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MI faculty describe “life-changing” experiences at MIT

They came to MIT on different schedules, from different academic backgrounds, with different research and educational goals. But the four junior faculty members from a growing technology university in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) all described their time at MIT in much the same way: a transformational opportunity for themselves and, ultimately, for their students as well.

“I would categorize it as a life-changing experience,” says Aamena Alshamsi, assistant professor of computing and information science at the UAE’s Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. While she has collaborated with MIT colleagues before, it’s typically been from half a world away. “The face-to-face interaction is very effective in research,” says Alshamsi, who, like her colleagues, spent her time in Cambridge working one-to-one with an MIT researcher on a joint research project. “Sometimes you just need to be in the same place.”

Masdar Institute is a research-focused graduate university in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital city. The MIT and Masdar Institute Cooperative Program (MIT/MI Cooperative Program) began assisting Masdar Institute in December 2007, and the two institutions have collaborated on research, academics, and other activities ever since. Those activities include an exchange program that allows Masdar Institute faculty to spend up to one year at MIT, working with MIT faculty on joint research projects — especially those with application to the UAE — and auditing graduate courses.

The program is designed to expose visiting faculty to MIT’s academic culture and research practices, allow them to share their own expertise with their Cambridge colleagues, and return to the UAE with new ideas for both their classrooms and their labs. Masdar Institute selects participants based on their proposals; the MIT/MI Cooperative Program Office at MIT coordinates the experience on campus.

While Masdar Institute is a highly multicultural university, enrolling master’s and PhD candidates from more than 50 countries, the four recent visiting professors all happen to be Emiratis. All had previously worked or studied outside the UAE in locations such as Australia, Germany, Japan, and elsewhere in the United States, but all called the MIT-based experience unique.

Collaboration on MIT’s campus

Auditing MIT classes proved especially valuable for Ibraheem Almansouri, assistant professor of microsystems engineering and computer science at Masdar Institute. “You get the theory in the classroom, and then you go to the lab to practice hands-on,” says Almansouri, whose research focuses on renewable energy technologies, which UAE leaders consider critical for meeting their nation’s future energy needs.

At MIT, Almansouri was especially impressed by the widespread willingness to collaborate at every level. “The faculty shared their knowledge, but it’s not just the faculty,” says Almansouri, who conducted research on photovoltaic technology with Jeehwan Kim, the Class of 1947 Career Development Assistant Professor in the departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering and principal investigator in the MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics. “They recruit the right students, and I interacted extensively with students in my group” as well.

For Khaled Alawadi, spending time at MIT provided new perspectives for his research into urban design and infrastructure, specifically in the UAE’s second-largest city. “The urban environment in Abu Dhabi is very different than the urban environment in Boston or New York,” says Alawadi, an assistant professor of engineering systems and management at Masdar Institute. He describes Abu Dhabi as a sprawling, fast-growing metropolis of nearly 2.8 million residents. “It’s very difficult to navigate through the city,” explains Alawadi, who is developing a master’s program in sustainable critical infrastructure planning at Masdar Institute, using the surrounding area as a testing ground.

His burning question: “What is the neighborhood of the future — the sustainable neighborhood of the future — for Abu Dhabi?” And, he adds: “How can we make suburbs more sustainable and liveable?” While at MIT, Alawadi worked toward answering those questions through collaborative research with Alan Berger, the Norman B. and Muriel Leventhal Professor of Advanced Urbanism and co-director of the Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism. “Urban design matters for building sustainable cities. This reflects the rebirth of physical planning in scholarship and practice,” Alawadi says. “It’s been a really good experience to be in this kind of atmosphere.”

Alshamsi agrees. “You are discussing your ideas with other people, and you are being exposed to the latest research. In my case, I’m not just working with people in my own area. I’m working with physicists and economists and others.”

Mapping the future: New products, renewable energy

During her time at MIT, Alshamsi collaborated with César Hidalgo, the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the MIT Media Lab, on strategic diffusion in complex networks — specifically, exploring where the UAE should focus its efforts in its ongoing transformation from an oil-based economy. “We have diversified our economy, but we need to know the next steps, the next products we will make for export to other countries,” Alshamsi explains. “The economic diversification is one application of the strategic network-diffusion problem that is addressed in the joint project.”

The visiting professors all continued advising their UAE-based PhD students while studying and conducting research at MIT. That required constant juggling, notes Khalid Al-Ali, an assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering at Masdar Institute: “It was quite challenging, especially with the time difference.” (Depending on the time of year, clocks in the UAE are either eight or nine hours ahead of the eastern United States, meaning that by mid-morning in Cambridge, it’s after business hours in Abu Dhabi.)

While at MIT, Al-Ali collaborated with William H. Green, the Hoyt Hottel Professor of Chemical Engineering, on research into using the UAE’s abundant supply of solar energy to convert hydrogen sulfide, an oil-refining waste product, into hydrogen for environmental and practical applications. He also audited a graduate chemical-engineering course and is adapting that class’ syllabus for use at Masdar Institute later this year.

For Al-Ali, the program’s real value was in supporting two institutions’ collaborative efforts on research projects — and involving newly hired junior faculty on such high-priority projects. He said he would encourage other Masdar Institute faculty members to consider the program.

The other visiting scholars agree. “This was an important step in my career,” says Alshamsi (who made Masdar Institute history in May 2015, when she became one of the first two students to receive PhDs from the still-young university). “I would recommend it to all new faculty — or, really, to all faculty.”

