’s student under Dr Marcus Dahlem, Assistant Professor – Microsystems Engineering, is now fully qualified to access and operate the FEI Quanta 3D DualBeam microscope on his own. Trained and certified by Microscopy Instructor Ronald Warren and Microscopy Manager Mike Tiner at Masdar Institute, Jin Huang is currently the only fully qualified student operator allowed to use this cutting-edge equipment. The FEI Quanta 3D DualBeam is used for several purposes including fast prototyping of nano- and micro-scale structures, sample preparation for use on transmission electron microscopy (TEM), characterization of new materials, analysis of fabrication processes in the semiconductor industry.

The six advanced electron microscopes at Masdar Institute are expected to help Abu Dhabi and the UAE in gaining understanding and tackling specific problems related to renewable energies, environment, oil and gas, advanced technologies. At present this microscopy facility is used to support the research of the faculty from programs including the Microsystems Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.

Dr Marcus Dahlem said: “DualBeam microscopes, such as the FEI Quanta 3D, have been used in the semiconductor industry for several years. However, more recently, there has been a growing interest in using such equipments for different areas related to renewables, as well as oil and gas. We are fortunate to have these advanced equipments within our campus and additionally have a qualified student who is proficient enough to operate and utilize such a hi-tech facility for the benefit of the industries in the UAE.”

The FEI Quanta 3D DualBeam is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) that is also equipped with a focused ion beam (FIB). This SEM functions permit microscopic observations of a specimen while the FIB functions make it possible to erode or modify the specimen. An x-ray spectrometer attachment analyzes specimen elemental chemistry. An electron backscattered diffraction system (EBSD) collects the crystallography information from the specimen. Using these capabilities together makes it possible to learn about, or modify, a specimen’s three dimensional (3D) structure and chemistry.

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 with 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. 

Research Project Conducts Molecular and Biochemical Screening of Mangrove Sediments in UAE

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 31 October, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced a team of faculty and students have successfully collected soil sediments that are closely associated with roots of mangrove trees in Abu Dhabi for novel enzymes.

The mangrove ecosystem in the UAE is unique, characterized by higher than average salinities and temperatures that may be tolerable to a select number of microbes. These microbes could produce biomass degrading enzymes with ‘unique’ characteristics that have biotechnological utility. The enzymes from this environment are known to have a wider activity range under high salt concentrations and temperatures.

The collection of soil sediments was part of a project titled ‘Molecular and Biochemical Screening of Mangrove Sediments in Abu Dhabi for Biomass Degrading Enzymes’, being undertaken by Dr. Lina F. Yousef, Water Environment and Engineering (WEE) program and Dr. Andreas Henschel of the Computing and Information System (CIS) program, who are the Principal Investigators. Dr. Farrukh Ahmad, Associate Professor, WEE, is a co-Principal Investigator. Other members of the group include Areej Al-Sheikh, S2EM Lab Manager / Research Engineer, WEE program, and students Naeema Al Nofeli, Sumaya Al Hosani and Celia Lopez.

Dr. Lina Yousef said: “The trip was successful with students learning proper techniques for soil sampling, sample-handling and storage. The sediments are currently being analyzed at the S2EM lab for their physical, chemical and biological properties.

“We are screening mangrove root sediments for novel biomass degrading enzymes using a culture independent ‘omics’ approach. This approach involves the study of many genomes (metagenomics), gene transcripts (metatranscriptomics), and proteins (proteomics) – all at once from an environmental sample. This holistic approach will provide information on resident microbial communities and their relevant enzymatic activities in mangrove sediments of the UAE.”

Approximately 99% of soil microbes cannot be cultured and studied in the lab. However, these unknown microbes are potential sources of new drugs, enzymes and other macromolecules with biotechnological utility. Fortunately, recent advances in molecular biology have enabled researches to study these microbes in their natural environment without having to culture them into artificial media.

The ‘Molecular and Biochemical Screening of Mangrove Sediments in Abu Dhabi for Biomass Degrading Enzymes’ project is funded through the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Center, dedicated to the development of an Integrated Sea Water Agricultural System in Abu Dhabi.

The project signifies several benefits to the UAE because a metagenomic approach to study environmental samples has rarely been attempted in the region before. Additionally, there is no information available on the microbial communities and/or their activities in mangrove sediments of the UAE. The outcomes of the research are expected to provide information on the efficiency of microbial populations present in sediments of mangroves in the UAE to process recalcitrant material such as cellulose. This may suggest the presence of microbes with the characteristics suitable for other environmental applications including pesticide and contaminant degradation. 

