Products Incorporating Nanotechnology Expected to Reach US$2.4 trillion by 2015, Says Market Research Firm

AFM, one of the primary tools for imaging, measuring, and manipulating matter at the ‘nanoscale’, can be used to investigate materials and material properties used in many regionally-relevant industries such as aviation, energy research, petroleum and desalination. According to a recent study by international market researcher Global Industry Analysts, the annual market for products incorporating nanotechnology is expected to reach US$2.4 trillion by 2015. One of the key growth areas remains in building the tools to enable nanoscale research and to help companies exploit nanoscale properties and discoveries, adds an industry report.

Organized in collaboration with Asylum Research, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and the Laboratory of Energy and Nano Science (LENS) at Masdar Institute, the workshop titled ‘Atomic Force Microscopy for Energy and Environmental Applications — A Middle Eastern Perspective’ will be held from 20-21 May at Masdar Institute campus. It aims to attract fresh and experienced AFM scientists from across the GCC region for sharing research experience and knowledge. The deadline for submission of abstracts for poster presentation is 15 May and the best poster will receive an award.

The workshop will be addressed by eight professionals in total including four faculty members from Masdar Institute. Dr. Matteo Chiesa, Associate Professor at LENS, Masdar Institute, will be joined by Dr. Jason Cleveland, co-founder and CEO of Asylum Research, Dr. Arvind Raman, an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering and the Birck Nanotechnology Center at Purdue University, USA, and Dr. Neil Wilson, Associate Professor in condensed matter physics at the University of Warwick, UK.

Dr. Matteo Chiesa will present the effort of his group at LENS to determine the relevance of capillary interactions on slight variations of AFM tip size and demonstrate robust control and even the ability to identify the most elusive dissipative mechanisms that are thought to occur at the nanoscale. Dr. Neil Wilson’s research is currently focused on the structural, mechanical and electrical properties of graphene and organic semiconductors. Dr. Cleveland has to his credit numerous publications on the physics of AFM and is a co-inventor on many AFM patents.

Dr. Chiesa said: “The workshop will highlight the importance of surface science for many of the industrial sectors in the UAE. AFM is the one of the most utilized instruments to study surfaces. Nowadays many devices we use employ material engineered with specific nanoscale features. The common denominator for all of these devices is the overwhelming role that the surface plays. This is the case for membranes, oil recovery and energy research in general. We hope researchers from across the region will benefit from this workshop.”

Other researchers from Masdar Institute will also be leading various sessions. They include Dr. Tewfik Souier who will speak about ‘How to Achieve High Electrical Conductivity in Aligned Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composites’ and Dr. Sergio Santos who will highlight ‘The Aging of a Surface and the Evolution of Conservative and Dissipative Nanoscale Interactions. Karim Gadelarab, will speak on ‘Single Cycle AFM Force Reconstruction: Probing the Time Domain’.

Asylum Research’s scientists will also demonstrate a variety of scanning techniques and AFM fundamentals with their Cypher™ and MFP-3D™ AFMs. Two lab sessions – on ‘High resolution imaging’ and ‘Nanomechanics – AM-FM Imaging’ are also scheduled as part of the workshop.

Leaders in Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and AFM technology, Asylum Research has set the industry standard for technological innovation both for imaging and characterizing many properties of surfaces and structures at the nanoscale. The company’s AFM/SPMs are used by academic and industrial customers across the world for a wide range of materials and bioscience applications.

The largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences, the RSC is supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business. The organization’s activities span education, conferences, science policy and the promotion of chemistry to the public.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

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

Research Paper Identifies Barriers to Adopting Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices in India’s Fasteners Manufacturing Industry

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 08 May, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies announced two UAE national female students have published research paper on sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in the prestigious ‘The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology’.

The paper titled ‘Analysis of interaction between the barriers for the implementation of sustainable supply chain management’ is authored by Shaikha Al Zaabi and Noura Al Dhaheri under the guidance of Dr. Ali Diabat, an Associate Professor of Engineering Systems & Management.

Listing 13 major barriers, the research paper helps to identify challenges in the adoption of SSCM in fastener manufacturing industry in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The paper gains relevance as Indian industries, particularly pressured for environmental adoption, have less detailed research on the effects of the adoption of environmental practices using traditional supply chain management (TSCM).

The outcome of this study shows that Indian industrial managers have started to adopt sustainability concerns in TSCM. But they are only in the initial stage and still have to eradicate the major barriers one by one.

Dr. Ali Diabat said: “Academic and business societies are clearly interested in adopting sustainable management practices in traditional SCM because of the tremendous business benefits. In the Indian context, we observed that fastener manufacturing industries face many barriers such as the lack of governing policies, too many agencies for SMEs, inadequate data and information for development of SMEs, and suppliers lacking the necessary environmental systems to adopt within their industries.

