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KU TIMES
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
CLIMBING THE GLOBAL UNIVERSITY RANKINGS HIGHEST RANKING UNIVERSITY IN THE UAE
RANKED 268TH IN THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THE QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2020
KHALIFA UNIVERSITY’S SPARKU STUDENT TEAM WINS 8TH PLACE OUT OF 31 IN SAE SUPERMILEAGE 2019 COMPETITION IN US FACE RECOGNITION SYSTEM MAKES IT TO FINAL ROUNDS OF IEEE CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS SOCIETY STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION THE HIVE: A NEW STUDENT SPACE FOR COLLABORATION OPENS
TURMERIC, GARLIC AND ELEMENTAL SULFUR Dr. Saeed Alhassan, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, has found a way to turn elemental sulfur into a highvalue product with the help of two unsuspecting plants – turmeric and garlic.
THE SEAWATER ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE SYSTEM (SEAS) GETS AN UPGRADE Researchers refurbished the facility and are exploring other crop management practices to obtain high yields of the saltloving plant known as Salicornia.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION New students will be welcomed to the 2019/2020 academic year during an orientation designed to ready them for their research intensive lives as undergrad and graduate students.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
CONTENTS 04
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FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
KU WELCOMES ITS NEW PROVOST
CLIMBING THE GLOBAL UNIVERSITY RANKINGS
ABOUT KU TIMES KU TIMES IS A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT. IT AIMS TO KEEP OUR STAKEHOLDERS INFORMED AND UPDATED ABOUT KHALIFA UNIVERSITY’S LATEST BREAKTHROUGHS, CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH, COLLABORATIONS, INITIATIVES, STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND NEWS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT AN IDEA FOR AN ARTICLE, NOMINATE STUDENTS OR OTHERS TO BE INTERVIEWED, PROVIDE SUGGESTIONS ON TOPICS YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ ABOUT, OR SIMPLY WANT TO LEAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE EMAIL US AT COMMUNICATIONS@ KU.AC.AE.
08 LINKING UP WITH UAE GENERAL CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY FOR JOINT INTERNATIONAL AVIATION AWARD
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IRISH MINISTER OF EDUCATION DISCUSSES POTENTIAL COLLABORATION
BRAZIL’S MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND COMMUNICATIONS VISITS KU
AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE HIGHLIGHTS RESEARCH COOPERATION BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE UAE
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MYSAT-2 PROGRESSES TO NEXT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
KHALIFA UNIVERSITY’S SPARKU STUDENT TEAM WINS 8TH PLACE OUT OF 31 IN SAE SUPERMILEAGE 2019 COMPETITION IN US
13 NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY CENTER PARTNERS UP WITH SUBATECH LAB
16 KU EXOSKELETON MULTIPLIES STRENGTH
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KU TIMES
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
18 FACE RECOGNITION SYSTEM MAKES IT TO FINAL ROUNDS OF IEEE CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS SOCIETY STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION
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2ND ANNUAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM SHOWCASES STUDENT RESEARCH
RAMADAN BAGS
THE HIVE: A NEW STUDENT SPACE FOR COLLABORATION OPENS
22 TURMERIC, GARLIC AND ELEMENTAL SULFUR
22 PAPER-THIN AND FLEXIBLE BATTERIES MAY MEAN BETTER POWER SOURCES FOR SPACE TRAVEL & IOT DEVICES
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LET THE CYBER BATTLES BEGIN
HOW 3D PRINTING IS REVOLUTIONIZING DESIGN
26 KU RESEARCH PAPER ON PHOTOCATALYSTS AMONG TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL FOR 2019
28 THE SEAWATER ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE SYSTEM (SEAS) GETS AN UPGRADE
MAKING ABU DHABI HAPPIER WITH EVERY TWEET
1ST IAEE MIDDLE EAST SYMPOSIUM
CHECKING IN WITH BABY : LISTENING TO THE FETAL HEART AT HOME
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NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
35 MBZIRC
36 SEE THE WORLD THROUGH A NEW LENS
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KU TIMES
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK I am proud to announce the launch of Khalifa University’s new monthly newsletter, KU Times. KU Times will keep our community informed and updated about Khalifa University’s latest breakthroughs, cutting-edge research, collaborations, initiatives, student activities and news. Khalifa University’s history dates back to 1989, with the establishment of the Etisalat University College in Sharjah. For the past 20 years, the university has continued to evolve to meet the UAE’s rapidly developing national goals and needs. Today, Khalifa University has 3 colleges, 17 academic departments, over 15 research centers and dozens of research labs. Our faculty, staff, students and alumni have contributed to over 5,000 published papers, more than 245 book chapters, and 70+ patents on cutting edge technologies, supporting scientific research and the development of critical solutions needed to accelerate the UAE’s
transition into a knowledge economy. KU Times will increase visibility of our diverse academic community of over 3,000 students and 370 faculty, and enrich public understanding and appreciation of the impactful work we do in the UAE and beyond. As the UAE’s top-ranking university, we have a responsibility to nurture the brightest young talent in the UAE and world-wide to fuel the country’s continuing progress and prosperity. It is also our responsibility to tell our stories as we continue to strengthen our global standing as a worldclass, research-intensive institution. We look forward to keeping you better informed on our progress and activities every month. Yours Sincerely, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi Executive Vice President Khalifa University of Science and Technology
