Abu Dhabi-UAE: 11 November, 2014 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it will be gathering international microscopy experts for a seminar and symposium in Abu Dhabi, signifying a major milestone for the UAE in developing a community of highly competent ‘microscopists’.

Scheduled to be held from 17–20 November in the Multi Use Hall of the Masdar Institute Campus at Masdar City, the extensive event will include a seminar on electron microscopy management for non-technical managers, a symposium that includes networking session with poster presentations, and a two-day technical training program for microscopists.

The symposium keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Nestor Zaluzec, senior scientist and principal investigator in the Electron Microscopy Center at the Argonne National Laboratory, as well as a fellow of both Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Computational Institute of the University of Chicago. Dr. Zaluzec’s research includes the development of state-of-the-art instrumentation, software and techniques for x-ray and electron spectroscopy, analytical, and scanning confocal electron microscopy.

Mike Tiner, Director, Research Laboratories, Masdar Institute, said: “This is the first time an event of this magnitude is being organized in the UAE and represents a major milestone for Masdar Institute and the country. With the support of the Abu Dhabi government, we have reached a critically important stage in our growth. We believe this gathering is our first step in reaching out to the general business, academic and research community and will further raise the profile of Masdar Institute among local and regional stakeholders as a sought-after place for high quality expertise.”

Symposium Chair and host, Dr. Mustapha Jouiad, Microscopy Facility Manager and Principal Research Scientist at Masdar Institute, will host a special poster session and microscope image contest to display work from local researchers and microscope users. The poster session will highlight the talent present in the local microscopy community and demonstrate Masdar Institute’s cutting edge electron microscopy capabilities.

The one day management seminar and round table discussion targets non-technical individuals who are tasked with introducing electron microscopy to individuals and/or organizations. The speakers will cover facility and maintenance requirements, procurement concerns and issues specific to electron microscope facilities. This session is open to local business partners.

The two-track technical training program will introduce theory and practice of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) along with analytical attachments such as Environmental SEM (ESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS) and Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction (EBSD). The theoretical as well as hands-on training sessions will target both future users and scientists who are currently using the electron microscopes for their studies.

In its fourth year of operation, the Masdar Institute Electron Microscopy Facility has become the central nexus for a community of users in the region, having certified more than 300 new SEM microscopists in basic electron microscopy. Ongoing advanced training courses focus on Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Electron Beam Lithography, Advanced SEM (ESEM), Advanced SEM (Backscatter), Ultra High Resolution SEM (Nova) and Cs Corrected TEM (Titan).

One of the most advanced university microscopy facilities in the world, the Masdar Institute Electron Microscopy Facility hosts six advanced electron microscopes and analytical attachments applicable to many real world problems in life sciences, materials science, advanced electronics and water treatment. The purpose-built room is designed and constructed to exacting details which reduce environmental factors such as vibrations, sound, electromagnetic fields, and temperature variation.

The extensive four-day event at Masdar Institute is supported by industry leaders including FEI Company, a leading supplier of scientific instruments for nanoscale applications and solutions in industry and science, Gatan, world’s leading manufacturer of instrumentation and software used in electron microscopes, and Edax, a leader in high-quality products and systems for companies in semiconductors, metals, and geological, biological, material and ceramics markets.

Other sponsors are Leica Microsystems, specialists in microscopes and imaging equipment for medical, scientific and industrial use, Sigma Enterprises, suppliers of engineering & scientific instruments including Confocal Raman/AFM/SNOM Microscopes, sample preparation  and  physical strength testing instruments, WITec, manufacturer of high-resolution optical and scanning probe microscopy solutions for scientific and industrial applications, and Naizak Global Engineering, supplier of scientific instruments, including chromatographs and mass spectrometers.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 27 November, 2014 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology set the scene for the occasion of the 43rd UAE National Day with a number of cultural and historical activities organized in coordination with the UAE Student Club. The day’s celebrations commenced with the UAE National Anthem and a traditional march by the Abu Dhabi Police Band for the crowds gathered at the Masdar Institute campus.