The Sustainable Soil and Environmental Microbiology Lab at Masdar Institute that conducted the first sampling trip in the mangrove areas, is mandated to apply world class research to support technological advancements in preserving the UAE’s natural resource. The lab aims to develop a better understanding of microbial ecology in natural and engineered environments, manage the limited soil resource for improved agricultural productivity, with a focus on Arid soils, as well as develop ecological restoration tools for degraded and/or carbon poor soils. It also seeks to devise low cost, and natural strategies to fix carbon in soils, while devising solutions for the sustainable production of biomass.

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. 

Special Equipment to Test and Improve Quality of Sources Including Brackish Water and Condensate

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 24 October, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it has commissioned UK-based Axium Process to install two mobile membrane filtration plants at the campus.

Designed for pilot scale Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis trials, the mobile plants from Axium Process are supplied with data logging and Wi-Fi access to allow ease of instrument tracking and manipulation of data. They are currently being used to test and improve water quality from a variety of sources including brackish water and condensate.

Dr. Nidal Hilal, an international expert in desalination and membrane technology and Professor in Nano-membranlogy and Water Technologies at Masdar Institute, said: “Membrane separation is extremely important for desalination, production of drinking water and waste water treatment in the UAE and the GCC region. The two mobile membrane filtration plants installed by Axium Process will enable us to carry out extensive studies and assist our researchers to find new solutions in this area. The high-technology equipment also represents the cutting-edge research facilities available at Masdar Institute for faculty and students to focus their research on clean energy and advanced technologies.”

Dr Hilal is also the Editor-in-Chief of Desalination, published by Elsevier, the most widely respected international journal on the science and technology of desalting and water purification.

Membrane filtration has become a proven technology and membranes have become more robust and less expensive over the past decade. Membrane processes offer enormous potential for cost savings in terms of reduced water and energy costs, water recovery, effluent treatment, product recovery and diversification of products. Membrane processes also have many other applications apart from desalination.

Axium’s range of pilot plants, which can be modified to suit customer specific requirements, are manufactured in 316L stainless steel and can include tanks, variable speed pumps, Pure-Screen pre-filter, various membrane housing configurations, heat exchanger, sample points, as well as controls and instrumentation for level, flow, pressure, pH and conductivity.

Axium Process specializes in stainless steel system fabricator, supplying custom built processing equipment, components, tube and pipe fittings that meet the individual customer requirements. The company’s team of engineers specializes in the design, testing, in-house fabrication and commissioning of customized membrane filtration systems. They also offer membrane-related product and process development, and technical and training support.

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. 

Market Research Firm Predicts Global Smart Meter Market to Grow 12% through 2017

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 22 October, 2012 – Smart grids offer a critical enabling technology to achieving the objectives spelt out in Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Economic Vision and a tremendous market potential has opened up for existing control technologies to be integrated by leading utilities like Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA).

However, much remains to be done to develop comprehensive and holistic methods of assessing system performance and reliability, according to Dr. Amro Farid, Assistant Professor, Engineering Systems and Management at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, and Research Affiliate in the MIT Technology Development.

Dr. Farid’s remarks were part of his keynote presentation on the second day at the Fleming Gulf’s second Annual Smart Grids and Smart Meters Summit that was held in Abu Dhabi. He also participated in a panel discussion on the role of smart meters in demand side management and their promise of delivering value, highlighting their value not just to customers, but also to the utilities’ operations.

Dr. Amro Farid said: “In the near term, smart meters will deliver greater information to customers on their bills and electricity usage patterns and allow utilities to provide greater customer support in key functionality like outage management, power quality support, and mobile workforce deployment. In the mid-term smart grids can help to enable demand side management thus saving millions of dirhams in potential investment into new thermal power generation. Smart grids finally will enable the high penetration of renewable energy resources like solar and wind energy; thus allowing the UAE to achieve its 7% commitment to renewable energy.”

The keynote presentation titled  ‘The Future of the Electric Grid:  Opportunities, Challenges and the Role of Control Systems’, focused on the recent contributions of Dr. Farid in the MIT Future of the Electricity Grid study, as well as the soon-to-be-published IEEE Control Systems Society’s Smart Grid Vision for Control Systems.

Dr. Amro Farid added: “Smart grids are a key national infrastructure whose benefits cannot be fully quantified in the short or long term.  Investments into the smart grid are in that regard is similar to investments into roads, bridges, water distribution and communications technology.  The real challenge is in the system integration of the technologies to bring holistic system benefits. Utility leaders such as ADWEA have done much to integrate existing technologies.”