“Since this study has been conducted only in two fastener manufacturing industries, involving more industries might give more insights into our barrier analysis. More sectors can also be considered for similar analysis.”

Noura Al Dhaheri said: “The research paper provides a solid framework for analyzing the barriers to SSCM adoption in the fastener manufacturing industries, which must have a degree of accountability when it comes to environmental consciousness. It also recommends involving more industries, which might give more insights into our barrier analysis. We thank the country’s leadership for offering youth the right infrastructure to enhance their knowledge and professionally contribute to the industrial sector regionally and globally.”

Shaikha Al Zaabi said: “In this study, we have identified the barriers that act as stumbling blocks to the adoption of SSCM in fastener manufacturing industries. “We are grateful to Dr. Ali Diabat and others for their support and guidance that helped us to complete the analysis. Though this study focuses on the fastener manufacturing industry in a specific region, we are confident the industry from other regions can benefit as well by identifying similar barriers and challenges.”

Six major barriers as identified by Masdar Institute students in the study include prohibitively expensive cost for disposing hazardous wastes, lack of sustainability standards and appropriate regulations, misalignment of short-term and long-term strategic goals, lack of effective evaluation measures about sustainability, inadequate facility for adoptions of reverse logistic practices, and lack of top management commitment to initiate sustainability practices.

Four middle level barriers include inadequate industrial self-regulation, lack of IT implementation, lack of training and education about sustainability, as well as cost of sustainability and economic conditions. The study however mentions that these four middle-level barriers create heavy obstacles to the adoption of SSCM. The three remaining barriers such as complex design to reduce consumption of resources and energy, cost for environmentally-friendly packaging, and lack of clarity regarding sustainability act as dominant roles for implementing SSCM.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

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

Patents Need More Intense Contribution from Universities and Post-Graduate Institutions

Patents act as a tool in the innovation ecosystem that allows technologies to be secured, developed and introduced to the public for benefit and enjoyment. In many cases, it’s the only thing preventing smaller companies from being side-lined by the larger competitors. In short, patents provide smaller, developing companies a competitive advantage over their bigger rivals. Patents are filed by some vibrant sectors of the economy, in addition to academia.

While patent filings are typically dominated by industry players, academic institutions have also relied more on patents as a tool in protecting and commercializing their R&D. Interestingly, in the US, the 157 universities that responded to an annual survey of the Association of University Technology Managers said they completed 5,398 licenses and filed for 12,090 new patents. They also created 617 start-up companies. These universities and their inventors earned more than US$1.8-billion from commercializing their academic research in the 2011 fiscal year, collecting royalties from new breeds of wheat, from a new drug for the treatment of HIV, and from longstanding arrangements over enduring products like Gatorade, a sports drink.

Even though the year 2011 witnessed 194 international patent filings by UAE applicants, the numbers need to increase even more rapidly in the coming years if the country would like to remain globally competitive. Therefore urgently required are dedicated efforts and intensified contribution from the region’s leading universities and post-graduate institutions.

With one patent issued and 21 active applications pending at present, Masdar Institute remains in the forefront of innovation and R&D in clean energy and sustainable advanced technology. One recent patent filing from Masdar Institute happened in February 2013 for a novel system membrane that enables an ‘in-situ’ membrane cleaning for desalination. Masdar Institute also has the distinction of filing for 13 patent applications in 2012 alone.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “With publications of papers in 311 peer-reviewed journals, 330 conference papers, two full books and 38 invention disclosures, our success not only quantifies but illustrates the depth of the knowledge imparted to students. With the support of the country’s leadership, as we incrementally strengthen our academic and research offerings each year, we also enhance our capabilities in scientific discovery. We hope to further intensify our contribution and accomplish more innovations in clean energy and advanced sustainable technologies in the future.”

Of special interest to institutions involved in energy-related research is the fact that patent applications for four energy-related technologies – fuel cells, geothermal, solar and wind energy – increased by 8% in 2010 to 34,873. Residents of Japan filed the largest number of applications relating to solar energy and fuel cell technologies, while residents of Germany and the US accounted for the largest numbers of applications relating to geothermal and wind energy, respectively.

Masdar Institute currently has an issued patent titled ‘Apparatus and Method for Energy-Efficient and Environmentally-Friendly Recovery of Bitumen’, that was obtained by Dr Matteo Chiesa, Associate Professor – Mechanical Engineering / Materials Science and Engineering, and others. However, patent applications under review in various international patent offices currently stand at 21. It is expected that several will complete the 2-3 year application process and get issued as patents within the next year. As Masdar Institute research continues to contribute innovative solutions and advances state-of-the-art technologies, it will continue to file additional patents in the coming months.