MIT and Masdar Institute Cooperative Program
13 April 2017

*Republished with permission from MIT News. Original story can be seen at http://news.mit.edu/2017/visiting-uae-professors-describe-life-changing-experiences-mit-0413

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Masdar Institute Faculty’s Co-Authored Paper among Prestigious Scientific Journal’s Top 10 Downloaded Articles in February 2012

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 5 April, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced a scientific paper co-authored by its faculty has become one of the top 10 most downloaded articles in ‘Optics Express’, a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Optical Society of America.

The faculty includes Dr. Anatoly Khilo, Dr Mike Perrott and Dr Marcus Dahlem, all professors in the Microsystems Engineering Master’s program at Masdar Institute. The paper titled ‘Photonic ADC: overcoming the bottleneck of electronic jitter’ presents research where photonics and electronics are integrated on the same platform, in order to achieve high-performance and low-power novel devices and functionalities that would not be possible with traditional electronic circuits. In this particular case, photonics can be used to greatly expand the capabilities of conventional electronic analog-to-digital converters.

The article on the ‘Optics Express’ journal entered the top 10 most downloaded list in February 2012 itself, the same month it was published, reiterating the high impact of the research that is being conducted at Masdar Institute. The work presented at the paper was done by faculty and personnel from higher education institutions and major corporations including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Germany’s Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, DESY & University of Hamburg, University of Colorado in Boulder, and BBN Technologies at Cambridge in Massachusetts as well as Intel Corp and Samsung Corp.

This is the second time the prestigious journal has published a paper from Masdar Institute faculty. Earlier in June 2011, Dr. Clara Dimas, another Microsystems Engineering Professor at Masdar Institute, and her former student Faleh Al Tal, published a paper titled ‘Simulation of an erbium-doped chalcogenide micro-disk mid-infrared laser source’. The paper was co-authored by faculty from the Microphotonics Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Delaware. It covered Dr. Clara Dimas’s work on the low-energy fabrication and integration of light sources onto silicon and sensor electronics, as photonic integrated circuits for low-power sensing, telecommunications and computing requires light sources.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh said: “The extent of interest shown by the scientific community in the paper co-authored by our faculty indicates the advanced research work that is being conducted at Masdar Institute. It reiterates that Masdar Institute participates in research activities that are relevant to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, concurring with the long-term objectives in advanced technology as spelled out in the Vision 2030 plan.

“This published paper fits into one of the three main research themes of Masdar Institute. Research of this stature keeps us among the top echelons of higher education institutions and we thank the country’s wise leadership for their special guidance that continues to steer us towards higher accomplishments.”

The prestigious Optics Express journal has a sizeable impact factor and is read by a large segment of the scientific community conducting research in optics and photonics. It publishes original research papers that report new developments of interest in optical science and technology. Papers published in Optics Express are also often cited in other journals.

Dr Dahlem said: “This feat firmly places Masdar Institute along with other institutions on the map for advanced research in the field of electronic-photonic integrated circuits. Photonics research in this field began last year at the research-driven institution in Abu Dhabi and the publishing of our paper as well as the previous one in June 2011 reflect the advanced research being conducted at Masdar Institute, similar to other global institutions.

“The work was primarily done at MIT and now similar work will be continued at Masdar Institute. In addition, Masdar Institute is listed on paper as one of the current affiliations of the authors, alongside renowned global brands such as Intel and Samsung.”

Electronic-photonic integrated circuit is a leading edge research area that is aligned with interests expressed by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) and the Semiconductor Research Centre (SRC). Research papers such as the one published on Optics Express are also expected to give Masdar Institute better leverage in attracting funding for establishing a semiconductor research center.

Established as an ongoing 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.

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Masdar’s Role in Promoting Clean Energy Highlighted at EU-GCC Clean Energy Network Meeting in Brussels

Experts from Masdar Institute and Masdar Share Views on Cooperation between GCC and EU Countries

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 22 May, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology delegates and experts from Masdar shared views on concrete cooperation activities on clean energy with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during a meeting in Abu Dhabi as well as at the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network second discussions group meeting at Brussels.

Held on 8 May in Abu Dhabi and from 11-12 May in Brussels, the meetings brought together delegates from both regions. The discussions indicated promise for the creation of stronger ties between EU organizations and researchers and their GCC counterparts.

The Brussels meeting highlighted the results and outcomes achieved by the network so far. Members discussed solid steps to achieve results in the fields of renewable energy sources, energy demand side management and energy efficiency, clean natural gas and related technologies, electricity interconnections and market integration. Several distinguished energy experts exchanged information on mobilizing and leveraging the potential of EU-GCC clean energy cooperation.

The EU-GCC Clean Energy Network was set up to advance the common interest between the EU and the GCC for strategic energy cooperation. As the lead research representative for the Network, Masdar Institute works together with the EU consortium to create, operate, promote and disseminate information and proposals and sustainable strategies of the Clean Energy Network. Masdar Institute was selected as the regional representative for EU-GCC Clean Energy Network earlier this year based on presentations by Gulf research institutions to the energy team on the GCC. Masdar Institute’s partners in the GCC include Sultan Quboos University (Oman): Renewable & Sustainable Energies Research Group, Arabian Gulf University (Bahrain), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research: Renewable Energy Program, Qatar Foundation: Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute and King Abdulaziz city for Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia).