The global smart meter market, which experienced double digit growth during 2006-2011, is projected to grow further in 2012 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% through 2017 and US$8.2 billion, according to Lucintel, a leading global management consulting and market research firm. The report titled ‘Growth Opportunities in Global Smart Meters Market 2012–2017: Trends, Forecast, and Market Share Analysis’ adds that with increased deployment by the electric utilities, smart meters are rapidly being adopted around the world as part of larger smart grid initiatives.

Dr Amro Farid is director of the Laboratory for Intelligent Integrated Networks of Engineering Systems (LIINES) at Masdar Institute. His lab is currently developing a ‘Smart Grid Simulator’ which not only studies the physical flows of electrical power but also studies the control, operations and dispatching activities that go on in utilities, shedding new insights into how smart grid technologies when deployed will bring about new holistic system benefits and performance.

During his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Farid focused on System Dynamics and Control. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department, where he researched the ‘re-configurability of integrated multi-layer control and automation systems. Dr. Farid has experience in numerous industrial sectors including automotive, semiconductor and chemical sectors, and has contributed to their policy and regulation.

Since joining Masdar Institute, Dr. Farid has focused on the large-scale penetration of variable energy resources in the power grid and has maintained active contributions to the Future of the Electricity Grid Study, the IEEE Control Systems Society and the MIT-Masdar Institute initiative.

The Fleming Gulf’s Second Annual Smart Grids and Smart Meters Summit in Abu Dhabi assessed the upgrading process of the existing power grids by integrating the Smart Grid technologies for the Middle East market.

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. 

Packed Calendar Includes Networking, Visit to SMART Start-up and Meeting with Students from 12 International Academic Institutions

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 21 October, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, today announced that a team of 15 chosen members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program will participate in the inaugural Asia Future Energy Forum & Exhibition (AFEF) 2012 and the Singapore Energy Summit (SES) 2012.

To be held from 22 – 24 October, AFEF is a world-class platform for the promotion of leading-edge sustainable energy governance, business, investment, finance, and technology that enable smart delivery of clean energy solutions. Part of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2012, AFEF is also the leading global energy event.

The YFEL members, meticulously selected through a study case competition that had stringent selection criteria, will be accompanied by Sara Al Junaibi, Outreach Officer at Masdar Institute. AFEF, organized in association with Masdar, is part of a collaborative initiative to bring the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) experience internationally to Asia. The future energy forum is an international event that began in Europe and now comes for the first time to Singapore in Asia.

The schedule for the YFEL members in Singapore includes visits to a research-based successful business venture, academic institutions and networking with energy industry leaders. A meeting and a luncheon event at the Masdar booth will enable them to network with international students from 12 different educational institutions in Singapore. They will later visit Visenti, a recent spin-off from highly innovative and successful research at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) that is focused on supporting utility companies in monitoring their infrastructure and optimizing their operations. A visit to the National University of Singapore will wind up their program at AFEF 2012.

Dr Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “With fast-expanding economies that have already begun to implement large-scale clean energy projects, Asia is gaining status as an emerging power in the sustainability sector. For YFEL members, the inaugural AFEF will serve as the right platform to interact with the Asian energy leaders and expand their industry insights. With the support of the country’s leadership, YFEL members have steadily raised their profiles at international forums across the world and we hope AFEF will provide them with a new learning experience.”

In addition to the specially organized events, the YFEL members are also scheduled to attend the panel discussions and interactive sessions that cover topics such as ‘Options for the Future Energy Mix’, ‘Financing Tomorrow’s Energy Needs’, ‘Connecting the Dots: Energy-Water-Food Nexus’, ‘Implementing Sustainable Energy Solutions in Asia – Diversifying the Energy Mix’, and ‘Market and Investment Perspectives in Asia’. They will also attend other events such as the Singapore Energy Summit Networking Reception and AFEF Business Leaders Panel.

With several global energy leaders expected to attend the forum, the event provides the right setting for YFEL members to engage and interact with, and expand their scope of knowledge in the renewable energy industry. Visits and networking events are designed to provide them with the right learning ground and equip themselves to carry out future roles as industry professionals.

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, YFEL offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability. 

Experts Lead Intensive Sessions on Key Characteristics of Leadership

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 18 October, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it hosted a two-day workshop on leadership for members of its outreach initiative, the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program.