The most recent filing from the Masdar Institute, for example, occurred in February 2013 to cover a novel system that enables an ‘in-situ’ membrane cleaning for water desalination purposes. Masdar Institute also has the distinction of filing for 13 patent applications in 2012 alone.

One of the most significant patent filings during 2012 was for ‘Networked-Cellulose Gel’ or ‘NC Gel’. The technology invention led to multiple patents and more are being filed on this material developed by a team of scientists that includes Dr. Raed Hashaikeh, Associate Professor – Materials Science and Engineering, with Dr. Boor Lalia and students Ali Asghar and Yarjan Abdulsamad. Based on the NC Gel, Dr. Hashaikeh’s team has made a ternary solid polymer electrolyte for Li-ion batteries with ionic conductivity on par with organic solvents and currently the material is being tested in lithium-ion coin cells. The interesting properties and behaviour -upon drying – of the NC material has proven applicability in several areas, ranging from pharmaceutical excipient, membrane support, and water retention material.

But one fundamental factor that is most required to drive innovation is R&D spending. As recent reports point out, the GCC and the MENA regions lag behind others in this area. Comparatively, China spends more than US$100 billion on R&D each year, says a Bloomberg Businessweek report. According to a report titled ‘Building Bricks: Exploring the Global Research and Innovation Impact of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Korea’ released by business-information provider Thomson Reuters, China plans to increase the proportion of its GDP spent on research and development from 1.75% in 2010 to 2.2% in 2015. By comparison, the US spent 2.79% of its GDP on research in 2010, the latest year for which data are available, the report adds.

Dr Steve Griffiths, Director of Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute said: “Despite relatively moderate R&D spending, some academic institutions in the region such as Masdar Institute will continue to lead in innovations. Broadly speaking, research institutes can expect to have one invention disclosed for every US$1.5 million-US$2 million in research funding. Masdar Institute, however, received 20 disclosures in 2012 and has already received eight so far in 2013. At this rate of disclosures, Masdar Institute is set to exceed 2012 disclosures.”

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

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

Dubai, UAE, 26th May, 2013 – Under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Youth, Culture, and Community Development, the conference on Role of Philanthropy in Sustainable Development was hosted by University Leadership Council (ULC) of the UAE in Dubai today. The regional conference, themed ‘Philanthropy in Higher Education and Responsible Social Giving: When Giving is a Reward,’ was inaugurated by UN Under-Secretary-General and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France HE Philippe Douste-Blazy, Jack Lang, President, Arab World Institute and Former Minister of Culture for France and Michael Corbin, US Ambassador to the UAE. The event highlighted the increasingly important role of philanthropy and responsible social contribution towards sustainable development.

The ULC is a committee of academic institutions that seeks to facilitate the creation of an intensive knowledge-based economy in the UAE. The council executive committee comprises American University of Sharjah, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Zayed University, UAE University, Khalifa University of Science, Technology, and Researc. ULC members also include Abu Dhabi University and the education division of Dubai Healthcare City.

 
This first-of-its-kind conference led to an exchange of ideas on socially responsible philanthropy, and explored philanthropy-led initiatives in higher education in the UAE. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, on behalf of the ULC organizing Committee.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: “The culture of giving is inherent in the very traditions, customs and rites of this region. The discussions at this event aimed to bring to the fore these practices, the multi-layered contribution of the key participants and raise awareness about how deeply entrenched they are in our societal practices. The participating stakeholders adequately emphasized the need for sustainable development through responsible social contributions.”
 
Commenting on this initiative, Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, Provost and Acting Chancellor of American University of Sharjah said: “Philanthropy in education is of mutual benefit where industry and government support universities in funding their educational projects and at the same time provide a platform to develop new talent for building the regional knowledge economy. Regional universities are establishing endowments, scholarships, chairs and other opportunities for philanthropists to advance their corporate social responsibility initiatives. This conference is a perfect launch-pad for bringing the donor community in the form of our leading charitable foundations together with leading universities. It will begin what I hope will be an ongoing effort to leverage the philanthropic impulse inherent in our culture in support of higher education.”
 
Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs at the American University of Sharjah commented that “this was a singular event, in that it brought together the senior leadership of all universities in the United Arab Emirates and those at the helm of key foundations in the region to raise consciousness on the importance of responsible social giving in building the very fabric of societies in the Arab world in multi-faceted meaningful ways. The involvement of high-powered business leaders in the dialogue between academia, governmental agencies, and the private sector testifies to the increasing awareness and significance corporate social responsibility is achieving in the region.”
 
In addition to Ministers HE Philippe Douste-Blazy and Jack Lang, other keynote speakers at the conference included Dr. Hisham El-Sherif, Chairman of IT Investments and Professor Emeritus, American University of Cairo in Egypt and Dr. Shaikha Al Maskari, Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding who highlighted the role of women in sustainable development and shared her experience as a co-founder of many entrepreneurial and charitable initiatives.
 