 During the meeting in Abu Dhabi, Masdar Institute members discussed in detail the successful collaboration between GCC countries and the willingness and mechanisms for dialogue between the various representatives of the GCC for the Energy Network.

Masdar Institute delegates Hamza Kazim, Vice-President, Operations & Finance; Dr. Scott Kennedy, Associate Dean for Research; and Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Assistant Professor from Masdar Institute, met GCC delegates including Dr Sulaiman AlMayman, from the Energy Research Institute (ERI) – King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST); Dr. Rabi Mohtar, Executive Director of Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute; and Professor. Adel Gastli, Director of Quality Assurance Office, Oman.

At the Brussels meeting, Dr. Rabia Ferroukhi, Energy Technology Expert, EU-GCC Clean Energy Network, chaired a session on renewable energy sources during the first day of the event, while Dr. Othman Zarzour, Project Manager, Masdar, and Dr. Yasser AlSaleh of Masdar Institute, participated in a session on carbon capture and storage.

Dr. Ferroukhi, who was the coordinator of the Renewable Energy Discussion Group, gave a presentation on the state of play of renewable energy in the GCC countries. She described progress in REN project implementation and planned projects as well as recent institutional developments in each country.

Dr. Zarzour, Coordinator of the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Discussion Group, presented an update on the progress of forming the Network in terms of attracting experts and establishing industry links in the GCC. A quick overview of barriers and enablers of CCS in the GCC countries was also shared with participants.

Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Associate Director of Sustainability at Masdar, offered a presentation at a session titled ‘Energy Efficiency/Demand Side Management’. She was the coordinator for the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management Working Group.  Dr. Sgouris also participated in the session while Mr. Kazim, presented a paper titled ‘Enhancing GCC Participation in the Network’.

As the key partner institution of the GCC, Masdar Institute facilitated a workshop that highlighted the value that the Network provides as perceived by its stakeholders. The diversity of opinion that was evident indicates that the Network has an important role to play in various areas including the development of an R&D ecosystem in the GCC with focus on coordinating funding opportunities for research along with aligning regulatory perspectives for the support of clean energy and providing a platform for project coordination.

Mr. Kazim, Dr. Kennedy and Dr. Sgouridis discussed during the workshop how Masdar Institute could prove to be an effective tool in developing clean energy. Mr. Kazim discussed how to enhance GCC participation in the network while Dr. Kennedy led a roundtable discussion based on the focus areas of the Network.

Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis facilitated the discussions at one of the round-tables on the first day of the EU-GCC meeting. On the second day, he made a presentation titled ‘Energy Management with Demand Response Incentive Schemes: Learning from the Masdar Experience’ at a discussion group on ‘Demand Side Management’. In his closing remarks, he also underlined the importance of demonstrating active collaboration between the EU and GCC countries at future events.

Leading a workshop discussion on prioritising networking between the two blocs, Dr. Scott Kennedy identified potential areas such as development of an EU-GCC R&D ecosystem, increasing technical capacity for clean energy projects, building institutional capacity for policy-making and targeted funding of clean energy R&D, enhancing exchange of information and awareness of clean energy technologies and policies, as well as overcoming barriers in clean energy project finance.

Hamza Kazim, Vice-President, Operations & Finance -MI,said: “We are really excited to support the development of the Network in the GCC, work along and exchange expertise and knowledge from our partner institutions including Qatar Foundation, KACST, KISR, Sultan Qaboos University, and engage with government and industry stakeholders including the GCC energy group.

“Our strong political and cultural relationship between the GCC countries will help accelerate the development of a strong network for research and development in future energy with our partners. Our GCC research institutions have strong research capabilities. We will be able to demonstrate that through joint research and closer collaborations to have our print on the world map for future energy.”

Masdar Institute, an independent, research-driven graduate institute developed with the ongoing support and cooperation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, focuses on the science and engineering of advanced alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability. The graduate programs integrate education, research and scholarly activities to prepare graduate students to be innovators, creative scientists, researchers and critical thinkers in the areas of technology development, systems integration and policy.

As a crucial source of research and development, the Institute is fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges.

-ENDS-

About Masdar Institute

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges.

An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.

Masdar Institute offers degrees in:

MSc Engineering Systems and Management
MSc Computing and Information Science
MSc Materials Science and Engineering
MSc Mechanical Engineering
MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
MSc Microsystems Engineering
MSc Electrical Power Engineering
MSc Chemical Engineering

Interdisciplinary Doctoral Degree PhD program

For more information please visit our website
For more information contact:
Name: Sheerin Al Shinawy
Email: salshinawy@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 8109371

 

 

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KU’s MYSAT-1 Launched to International Space Station

KU’s MYSAT-1 Launched to International Space Station

Student Developed Nanosatellite UAE’s First-Ever Earth Observation and Technology Demonstration CubeSat

The MYSAT-1 CubeSat, designed and built by students of Khalifa University’s Master’s concentration in Space Systems and Technology in collaboration Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), and American aerospace manufacturer and defense industry company Northrop Grumman, has been successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on board the Cygnus spacecraft.

The satellite was onboard an Antares rocket that was successfully launched from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, USA, at 4:01am on Saturday, 17 November. Present at the launch were a group of Khalifa University students and faculty who helped build and design the nanosatellite.