FROM THE NEWSROOM
HI GHLI GHTS OF TH E L ATE ST IMPORTAN T A NNOU NCEMEN TS, STR ATE GIC IN ITIATIVE S, NEW PARTNERSH IPS, AN D VIP VISITS
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KU WELCOMES ITS NEW PROVOST
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Dr. John Derek Woollins is the new incoming Provost of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and is set to commence duties from September 2019. Dr. Woollins is an eminent professor of chemistry who brings over 25 years of outstanding skills and experience in research, academia and leadership to the job of Provost. He spent the greater part of his career at The University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he served as Head of Chemistry, Vice Principal of Research and Innovation, Provost of St Leonard’s College, and Director of EaSTCHEM (the joint Research School of Edinburgh and St Andrews Chemistry Departments). During this time, he managed all research activities across the University, including developing and implementing
the University’s strategic research strategy, and proved himself to be a highly effective, forward-looking administrator. A distinguished scholar and prolific scientist who has published over 600 research papers and three books, Dr. Woollins is known for his work on the synthesis, determination of structure and applications of new molecules made with main group elements of the Periodic Table. His work resulted in a reagent named after him – Woollins’ reagent – which has been manufactured on a commercial scale for use in organic synthesis. Faculty, students and staff look forward to working with Dr. Woollins to continue to advance Khalifa University’s research and academic excellence.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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CLIMBING THE GLOBAL UNIVERSITY RANKINGS Khalifa University becomes First-Ever UAE Institution to be Ranked among Top 300 Globally in QS World University 2020 Rankings and Jumps 11 Places to 38th in Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
HIGHEST RANKING UNIVERSITY IN THE UAE
RANKED 268TH
ACCORDING TO THE QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2020
The QS World University Rankings 2020 has placed Khalifa University 268th, an impressive 47 slots up from last year’s ranking. Khalifa University remains among the top 27% of the 1,000 universities assessed from 82 different locations across the world, as well as the top-rated institution in the UAE. In the Subject ranking, KU ranked in the #301-350 category, placed 15th in the Arab region, and remained 33rd in the ‘Top 50 Under 50’ category. Khalifa University performed remarkably well with an Overall Score of 36.5, while the Faculty to Student Ratio, which is 1:8, received a score of 77.3. Its Research Output was regarded as ‘Very High,’ and its Citations per Faculty category received a score of 42.2. Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “Our position as the first-ever institution from the UAE to be placed among the top 300 in the QS World University Rankings 2020 strongly illustrates not only our consistent success in the international academic arena, but also our commitment to impart world class knowledge to
students. We believe such international accolades and recognitions reflect our sincere efforts to contribute to the UAE’s human and intellectual capital development. The most recent ranking will further motivate us and strengthen our resolve to enhance the academic and research offerings that will further consolidate the position of Khalifa University regionally and globally.” It was also announced last month by the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings that Khalifa University has placed 38th out of 351 total universities that are aged 50 years or younger. KU jumped 11 slots from last year’s ranking, maintaining a score of 100 in ‘Industry Income’ (knowledge transfer), and 96.4 in ‘International Outlook’ for its high number of research journal publications that have at least one international coauthor. Khalifa University also moved one notch up to be ranked 11th in the THE Young Universities: Millennial Universities Ranking. This THE list ranks the top millennial universities, which it defines as institutions founded since the year 2000.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
LINKING UP WITH UAE GENERAL CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY FOR JOINT INTERNATIONAL AVIATION AWARD KU and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority have signed an agreement to jointly develop an international aviation award, titled Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award, which is aimed at promoting best practices in the country’s rapidly growing civil aviation sector. The award will recognize overall excellence in air transport infrastructure, safety and security standards, personal contributions of individuals, and innovation.
Dr. Arif said: “We are pleased to partner with the General Civil Aviation Authority to leverage our engineering expertise in aerospace in the pursuit of a pioneering award that will further strengthen the UAE’s aviation sector, which is a key pillar in the national economy. Khalifa University was founded to help transform Abu Dhabi into a knowledge-based economy by developing the country’s human capital, research capabilities, and high-tech industries. By entering
into this strategic partnership, we are taking solid steps to ensure the continued development of a technologically-advanced aviation sector for the benefit of the UAE and the wider world.” As per the agreement, Khalifa University and the General Civil Aviation Authority will coordinate their resources and facilitate information exchange related to research and development in the field of aviation technology.