More than 35 YFEL members participated in the workshop titled ‘Being a Future Leader’. Held recently in Abu Dhabi, the workshop covered different activities such as short lectures, group discussions, hands-on activities, and panel presentations that helped them discover the key characteristics to become great leaders.

Zainab Abdul Rahim Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and YFEL Program Coordinator at Masdar Institute, said: “The leadership course emphasizes YFEL’s commitment to develop future leaders in advanced energy and sustainability. We are grateful to the UAE’s leadership that supports programs such as YFEL and motivates talented youngsters to excel in future energy and advanced technologies. As students, they need to gain adequate exposure to expertise that can make them effective leaders in this field. Attending courses on leadership will help them accumulate the most advanced knowledge and equip them to become future decision-makers in this industry.”

The course was led by a team of experts including Dr. Ken Volk, Outreach Manager, Kevin Garvey, Lecturer, Academic Writing for Graduate Students and Presentation of Academic Research, and Glenda El Gamal, Lecturer, Masdar Institute. The first day’s proceedings covered leadership concept, teamwork, groupthink, communication empowerment, interaction style, and psychometric test.  The second day’s activities included sessions on a wide range of topics such as making decisions as a leader, aspects of leadership, organizational structures, and leadership panel.

The two-day YFEL course forms part of an annual schedule of three courses on Technology, Policy and Leadership that cover renewable energy-related issues in managing and guiding peers. The courses targeted young practitioners and graduate students who aim to expand their knowledge of core issues in renewable energy technology, policy and leadership.

Lateefa Ahmed Al Hosani, a young professional at DP World and YFEL member, said: “The various activities and lectures have enhanced my learning experience, the groupthink, and team-work. I also liked the psychometric test that demonstrated to me the pros and cons of leadership characteristics of my personality. I also learned about the different styles of interaction that would work effectively with me as a leader and the meaning of the communications empowerments. This course has also allowed me to get to know the leadership skills of my colleagues.”

Faisal Al Marzouqi, a young professional with Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) and YFEL member, said: “I enjoyed the course and I learned new valuable information about leadership and how important it is to be a good leader. It was very interesting to know how leaders get to make decisions, especially in a dilemma, and what the different elements they take into consideration to ensure the benefit of their supporters. The leadership panel has helped in enforcing what we have learned during the two-day course, by discussing various leadership elements.”

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, YFEL offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.

Dr. Amer Al Hinai from Oman Brings Fresh Expertise to EPE Program at Masdar Institute

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 16 October, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it has gradually gained status as a UAE organization that attracts professionals and faculty from across the world, similar to other globally-acclaimed institutions.

Dr. Amer Al Hinai from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Oman is currently spending his sabbatical leave as a visiting Assistant Professor in the Electrical Power Engineering (EPE) program at Masdar Institute. Dr. Al Hinai is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at SQU. His areas of interest include Power Systems: Control and Operation, Multi-Agent Systems: Application to Control of Power Systems, Optimization Techniques and Applications to Power Systems.

The presence of Dr. Al Hinai reflects Masdar Institute’s efforts to strengthen ties with GCC countries, while reiterating the status of the Abu Dhabi-based institution as a destination for regional scientists keen on conducting cutting-edge research.

Dr. Marwan K. Khraisheh, Dean of Engineering, Masdar Institute, said: “Faculty members spend their sabbatical leaves mostly in globally-renowned institutions away from this region to further develop their professional capabilities or to continue their research work. However, Dr. Al Hinai’s presence in Masdar Institute demonstrates his preference for an institution that offers the perfect environment for research similar to any other global academic institution here in the GCC region. We are confident Dr Al Hinai will find the experience at Masdar Institute enriching and productive.”

Dr. Amer has carried out more than 20 research projects related to energy savings, power system analysis, power system protection, load shedding, power system quality and transient stability of power systems. He has published over 30 research papers in international journals & conferences, and more than 32 technical reports.

Dr. Al Hinai said: “Being involved with the EPE program at Masdar Institute matches my specialization and interest. This indeed will help me carry on related research and collaboration with EPE faculty and students. Though both Sultan Qaboos University and Masdar Institute are similar in many ways, the Abu Dhabi institution stands apart in offering tailored postgraduate programs with research focus on renewable energy and sustainability.

“The knowledge exchange among the GCC member countries and between the UAE and Oman is crucial for social and human development, as well as to diversify the economy to achieve sustainable development. Knowledge exchange is a translation of GCC’s interest in supporting projects of scientific and technological research that stimulates creativity and innovation, while promoting the concept of the knowledge-based economy.”