Developed at the Yahsat Space Lab at Khalifa University, the nanosatellite (also known as a CubeSat) will be used for educational and research purposes once it makes its final ascent to its orbital position in the beginning of 2019. It carries two payloads, including a camera to take images of the UAE from space, demonstrating the process of remote sensing, as well as an innovative lithium-ion battery developed at Khalifa University, making it the UAE’s first CubeSat with an earth observation mission and technology demonstration mission.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The successful launch of MYSAT-1, developed and built by students of Khalifa University’s Master’s Concentration in Space Systems and Technology, demonstrates that our university possesses the academic and scientific rigor required to transform the UAE’s promising students into tomorrow’s space engineers and scientists. Through our Small Satellite Program and the Master’s concentration, Khalifa University is proud to play a critical role in the UAE’s broader space ambitions. We will continue to develop local talent that will be part of the Emirati space engineers and scientists who will contribute to the UAE’s Hope Mars Mission and the vibrancy of the country’s overall space sector.”

Muna AlMheiri, Chief Human Capital Officer at Yahsat, said: “MYSAT-1’s expedition into space marks an exciting accomplishment by the students of Khalifa University. It is also a testimony to the UAE’s growing talent pool in STEM education. Yahsat is proud to have collaborated with Khalifa University and Northrop Grumman to create the first multi-disciplinary academic space program in the UAE which has resulted in the creation and successful launch of MYSAT-1, we are committed to developing the national talent pool through providing talent with unique opportunities to enhance their capabilities and drive innovation.”

The launch of MYSAT-1 to ISS took place after rigorous testing of the nanosatellite’s engineering model for space environment conditions and integration of the final launch satellite to NanoRacks’ external Cygnus Cubesat deployer. The deployer is an automated cargo resupply spacecraft destined for the International Space Station.

MYSAT-1 is the first CubeSat built at the Yahsat Space Lab at Khalifa University. The laboratory was launched in 2017 at Masdar Institute in collaboration with Yahsat and Orbital ATK – now called Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems – to develop and advance technologies within the space sector in line with the UAE’s space ambitions. It is the first space systems lab in the UAE to be equipped with Assembly Integration and Verification (AIV) facilities that cater to CubeSats of up to 6U in size (12kg 12x24x36cm) and a mass up to 10 kg. The lab also has a VHF/UHF/S-Band ground station capable of autonomous operations.

The Yahsat Space Lab is one of the key players in the UAE space program initiatives. The Lab is helping to develop a national space sector characterized by high-standards so that UAE achieves competitive ranking in the world in the field of industry, technology and space research. It is also paying a defining role in STEM education as well as providing career advancement opportunities in the satellite industry of the Middle East.

The lab offers students of Khalifa University’s Master’s concentration in Space Systems and Technology the facilities required to construct, test and launch of CubeSats, as part of the university’s Small Satellite Program. The high-tech and specialized facilities serve as a platform for future research in space technologies, allowing entities like the UAE Space Agency to work with the faculty on collaborative projects.

18 November 2018

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Khalifa University and Sandooq Al Watan launch groundbreaking project to develop Direct Solar Desalination Devices

Graduate Students, Research Associates and Post-Doctoral Fellows to Work on Project that Presents Three Internship Opportunities for UAE National Students

Khalifa University of Science and Technology and Sandooq Al Watan, the private sector initiative to boost the UAE’s social development, today announced they have signed a sponsored research agreement to collaborate on developing direct solar desalination devices.

The agreement was signed by Mohamed Al Qadi, Director General of Sandooq Al Watan and Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology. Officials and senior management representatives from both partners were present on the occasion.

Titled ‘Direct Solar Desalination Devices’, the project aims to bring unmatched scientific understandings and ‘know-how’ towards achieving a reliable desalination technology that offers high efficiency, large scalable capacity, and low energy consumption, in addition to being powered by solar energy.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The research collaboration with Sandooq Al Watan validates our commitment to effectively address the water-energy nexus challenges through finding clean energy solutions. Additionally, this partnership will pave the way for our students to work on research in desalination technologies, which remains one of the most important avenues to access water – a scarce resource in our region.”

Mohamed Al Qadi from Sandooq Al Watan, said: “This is an extremely important project that will address two big priorities for the UAE. First, the use of renewable energy to desalinate water will significantly reduce the UAE’s carbon footprint and enable us to advance our climate change agenda. Second, the project will help advance our water security agenda by providing the nation with resilient fresh water supplies. We have full faith in Khalifa University and their Emirati researchers to develop this important and groundbreaking technology. We also would like to thank Aldar for their contribution towards funding Sandooq Al Watan’s research programs in the field of water and the environment. We encourage more researchers to apply through www.researcher.ae”

The project will be led by Principal Investigators Dr Faisal Abdulla AlMarzooqi, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, associated with Khalifa University’s Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT) and Dr. Tiejun Zhang, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering. They will work together with a team of MSc students, research associates and postdoctoral fellows, while the research project will present three internship opportunities for UAE national students.

The project will be executed through CMAT’s state-of-the-art facilities, proceeding with fabrication, system testing and demonstration, and will conclude with scalability and market feasibility. The project gains relevance because of worldwide interest in the integration of solar energy harvesting devices with desalination. The desalination market, valued at US$16.4 billion in 2017, is estimated to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% during the 2018-2026 period, according to market intelligence firm Research and Markets.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
2 February 2020

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Masdar Institute-University of Manchester Collaboration Project on Membrane-Based Desalination Wins UK Government Funding

Masdar Institute and The University of Manchester (UoM) have announced that a joint project using graphene to improve water desalination techniques has been selected for US$500,000 (AED 1.8 million) funding from the United Kingdom (UK).