Four panel discussions featured top government officials and major international corporations and focused on the role of private philanthropic foundations and government organizations in supporting national development efforts. Panelists included Dr. Mohammed Banyas, UAE University; Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi University; Dr. Tod Laursen, Khalifa University of Science, Technology, and Research; Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif, Dubai Healthcare City Educatıon; Dr. Larry Wilson, Zayed University; Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, Chief Executive Officer, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development; Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Cares; Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer, Al Jalila Foundation; Fouad Makhzoumi, Founder, Makhzoumi Foundation, UAE; and Clare Woodcraft, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Foundation.
 
Acting as a link for faculty and students to interface with both the public and private sectors, the University Leadership Council aims to seek industrial, government, and private individual financial support for the academic and research activities of the universities. It is also mandated to advance the educational goals of the UAE-based universities and align their policies with the government with regard to meeting the requirements of the economy and the industry.
 
The conference is also a regional response to the contemporary global discourse on how ‘giving’ can be more effective and strategic. An art exhibition titled ‘Art Through University and Community Dialogue’, featured contemporary works by renowned Qatari artists Ali Hassan, Salman Al Malik and Amal Al-Athem, and Emirati pioneer artists Dr. Najat Mekki, Abdul Rahim Salem, and Khalifa Al Shimi, provided an additional dimension to the event. A tangible investment in the cultural creativity of the GCC region and a form of social giving and creative philanthropy, the exhibition aimed to build relationships among educators, artists, and the wider community.

Major Project in Organic Photodetectors including Solar Cells and Photodiodes Currently Under Way in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 27 May, 2013– Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced researchers at the campus have taken the initial steps towards printed organic optoelectronics, placing the UAE firmly on the global map of this promising sector.

Printed electronics is a combination of the technologies employed in printing, electronics, chemistry and materials science. Industries across the world are embracing this nascent sector for commercial implications. New innovations are much sought after because this technology can offer benefits such as low cost, high throughput, ease of manufacturing and use in new applications.

Dr. Samuele Lilliu, a post-doctoral fellow working at the Nano-Optics and Optoelectronics Research (NOOR) Laboratory under Dr. Marcus Dahlem, Assistant Professor, Microsystems Engineering, is leading a major project on organic photodetectors, including solar cells and photodiodes. Novel research strategies and innovative concepts are also being developed to make Masdar Institute a strong player in the printed electronics arena.

The project involves several more faculty members including Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi and Dr. Marco Stefancich, Assistant Professors from the Materials Science and Engineering program, as well as Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, Dr. Jerald Yoo and Dr. Jaime Viegas, Assistant Professors from the Microsystems Engineering program. In addition, Dr. Matteo Chiesa, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, and Prof. Bruce Ferguson, Director of Masdar Institute’s Center on Innovation Systems and Entrepreneurship, are also part of the project.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “Cutting-edge research projects undertaken by the faculty, post-docs and students have once again placed the UAE firmly among the leaders in the advanced technology innovation. With the support of the country’s leadership, we have evolved into one of the top-ranking institutions, driving new solutions in science and technology areas. We will continue with our efforts to maintain the status of Masdar Institute as a pioneer in creating and nurturing knowledge capital in the region.”

A current study by IDTechEx, a consulting company for printed electronics, shows that the market for printed and potentially printed electronics is already worth US$9.4 billion. A study by Silicon Valley-headquartered business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan predicts the market for organic and printed electronics will increase by more than 100 per cent to around US$25 billion by 2015.

Tracking the global trend, Masdar Institute recently installed Fujifilm Dimatix DMP2831, one of the most flexible tools for inks development in inkjet-printing. The application of inkjet-printing as a fabrication tool for organic devices shows the potential of these organic materials for low-cost third-generation electronics and optoelectronics.

Dr. Marcus Dahlem said: “Dr. Lilliu fabricated the first high-quality inkjet-printed organic photodiodes at Dr. Sandro Tedde’s labs in Siemens AG, Germany, which currently holds the largest patent portfolio on organic photodiodes. His experience holds the key and his research project brings value to Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

Training programs on operating the Fujifilm Dimatix DMP2831 for graduate students are currently being scheduled. Students will also learn to print polymers on ITO-coated glass and flexible substrates such as paper, textiles and plastics. A logo of Masdar was printed at the institute’s cleanroom using this high-tech equipment.

Dr. Lilliu said: “Organic semiconductors are highly attractive for electronic applications thanks to their ease of processing and tunability, which offers great potential for low fabrication costs. Bulk-heterojunction organic photodetectors based on semiconductive polymers and small molecules are currently among the best performing organic electronic devices.”