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VIP VISITS
IRISH MINISTER OF EDUCATION DISCUSSES POTENTIAL COLLABORATION On his two-day visit to the UAE, His Excellency Joe McHugh, Ireland’s Minister of Education and Skills, met with Dr. Arif and Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Services, to discuss potential areas of collaboration between the University and Irish higher education institutions. They also discussed ways to promote knowledge exchange and best practices for recruiting top Irish graduate students into the MSc and PhD programs at KU.
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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BRAZIL’S MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND COMMUNICATIONS VISITS KU
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Khalifa University hosted HE Minister Marcos Ponte, the Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications, and his accompanying delegation, which included HE Fernando Luis Lemos Igreja, Ambassador of Brazil to the UAE, on Monday, 24 June. The delegation was received by Dr. Arif. HE Minister Ponte was given a brief presentation on Khalifa University followed by discussions on areas of mutual interest, in particular, the potential of establishing collaborative research projects between KU and top universities and research institutions in Brazil. Discussions also focused on student exchange opportunities, particularly in the areas of biotechnology and aerospace, as well as graduate student recruitment. Following the meeting, Dr. Arif accompanied the Minister and guests on a tour around KU’s Main Campus.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE HIGHLIGHTS RESEARCH COOPERATION BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE UAE His Excellency Ludovic Pouille, Ambassador of France to the UAE, visited Khalifa University’s Main Campus on Thursday, 13 June. The Ambassador highlighted the strong academic and research cooperation between France and the UAE, reflecting the deep-rooted relations between the two countries. He met with student representatives from KU’s student council, and discussed ideas with KU’s senior management, including introducing a french language instruction course. They also explored collaborative initiatives, like student exchange programs, and opportunities for French graduate students to enroll in Master’s and PhD programs on a scholarship basis. The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the engaging visit, which included a campus tour and an overview of KU educational facilities.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
MYSAT-2 is the University’s second research satellite built by faculty and students in KU’s Space Systems and Technology program. Designed as a CubeSat, or a small satellite that measures 20 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm, MYSAT-2 will be built with custom software to stabilize the satellite’s ‘attitude’, or its orientation in space. A satellite’s attitude plays a critical role in determining the direction its cameras are facing.
MYSAT-2 PROGRESSES TO NEXT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT Once launched, MYSAT-2 will test student developed algorithms to determine the CubeSat’s orientation in space, estimated to be 15% to 20% more power-efficient
Khalifa University is a step closer to launching its second satellite, MYSAT-2, into space after meeting an important milestone – the Critical Design Review (CDR) on Sunday, 23 June 2019, which wraps up the satellite’s design phase and marks the start of full-scale production in preparation for launch in Q2 2020.
The research team behind MYSAT-2 – which includes 10 graduate students, four undergraduate students, two faculty and two research engineers, along with engineers from industry partners Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Northrop Grumman – is implementing advanced attitude control algorithms to keep the satellite moving evenly through its orbit. The algorithms help determine and control the CubeSat’s orientation in space, and are estimated to be 15 to 20 percent more power-efficient, in comparison with traditional algorithms implemented on other spacecrafts. MYSAT-1, the first CubeSat developed by Khalifa University at its Yahsat Space Lab that was launched into space on 17 November, 2018, and is expected to stay in orbit until 2021, has provided important learning opportunities to the team working on MYSAT-2. “The successful completion of critical design review signifies another momentous occasion in the development of MYSAT-2 by our Space Systems and Technology Concentration students at the Yahsat Space Lab, with support from Northrop Grumman and Yahsat. We believe, like its predecessor, MYSAT-2 will represent our contribution to the UAE’s commitment to developing indigenous aerospace scientists, while establishing our students’ contributions to developing energyefficient algorithms that determine the CubeSat’s orientation in space.
This will help Khalifa University develop next generation satellites even more efficiently, and market the software systems to other satellite developers,” commented Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President, Khalifa University. The CDR review panel included experts from Yahsat, Khalifa University, and Northrop Grumman. The collaborative review panel assessed the programme’s readiness and confirmed that the technical efforts are on track to proceed into fabrication, demonstration, and testing, with performance requirements being met, on budget and on schedule. Full-scale fabrication of MYSAT-2 will now begin with several intermediate internal reviews, including a software demonstration, and the flight readiness review. “In MYSAT-1, we observed some issues in the software implementation that we missed during ground testing and are hoping to address them in MYSAT-2,” said Dr. Prashanth Marpu, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Manager of YahSat Space Lab. “We are improving Fault detection, isolation, and recovery algorithms and are adding the capabilities to perform autonomous operations in the absence of communication from the ground station.” MYSAT-1 was built with two payloads, including a camera for Earth observation and an experimental lithium-ion coin cell battery developed by KU researchers. Primarily, the satellite served as an educational project for KU students. A number of pictures were taken using the onboard camera, and researchers are currently analyzing the data gathered on the battery’s performance. So far, the data has shown that the battery performed well in space.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Khalifa University is also supporting the development of a third CubeSat, called MeznSat, at its Yahsat Space Lab. The collaborative satellite project is being developed in partnership between the UAE Space Agency, Khalifa University and the American University of Ras Al Khaimah. MeznSat is a 3U CubeSat that will monitor and study the Earth’s atmosphere to monitor greenhouse gas emissions above the UAE region. MeznSat is scheduled to be launched in Q1 2020.