The funding is part of a project led by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in partnership with the British Council, which aims to strengthen partnerships with research bodies and higher education institutions in the Gulf. The Masdar Institute-UoM project was selected from 172 applications following an open call for joint research applications from the Gulf Cooperation Council member states in July 2016.

Global resource management leader Veolia (Veolia Recherche & Innovation), UK-based membrane processes technologies leader Modern Water and leading mineral project developer Neometals, will participate in this collaborative research project as industrial partners and potential end-users.

The project, led by Dr. Linda Zou, Professor, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute, which is part of the newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and Prof Rahul Raveendran Nair, Professor of Materials Physics, The University of Manchester, will work on next generation high-performance graphene electrodes and membranes for water purification. This is an addition to the on-going collaborative Masdar Institute-University of Manchester graphene projects initiated in January 2016 to support the development of valuable advanced materials innovations for the UAE’s nascent high-tech industries.

Masdar Institute partnered with UoM – the university with faculty who were the first to isolate graphene – in a collaborative research engagement focused on “pre-competitive” research in graphene and related 2D materials for sensors, membranes and composites for the aerospace, defense and energy markets. Graphene is a one-atom thick sheet of carbon known as the lightest, strongest, thinnest, and best heat- and electricity-conducting material ever discovered.

Prof Nair, The University of Manchester, said: “We have known for some time that the benefits of graphene-oxide membranes could be disruptive for a number of industries. Graphene and related 2D materials are a fascinating area of research and I am excited about the potential for further breakthrough discoveries as we understand more and more about these novel one-atom-thick materials. The potential for new desalination technologies and water purification which utilize the superlative properties of graphene is something which can change lives for people without easy access to clean water..”

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “We have seen great progress in our graphene-related research projects and are proud of Dr. Linda and Professor Nair for receiving this grant, which is a testament to their innovative talents and the potential graphene offers the water sector. This project and others like it are reshaping the way we think about improving water security in the UAE and other water-scarce regions around the world, and we look forward to seeing the results.”

The proposed project aims to design and engineer nano-structures for graphene-based electrodes and membranes, and further develop them for desalination and water purification applications. Emerging capacitive deionization (CDI) and membrane-based desalination technology are believed to have the potential to help meet global water demands in a more energy efficient manner. Integrating the nano-structured hierarchical graphene into the electrodes and membrane is hoped to overcome the limiting factors of relevant conventional materials, which are high energy consumption, low water production efficiency, and fouling.

“Keeping these problems in mind, our main objective is to develop a two-dimensional materials-based solutions for desalination and water purification in the form of a next-generation graphene-based electrodes and membranes. Our end goal is to transfer these research outcomes into water technologies so we can have a real-world impact on the global issue of water security,” Dr. Zou shared.

Dr. Zou’s expertise in water research is well-recognized. Earlier this year she filed a patent for the rain-enhancement research that won her the inaugural UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science grant in 2016. Her collaborator at UoM is also well respected; Dr. Nair won the 2015 Moseley Medal from the Institute of Physics for his ‘outstanding contributions to understanding of the electrical, optical and structural properties of graphene and its sister compounds’.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
28 March 2017

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Manufacturing and Materials Innovations Highlighted at Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit

Masdar Institute showcased research innovations and participated in discussions on how to support the commercialization of R&D at the inaugural Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit (GMIS) in Abu Dhabi, which took place on 27-30 March.

The summit was hosted by the UAE Ministry of Economy and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). As the world’s first ever cross-industry forum, GMIS aimed to promote a roadmap for future industrial development to parallel growth in international trade and global best practices and to create a universal consensus for the transformational approach needed to shape the future of manufacturing by unifying governments, businesses and civil society.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “Our participation in such a high-profile global event reflects our status as an academic institution focused on research and innovation of relevance to industries and consumers in the region and the across the globe. GMIS proved to be a useful platform for our interaction with government and industry stakeholders and we look forward to exploring and developing the relationships formed through our participation in this summit.”

More than 1,200 delegates, including heads of state, government leaders, ministers, policy makers and corporate executives from leading companies, attended the summit. The discussions focused around six themes: technology and innovation; global value chains; skills, employment and education; sustainability and environment; infrastructure; standards and stakeholder alignment.

Dr. Steve Griffiths, Vice President for Research, participated in a panel on the UAE’s strategies to promote a knowledge-based manufacturing and industrial innovation sector as well as global economic and trade trends.

Dr. Mohammad Atif Omar, Professor, Engineering Systems and Management, offered his perspectives during a workshop on models to ensure a supply of well-trained talent to support the manufacturing revolution. The panelists focused on the development and application of technologies and business models of how big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) can accelerate the development of the ‘connected/smart factories’ concept. Discussions also focused on the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and the accompanying skill set and training required to equip the students and future engineers to function effectively.