Beside his research activities, Dr. Amer has also conducted several training/short course sessions in Electrical Power System. He has served as IEEE-SQU students chapter advisor for two years and is currently the IEEE-Oman section Secretary.

Dr. Amer Al-Hinai received a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 1997 and joined the University as a Demonstrator the next year. He received his M.Sc. and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University, Morgantown, US.

Similar to Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute, Sultan Qaboos University implements various sustainability measures including organizing conferences focused on energy and environment sustainability, collaborating with local, regional, and international institutions on sustainable energy, and conducting externally and internally-funded research projects. It has also established a Renewable and Sustainable Energies Research Group, a research center dedicated for environmental studies, as well as post-graduate and doctoral research projects on sustainability. The SQU has also earned distinctive credit for designing and building the first eco house in Oman.

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.

Faculty Leads Intensive Courses and Industry Expert Brings New Dimension to Special Sessions

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 30 September, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it hosted a two-day ‘Policy’ course for members of its outreach initiative, the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program.

Titled ‘The Role of Policy in the Renewable Energy Industry’, the course was held in Abu Dhabi. More than 40 YFEL members participated in the program that covered a wide range of topics in renewable energy policy from a variety of perspectives.

Three intensive courses on the first day were offered by Masdar Institute faculty including Dr. Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Institute Initiatives, Dr. Toufic Mezher, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Professor of Engineering Systems and Management, and Dr. I-Tsung Tsai, Professor, Mechanical Engineering program. A special session on the second day was led by Katarina Uherova Hasbani, Senior Energy Analyst, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

The two-day YFEL course forms part of an annual schedule of three courses on Technology, Policy and Leadership that cover renewable energy-related issues in environmental engineering and management. The courses target young practitioners and graduate students who aim to expand their knowledge of core issues in the areas of renewable energy technology and policy.

Zainab Abdul Rahim Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and YFEL Program Coordinator at Masdar Institute, said: “The specially organized courses for YFEL members were led by experts from faculty and industry professionals, whose rich insights brought a new dimension to the learning experience of the participants. As directed by the country’s leadership and with their support, it is our objective to develop full-fledged professionals, well-versed in all the areas of clean energy to remain future industry leaders. The two-day course will surely benefit the young industry professionals and graduate students in achieving their knowledge goals.”

Focusing on ‘Technology Strategy’, Dr. Steve Griffiths led the first module and highlighted the need for effective policy interventions to stimulate clean technology research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) that will help overcome economic and structural barriers for clean technology deployment. A Professor of Practice in Chemical Engineering, Dr. Griffiths earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT and his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Dr. Griffiths said: “Effective policy measures are the right instruments to take clean technology deployment further. As future energy industry leaders, the YFEL members need to be provided the right ingredients to develop into effective professionals. The insightful perspectives on policy issues provided at the two-day training program have equipped them and strengthened their skill sets for becoming accomplished future leaders in the energy industry.”

The second module on ‘The Role of Policy in Clean Technology Innovation and Deployment’ was led by Dr. Toufic Mezher, offering students an introductory view on managing technology in high-tech industries through the discussion of a case study. Students were asked to read Harvard Business School Review of 2010 about First Solar to prepare for the class. Dr. Mezher earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, as well as a Master’s and ScD in Engineering Management from George Washington University.

Dr. I-Tsung Tsai covered ‘The Dynamic Aspects of Sustainable Energy Policy Design and Carbon Finance’ in the third module. Focusing on the design of sustainable energy policy for complex energy economic systems and the financial strategies to promote clean tech investment, he elaborated on the key concepts, followed by team discussions and case examples. Previously a water strategy consultant for the Singapore government and a visiting scholar to the Institute of Financial Research and Management, India, Dr. I-Tsung Tsai’s research interests include carbon management, carbon finance, infrastructure policy and information economics.

Currently responsible for policy-related initiatives at the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Katarina Uherova Hasbani had previously taught energy, environment and public policy courses at universities in Beirut and Dubai. She previously worked for the European Commission in Brussels, where she held several positions dealing with the European Union’s energy policies, including as Cabinet Member of the EU Energy Commissioner. The Stanford University, along with the Safadi Foundation, granted her the title of Scholar of the Year 2011-2012 for her paper on electricity sector reform in Lebanon.

Holder of a Master’s degree from Sciences Po (Institute of Political Sciences) in Paris, Katarina additionally holds a Master’s in International Relations from Matej Bel University in Slovakia as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, YFEL offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.