develop technology and experiments for the space environment. In the first edition of the competition, 21 teams participated with over 150 students involved. The payload proposed by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) to detect terrestrial gamma ray flashes won the first prize. NYUAD and KU teams are now working together to realize the mission by developing the payload and the bus. The satellite is expected to be launched in Q2 2020.
Khalifa University and UAE Space Agency have also partnered to develop the UAE Mini Satellite Challenge, which aims to provide students interested in the fields of engineering, material sciences, and physical sciences, the opportunity to
“CubeSat programs like these provide hands on training for students and a unique opportunity to develop our own space components and gain flight heritage for our technologies,” Dr. Marpu shared. In the case of MYSAT-2, the team aims to get flight heritage for its attitude
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY CENTER PARTNERS UP WITH SUBATECH LAB Dr. Philip Beeley, Professor and Chair of the Nuclear Engineering Department and Director of the Nuclear Technology Center, delivered an informative presentation about Khalifa University, its nuclear engineering programs and its Nuclear Technology Center (NTC) to the Radiochemistry Group at Subatech (Subatomic Physics and related Technologies) – a joint research laboratory between CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), IN2P3 (French national institute of nuclear and particle physics), IMT Atlantique, and University of Nantes – during a recent trip to France and Belgium last month. Dr. Beeley also explored collaboration opportunities with the Group to enhance the NTC’s research capabilities in
control software. Gaining flight heritage will help Khalifa University be able to develop next generation satellites even more efficiently, and provide the software to other satellite developers. Through its space systems and technology concentration and dedicated space lab, Khalifa University is providing project-based learning for its students, enhancing human capital in the field of space and fostering future generations of Emirati engineers equipped with the skills and real-world experiences needed to develop the kind of breakthrough technologies required to ensure the UAE achieves its space exploration goals.
one of its main research focus areas: Radiation Safety in the Environment. The visit took place two months after Dr. Abdelouas Abdesselam, Team Leader of Subatech’s Radiochemistry Group, signed a Letter of Commitment in April to partner with the NTC to exchange knowledge on radioecological data – that is, data on the effects of radioactive elements in the environment – and environmental models for long-term safety assessments of radioactive or hazardous waste. Dr. Abdesselam also delivered a presentation to members of the NTC, and NTC stakeholders, including Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, at Khalifa University on 30 June on the Radiochemistry Group and the three research challenges the group tackles: Back-end nuclear cycle & materials, Radionuclides & environment, and Radionuclides & health.
MY CAMPUS, MY COMMUNITY
STUDE N T AN D FACULTY ACH IE VE ME N TS, CAMPUS ACTIVITIE S, STUDE N T ACTIVITIE S
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
KHALIFA UNIVERSITY’S SPARKU STUDENT TEAM WINS 8TH PLACE OUT OF 31 IN SAE SUPERMILEAGE 2019 COMPETITION IN US Only University from Arab World to Successfully Complete Race
SparKU, a team of nine Khalifa University students from Mechanical, Electrical, Computer and Chemical Engineering programs, has won eighth place out of 31 international universities that participated in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Supermileage 2019 competition in the US. The SAE Supermileage competition offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to enhance their engineering design and project management skills. Participating teams are required to develop a single person, extremely high fuel economy vehicle that complies with the Supermileage rules and runs a specified course. The vehicle obtaining the highest combined kilometers per liter (KMPL) rating as well as points on design segment wins the top spot. The Khalifa University team achieved a fuel rating of 384 miles per gallon (163 kmpl).
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
while displaying their project management and technical skills. Mechanical Engineering student Khalifa AlShehhi and Electrical Engineering student Shamma Alblooshi drove the vehicle. Other team members included Abdulaziz Naqi from Electrical Engineering, Khalifa Rashed of Computer Engineering, and Sultan AlShamsi of Chemical Engineering. From Mechanical Engineering, the students included Alanood Alblooshi, Aamna Alteneiji, May Sharif Afif Asad Al Shami, and Rawan AlKatheeri. Manar Alhebsi was responsible for steering system and wheels. Mechanical Engineering senior student Al Shami, who was also responsible for car chassis, body, internal and exterior compartments and mechanical systems, said SAE Supermileage 2019 competition in the US provided an opportunity to employ the skills and knowledge learned throughout our university years and plan and execute a design.