Masdar Institute, which is part of the newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology, showcased some of its most recent research innovations to stakeholders at the Summit’s Innovation Circle. This included a project that identified local botanical extracts with potential skincare applications, a collaborative project with New York University-Abu Dhabi for 3D printing of next-generation catalytic converters to treat and purify exhaust gas, a nano-crystalline coating for energy-saving glass to block IR radiation, and new scalable manufacturing process for a dual-junction PV solar cell through a collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Additionally, two joint research projects with Strata Manufacturing were showcased by the UAE-based composite aero-structures manufacturing company at the summit. The projects covered predictive shimming and thermography for non-destructive testing.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
4 April 2017

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Yahsat Space Laboratory Launched

The Yahsat Space Laboratory, which aims to develop and advance technologies within the space sector and to make continuing strides toward the UAE’s advanced space ambitions, was launched by officials from Masdar Institute, Al Yahsat Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), and Orbital ATK today at Masdar Institute.

The new lab has been designed to provide students and faculty of the Masdar Institute Master’s concentration in space systems and technology with the facilities required to construct, test and launch miniature satellite CubeSats. The high-tech and specialized research facilities within the lab will also support the development of intellectual capital required to advance the space and aerospace sectors. Additionally, the lab will serve as a platform for future research in space technologies, allowing the UAE Space Agency to work with the Institute and other partners on collaborative projects that facilitate the advancement of the local space sector.

Masood. M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer at Yahsat said: “We are deeply honored to be launching the Yahsat Space Laboratory at the Masdar Institute campus today, a facility that is dedicated for advanced research and enabling students to develop CubeSats. At Yahsat, we strongly believe that by complementing educational programs with state-of-the-art facilities for learning and development, we can provide best quality education to the youth, right here in the UAE. We would also like to thank Masdar Institute and Orbital ATK for their cooperation and support in making this laboratory a reality.”

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “The inauguration of the Yahsat Space Laboratory is a momentous occasion not only for our university, but also for the UAE’s space ambitions. The country has a goal of sending an unmanned space probe to Mars by 2021, which will require the development of a new generation of engineers and innovators. I am confident the new Yahsat Space Lab, in conjunction with university’s space concentration, will play a significant role in training the experts needed for this ambitious objective.”

The Yahsat Space Laboratory will be led by Masdar Institute faculty Dr. Saif Almheiri, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Dr. Prashanth Marpu, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. They will head the development of CubeSats designed collaboratively by MI, Yahsat and Orbital ATK. Each CubeSat will be built with different payloads, such as cameras, sensors and scientific equipment. MYSAT-1 is the program’s first satellite, design of which began with the first cohort of students from the space concentration in August 2015. It has been built with a camera and will also test a novel lithium-ion battery designed and developed at Masdar Institute.

“We are proud to be part of this innovative collaboration with Yahsat and Masdar Institute. For the past two years our subject matter experts have worked with the students and faculty of Masdar Institute and we have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and capabilities they have brought to the program. With the opening of the Yahsat Space Laboratory we look forward to the next phase of the program that will culminate with the launching of the MYSAT-1 CubeSat,” said Frank Culbertson, President of Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group.

The lab also stands as an example of industry-academic collaboration to enable knowledge transfer in pursuit of home-grown expertise in advanced technologies. As per the collaboration agreement between MI and Yahsat, the satellite company provides expert guidance and opportunities for MI’s space concentration students. Orbital ATK serves as the ‘subject matter expert’, providing testing facilities and facilitating the launch of miniature satellites developed through the program. The Master’s space concentration was developed to foster the advanced research areas in space science and technology needed to support the UAE national space program and space-related industries with human resources, technical advancements and infrastructure.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
17 April 2017

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Masdar Institute Professor Wins Khalifa Award for Education 2017

His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and the Chairman of the Council of Trustees of the Khalifa Award for Education, presented Dr. Hassan Arafat, Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, with the prestigious ‘Khalifa Award for Education’ at a gala ceremony. 

Dr. Arafat won the ‘Distinguished University Professor in the Field of Scientific Research’ award in the ‘Higher Education within the UAE and the Arab World’ category. Dedicated to university professors who teach academic courses, the award committee selects winners on the basis of criteria such as teaching, scientific research and serving the university and the community.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “We congratulate Dr. Arafat for winning this prestigious award that recognizes his commitment to excellence in research. He has contributed to advancing science in key areas, like desalination, water treatment, and waste management, which is helping to meet the UAE’s goal of improved water security. Dr Arafat is a credit to the Institute and his award, during Masdar Institute’s ten year anniversary celebrations, could not have come at a better time.”

Masdar Institute is celebrating ten years since it was established through presidential decree in 2007 to ‘support scientific research and technology in the emirate’ within Abu Dhabi and across the UAE.

The Khalifa Award for Education Award aims to promote education in the UAE and the Arab world through encouraging and motivating creative and outstanding individuals. It aims to usher in a new dynamism in the educational process, in tune with contemporary advancements in scientific knowledge and information technology.

Dr. Arafat said: “This award would not have been possible without the continuous support from Masdar Institute. The research culture, the talented students, the excellent lab facilities and equipment, and the academic freedom to pursue frontline research, were all instrumental in transforming me into the researcher I am today, with achievements worthy of such high recognition. I express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone at Masdar Institute for all the support.”

He added: “The award also highlights that institutional support for research and research excellence is well-recognized in the UAE.”