Total UAE Sponsors Four Emirati Students and YFEL Members for Business Case Competition in Edmonton

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 25 September, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that four Emirati students and members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program led by a faculty, will be the first-ever team from Middle East to participate in the Alberta Energy Challenge in Canada.

Total UAE is sponsoring the team of four Emirati students – Wail Farouq Almaeeni, Iman Ustaadi, Ameirah Al Dahmani and Mohammed Al Sharhan, led by Dr. I-Tsung Tsai, Assistant Professor at Engineering Systems and Management program. Dr. Tsai’s research interests include carbon management, carbon finance, infrastructure policy and information economics, while each of the Emirati student and YFEL member has a stellar track record in participating at international and local events.

Total hosted a reception in Abu Dhabi for the participating team from Masdar Institute before their departure to Canada. Hamza Kazim, Vice-President, Operations & Finance, Masdar Institute, and Zainab Abdul Rahim Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and YFEL Program Coordinator at Masdar Institute, attended the event to acknowledge Total’s gesture of supporting the program.

Focusing on exploring the opportunities and challenges in the dynamic energy sector, the Alberta Energy Challenge is a business case competition that is held from 27-30 September at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton. The challenge is organized by the University Of Alberta School Of Business and the Commerce Energy and Environment Group.

The Alberta competition provides delegates with the opportunity to interact with industry consultants and experts in developing their solutions. Providing teams with a ‘live’ case allows students to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world environment and learn from top-ranked professionals. The ‘live’ Texas-style presentation will encourage teams to think quickly on their feet and possessing adequate knowledge of current events in Alberta’s energy and environment industries is considered an asset.

Sultan Al Hajji, Vice-President, Institutional Development, Total UAE, said: “We are proud to sponsor the first team of Emiratis from the Middle East for the Alberta Energy Challenge in Canada. This participation signifies the commitment of the students and YFEL members to contribute to the sustainable energy industry. Total, as a major energy company globally and a partner of Masdar in Shams 1 solar energy plant in Abu Dhabi believes that participating in such international challenges will enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills of Emirati youth. Under CSR activities of Total in the UAE, capacity building of Emiratis is high on our list of priorities. This also identifies Total’s commitment to Abu Dhabi and 2030 Vision of transforming Abu Dhabi into knowledge based society.”

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “Participating in international competitions such as the Alberta Energy Challenge offers students and YFEL members an opportunity to be exposed to real life challenges. As directed by the country’s leadership, such events also serve as platforms for the students and young professionals to interact with industry experts and share their views on the energy sector. We thank Total UAE for their support and we believe the students’ participation in the Challenge will yield long-term returns for the UAE community.”

Teams will be allotted 48 hours to complete research, while industry and academic consultants will assist the participants in identifying key problems and comment on the feasibility of proposed alternatives. They will also be able to access to a library of information on Alberta’s energy industry, as well as the University of Alberta databases to develop their solutions. On the final day, participants will present their analysis to distinguished panel of judges, including senior representatives of sponsoring firms along with leading professionals in the Alberta energy sector.

Each team will be assigned to a presentation room randomly decided prior to the start of the competition, at the welcome dinner. One team out of each presentation room will advance to the finals. Finalists will be announced at lunch, with final presentations taking place shortly afterwards. The winner of the 2012 Alberta Energy Challenge will be announced at the Awards Banquet on 30 September.

Each student and YFEL member has been selected on the basis of their previous performance. Earlier in the year, Wail Farouq Almaeeni participated in Total Summer School (TSS) 2012 at Universite Total in France. He later attended the 22nd International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) symposium in Rome to initiate measures that will facilitate the opening of INCOSE UAE Chapter and eventually establish a student’s division at Masdar Institute.

Iman Ustaadi completed her six-week internship at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland as part of a student exchange and internship program for the summer. Working on the evaluation of the integrated Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plants with CO2 Capture, Iman worked closely with the Edinburgh team to study the natural gas market in Scotland, comparing it with the UAE market, and evaluated the effect of the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) deployment on the demands in the natural gas market.

Ameirah Al Dahmani was part of a select group of students chosen for the Masdar Institute Practical Experience program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. The well-structured program has enriched her with real-life exposure through a productive learning experience.

Mohammed Al Sharhan participated in the fourth annual International Hesselbein Student Leadership Summit 2012 in Pittsburgh, US, as well as the Helsinki Summer School for Transportation 2012, themed ‘Concepts and Practices about Sustainability in Transportation’ at Aalto University, Helsinki.

YFEL offers participants exceptional and unmatched access to top global leaders, senior business executives and academics engaged in alternative energy and sustainability through events such as World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi and other major events held globally. It is mandated to educate, inspire and empower students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability.