The Khalifa University team successfully developed the complete design, simulation and composite material fabrication, achieving it with expired carbon fiber material from Aerospace Research and Innovation Center (ARIC), provided by Strata Manufacturing. The team was also the only one from the Arab world to successfully complete the race and earn a good fuel economy rating. Dr. Saeed Almansori, CEO of Halcon System, a defense technology company owned by Abu Dhabi-based Yas Holding Group, said: “It is Halcon Systems’ responsibility as an Emirati organization to support future UAE engineers, including students from Khalifa University, and develop them to become professionals and capable of becoming leaders in any industry. Continuous learning never ends
and we urge future engineering graduates to follow that rule through their entire careers to serve their country in the most appropriate and honorable way.” Faculty advisors included Dr. Bashar El-Khasawneh, Graduate Program Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Reyad AlKhazali, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering. E. Rajesh Ganithi, Mechanical Engineering Department, provided administrative and technical support. Two teams of students – one dealing with the mechanical systems, and the other with the engine and the electrical systems – built the vehicle for the SAE Supermileage 2019 competition and for the senior design project, conforming to the stringent timeline,
She said: “Working with a dedicated and hardworking team and getting to represent our country in an international competition was the most special aspect of this journey.” Acknowledging the contribution of last year’s team, she added: “This year’s brand new team would not have achieved this modest victory without the advice and experience of the 2018 team. We were competing against strong international teams, some with even 30 members that have been participating for over five years in this challenge. It is also an honor to be the only team from the region to complete the race and represent not only the UAE but the entire Arab world.” Halcon Systems has been the sole sponsor of Khalifa University SAE Supermileage team for the last two years. ARIC has provided technical and in-kind support.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
KU EXOSKELETON MULTIPLIES STRENGTH Inexpensive and Lightweight Student-Designed Upper Body Exoskeleton Boosts Arm Strength, Allowing Wearer to Lift up to 25kg how the exoskeleton moves in terms of speed and position. The motor’s lifting power is transferred to the arm itself via a steel cable. Whenever the motor rotates, the arm rotates with it, mimicking natural arm muscle movements. “We developed the exoskeleton by looking at the natural movements and joints of the human body. We then created artificial joints for the exoskeleton arm, so that it can move in the same profile as a person’s actual arm,” said Ali Mohammed Soliman, aerospace engineering student and project lead. He developed the project with team members Majed Alhammadi, Badar Alzaabi and Abdullah Alhammadi for the KU Senior Design Project (in course AERO497), under the supervision of Dr. Dongming Gan, Assistant Professor of Robotics.
A team of senior engineering students at Khalifa University have created a wearable exoskeleton to help construction workers carry heavy loads. The Upper Body Exoskeleton multiplies the wearers’ strength, which could help all kinds of people in the future – from the elderly to people who have lost control of their arms – carry things around more easily and gain greater mobility. The lightweight, low-cost exoskeleton is made primarily from marine grade aluminum. The entire system weighs only 7.5 kilograms, making it one of the lightest powered aiding machines in its category.
The team reports that a person wearing the KU exoskeleton can carry objects up to 25 kilograms without causing any muscle fatigue, by distributing the weight across the whole body. The exoskeleton consists of two major parts: a back plate and an arm support. The back plate is made of reinforced carbon fiber and it is attached to a vest that is strapped around the body. The vest stores the major electrical components, including the battery, which can power the entire exoskeleton for up to two and a half hours, the 90-watt motor, which gives the exoskeleton the ability to lift heavy weights, and the main controller, which controls
“When an arm muscle contracts, the other arm muscle relaxes and vice versa. This is how the cable functions. As for the arm part, it was primarily designed to match almost all of the normal human’s arm joints, motions, and degrees of freedom. It consists mainly of bars and bearings that mimic a human’s arm shape and method of moving in order to not be cumbersome for the wearer,” Soliman added. Another unique feature relates to how movement of the exoskeleton arm is controlled. The arm is controlled through ‘somatosensory gloves’, which read each finger’s motion and convert their movements into commands that the arm can follow. By moving the fingers in a certain way, the arm either lifts, drops or stops the motion in response. This feature makes the
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exoskeleton particularly useful for patients who have lost mobility in their arm, but still have full control over their fingers.
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Finding ways to make exoskeletons that will work in better harmony with the human body is critical to the development of effective exoskeleton supports.
An exoskeleton is an external frame worn to support the body. Worn as responsive leg braces, arm supports, or full-body suits, they essentially “motorize” muscles, augmenting a person’s natural strength and mobility. Powered by a system of electric motors, these wearable, external frames give limbs extra movement, strength and endurance.