Dr. Hassan Arafat leads the Membrane and Sustainable Desalination Research Group (MSDR) at Masdar Institute, where he focuses on developing sustainable desalination processes through innovative membrane technologies. This includes synthesis, characterization, and process testing of novel, high-flux and fouling-resistant membranes for desalination applications, especially in membrane distillation (MD) and reverse osmosis (RO). In addition, he has projects on system, economic and thermodynamic modeling of desalination processes. He also has research interests in water and food security.

During his career so far, Dr. Arafat has received 21 research grants, totalling AED 40.4 million (US $11 million). He is also a recipient of several prestigious awards. Most notable among these is the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2013 Secretarial Honor Award, which he received with several of his former colleagues and collaborators in DOE-affiliated labs for research on treatment of nuclear waste. In addition, Dr. Arafat has received the Mondialogo Award by Daimler Co. and UNESCO in 2005 and the University of Cincinnati Distinguished Dissertation Fellowship in 1999. He has also received three international research fellowships – two German DAAD Fellowships in 1995 and 2007 and the Open Society institute/Soros Foundation Fellowship (NY, US) in 2009. He has co-authored more than 200 books, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal publications and conference papers, in addition to many other official technical reports (published by the US DOE). He delivered 43 keynote speeches, seminars, and invited talks worldwide and supervised 29 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Dr. Arafat has a BSc in Chemical Engineering in 1996 from the University of Jordan (Amman, Jordan) and a PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2000 from the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA). He is one of the 85 Masdar Institute faculty members from over 20 countries, enabling students to benefit from a unique range of insights and experience. The Institute’s faculty are alumni of leading international institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California – Berkeley, University of Michigan, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, University of Waterloo, Oxford University, Cambridge University and Harvard University.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
18 April 2017

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20 UAE Nationals Experience the Excitement of Cutting-Edge Research during Week-Long Ektashif Internship Program

A group of 20 UAE national undergraduate students learned cutting-edge research techniques as part of Masdar Institute’s Ektashif Spring 2017 internship program.

The one-week residential program that targets talented undergraduate students majoring in science, engineering or information technology, was organized from 1-6 April at Masdar Institute. The program serves as an avenue of discovery for renewable energy, sustainability, advanced materials, space technology and environment for local students. It also offers an opportunity to discuss current research being conducted by Masdar Institute faculty and graduate students.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “Engaging youth is vital to the UAE’s continued development and transformation into a knowledge economy. Masdar Institute has always been dedicated to empowering youth, not just through our academic programs and research, but also through our outreach programs, like Ektashif. The Ektashif program design is inspired by sectors of high importance to the UAE’s strategic goals, and as such the students are inspired by their experiences to become involved in sectors such as advanced materials, water, clean energy and even space. I am confident that the experience they have had during their time at Masdar Institute will encourage these promising young people to pursue further studies and consider careers in these strategic sectors.”

The program was organized by Dr. Ken Volk, Outreach Manager, Masdar Institute, and included expert-led workshops on relevant topics. Participants learned about waste conversion; satellite remote sensing; and 3D printing. They also learned about MYSAT-1, a miniature satellite that is being developed at Masdar Institute.

Dr. Prashanth Marpu, Assistant Professor, Water and Environmental Engineering, who led the session on MYSAT-1, said: “The students were enthusiastic to learn about the space systems and particularly enjoyed the satellite tracking exercise.”

The interns were introduced to the physics and chemistry of fuel-cells while learning how to assemble and perform preliminary performance testing on the cells through a session led by Dr. Saif Al Mheiri, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, with assistance from PhD students Ibrahim Mustafa and Musbaudeen Bamgbopa.

Another session, led by Dr. Mohammad Abu Zahra, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, taught the Ektashif participants how to develop, characterize and test porous solid materials for carbon dioxide adsorption. Dr. Abu Zahra said that the interns demonstrated diligence, intelligence, and excellent group working skills.

Dr. Isam Janajreh, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Program, led the session on waste-to-fuel. He complimented the Ektashif Spring 2017 interns, saying: “The participants were extremely inquisitive and wanted to know how advanced the UAE is in this field compared to the US or countries in Western Europe.”

The interns agreed it was an enriching and engaging experience. Amina Al Hammadi from the Higher College of Technology said: “I loved Masdar Institute’s environment. The labs exposed me to new topics and I found them very beneficial. I learned about waste-to-energy and direct methanol fuel cells in a very interesting way. I am passionate about knowledge and technology and would love to be a part of the advanced sustainable technology, as I am currently majoring in electronics engineering for my bachelor’s.”

UAE University student Sameera Abdulla Khamis Al Shehhi liked the satellite and 3D printing sessions, and found the faculty and students to be supportive, well-informed, and considerate.

Aaesha Alsadi, from the American University Ras Al Khaima, said she is now planning to join Masdar Institute for her Master’s degree.

Noaf Mohammed Nasser Mohammed Alblooki, from the University of Sharjah, also found the sessions on biofuels, 3D printing and satellite tracking appealing, while the others were fun and interesting. She said: “The hands-on experience at the labs was just great. I learned a lot from the practical work at the laboratory.”

Clarence Michael
News Writer
19 April 2017

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Faculty-led Project Wins 2017 Mohammed bin Rashid Global Water Award

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, today presented the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Water Award to Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
 
A ceremony was hosted by the award organizers where Dr. Peter Armstrong, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Masdar Institute, was granted the award along with MI students and management. The award aims to find and support innovative solutions to water shortage and scarcity worldwide. Two other teams from Khalifa University of Science and Technology were also recognized for a dual disinfection modified biosand filter coupled with solar pasteurizer (Khalifa University) and a solar powered air water generator (Petroleum Institute). The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Water Award includes a US$1 million prize.
 