The campus community enjoyed a number of cultural activities, which included Harbeya with traditional song and dance performances, henna art, traditional handicrafts and a UAE heritage antiques display area. As part of the celebrations, participants were also treated to a special poetry recital by Sheikh Rakkad bin Abdullah Al Ameri, and folk singing performances by Mohamed Bin Hamed Al Mehali, emphasizing the rich culture and heritage of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 13 January, 2015 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, is gearing up to showcase its efforts to promote sustainable technologies and innovation in the UAE at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), taking place from 17 – 24 January.

Masdar Institute will be making a number of significant announcements at ADSW that will further the UAE’s strategic goals in the areas of energy, human capital development and innovation.

“We are constantly working to bridge the gap between the inventive potential of our researchers and the science and technology innovation goals of the UAE. Our major announcements, collaborations and panel discussions taking place during ADSW all focus on further contributing to the goals Masdar Institute shares with the UAE government and other regional partners,” said Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute.

The UAE Innovation Strategy, announced in October 2014, aims to make the UAE one of the world’s most innovative countries by 2021 and requires all UAE government entities to reduce spending by 1% and to dedicate those savings to research and innovation projects. In particular, the strategy targets seven sectors for innovation – renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water and space.

With its five research centers currently leading hundreds of research projects of relevance to Abu Dhabi’s strategic needs, Masdar Institute aims to facilitate further collaborative research during ADSW.  Masdar Institute has taken the additional step of mapping its iCenters and research objectives to the seven sectors identified in the National Innovation Strategy.

“Sustainability is part of our very mission and it helps to drive our contribution to economic diversification in the UAE. Our students and faculty dedicate the majority of their time to pursuing research of relevance to the UAE’s strategic and sustainability needs. It is obvious then that ADSW is an important event in our calendar, as it gives Masdar Institute the opportunity to not only showcase its efforts, but to also plan and collaborate for even greater ones,” said Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute.

As part of its efforts to help advance the UAE’s innovation ecosystem and culture of R&D, Masdar Institute will be hosting an Innovation Zone at ADSW highlighting key research projects demonstrated by Masdar Institute  students, a speed mentoring activity, as well as panel discussions and workshops led by faculty members and senior management of the institute.

Visitors to the Masdar Institute stand (Stand #5350) will be met with faculty, students and research experts who can provide useful insight into the university’s operations and accomplishments.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ADSW 2015 is the ground-breaking global forum that unites thought leaders, policy makers and investors to address the challenges of renewable energy and sustainable development.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 14 January 2015 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, will provide aspiring job seekers with an opportunity to capitalize on growing global and local interest in sustainable industries at its annual Green Career Fair, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) taking place from 17–24 January.

“Career interest in sustainability fields has received a welcome boost in the UAE following the announcement of the National Innovation Strategy,” said Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Dean of Students, Masdar Institute. “This year we expect to see even more interest and activity at the Green Career Fair, where nine employers are actively participating in the exhibit to network and connect with our students, graduates and visitors.”

More than 14 presentations will be delivered as part of the Green Career Fair activities, including four by Masdar Institute alumni who will be presenting talks about their educational journey and growth in the corporate and renewable energy market.
“Our Green Career Fair is the region’s premier platform for aspiring and established green and sustainable sector professionals to network, collaborate and seek new challenges,” she added.

Some of the employers expected to attend include KEO International Consultants, DCCE (Dubai Carbon Center of Excellence), Averda International FZ LLC, GE (General Electric) and Air Liquide Global Solutions.
According to the International Labor Organization, 2.3 million people have found new jobs in the renewable energy sector alone, and the potential for job growth in the sector is substantial. Employment in alternative energies may rise to 2.1 million in wind and 6.3 million in solar power by 2030.

