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.

Professor Bruce Ferguson Becomes First Middle East Resident to Serve as Trustee in Carnegie’s 112-Year History 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 25 June, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced Professor Bruce Walker Ferguson has been named Vice-Chairman of the Carnegie Institution for Science.

This is the first time in Carnegie’s 112-year history that a resident of the Middle East has served as a trustee of the respected institution.

The Masdar Institute announcement follows the annual meeting last month in Washington, D.C., in which the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Institution elected Professor Ferguson as its non-executive Vice-Chairman. The term of office is three years renewable. 

The Carnegie Institution is one of the world’s oldest and most respected not-for-profit science research foundations. While its trustees have lived in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Canada, and other countries, as a resident of Abu Dhabi Professor Ferguson has become the first trustee to live in the Middle East.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “We welcome the appointment of Professor Bruce Ferguson to the Carnegie Institution for Science which bears testimony to the high caliber of our faculty. With the support of the country’s leadership, we continue to raise our profile among world-ranked institutions through renowned faculty who are recognized by other global science institutions. Faculty is the mainstay of any academic institution and we will steadfastly progress to achieve our goals and remain among the top research-based scientific institutions in the world.”

Professor Ferguson, who teaches technology management, innovation and entrepreneurship at the Masdar Institute, also directs the recently announced new Center on Innovation Systems and Entrepreneurship. Together with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Center co-sponsored the ‘UAE Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ in Abu Dhabi in May 2013.

Professor Ferguson said: “The expanded reach of Carnegie’s Board membership reflects the increasing globalization of science and technology. I look forward to continuing to support basic science research at Carnegie and technology-directed research at the Masdar Institute. Both are vital components of the innovation ecosystem needed to develop a knowledge-based economy.”

Professor Ferguson is a co-founder and former COO of Orbital Sciences Corporation, a space technology company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the co-founder and former CEO of Edenspace Systems Corporation, a plant biotechnology company developing new renewable energy and environmental products. He has been a Fellow at the George Washington University Center for International Science and Technology Policy, and Vice-Chairman of the Kansas State University Research Foundation. He received his Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Harvard University.

The Carnegie Institution has six research departments – the Geophysical Laboratory and the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, both located in Washington, D.C.; The Observatories, in Pasadena, California, and Chile; the Department of Plant Biology and the Department of Global Ecology, in Stanford, California; and the Department of Embryology, in Baltimore, Maryland.

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.

Projects on Water Quality Sensors and Solar Cell Technologies Demonstrate Knowledge-Building Measures

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 26 June, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced three projects offered for the research internship program this summer will target the key areas of water quality and solar cell technology.

Water quality sensors, solar cell applications and Si PV solar cells are some of the projects offered for the four-week research-based internship program for UAE national undergraduates that is scheduled to commence from 30 June this summer.

The project titled ‘Technologies and Applications of Solar Cells’ will be led by Dr. Mahieddine Emziane, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering program. The project offers students an opportunity to design solar cells from materials and device perspectives, to model and simulate solar cells, as well as investigate solar cells under UAE operational conditions. An intern is also expected to assess and conduct a feasibility study of the solar cells. In addition to proficiency in science and engineering, self-motivation and hard work are additionally required to complete this research project.

The ‘Real-Time Continuous Water Quality Sensors’ project will be spearheaded by Dr. Clara Dimas, Assistant Professor – Microsystems Engineering program. An intern working on this project is expected to test Microfluidic and optical devices to sense water quality parameters and review the information available in relevant literature. Students majoring in Chemical Engineering / Material Science / Electrical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering with a penchant for innovation were eligible to apply for this project.

Dr Adel Gougam, Assistant Professor – Materials Science & Engineering, is in-charge of the project titled ‘Technology comparison of high efficiency Si PV Solar Cells’. An intern is expected to do a comprehensive study on the existing high efficiency (above 18%) Si based solar cells and do a technologocial and economical assessment of the various technologies involved in the fabrication of the high efficiency cells and assess the potential of market penetration of such technologies in the UAE and the GCC. Eligibility includes proficiency in physics, materials science, chemistry and some computer modeling. 

An arid region, the GCC considers water as a strategic area. A Frost & Sullivan analysis reveals that between 2010 and 2012 the GCC has witnessed growth rates between 14%-20% across various segments of the water and wastewater industry, including treatment equipment and chemicals. In the next five years, the region expects that numerous technology options will be available for desalination, water and wastewater treatment.