“Exoskeletons are still an emerging technology,” Soliman shared. “And we would like to be on the forefront of discovering and developing this specific frontier.”
Although there are hundreds of commercial and experimental exosuits now operating globally, many of them are too big and bulky, and expensive. The KU Upper
Body Exoskeleton is extremely lightweight, weighing in at 7.5 kg, and perhaps most importantly, it is inexpensive. “The entire exoskeleton was developed using approximately AED10,000. Actual exoskeletons that are available in the market range from US$100,000 to US$250,000,” Soliman said. The significant low cost, low weight and ease of use makes KU’s exoskeleton arm support prototype commercially viable.
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FACE RECOGNITION SYSTEM MAKES IT TO FINAL ROUNDS OF IEEE CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS SOCIETY STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION
A group of six undergraduate students from Khalifa University reached the final round of the 3rd annual IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS) Student Design Competition, which took place from 26-29 May in Sapporo, Japan.
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Electrical Engineering students Alanoud Almemari, Mohammed Alyayaee, Rodah Almazrooei, Safa Alkatheeri, and Mohammed Alnuaimi, and Computer Engineering student Noura Alnuaimi, became one of five finalist teams after winning first place at the regional round of the competition in Europe, Middle East and Africa for their project, ‘A Face Recognition System to Control House Appliances.’ The project describes a system that uses facial recognition to access and control house appliances such as lightbulbs, doors and air conditioning. People around the world are concerned about their home security along with their energy consumption, and the Khalifa
University project tackles both at once with one innovative solution. The face recognition system designed by the team eases home entry and automates the turning on and off of electrical appliances. Forget your keys? Your face opens the door. Forget to turn off the lights? Your face does it for you as you leave. The system is divided into two sub-systems: the first is the face recognition code that works on MATLAB machine learning tools and a laptop camera; and the second controls the appliances in the home. These are a serial monitor (Arduino), door locks, fans and lightbulbs. The prototype operates across three different rooms, all accessed by the
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same door: the front door. A camera attached to the door registers the face of the user and assigns a room to that face using signature extraction and local binary pattern. After registering, the user is then recognized by the system when they approach the house, with the front door opening and the Arduino operating the lights and AC in the room designated to that user. They’ll even get a message welcoming them home. Should the person not be recognized by the system, a message will be sent to the admin with the picture of the person trying to enter. There is also password access, so if the face isn’t recognized, anyone with the password can unlock the house. If the incorrect password is entered three times, the admin user will be alerted, enabling them to remotely open the door if the visitor was expected, or to call the police if necessary.
A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
There are also extra options provided for different situations, like visitors, deliveries, using passwords and even writing a message for the main user. On the way out, the system can recognize the person leaving the house and switch off the appliances in designated rooms. People have a tendency to leave appliances on if they’re leaving in a rush or are distracted, which leads to an expensive electricity bill or even fires in worst case scenarios. This system automates the procedure for the user, signaling an end to excessive energy consumption and fire risks when the house is empty. The project faced stiff competition in Sapporo against projects including an early pneumonia detecting system, a real-time mapping and monitoring network for water quality analysis in cisterns and tanks, and a neural
2ND ANNUAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM SHOWCASES STUDENT RESEARCH
network-based wireless vision detection system. The 2018-2019 CASS Student Design Competition World Winner came from the US and Canada regional entry for their wireless recorder for intracranial epileptic seizure monitoring. The IEEE CASS Student Design Competition is a worldwide competition where undergraduate students suggest and execute projects related to electrical engineering and similar areas to offer a solution to a real-life problem. The competition comprises three phases: the first at the chapter level, the second at the regional level, and a final at world level. This year’s final took place during the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS) 2019 in Sapporo, Japan.
Twenty students from the PreMedicine Bridge Program, along with several undergraduate and graduate engineering students, presented their research during the 2nd annual Biotechnology Symposium, which took place on Monday, 24 June at the KU Main Campus. Addressing topics as diverse as cancer diagnosis, genome sequencing for disease genes causing diabetes and heart disease, personalized medicine, population genetics and environmental triggers behind diabetes and obesity, KU students presented their results to senior management, students, faculty, staff, and industry representatives keen to learn about the research taking place in Khalifa University’s Center for Biotechnology. Industry and government partners, including Al Mafraq Hospital and Abu Dhabi Police, collaborated on a number of research projects that were presented during the symposium.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
RAMADAN BAGS A group of KU students distributed 186 gift bags to the workers on KU’s Main Campus on Monday, 10 June. The bags The initiative was done in the spirit of Eid Al-Fitr, with the aim to spread joy, happiness, and fellowship within the community. This is the 9th year that students from Dr. Katherine Hall’s English class have done this project for the workers on campus.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
THE HIVE: A NEW STUDENT SPACE FOR COLLABORATION OPENS
Inspiring Bright Ideas.