The development and the optimization of semiconductor and nanoparticles inks is an essential step for the commercialization of low cost organic photodetectors. Since organic solar cells can be coated on flexible transparent substrates, their potential applications range from self-powered electronic newspapers to building-integrated photovoltaics. The combination of organic photovoltaics with inkjet-printing also offers interesting opportunities in the field of multi-color aesthetic solar cells, a field that is currently unexplored and that could be highly attractive for designers and artists.

Other end-use examples of printable/disposable electronics include inexpensive printed RFID tags for smart packaging, E-paper displays sold for point-of-purchase applications, new products such as games, gadgets and gizmos that are based on printed and/or organic electronics, materials supplied to disposable electronics with strong demand for inexpensive conductive inks, as well as paper and board substrates.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change

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

ATIC, SRC, Masdar Institute and Khalifa University Join Forces for Center of Excellence in Microelectronics Research

Abu Dhabi, 29th May, 2013: The Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) and the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) today launched the ATIC-SRC Center of Excellence for Energy Efficient Electronic Systems (ACE4S), to be hosted jointly in Abu Dhabi by Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

“Over the past 30 years, SRC has successfully helped establish numerous university research centers and distributed more than $2 billion dollars in research funds in the United States; ACE4S role as our first international center reflects significantly on the quality of research we pursue,” said SRC President Larry Sumney. “The ACE4S Center has been established with valuable industry guidance from companies such as GLOBALFOUNDRIES, AMD, Applied Materials, Freescale, IBM, Intel, Mentor Graphics, Texas Instruments and Tokyo Electron (TEL) and will build on SRC-sponsored university research supporting 15 individual researchers in the UAE. Top semiconductor industry experts will oversee and serve as liaisons for each research task, and SRC will productively guide the overall research while also promoting strong student engagement—enabling us to identify areas of greatest need and foster the move of innovations from lab to market.”

The center will be overseen by a partnership committee of high-level ATIC, SRC, Khalifa University and Masdar Institute representatives and will be directed jointly by Professors Mohammed Ismail of Khalifa University, and Ibrahim Elfadel of Masdar Institute. The directors will oversee research across four targeted areas and work closely with a Technology Advisory Board (TAB) of representatives from industry-leading companies.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES will serve a special role on the TAB, assigning Mohamed Lakehal as an Abu Dhabi-based industrial liaison to oversee design tape-outs to fabrication in GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ facilities worldwide. The liaison will also support design enablement, deploying design-for-manufacture tools and raising the level of local semiconductor expertise.

“As a research-oriented institution, we are proud to be part of the ACE4S leadership and offer our expertise and research capabilities,” said Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute. “Our faculty will aim to develop microelectronic technologies with healthcare applications individually and in collaboration with their peers within the initial period of the center’s operation. These innovative products will include biosensor applications, wearable devices and self-powered wireless body area networks (WBAN). We believe these applications will have a wide impact because of their energy efficiency and novel designs.”

“This partnership will transform the way we conduct research in nano-scale energy efficient systems-on-chips as it will help us educate and train a highly skilled workforce with relevant skills. This is a key element in driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE’s semiconductor sector in line with the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision,” said Dr. Tod A. Larsen, President of Khalifa University. “The involvement of the SRC and its member companies in center development will help create a world-leading institution with a sustainable university/industry collaborative research environment conducive to high-tech job creation and direct local and foreign investment.”

The center will focus on energy efficient devices with research in energy harvesting, power management, sensor technologies and wireless communications networks. The research will be conducted primarily at Khalifa University and Masdar Institute but with important involvement from UAE University, American University of Sharjah and New York University, Abu Dhabi. Within the first three years, ACE4S will seek to produce integrated prototypes with healthcare applications as well as knowledge and research relevant to safety and security, aerospace, water quality and the environment.

Supporting the transition of innovations to market, the center will develop an aggressive Intellectual Property Management Plan (IPMP). The IPMP will include early identification of interconnected families of innovation arising from technical themes, placing special emphasis on the integrated systems selected for demonstration at the end of year three.

ACE4S is a continuation of ATIC’s broader focus on cultivating a technology research ecosystem within Abu Dhabi. Additional programs supported in this vein include: the Twin-Labs research center, a collaboration between Masdar Institute and Technical University of Dresden with support from the State of Saxony, ATIC and GLOBALFOUNDRIES; the ATIC professorship chairs at UAEU and Khalifa University; the Masters in Microsystems degree in collaboration with Masdar Institute; and ongoing MEES research grants in collaboration with the SRC.

Group of 18 IRENA Scholars to Conclude Two Year Research Program in Areas Related to Renewable Energy Sources

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 02 June, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) today announced that 18 IRENA scholars will successfully graduate in June 2013 after completing their two-year long programme.