Dr. Clara Dimas said: “Water quality sensors play a crucial role in ensuring public health and a healthy environment. This research project will help interns to use devices to generate data for quality assessment. We hope students will enthusiastically participate in the project and enhance their research skills for future opportunities.”

One of the fast growing sectors in clean energy, solar power offers tremendous potential. According to a report titled ‘Growth Opportunities in Global Solar Photovoltaic Cell Market 2012-2017: Trends, Forecasts and Opportunity Analysis’ from international firm Research and Markets, the global solar photovoltaic (PV) cell market is expected to reach US$35 billion by 2017, with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% over the next few years. Such analyses reflect the growing global trend in installing high-power devices that facilitate access to solar power.

Dr. Mahieddine Emziane said: “Various technologies and applications are being used to make solar cells generate power more efficiently. The interns selecting their project will work on solar cells from the design stage to conducting feasibility study. We hope the university seniors will learn additional skills through participating in this project and creatively enhance their knowledge in the science and engineering of solar cells.”

Dr Adel Gougam said: “Si PV solar cells are generally flat and rigid compared to other types of cells. Our summer research project will aim to assess the efficiency rates of these cells and establish a baseline of the research to be carried in the field. We hope students will gain expertise in understanding the complexity of the various processes involved in the fabrication of these high efficiency cells, noting that Si based cells represent the largest share of the PV market as of today.”

In order to participate in these research projects, the UAE national undergraduates must have science or engineering as ‘major’ subjects in their degree course and a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). An IELTS score of at least 6.0 (or equivalent) is mandatory along with a letter of recommendation.

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.

Four-Week Program Offers Six Research Projects Focusing on Water, Solar Energy and Fuel Cell

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 30 June, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced the beginning of the four-week summer research internship program for the UAE national undergraduate students.

Among them, six students are from the University of Sharjah, two each from Abu Dhabi University and University of Arizona, and one each from HCT Sharjah, The University of Edinburgh and The American University of Ras Al Khaimah. The program offers a total of six research projects focusing on water, solar energy and fuel cell – areas that are identified as strategically important to the UAE.

Out of a large number of applications, the selection panel chose candidates who showed a strong inclination in clean energy and sustainable advanced technology research. The eligibility criteria for students included Science or Engineering as ‘major’ subjects in the degree course, a GPA of no less than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and an IELTS score of at least 6.0 (or equivalent) along with a letter of recommendation.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The projects are specifically chosen to allow the interns gain insights into advanced research and development, while enriching their laboratory experience at Masdar Institute. The UAE leadership’s consistent support has enabled Masdar Institute to become a leading research-based academic institution, dedicated to Abu Dhabi’s human capital development. We hope the interns will be actively involved in the research projects and enrich themselves with fresh skills to lead innovation in clean technologies.”

Among the projects that were offered for internship, Dr Bruce Walker Fergusson, Professor, Engineering Systems management, is heading a ‘Case Study Development’ project, while Dr Hector Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, is leading the project on ‘Isolation of Camels Rumen Microbes Implicated in Methane Production’.

Dr. Simo Pehkonen, Professor – Chemical Engineering, handles the project titled ‘Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Using Palm Date Fruit’, while Dr. Mahieddine Emziane, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, is responsible for a project on ‘Technologies and Applications of Solar Cells’.

Dr Clara Dimas, Assistant Professor – Microsystems Engineering, will guide the interns for a project titled ‘Real-Time Continuous Water Quality Sensors’, and Dr. Adel Gougam, Assistant Professor – Material Science & Engineering, runs the research project on ‘Comparison of high efficiency Si PV solar cells’.

During the internship program, students will acquire new insights into the scientific process while learning ways to apply their knowledge in technical and laboratory skills. They will also work with their professor guides and learn to handle the most advanced equipment at the cutting edge laboratories in Masdar Institute.

At the end of the program, students’ works on select projects will be showcased through poster presentations at a special ceremony. 

Masdar Institute’s academic programs aim to develop human capital and build a sound R&D infrastructure in the UAE that contributes to Abu Dhabi’s objective of developing a knowledge-based economy. At the same time, the summer research program, which is part of Masdar Institute’s outreach initiative, seeks to build on the capabilities of undergraduate students who have the drive and intention to identify niche technology areas for further innovation.