Responding to the growing local and global interest in this sector, the Green Fair offers an opportunity for young people to network with local and international companies, receive career guidance, and explore potential employability in the advanced energy and sustainability industry in a cost-effective and convenient way. Features of the fair include a Career Advice Desk to provide tips from human resources professionals on-site as well as dedicated rooms for in-person interviews.

The Green Career Fair will be held at ADNEC Hall #7, Stand #7550.  For more information about the Green Career Fair, please visit: http://www.worldfutureenergysummit.com/Portal/visitors/masdar-institute-green-career-fair-2015.aspx

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 15 January, 2015 – The 2015 members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program – a Masdar Institute of Science and Technology outreach initiative – will be inaugurating their year-long experience at the annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES), the flagship event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), taking place on 19–22 January.

“The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week sets in motion what promises to be an immersive year of experiences, engagements and exposure for the talented members of YFEL.  Thanks to the UAE leadership’s continued support of this and other Masdar Institute programs, new doors of opportunity will open for these young leaders. I am confident that the YFEL members of 2015 will take full advantage of the opportunities available at ADSW to learn, network and innovate,” said Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute.

This year’s selected YFEL members,  numbering nearly 100, were selected from among the world’s brightest students and young professionals from the UAE and abroad. Part of Masdar Institute’s Outreach Program, YFEL offers young professionals and students 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.

YFEL members will have an exclusive meeting with the Solar Impulse pilots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, and the CEO’s of their corporate sponsors. Solar Impulse is the first aircraft built to fly exclusively on solar energy during the day and night. The two pilots will be attempting their first round-the-world solar flight this March starting from Abu Dhabi.  

The young leaders will spend the duration of the summit developing their own research proposals on sustainability and advanced energy. They will present their proposals on the final day. Their proposals – ranging from waste management to water filtration systems – will be innovative and SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and relevant, and time-bound. With the support of Masdar Institute’s experienced faculty, these research projects will be individually spearheaded and developed throughout the year.

During ADSW, the YFEL members experience an engaging week, full of stimulating debates and panel discussions on innovative energy and sustainability solutions to address the world’s biggest energy challenges. They will get the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders and professionals in the renewable energy industry and will hear speeches by keynote speakers ranging from Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation, to André Borschberg, CEO of Solar Impulse.

“I am pleased to welcome the 2015 YFEL members. This is a year filled with exciting opportunities for YFEL.  We have develop a schedule of engagements that is more high-level and far-reaching than ever before,” said Zainab Abdul Rahim Al Ali, YFEL Program Manager.

Members will experience a debate on whether strong policies should be implemented and large scale investments made to mitigate the environmental impacts of carbon dioxide emissions from the power and industrial sectors, moderated by Dr. Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Institute Initiatives and Professor of Practice at Masdar Institute.

For the YFEL members, the second day’s activities are filled with panels, debates, and guest speakers, including a WFES panel on Africa’s energy opportunities, moderated by Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director International Energy Agency (IEA), France.  Additionally, a debate on the pros and cons of technology innovation will be moderated by Dr. Ken Volk, Head of Outreach, Masdar Institute. The day will also include a WFES panel on securing project finance through innovative business models, partnerships and new sources of finance to be moderated by Mark Thurber, Partner, Andrews Kurth, US.

YFEL members will also attend talks from keynote speakers Dr. Vladimir Bulović, Associate Dean for Innovation, MIT School of Engineering, MIT Innovation Initiative, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Fariborz Maseeh Chair in Emerging Technology and Marie-Jose Nadeau, Chair World Energy Council, Canada.

On the third day of the summit, YFEL members will attend two WFES parallel sessions on innovation. The first session titled ‘Industry Transformation Through Energy Storage Technologies’ will be moderated by Dr. Jurgen Weiss, Principal, The Brattle Group, US. The second, titled ‘Innovations in Clean Energy’, will be moderated by Michael Liebreich, Chairman of the Advisory Board and Founder, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, UK.