Interactive Digital Platform Offers Links to International Scientific Organizations and Information on Research Opportunities

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 17 September, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced the launch of a dedicated website for the Chemical Engineering program to present academicians, industrial collaborators and prospective students with a holistic vision of the academic and research focus of the program.

The website http://che.masdar.ac.ae presents a more detailed and in-depth explanation of the current research projects being implemented under the Chemical Engineering Research Program. The unique Chemical Engineering program at Masdar Institute builds on the classic chemical engineering themes and applies them to address challenges facing the society in the areas of energy, carbon capture, novel materials, and chemical production using renewable and sustainable processes.

The program remains vital to Abu Dhabi’s efforts to play an important role in developing cutting edge biofuels and production technologies, carbon capture and storage systems and engineered biological systems for waste management and energy production.

Chemical Engineering is a discipline that impacts numerous areas of technology. Chemical engineers create and design processes for the production, transformation and delivery of materials. Medicine, biotechnology, microelectronics, advanced materials, energy, consumer products, manufacturing, and environmental solutions are some of the areas in which Chemical Engineers play a crucial role through leading new developments.

Dr. Hector H. Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, Masdar Institute, said: “Similar to other academic chemical engineering websites, our website represents the face of the program to the world with information providing access to current research projects conducted by our professors. Contrary to industrial websites that provide information on services provided, or commodities sold to consumers, our website provides a human interface with the members of the Chemical Engineering program.”

The website is expected to significantly help increase the international visibility, especially through those seeking information on the program or about a speaker at a conference. Additionally, it allows the faculty to present up-to-date information about the program and the latest research projects. It also enables the program to design a strategic recruiting strategy that can be highlighted by using (social media including twitter or Facebook to advertise positions available in the program.

Dr. Hernandez added: “We also feature industry partners and provide a link to their main website or to their news section. It is important for us to highlight our industrial partners and our collaborative efforts with them. We firmly believe these relationships blossom into funding for students, internship opportunities for our students, and a sponsor for the commercialization of the research intellectual property developed at Masdar Institute.”

The dedicated Chemical Engineering website offers academic links including MIT, providing a connection to Masdar Institute’s international research collaborators. At present, several crucial research projects are being conducted with peers in the Chemical Engineering Program at MIT.

Other links that are offered include international organizations such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) or the American Chemical Society (ACS). These scientific organizations provide the stage for sharing research through conferences and publications, raising the academic reputation of Masdar Institute.

Being a highly interactive platform, the website seeks feedback from visitors, while also welcoming questions to engage the faculty at a level not possible otherwise. Visitors are also encouraged to comment and ask specific questions about subjects in chemical engineering. The questions could range from additional information on a research project conducted in one of the laboratories of Chemical Engineering program professors, to questions regarding admission and other research opportunities as research engineers or postdoctoral researchers in the program.

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.

Supported by Masdar, Mubadala, PwC & Reed, Fair Jointly Hosted by Masdar Institute to Offer Career Advancement Opportunities

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 05 January, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven, graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that the first-ever Green Jobs Fair in the UAE will be held during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2013.

Organized in collaboration with Reed Exhibitions, the inaugural Green Jobs Fair at WFES 2013 is dedicated exclusively to the renewable and sustainable energy sector, and will offer job seekers an opportunity to connect with potential employers at WFES 2013.

The forthcoming World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the inaugural International Water Summit (IWS) will be part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2013. The events will take place from January 15-17, 2013 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Hosted by Masdar Institute, the Green Jobs Fair at WFES 2013 aims to identify ideal candidates to fill local and regional vacancies by offering fast-track career opportunities in the sector. It will also facilitate networking, as well as job and internship search and placement for participating students and young professionals. With company presentations, career seminars and skills workshops, the Fair will include programs designed to inspire, instruct, and advise on how to start a career in the highly competitive renewable and advanced energy sector.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has huge untapped potential for renewable energy, and with the UAE and other Gulf nations expected to invest heavily in this sector, the scope for job opportunities is high.

Maha Al Mansouri, the Director of Human Resources at Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s  renewable energy company, said: “Green energy is one of the new and fast-emerging sectors that requires qualified and adequately trained professionals. As an organization committed to Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification, Masdar believes the right talent will help drive sustainable social progress. The Green Jobs Fair at WFES 2013 will bring together dynamic minds with progressive clean energy organizations, and we hope the interaction will facilitate talent-spotting and suitable work placements, laying the groundwork for the clean energy sector to thrive.”