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.

Papers on Abu Dhabi’s Energy Scenario Generate Interest at Conference that Coincides with World Renewable Energy Congress 2013 in Fes

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 01 July 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced three UAE national students who recently graduated have presented scientific papers at the Mediterranean Green Energy Forum (MGEF) 2013 in Morocco.

The three Emirati students – Sara Al Shkeili, Materials Science and Engineering program, Mona Al Ali, Engineering Systems and Management program, and Mohamed Al Hosani, Chemical Engineering program – presented their papers at the forum that was held in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for the first time. 

Hosted by the Universite Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fes, Morocco, the Mediterranean Green Energy Forum 2013 (MGEF) was held from 16 – 20 June. The major international conference was jointly organized by KES International, the World Renewable Energy Network, and Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Information et des systèmes (LSIS), Marseilles, France. This year’s event was a combination of the annual KES Sustainability in Energy and Buildings conference and a regional meeting of the World Renewable Energy Congress.

Dr. Mahieddine Emziane, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering program, said: “The acceptance of the papers by the high-level international conference indicates the extent of innovative and productive technology features analyzed by the students. This international platform in Fes provided a strong impetus to such relevant region-specific innovations. All the papers submitted to this conference go through a rigorous peer-review process and, if accepted, are published by the Elsevier’s international journal Energy Procedia.”

The three scientific papers additionally reflect Masdar Institute’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s human capital development efforts. Of the three UAE national students, Mohamed Al Hosani’s paper titled ‘Modeling and Simulation of a Thermophotovoltaic System with NaF Heat Storage’ focused on the design of a solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system with heat storage to achieve continuous power generation without using expensive batteries.

Al Hosani said: “Due to its geographic location, Abu Dhabi receives very high solar irradiance during the year – between 600 W/m2 and 950 W/m2. These high values which can be used as a heat source in STPV make solar power systems suitable for this part of the world, especially for tackling the main challenge – Abu Dhabi’s peak solar irradiance and the peak electricity demand.”

Sara Alshkeili’s paper on the ‘Design of Si/Ge Dual Junction Solar Cell Devices’, investigates the Si and Ge solar cells in a dual junction tandem solar cell structure, to broaden the collection of photons form the incident solar spectrum. The new structure was evaluated and simulated under different conditions to investigate its suitability in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) applications besides its main intended photovoltaic (PV) application.

Alshkeili said: “Since Abu Dhabi is aiming for 7% energy form sustainable sources by 2020, it would be reasonable to consider dual junction tandem solar cells as a main contributor because their efficiency exceeds that of conventional single junction Si solar cells technology. From a business point of view, higher efficiency of the solar cell devices means higher energy output with the same amount of bulk semiconducting materials.”

Mona Abdulla Al Ali’s paper on ‘Performance analysis of rooftop PV systems in Abu Dhabi’ evaluates the suitability of PV systems for installations in different types of buildings in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Al Ali said: “This is the first paper that represents the results of my Master’s thesis. It presents the results obtained from simulated performance monitoring of seven different roof-mounted PV systems in Abu Dhabi. In my thesis, technical and economic assessments were carried out for rooftop PV systems with different sizes that use different solar cell technologies. Also, policy frameworks already put in place were examined and some recommendations were proposed for large-scale deployment of PV systems in the UAE’s built environment.”

Papers presented at the Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2013 conference covered areas including technology for renewable energy and sustainability in the built environment; optimization and modeling techniques; information and communication technology usage; as well as behavior and practice, including applications.

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.

12 Papers from Masdar Institute to Portray Array of Advanced Research Projects at Event Held Only Once in Three Years

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 02 July, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that a paper co-authored by one of its faculty won the best presentation award at the 13th World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion in Spain.

Titled, ‘Linking thermodynamics and kinetics to assess pathway reversibility in anaerobic fermentations’, the paper achieved a combined peer review and presentation score above 87%, making it the the highest rated paper of the over 700 papers presented (200 oral and 500 poster) at the conference.

The paper was co-authored by Rebeca González, visiting PhD student at Masdar Institute, Juan M. Lema, University of Santiago de Compostela, Dr Jorge Rodríguez,  Institute Centre for Water Advanced Technology and Environmental Research (iWATER), Masdar Institute, and Robbert Kleerebezem Delft University of Technology.