YFEL members will conclude the summit by attending the joint closing session of WFES and the International Water Summit, which will investigate the current barriers and long-term opportunities of a circular economy – a comprehensive solution to systematically eradicate waste – to be moderated by Dr. Claus Conzelmann, Vice President Safety, Health and Environmental Sustainability, Nestle Group, Switzerland.

YFEL was launched in 2010 by Masdar Institute under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

YFEL’s mission is to educate and inspire students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability. YFEL is a highly selective and competitive program open to students and young professionals from the UAE and abroad who can demonstrate a passion for future energy and sustainable development.

Throughout the year, YFEL members will be mentored in the fields of advanced energy and sustainability technologies through participation in case study competitions and world energy conferences. They will meet with leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to learn about the newest research and best-practices as well as the challenges in implementing real-world solutions to our global energy problems.  

Ultimately, participants will gain invaluable and transferrable knowledge in the area of innovation in advanced energy and sustainability technologies and will be equipped with the skills and tools to contribute to the vast-growing knowledge economy in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

WFES is the anchor event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which takes place on January 17–24 and includes the third International Water Summit (IWS), EcoWASTE, and the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, WFES is the Middle East’s largest gathering on future energy. Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, this eighth iteration of the conference is expected to attract upwards of 30,000 delegates from 170 different countries, representing expertise from industry, technology, finance and government.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 17, January 2015 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, is taking a leading role in a number of water-related initiatives at the International Water Summit (IWS) 2015, including Innovate@IWS. The Institute will highlight water innovations at key Innovate@IWS events taking place during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week running from 17-24 January.

Innovate@IWS is a new initiative at the summit, which is being hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), and is focused on making it easier for innovators and clean technologists to connect with investors, partners and end users in the quest for sustainable water in arid regions.

It features a series of presentations and workshops, coupled with panel discussions for the judging of the innovation competitions that are central to event. The anchor event of Innovate@IWS is a competition for clean technology innovations in three categories – municipal water, industrial water, and water for real estate. In the competition, innovators are given the chance to pitch their inventions to a jury of experts in a business pitch competition. The winning technologies will demonstrate excellence in the following areas – uniqueness, business potential and long-term vision.

Dr. Bruce Ferguson, Head of the Masdar Institute Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iInnovation), will chair a panel discussion for the third round of judging for the “Water for Real Estate” competition, on 21 January, at 2:30pm in the IWS Exhibition Hall. This event will champion creations in the area of water innovation. The closing ceremony for this particular event will take place on 22 January.

The judging panel of the Innovate@IWS clean technology innovator competition in the municipal water category will take place at the Innovate@IWS Exhibition Hall on 19 January, 2015, at 4pm, and will be preceded by a presentation at 3:15pm, by Dr. Taha B.M.J Ouarda, Head of Masdar Institute’s Center for Water and Environment (iWater).

Dr. Ouarda’s presentation is titled ‘Research and Development for Water in the GCC’. Water issues are critical in the region, a point recently highlighted by HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who stated that: “Water is more important than oil in the United Arab Emirates”.

Dr. Ouarda’s presentation will provide a general overview of water-related issues including water scarcity and security, desalination, water and environment technologies, and water issues related to marine and coastal areas. Those who attend will also be informed of a number of research and development projects that are currently being conducted at Masdar Institute to address these challenges.

Dr. Ouarda explained, “Water is an important strategic issue in the UAE and the GCC. At Masdar Institute we strive to be at the cutting edge of research and development in this area in order to address the current challenges facing the region.”

Also focusing on these challenges and how to overcome them is a workshop titled ‘How to achieve sustainable marine and coastal environment in the Arabian Gulf,’ chaired by Dr. Marouane Temimi, Associate Professor of the Water and Environmental Engineering program, Chemical and Environmental Engineering department, Masdar Institute, taking place on 22 January.

This workshop will focus on the marine and coastal research conducted by iWater at Masdar Institute, providing participants with the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of ongoing research efforts to study and monitor the environmental conditions of the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. A number of delegates from various government organizations and agencies have been invited to attend this workshop.