The IRENA Scholarship Programme at Masdar Institute is offered with the support of the UAE Government. This program places exceptional students from around the world in Masdar Institute’s innovative high-level research environment and connects them to IRENA’s expertise in renewable energy policies, financing and technology. IRENA Scholars attend an exclusive lecture programme aimed at presenting the latest developments in renewable energy. They are offered the unique opportunity of drawing from this broad knowledge base in order to formulate and successfully pursue a Master’s thesis related to the sustainable renewable energy sources that IRENA promotes.

The IRENA scholars, 95% of whom are from developing countries, have undertaken a two-year research-intensive Master’s programme on various renewable energy-related topics. Their research projects cover areas including: ‘Stability Analysis of Diesel and Photovoltaic (PV) Hybrid Micro-grids’; ‘Developing an Innovation Cluster for Renewable Energy at Masdar City’; ‘Analysis and Modeling of Wind Potential’; and ‘Evaluation of Policies and Financial Mechanisms to Support Renewable Energy Deployment’.

The first group of IRENA scholars will receive their degrees during the third commencement ceremony on 12 June which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The ceremony will be attended officials from IRENA and Masdar Institute.

“We are proud of this deserving and diverse group of IRENA scholarship students,” IRENA Director-General Mr. Adnan Amin said. “By engaging them in the lecture program and at various IRENA events, the scholarship programme has provided the students with a wonderful chance to expand their knowledge and professional network, as well as giving them an insight into the workings of an intergovernmental organization. We wish this first group of IRENA scholars, and all the graduates, the best of luck for the future and hope they realize their tremendous potential to contribute to the renewable energy sector.”

Masdar Institute has a multifaceted collaboration with IRENA, including contributing to the international initiative IRENA is leading to develop the Global Renewable Energy Atlas. The Global Atlas, launched at the IRENA Assembly in January 2013, provides open access to comprehensive solar and wind information which aims to raise awareness of renewable energy potential, as well as improving the market environment for renewable energy technologies. Masdar Institute has contributed to the initiative by sharing the UAE Solar Atlas – a precise satellite-based map developed and validated by the UAE Research Centre for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment, and by hosting the application along with large amounts of data and supporting the development of the interface. 

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: “We congratulate the IRENA scholars for their involvement in the two-year programme. Masdar Institute is privileged to have such talented students who can effectively contribute to further developing renewable energy areas. Their specific research works will facilitate new clean energy innovations in the future. With the support of the UAE leadership, we have created an infrastructure and a talent base that can develop, build and strengthen decision-makers in future energy.”

Part of IRENA’s capacity-building programme, the scholarships seek to provide a wealth of knowledge, innovative research opportunities, and open high-level communication channels between energy policy-makers and highly-accomplished individuals from across the world. Although the IRENA Scholarship programme is open to all nationalities, in case of equal aptitude, priority is given to applicants from developing countries.

Reem Al Junaibi, an IRENA scholar who researched the ‘Reliable Operation of Power Grids in the Presence of Increasing Penetration of Renewable Energy in UAE. Al Junaibi said: “The programme gives a unique opportunity of being surrounded by people who want to make a change for the better. I love being part of this movement, and contribute my part when it comes to addressing global challenges with practical solutions. I thank IRENA, Masdar Institute, and the UAE Government for this opportunity.”

Another IRENA scholar Edwin Fonkwe Fongang from Cameroon conducted research on ‘Design and Implementation of Single-Phase Module Integrated Converters with Maximum Power Point Tracking’. Fongang said: “I have gained deeper insight on how renewable energy can contribute to sustainable development by ensuring energy security, promoting economic prosperity, while protecting the environment. I plan on someday going back to my country Cameroon and making my contributions to its sustainable development.”

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

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

Rewarding Experience, Says First Toyota Scholar Ayoola Brimmo; Second Scholar Edgar E. Samano Baca to Complete Program in 2014

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 04 June, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and Toyota Motor Corporation, one of the largest automotive manufacturers, leaders in sustainable technologies and winner of the Zayed Future Energy Prize in 2010, today jointly announced the inaugural Masdar Institute-Toyota scholar will successfully complete his two-year program in June 2013.

Ayoola Brimmo, Master’s student in the Mechanical Engineering program and the inaugural Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholar, was chosen for the first Toyota Motor Corporation scholarship through a competition held in October 2011. A total of 34 students submitted essay applications and Brimmo was unanimously chosen by a three-member committee.

Each year, a two-year Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship is awarded to a first-year student in any one of the eight Master’s programs. Toyota established the scholarship for Masdar Institute students as a generous response to winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize. The scholarship is designed to promote opportunities for students to work on projects in the area of technologies for sustainable development.