Organized by the International Water Association (IWA), the ‘World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion: Recovering (bio) Resources for the World’ was held from 25-28 June in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. More than 700 scientific presentations were offered to delegates on breakthrough innovations and advanced technologies at the event that attracted academics and industry professionals in large numbers. The Congress is held only once in every three years as part of the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Specialist Group conference series, which were conceived as an international forum for discussion on state-of-the-art anaerobic bioprocesses.

Dr Rodríguez, was the co-chair of the Scientific Committee at the Congress, while Dr Jens Schmidt, Professor in Biofuels – Chemical Engineering, is a member. Both led panel discussions at the event.

A total of 12 papers were presented by Masdar Institute students, post-doc researchers and faculty. A poster on ‘Assessing biomass hydrolysis capacity of camel rumen microorganisms for bioenergy production,’ by Alya Altunaji, a UAE national student, co-authored by Dr Hector. H. Hernandez, and Dr Rodríguez. was presented.

Other papers included ‘Biomethane potential of biomass waste from the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii cultivated in sea water,’ co-authored by J. M. Uratani, J.R. Bastidas-Oyanedel, and Dr Rodríguez; and ‘Evaluation of pre-treatment conditions of biomass waste from the halophyte Salicornia bigelovii cultivated in sea water’ by T. Chaturvedi, J. M. Uratani, Dr Mette Hedegaard Thomsen, and Dr Rodríguez.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The scientific papers and poster presentations at the World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion strongly indicate the nature of the research being carried out at Masdar Institute and the caliber of the faculty guiding the students. With the support of the UAE’s leadership, we continue to elevate our profile in global events while driving innovation in advanced technologies. We believe participating in international forums will bring further progress in knowledge and human capital development for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

Dr Rodriguez said: “An event such as the World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion offers the most suitable platform to explore the advances, frontiers and applications for a more sustainable planet. In addition, the global and multidisciplinary audience at the event provides a compelling reason to participate and further raise the profile of Masdar Institute. Renowned international academicians are already aware of the extent of research being undertaken at Masdar Institute and this Congress will help us reach out to interested industry partners and potential students.”

Other papers from Masdar Institute include ‘Enzymatic pre-treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste’ by A Nwobi, I. Cybulska, Dr Rodríguez, and Dr Thomsen; ‘Anaerobic digestion as key process in the biorefinery on Salicornia plant biomass: Simulation study using Super Pro Designer®’ by A. Alassali, T. Oyetunde, K. Rashid, Dr Robert Baldwin, Dr Thomsen, and Dr Rodríguez; and ‘Stability and structure of different microbial communities during dark fermentation of glucose’ by J. Bastidas-Oyanedel, R. Kumaraswany, and Dr Rodríguez.

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.

 

UAE National Student Contributes to Technological Breakthrough in Clean Energy

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 08 July, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced its researchers have fabricated the very first bulk-hetero-junction solar cell in the UAE, marking another technological breakthrough for the country in clean energy.

This also reflects another key milestone – these are also the very first solar cells fabricated at the Masdar Institute cleanroom.

Ms. Mejd Alsari, a UAE national student, and 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, have fabricated the first polymer-based organic photovoltaic solar cell (OPV), which can also be conveniently printed on flexible substrates. This has been achieved using Masdar Institute’s cleanroom facilities internally without any assistance from external fabrication facilities or expertise.

The OPVs with advanced aesthetic characteristics such as colors and design will be developed with inkjet-printing deposition techniques. These prototypes could be highly interesting for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) applications and designers globally and in the region. Further to the OPVs research, large area organic photo-detectors based on the same technology, with potential applications in the medical, security and entertainment industry could also be prepared. A start-up venture based in Masdar City to transfer prototypes into final products may also be set up at a later stage.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The outstanding feat of our researchers and faculty consolidates the status of Masdar Institute as a research-driven institution, continuously striving to contribute to the Abu Dhabi’s long-term objectives in advanced technology. The support of the country’s leadership has strengthened us to achieve this breakthrough. Our students and faculty will remain focused in their research on clean energy innovations that will ensure the creation of a sustainable knowledge economy in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”