The first part of this session will see select Masdar Institute representatives present their research related to marine and coastal areas. The second part of the session will include presentations from government organizations such as the Ministry of the Environment and Water, the Department of Transport and the Environment Protection and Development Authority, Ras Al Khaimah.

“The aim of the workshop is to identify areas for collaboration between Masdar Institute and government organizations so that the Institute can provide stakeholders with essential data and novel solutions for the preservation of marine and coastal resources in the UAE and the Gulf region. To date, the Institute has been a prominent and knowledgeable resource, providing essential data, particularly in challenging times where marine and coastal resources are at risk,” Dr. Temimi explained.

The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion titled “Solutions to Achieve Future Sustainability in the Arabian Gulf – How May Application of Integrated Approaches be the Solution to Help Mitigate the Challenges?’ Delegates should note that prior registration is required for this event.  

The Innovate@IWS 2015 schedule will provide attendees with an informative assessment of water issues around the Gulf while also providing an in-depth description of the research and development activities conducted by Masdar Institute in this area. Enabled by world-class research facilities and development capabilities, Masdar Institute is working to lead the efforts to address the challenges posed by water scarcity and aims to become an international research hub for issues related to this important strategic area.

IWS is an international conference for promoting water sustainability in arid regions and is focused on fostering innovation, best practices and collaboration to offer tangible solutions to the pressing issue of water scarcity. Held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, it is hosted by Mubadala’s Masdar company and runs during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). ADSW’s other major events include the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), EcoWASTE, and the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

For more information on the International Water Summit, please see www.iwsabudhabi.com.

 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 17 January, 2015 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, is set to announce several major innovation initiatives and projects during this year’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).  With heightened interest at the UAE federal level in research-driven innovation, the university’s R&D activities are expected to capture more attention than ever.

Masdar Institute will be making a number of important announcements during the week, including one relating to the launch of a unique mobile app for renewable energy, another announcement regarding the Institute’s Sustainable Bioenergy Research Center and others to initiate new research partnerships – all expected to be of great significance to the UAE and wider region.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said, “Every year Masdar Institute’s participation at ADSW drives forward our growing profile on research and innovation. This year, we are showcasing some of the most novel concepts in clean energy, water and advanced technology, which we achieved with the support of the UAE leadership. As a research-based institution, we will continue to widen our focus areas to bring more effective sustainable solutions for the benefit of the local, regional and global communities.”

Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, ADSW 2015 will be held from 17-22 January in Abu Dhabi. The event will include the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the 3rd International Water Summit (IWS).

Through its participation at WFES 2015, Masdar Institute will effectively showcase its tangible research outcomes and achievements, emphasizing its role as an innovation leader in clean energy and sustainable advanced technologies.

Reflecting its status as a leader in the clean energy innovation, Masdar Institute’s Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh will moderate a panel on ‘R&D and Innovation as key drivers in the agenda of solutions and the importance of collaborative innovative solutions.’ Another panel discussion on ‘Integration & Deployment – Research & Capacity Building’ to be led by Dr. Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Office of Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute, will highlight the importance of building human and intellectual capital through partnership to accelerate the deployment of sustainable energy.  Dr. Vladimir Bulovic, Associate Dean for Innovation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will also take part in this panel session.

Reiterating its research emphasis on water, a strategic area for the UAE, Masdar Institute will lead various events at Innovate@IWS 2015. Dr. Taha B.M.J. Ouarda, Head of the Masdar Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), and Professor, Water and Environmental Engineering, will lead a workshop focusing on research and development for water in the GCC region.

Also at Innovate@IWS, Dr. Bruce Walker Ferguson, Head of the Masdar Institute Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iInnovation) and Professor of Practice, Engineering Systems and Management, will sit as a jury member in the judges’ panel that will select winning innovators in three categories – municipal water, industrial water, and water for real-estate. There, competing innovators will have a chance to pitch their inventions to a jury of experts. The winning technologies will demonstrate excellence in the following areas – uniqueness, business potential and long-term vision.