In October 2012, Edgar E. Samano Baca from the Engineering Systems and Management program was announced as the second Toyota Scholar. Baca will complete two years of his studies at Masdar Institute under the Toyota scholarship program in May 2014.

In addition to the standard Masdar Institute benefits, the scholarship recipients are provided with a special two-week ‘Japan Experience’ arranged by Toyota. Each scholar spends two weeks at Toyota Motor Corporation and other sites in Japan. For this year, the ‘Japan Experience’ will include observation tours as well as in-class lectures which involve industry activities.”

Nobuyuki Negishi, Chief Representative of Middle East & North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said: “We offer our congratulations to Ayoola Brimmo, the first scholar to complete this program and believe his visit to Japan offered him fruitful findings. Our emphasis on sustainable technologies stems from our conviction that green principles alone will chart the planet’s future and we hope the first scholar will continue his work in this area after graduation. This is a proud moment for us as we share common goals with Masdar, which has consistently demonstrated its commitment to achieving targets in the sustainability fields.”

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “We are privileged to have talented students such as Ayoola Brimmo who additionally has the distinction of being the first Toyota scholar. We congratulate him for his accomplishments in research which will contribute to finding new technologies for sustainable development. With the support of the UAE’s leadership, Masdar Institute is progressing, as mandated, in developing and nurturing innovators and critical thinkers for the future energy industry.”

Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability, Masdar, and Director of Zayed Future Energy Prize, said: “We are proud to congratulate Ayoola Brimmo, the first Toyota scholar, and feel honored by the role of the Prize in the establishment of the scholarship. Through this graduating scholar, the Zayed Future Energy Prize is delighted to contribute to the creation of talented youth, destined to become future energy leaders. We will continue our contribution through acknowledging and rewarding innovation in renewable energy and sustainability.”

Ayoola Brimmo said: “I have been involved in research aimed at the conversion of biomass products into hydrogen through the gasification reaction. By vying for a replacement for hydrocarbon-based fuels, this research directly contributes to the implementation of sustainable transport systems. Other works that indirectly falls into this category which I was involved in include studies aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the aluminum smelting industry and research on the potential of biomass energy conversion techniques.”

Each student with the scholarship will have a supervisor at Masdar Institute who will closely monitor and support the student’s studies and Master’s thesis work.

The Zayed Future Energy Prize, managed by Masdar, seeks to recognize, reward and catalyze innovation in renewable energy and sustainability.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

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

ABU DHABI: 12 June, 2013 — Under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council today attended the graduation ceremony of the 3rd batch of Masdar Institute’s students, which was held at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

His Highness Sheikh Hazaa said that the graduation of the 3rd batch of students from the Masdar Institute for the year 2013 reaffirms the commitment of the UAE to the upbringing and preparation of a generation with sufficient knowledge in the field of energy, based on the conviction of the need to build knowledge and human capital development as well as the preservation of the environment and the importance of sustainable development, the great pillars of which were laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

He added that the leadership is going forward in this wise approach upon the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in order to create a knowledge-based economy which is strong and diverse, and with the keen oversight of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, HE Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Co-operation, Sheikhs, and a number of senior officials and students’ parents.

The ceremony started with the UAE national anthem, followed by a short film highlighting Masdar Institute’s timeline through students’ testimonies, who touched on their knowledge experience in the field of energy and the knowledge they acquired to obtain a master’s degree.

HH Sheikh Hazza distributed certificates to more than 90 graduates of eight academic programs including Engineering and Management Systems and Computing, Information Science and Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering and Precision Engineering Systems and Electrical Power Engineering and Chemical Engineering.

H.H. Sheikh Hazza congratulated the graduates and wished them success in their life and had a group picture with the graduates.

Speaking at the ceremony, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi said the UAE has taken a decisive lead in renewable energy knowledge and sustainable development following the launch of the Masdar Initiative by the country’s leadership.

She said that    with investment in renewable energy through Masdar’s projects and collaboration with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UAE remains at the heart of the clean energy revolution and climate change mitigation efforts.

Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna added: “Your graduation today represents a beginning for your future in the service of your country. Your education at the Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi has prepared you well to meet your personal and professional aspirations. I am confident that you will leave here knowing that you are well prepared to make a lasting difference in this most challenging world.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, said: “On this momentous occasion, we offer our sincere thanks to the country’s wise leadership for their commitment to human capital development and consistent support of knowledge creation. Masdar Institute is a playing a critical role in strengthening the UAE’s talent base and ensuring we remain competitive in the global economy.”