The first bulk-heterojunction OPV solar cells fabricated at Masdar Institute are part of a new major research project on organic photo-detectors undertaken by Dr. Lilliu and Dr. Dahlem from the NOOR Laboratory. Other faculty members involved in the project include Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi and Dr. Marco Stefancich, Assistant Professors in the Materials Science and Engineering program, as well as Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, Dr. Jerald Yoo and Dr. Jaime Viegas, Assistant Professors in the Microsystems Engineering program, Dr. Matteo Chiesa, Associate Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering program, Dr. Simo Pehkonen, Professor in the Chemical Engineering program, and Dr. Bruce Ferguson, Director of Masdar Institute’s Center on Innovation Systems and Entrepreneurship.

High quality training and assistance during the fabrication process on the equipment in the cleanroom was provided by Mike Tiner, Manager, Fabrication and Microscopy Facilities, and Leslie George, Micro & Nanofabrication Instructor-Institute Initiatives. The fabrication process used to manufacture these cells is environment-friendly and does not produce any toxic waste.

The novel research project focuses on improving the performance of organic/hybrid bulk hetero-junction (BHJ) photo-detectors such as OPVs and organic photodiodes (OPDs). It equally aims to stress on the efficiency enhancement, lifetime lengthening, and fabrication cost reduction of OPV/OPD devices. Combining these three aspects are the focus of Mejd Alsari’s master research work. The project will keep a balance between academic research and the development of OPVs/OPDs based product prototypes that could target markets in the GCC and developing countries.

Mike Tiner said: “The team will continue to optimize the process to seek further gains in efficiency. Many of these gains are expected to result from understanding the interaction of the different materials used to fabricate the device. Masdar Institute is home to several powerful electron microscopes capable of investigating these interactions down to the atomic scale including Scanning Electron Microscopes and Transmission Electron Microscopes from FEI company in the Netherlands. The Cleanroom at Masdar Institute has been a work in progress for some time and it is a great honor for us to be part of the growth of the region as demonstrated by the solid progress made with these devices.”

The semiconductor ‘clean room’ and associated laboratories at Masdar Institute’s facility are part of the collaboration with Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), an investment company in the high-technology 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 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.

The research was undertaken in Masdar Institute in the Nano Electronics and Photonics Lab

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 11 July, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that one of its faculty and student have published the first Masdar Institute-only paper in the prestigious Nature Scientific Reports.

The paper is authored by Dr. Ammar Nayfeh, Assistant Professor in Microsystems Engineering, and PhD student Amro Al Khatib, and titled, ‘A Complete Physical Germanium-on-Silicon Quantum Dot Self-Assembly Process’. This work was undertaken in the Nano Electronics and Photonics Lab headed by Dr. Nayfeh (www.nep-masdar.com).

This research represents an important achievement in material science and quantum assembly.  It enhances scientific progress in fields extending from photovoltaics, low power memories and electronics. As a result, it matches perfectly with the vision of Masdar Institute and Abu Dhabi 2030.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “Masdar Institute contributes to the UAE’s R&D efforts that will make the country a regional and eventual global leader in the creation of knowledge capital. This paper reflects the extent of our faculty’s contribution to the development of new technologies. With the support of the country’s leadership, we are confident these achievements will continue to keep Masdar Institute in the forefront of scientific innovations.”
 
Professor Nayfeh says: “We are very excited about this achievement. We are able to precisely locate 10 nm Ge quantum dots without any chemical processing. There are a plethora of potential applications.  The fact that we are able to publish this work in Nature is another big step in placing Masdar Institute of Science and Technology on the research and scientific map.”

The research describes an original method for precise zero-dimensional tiny quantum structures that assemble themselves using an inherently simple manufacturing arrangement. The method requires no chemical processing or lithography. The results achieved highlight an attractive way to manufacture quantum dot structures for future quantum electronics and photonic applications due to its strict precision and simplicity.

The paper is available online at, http://www.nature.com/srep/2013/130628/srep02099/full/srep02099.html

Dr. Nayfeh has co-authored several papers, which have been presented in international conferences and published in respective journals. Dr. Nayfeh research focuses on using nanotechnology to enhance future photovoltaic devices and low power electronic devices.  He has also contributed with two other Masdar Institute students in bringing the technical expertise for fabricating advanced thin-film solar cells to the UAE.

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.