Students, faculty and staff celebrated the opening of The Hive earlier this month. The Hive is a dedicated space for students where they can exchange ideas and receive support in their studies from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), as well as access to counselling, community service and international study and exchange opportunities from the Office of Student Success. Conveniently located in Building M of the Main Campus, The Hive is equipped with three learning zones for Writing, Math, and Science. It will serve as the University’s modern, social learning space that will continuously engage students in workshops and foster collaboration, learning, and success within the KU community.
LET THE CYBER BATTLES BEGIN Students interested in competing in the Cyber Battle of the Emirates (CBOE) attended an Awareness Session last month at The Hive in Khalifa University’s main campus. Renowned cybersecurity specialists Egils Malbergs, Hans Lougas, and Dmitri Stoljarov shared some of the latest security knowledge, ideas and techniques with a room packed with soon-to-be hackers. Many students who attended today’s Awareness Session will now go through an intensive onsite cyber security training program that will equip them with all the essential skills they’ll need to head into battle! The CBOE will take place at the HITB+CyberWeek from 12 – 17 October, 2019, in Abu Dhabi. Good luck to our Cyber Warriors!
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
EXPERT I NS IGHTS FROM KU’S WOR L DCLA SS FACULTY
– a far less dangerous chemical than hydrogen sulfide gas. The UAE needs natural gas to meet the country’s energy demand, and the production of elemental sulfur coincides with the production of natural gas. The increase in natural gas production, however, will increase the production of sulfur, which will eventually impact the sulfur market as supply supersedes demand.
TURMERIC, GARLIC AND ELEMENTAL SULFUR By Dr. Saeed Alhassan Alkhazraji, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University The title of this article may lead readers to assume that I will be talking about a traditional Emirati cooking recipe, or delving into the UAE’s rich culinary art. But the idea behind this title is quite different: We use extracts of turmeric and garlic with elemental sulfur at Khalifa University to develop polymers for high-density batteries and materials with good thermal insulating properties. Elemental sulfur is a national resource for the UAE – the country is ranked among the top producers of this raw material. The production of elemental sulfur comes from the refining and processing of oil and gas, especially acid gas. Acid gas contains large quantities of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, which are toxic. Thus, it is imperative to remove these two acid gases from natural gas before transporting the latter to consumers. The majority of gas fields in the UAE contain large quantities of hydrogen sulfide gas, which is processed and converted to elemental sulfur
We, at Khalifa University, initiated and executed research projects focusing on the development of new materials and uses of elemental sulfur to add value to this natural resource regardless of its market value. We have conducted many experiments to develop polymeric materials and hybrid materials containing a large proportion of elemental sulfur. These materials have the potential to be used in several applications such as desalination membranes, plastic pipes, catalysts and optics. In one project, we used sulfur to prepare polymeric materials by reacting it with curcumin, a derivative of turmeric, which is a major component of UAE and international cuisines. Curcumin’s chemical structure contains unsaturated carbon bonds that react with sulfur when heated above 170 °C. This type of material is used as a cathode in lithium-sulfur batteries, which have high energy densities and lower costs compared to other batteries. The research is being conducted by Khalifa University students as part of their graduation project. In another project, we reacted sulfur with a garlic extract called allyl sulfide. This extract is responsible for the distinctive smell of garlic and has many useful medical properties. We produced flexible polymer materials by carrying out a reaction between the sulfur and garlic extract. These materials have unique
mechanical properties compared to other polymers made of sulfur. The novel material is useful as a thermal insulator due to sulfur’s low thermal conductivity. We published the results of this study in a scientific journal and are continuing to develop the material with Khalifa University students to further improve its performance both mechanically and in battery applications. By exploring new ways to transform a waste byproduct of natural gas processing (sulfur) with other naturally occurring compounds (like turmeric and garlic), we are creating novel materials with unexpected unique properties. This research underscores Khalifa University’s efforts to contribute to the UAE’s emerging knowledge economy while capitalizing on its vast natural resources.
PAPER-THIN AND FLEXIBLE BATTERIES MAY MEAN BETTER POWER SOURCES FOR SPACE TRAVEL & IOT DEVICES By Dr. Daniel Choi, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology Batteries are ubiquitous in our daily lives: they power everything from cell phones to cars, homes, aircraft and even spaceships. They are critical in enabling the next generation of electric vehicles and large-scale stationary energy storage. Yet, despite rapid advances in battery performance,
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battery applications are also advancing rapidly and this is creating the need for even higher performing batteries. What is the future of battery development? Can we make better batteries that can store more energy, safely? I am leading a team of researchers at Khalifa University looking to achieve just that in an affordable and scalable manner by advancing a paper-thin, flexible lithium-ion battery with all the energy density and safety features necessary for space applications, but which will also have huge implications for robotics and emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in the postFourth Industrial Revolution world.