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The graduation ceremony of the 2013 class of post-graduate students once again reiterates the contribution of Masdar Institute towards creating intellectual capacity in the country. With the support of the UAE’s leadership, Masdar Institute continues to create value through innovations in advanced technology that have resulted in patents. As the profile of the research-based institution continues to move up among the world-ranked institutions, we will steadfastly remain focused on achieving our academic and R&D objectives that will bring honor to the UAE.”

The first class of students of Masdar Institute had graduated in June 2011 while the second group of students received their Master’s degrees in May 2012. The 2013 class of students are now graduating after successful completion of their research and academic programs in clean energy and advanced technology subjects and are expected to contribute to the globally fast-growing sector.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with 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.

First Tape Out of 65nm Node from MENA Region Marks Successful Collaboration with GLOBALFOUNDRIES 
 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 13 June, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that three students have successfully completed a semiconductor chip design using GLOBALFOUNDRIES 65nm process, the first GLOBALFOUNDRIES tape-out from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The 65nm wafers, taped-out at Masdar Institute, are expected to be finished processing at GLOBALFOUNDRIES late in July this year. In integrated circuits design, tape-out is the final part of the design cycle before a ‘photo-mask’ is manufactured.

The important milestone reflects a significant step toward Abu Dhabi’s goal to have a UAE-based semiconductor ecosystem and successfully marks Masdar Institute’s collaboration with GLOBALFOUNDRIES, owned by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company. Masdar Institute is one of the very few universities worldwide to have access to GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ 65nm process design kit (PDK).

The three students – Yonatan Kifle, Judyta Tillak and Chen Zhang – were guided by Dr. Jerald Yoo, Assistant Professor, Microsystems Engineering program, on this project. With the tape-out, Masdar Institute has become the first academic institution within the MENA region to utilize the GLOBALFOUNDRIES PDK to design semiconductor circuits from scratch.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The students have achieved such an accomplishment in advanced technology in collaboration with GLOBALFOUNDRIES, our industry partner. This remarkable achievement reflects the support of the country’s leadership and the quality of learning that our faculty provides. The students and the faculty deserve to be congratulated and we hope to see similar feats in the future.”

Mohamed Lakehal, Senior Manager of Technology Enablement at GLOBALFOUNDRIES Abu Dhabi, said: “PDK access, especially below 65nm is strictly controlled and very few universities currently have the ability to conduct research at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. We provided access to students of Masdar Institute because of the global status of the research-based institution, its renowned faculty and talented students. What the students have achieved is remarkable and we hope this will pave the way toward establishing a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the UAE.”

Technically, designing in 65nm node and below (45, 32, 28nm and others) is different from 90nm and above. The designing requires more sophisticated timing verification, leakage control and variation-resilient strategies, as well as aggressive power control. Generally, companies have a dedicated team just for dealing with such hurdles. However, what is remarkable with Masdar Institute is the capability for both front-end (design) and back-end (verification and iteration) design. Masdar Institute was able to successfully achieve the tape-out with only students because of the support from GLOBALFOUNDRIES engineering teams in Abu Dhabi and worldwide.

Dr. Jerald Yoo said: “The successful tape-out in GF 65nm is indeed a huge leap toward the UAE semiconductor ecosystem that comprises consumers, industry and academia within the field of ‘fab/fabless design firm/design house’. The most important factor that enables such an ecosystem in the UAE is to attract ‘industry’ to the country or have start-up ventures. And in order to do so, the first and the foremost step is to have trained engineers who are capable of doing practical design and the collaboration with GLOBALFOUNDRIES has fueled the design progress at Masdar Institute to achieve this.”

According to IC Insights, a market research firm, GLOBALFOUNDRIES enjoyed a 31% revenue increase in 2012, driven by its success in attracting new IC foundry customers.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

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

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 23 June, 2013 – A total of 22 talented UAE national undergraduates began their week-long hands-on labs experience on Saturday under the second annual ‘Ektashif’ outreach program at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. Tours to local industries and design challenges to test creative and engineering skills will also be part of the program for the students who are currently majoring in science, engineering or information technology in their respective universities.

Ektashif is residential program that brings together talented UAE undergraduate engineering and science students to discover and learn about renewable energy, sustainability and the environment.    Participants develop communication skills and learn about cutting-edge research through action labs, organized tours, lectures, and team-building activities.  The program aims to encourage students to consider conducting further research in clean energy and sustainability.

Presentations on laser, skills for developing a thesis paper, tips on literature review and ways to develop an effective argument are included in this year’s program. The labs focus on ‘Earth Observation’, ‘Digital Electronics’, ‘Data Mining’, ‘Waste Material Characterization’, ‘Dynamic Aspects of Sustainable Energy Policy’, ‘Optical Fiber Sensing’, ‘Optical and Electron Microscopy to Study Different Materials from Micron to Nano-Scale’, ‘Power Electronics’, and ‘Algae: From Biofuels to Human Health’.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

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