An inexpensive desalination process developed by a team led by Dr. Armstrong was shortlisted from 10 other projects in the ‘innovative research and development’ category. The device works on solar power and uses a perforated black fabric to collect purified water through the humidification-dehumidification process.  The device is half the size of a traditional solar still of equal production capacity and is easy to assemble from simple materials–fabric and PVC pipe but no glass.   
 
Dr. Steve Griffiths, Interim Executive Vice President for Research, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “We are proud of Dr. Armstrong’s selection for the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Water Award. He joins our growing list of researchers who are advancing science and innovation in the pursuit of sustainable energy and water solutions for the UAE and wider region. I congratulate to Dr. Armstrong for his excellent research and this well-deserved recognition.”

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Water Award recognizes innovative research that could demonstrate measurable results by means of a prototype or pilot in operation for at least six months prior to the date of submission of the application. Winning projects are required to have been developed and executed in-house with the aim of extracting safe drinking water from natural sources in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The water treatment and removal of possible pollutants also had to be powered exclusively by solar energy. Additionally, extra points were awarded for solutions that could easily be installed, operated and maintained without the need for specialized manpower and equipment in different and harsh ambient conditions, using low cost and maintenance friendly technology. Dr Armstrong’s invention met all these conditions.
 
Commenting on his win Dr. Armstrong said: “A billion people, many in small and isolated communities, do not have access to adequate potable water. The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Water Award helps the world to recognize this serious problem and encourage solutions that benefit such underserved communities. I am grateful to the award committee for selecting this project. On a personal level, helping to address needs of humanity is deeply satisfying, humbling and inspiring.”
 
Dr. Armstrong leads projects at Masdar Institute in model-predictive control of high-performance cooling systems with building integrated thermal storage (TABS); optimal control of district cooling plants with and without thermal energy storage; Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region-specific cooling equipment designs and performance standards; micro-climate and urban form; model identification of transient thermal processes; solar resource assessment (Direct Normal Irradiation, circumsolar, aerosols); solar desalination and liquid desiccant regeneration; and concentrating solar power at the Beam-Down Optical Experiment (BDOE).
 
Author of several leading papers, Dr. Armstrong has a successful 35-year track record in passive and active solar energy, heat transfer, and building science, including eight years at the Colorado State University Solar Energy Application Laboratory and more than 15 years at US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. His international experience includes three years’ monitoring performance, modeling and verifying energy retrofits for the World Bank Enterprise Housing Divestiture Project in the former Soviet Union and at a United Nations Development Program solar instrumentation and monitoring mission at the Gansu Natural Energy Research Institute in Lanzhou, China. He has consulted for the Electric Power Research Institute and National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the US.
 
Clarence Michael
News Writer
27 April 2017

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Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Masdar Institute to Host Seventh Commencement Ceremony on 17 May

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Masdar Institute will be organizing its seventh commencement ceremony for the Class of 2017 on Wednesday, 17 May 2017. Masdar Institute is a part of the Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

The commencement will be held at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, and coincides with the 10th anniversary of Masdar Institute’s establishment in 2007. Former United States Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz, Professor Emeritus and Special Advisor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will deliver the keynote address.

The graduation ceremony marks the completion of studies for more than 100 Masdar Institute graduate students from 34 countries. Nearly 50% of this year’s graduates are from the UAE. Degrees will be awarded in the Institute’s PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering and nine Master’s programs. This year’s ceremony will also see the inaugural batch of students graduate from the region’s first Master’s concentration in space systems and technology, which was launched at Masdar Institute in 2015 in response to the UAE’s space exploration and economic goals.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “I am delighted to see that our tenth anniversary commencement is such a milestone event. It celebrates our most diverse group of graduates, our first space concentration graduates, and our largest cohort of PhD graduates. This year’s commencement also signifies the start of the Institute’s next phase as part of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, which will continue to build on our legacy through the next 10 years. We truly have much to celebrate this year, for which I thank the UAE leadership for its continual support, and our students, faculty and staff, for their hard work and effort.”

The commencement keynote speaker, Dr. Moniz, is known for his commitment to science, sustainable energy, and innovation. He recently completed his term as the 13th US Secretary of Energy, during which time he advanced energy technology innovation, environmental stewardship, and access to cutting-edge capabilities for the scientific research community, and advocated for science in support of public policy. Since leaving office, Dr. Moniz has returned to his roots at MIT, where he is the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems Emeritus and Special Advisor to the MIT President.

The Masdar Institute commencement ceremony is expected to be attended by dignitaries, ministers, government officials, and CEOs of private and government sector organizations. In addition, the event will be attended by the board members of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, stakeholders of Masdar Institute, representatives from MIT, and the families and friends of the graduates.

The Class of 2017 graduates will be joining the Institute’s alumni community, which consists of 585 members, over 90% of which are either employed or pursuing PhD programs locally and internationally. The total number of enrolled students at Masdar Institute as of September 2016 was 456, of which 52% were UAE nationals. Female students represent 51% of the total student body, and 68% of all Emirati students. Of the 456 current students, 149 are in the PhD program, of which 26% are UAE nationals.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
8 May 2017