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, the President of Masdar Institute, said: “Supported by the UAE leadership, we have consistently contributed to knowledge and human capital development in the clean energy and advanced technology sectors. By partnering with our stakeholders to organize the Green Job Fair at WFES 2013, we aim to facilitate job placements for talented youth with the right skill sets. We hope the inaugural job fair will prove mutually beneficial to companies and emerging professionals in the green energy sector.”

Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions, said: “One of the world’s largest gatherings in the renewable energy sector, the WFES 2013 is a unique networking opportunity for potential employers and employees.  The green job fair will be an online-and-show-floor feature at WFES 2013, providing industry-related career advice, creating job connections, generating awareness for local training institutions, and connecting companies with talented individuals.”

New to the WFES program, this career fair is a pilot initiative jointly sponsored by Mubadala, Masdar, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and HR Source Consultancy. HR Source Consultancy will schedule interviews between potential candidates and exhibiting partners, match qualified candidates with companies, and run seminars across diverse themes including CV advice, what to expect from the current renewable energy job market and market perspectives.

For more information on the Green Jobs Fair, please visit www.worldfutureenergysummit.com/greenjobs

Gesture Marks UAE National’s Support to Community Programs that Aim to Develop Future Leaders

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 24 December, 2012– Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri, member of the Federal National Council and the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Economic Council, has once again reiterated his support to the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program with a contribution of one million US dollars.

An agreement was signed by His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri and Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute.  Dr Lamya N Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Hamza Kazim, Vice-President, Operations & Finance, also attended the signing ceremony. Zainab Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and YFEL Program Coordinator at Masdar Institute, was present on the occasion.

His Excellency Sultan Al Dhaheri’s contribution to YFEL 2013 marks the second such commitment for a similar amount that will go towards developing future leaders in sustainable energy. It also demonstrates the UAE national’s commitment to community-oriented programs. In January this year, His Excellency Al Dhaheri donated US$1 million towards YFEL 2012 program.

His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri said: “Individual professional development needs to go hand in hand with higher education. These two aspects are crucial components for developing capable future leaders. In my opinion, the YFEL program combines these aspects and offers one of the most effective avenues for the overall development of youth. Our contribution to the YFEL program for the second time bears testimony to the success of the YFEL program and Masdar Institute’s outreach initiatives. We hope YFEL 2013 will further contribute to enhancing the skill sets of young Emiratis and help them develop into future leaders.”

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “YFEL is a global platform that provides our youth with unparalleled career and networking opportunities, especially through activities such as the World Future Energy Summit and the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The YFEL program was derived from the leadership’s vision to incubate and enhance our human capital. Such initiatives help shape tomorrow’s leaders as they navigate a growing and competitive economy.

“His Excellency Sultan Al Dhaheri’s second contribution underscores the UAE community’s dedication to cultivating our youth and the belief in Masdar’s capacity building initiatives. Efforts will help nurture human capital and future energy industry leaders. We are thankful for His Excellency Al Dhaheri’s philanthropic and noble gesture which will contribute to expanding the reach of our YFEL program.”

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The second successive commitment from His Excellency Sultan Al Dhaheri illustrates the close involvement of accomplished UAE citizens in developing human capital. Such support holds key to achieving Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy objectives. It also concurs with the directive of the UAE leadership to support programs that aim to build academic, workplace and professional capabilities. The support from UAE leaders has helped YFEL to register manifold growth and we are confident YFEL 2013 will immensely benefit from such private individual contributions.”

A prominent businessman in the UAE, His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri has helped establish some of the key government and private institutions in the country. His Excellency Al Dhaheri, one of the Founder Members of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and the Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), continues to be on the board of both these institutions.

Since 1971, as a Board member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, His Excellency Al Dhaheri continues to contribute towards establishing and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s trade links with other countries. He is also the Chairman of Sultan Bin Rashed Company (Sultaco), a nationally-owned trading company based in Abu Dhabi with branches in Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain. Established in 1968, Sultaco has an exhaustive list of illustrious projects and achievements.

With 163 UAE national and international youth, YFEL 2012 has successfully crossed several milestones during the year. Select members participated in global events such as the Asian Future Energy Forum 2012 in Singapore and the IEEE Technology Time Machine (TTM) 2012 in Dresden, Germany. The events in Singapore and Germany offered YFEL members an opportunity to visit key institutions and organizations, while enabling them to interact with skilled and accomplished professionals in sustainable future energy and advanced technology.

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, YFEL offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.