Dr. Marouane Tamimi, Associate Professor, Water and Environmental Engineering Program, will offer his thoughts on ‘How to achieve sustainable marine and coastal environment in the Arabian Gulf’ at an IWS workshop. He will also highlight the recent work completed by his research group in the Arabian Gulf in addition to tools they have developed to monitor threats and assess the state of the Gulf waters.

In addition, Dr. Ferguson will join the ‘Speed Mentoring’ event at the Masdar Institute stand from 12:00 – 1:00 PM on 21 January, hosted by iInnovation. The event aims to connect potential sustainable and advanced technology entrepreneurs with business development advisors from different companies. The advisors will be evaluating business ideas and providing advice on how to improve on concepts and what are the best approaches to funding and launching new businesses.

Highlighting the role played by Masdar Institute in the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) arena, Dr. Mohamed Abu Zahra, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, will lead a workshop titled ‘Using CO2-EOR (carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery) in the Gulf States to reduce CO2 emissions’. The session will provide a detailed understanding of the role carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery can play in providing multiple benefits in the Gulf region.

Dr. Nicolas Calvet, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering (MME), is a key speaker in the presentation of the results of a joint project with IBIDEN Co., a Japanese manufacturer. The project was launched eight months ago at the Masdar Institute Solar Platform and aims to test the durability and reflectivity of special mirrors for solar energy applications.

Beyond its major announcements, Masdar Institute’s participation at the four-day summit will include student and faculty project displays at the Masdar Institute Innovation Zone, as well as additional panel discussions and workshops led by faculty members.

Visitors to the Masdar Institute stand (Stand #5350) will be met with faculty, students and research experts who can provide useful insight into the university’s innovation capabilities  and accomplishments.

ENDS

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 20 January, 2015 – The Pilots and corporate partners of Solar Impulse, the team behind Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), the only airplane able to fly day and night on solar power without a drop of fuel, visited the pavilion of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program at the 8th World Future Energy Summit (WFES) being held in Abu Dhabi.

Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, Swiss co-founders and pilots of Solar Impulse, discussed their vision for a more sustainable future and offered insights into the operational aspects of the solar flight, its instrumentation and its avionics, while answering YFEL members’ queries about the upcoming flight. In less than six weeks, following test-flights and community engagement activities in Abu Dhabi, Solar Impulse, hosted by Masdar, will embark on the much anticipated first round-the-world solar flight. This five-month mission to circumnavigate the globe without fossil fuels and polluting emissions, will take off from the emirate in March and return in late July or early August, dependent on weather conditions.

Following the inspirational discussion, the team toured the YFEL stand and met with YFEL members, who introduced the pilots to their innovative projects. 

YFEL was last involved with the Solar Impulse team in October 2011, when a group of 14 YFEL members visited the hangar facility of Solar Impulse in Payerne near Geneva, Switzerland, to catch a first-hand glimpse of the world’s pioneering aircraft, Solar Impulse’s first prototype. At that time, officials at the Solar Impulse facility in Western Switzerland briefed members of YFEL on the key features and the distinctive elements that enable the plane to fly longer distances, even in darkness.

Solar Impulse’s partnership with Masdar and Abu Dhabi stems from a mutual commitment to investment in clean innovation today to ensure a more sustainable tomorrow.

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 greatest 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.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 08 February, 2015 – The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it will host a gathering of regional and global nanotechnology experts and professionals for a two-day on-campus meeting organized jointly with the US National Science Foundation (NSF).

Titled ‘Nanotechnology for the Development of Advanced Energy Harvest and Storage Devices’, the event will be held from 17-18 February at the Multi-Use Hall in Masdar Institute. It is co-organized by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Chicago, National Research Center of Cairo, University of Jordan, Yarmouk University, Karachi University, Lahore University, Fatih University, Gazi University and Bilkent University.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “We are delighted to co-organize this event with several other leading regional and international academic institutions. The involvement by the US National Science Foundation signifies the growing role of the UAE in the international scientific community and the commitment of the UAE leadership’s focus on innovation.”

The meeting, which is jointly sponsored by the NSF and Masdar Institute, is expected to attract specialists from around the region to discuss new concepts and architectures for renewable energy devices, heat and light conversion into electricity, nanoparticle material and films, as well as nano-materials for health applications. The event is expected to catalyze international collaborative research projects between several institutions including Masdar Institute, which will help build bridges between scientists in the US and the UAE.

Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Masdar Institute, said: “The main focus of the event is renewable energy harvesting and storage through advanced nano and material technologies. But it transcends energy, as it will impose many important questions of health, safety, impact on the environment, as well as nano-ethics. Moreover, because of the importance of energy, we expect it to open up new channels for international collaborations with industry.”

The keynote presentation will be delivered by Dr. Munir Nayfeh, Professor of Physics, University of Illinois, on the international collaboration in energy harvest and storage between the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the US.

The event will include talks by various officials on potential collaborations in areas including advanced materials science research and devices, energy research, as well as cooperation and development opportunities in the Arab world.

The second day’s agenda will include laboratory tours, where interested delegates/visitors and guests will be shown the cutting-edge laboratory facilities at Masdar Institute. These facilities include the Nano-Electronics and Photonics (NEP) Laboratory, Fabrication Facility, Electron Microscopy Facility, Photovoltaic Testing Lab, Digital Systems Laboratory, and various other laboratories that support leading-edge nanotechnology research at Masdar Institute.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 15 February 2015 – Members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, look forward to a year of clean technology and sustainability exploration thanks to the continued support of the UAE leadership and other patrons of the program, including Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

“Through Masdar Institute’s YFEL, promising young leaders are preparing to become tomorrow’s energy leaders. Contributions from supporters like ADNOC bolster our ability to drive innovation and capacity development in line with the UAE government’s vision, including the UAE National Innovation Strategy,” said Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Masdar Institute.

“Our wise Leadership has laid down the foundations for supporting and nurturing young people who are considered the decision-makers of tomorrow and we are confident our contribution to the YFEL will drive the annual program further and benefit a larger segment of the community”, said Mohammed S. Al Qubaisi, Director of Human Resources at ADNOC.

“In line with the UAE government’s vision ADNOC will continue to support and encourage all programs and initiatives that focus on clean energy, modern technologies and sustainability. It is part of our responsibility towards the community to support young talent and professionals to become tomorrow’s leaders of the energy and industry”, Al Qubaisi added.

ADNOC has been a generous supporter of YFEL since its inception in 2010. It is now a platinum-level sponsor of this unique outreach program, which serves to mentor future leaders in the fields of alternative energy by engaging them with political and industry leaders of today.
Masdar Institute debuted its 2015 YFEL members at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), which took place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in January.

“Because of the support from UAE leadership and other sponsors, including our platinum-level sponsor ADNOC, the YFEL program has grown significantly,” said Zainab Abdul Rahim Al Ali, YFEL Program Manager. “Thanks to our supporters, we will be able to start our year with a solid foundation, renewed efforts and fresh ideas, to provide our 2015 members with the learning opportunities needed to empower them to tackle our global energy challenges.”

YFEL members spend their year exploring the world’s biggest sustainability and energy challenges – energy efficiency and climate change. They are sent to global forums on energy sustainability, compete in case study analyses, and meet with leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to learn about the newest research and best-practices as well as the challenges in implementing real-world solutions to our global energy problems. 
As some of the world’s most talented young minds, YFEL members work together to spearhead and develop innovative research projects throughout the year, tackling issues of sustainability, global energy and climate change. Many projects this year are geared towards spreading awareness of energy sustainability and environmental protection through interactive apps and educational campaigns.

Another YFEL project looks to develop activated carbon, which can remove impurities from the air, from date palm tree waste. A third project aims to generate up to 5 kW of energy – enough to power 20 households – through an artificial water vortex system that can be used for rural, off-grid areas.