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the battery’s energy density – which is the result of the chemical reactions taking place within the electrodes and at the electrode and electrolyte interfaces. With lithium-ion, today’s most commonly used rechargeable battery chemistry, the upper limits for energy density are somewhere around five times the current performance for realistic designs. In other words, the energy density of today’s lithium-ion battery chemistries can be increased significantly but is nonetheless limited. Another limiting factor for conventional lithium-ion batteries is the issue of flammability. Non-solid electrolytes are not particularly stable at very high temperatures. These flammable electrolytes can cause batteries to explode. There are a few reasons a battery bursts into flames: most commonly, too much heat or bad battery design makes the electrolytes react in such a way that an uncontrolled positive feedback loop called ‘thermal runaway’ occurs and leads to a fire. Solid electrolytes improve a lithium-ion battery’s thermal and mechanical stability at high temperatures, greatly reducing the risk of explosion. However, it is harder for ions to move through solids than through liquids, which makes a solid electrolyte an interesting materials science and engineering challenge.
In most batteries, a liquid electrolyte allows electric charge, or ions, to flow between the electrodes of a battery. When ions are collected at either electrode, energy is stored and when ions are released, electrons flow as well to provide electricity In current battery designs, energy limits are set by the number of ions each electrode can hold – this determines
My team has come up with a novel battery design that addresses both of these performance limitations: A lithium battery that employs thin-film electrodes made from carbon nanotubes-based nanocomposites sandwiching a thinfilm polymer-based solid electrolyte, which is designed for enhancement of ion transport. Essentially, our battery is a flexible, lightweight, ultra-thin sheet with a myriad of potential applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are tiny cylindrical tubes made of tightly bonded carbon atoms, measuring just one atom thick. A CNT’s cylindrical and porous shape contributes to its large surface
area, which allows it to potentially hold more ions and maintain better contact with the electrolyte that current electrodes. The super-thin CNT-based nanocomposite anodes and cathodes mean our battery can also be super-thin and functional. The flexibility of the nanocomposite material means it can be shaped to fit any odd or underutilized space, and the large surface area means any heat produced is easily dissipated. Our research stemmed from space application considerations, which meant we had to develop the technology appropriate for a space-faring craft. Spacecraft have important requirements including lowering the weight of the battery and ensuring safety – no one wants a battery failure in orbit. Current batteries in spacecraft comprise much of the weight of the overall craft, using very heavy materials (metal and ceramic) for the electrodes and current collectors, so reducing the weight was our primary concern. The new battery weighs less than 20 percent of the weight of a traditional battery and while you’d expect a large trade-off in energy, for the same volume of a traditional battery, ours offers approximately 90 percent the same energy. A patent resulting from our research is now pending with the US Patents Office. Spacecraft have all sorts of left-over space into which our batteries could be easily folded. You could layer them into areas traditionally reserved for rectangular, blocky batteries in the next Mars rover, or layer them on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surfaces to maximize space and power available to said UAV. Our ultra-thin batteries can also expand functionality for a broad range of electronic products, including sensors and other technologies at the heart of IoT systems.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
HOW 3D PRINTING IS REVOLUTIONIZING DESIGN Khalifa University’s Dr. Bashar El-Khasawneh Chairs Additive Manufacturing Conference and Shares Insights on the Future of 3D Printing
As a regional expert in the field of additive manufacturing, Khalifa University’s Dr. Bashar El-Khasawneh, Graduate Program Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was invited to chair the Additive Manufacturing Middle East Conference, which took place from 10 – 11 June, 2019, in Dubai. He spoke about the transformative potential of 3D printing, a sustainable additive manufacturing process, for product design and development. The conference provided a platform for researchers and industry experts to address the full spectrum of 3D printing, and dive deep into present and future 3D printing technologies. “Additive manufacturing is a tool that has the potential to radically transform a number of key industries, including manufacturing, medicine, aerospace, and education,” said Dr. El-Khasawneh. “That is why the UAE is capitalizing on 3D printing to support the country’s efforts to become one of the most advanced and innovative nations.” In recognition of the increasingly important role 3D printing will play in boosting manufacturing capability, sustainability and economic growth in the UAE, Khalifa University actively leverages 3D printing technologies across a number of its research activities. 3D printing’s freedom and flexibility in product design and development, coupled with its reduced manufacturing time
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and costs, enables researchers to design and test new ideas quickly and affordably. It negates the need for highly specialized factory set-ups to manufacture certain types of objects, like aircraft parts, medical prosthetics, and customized accessories. 3D printing is used widely across the University’s three campuses, with dozens of 3D printers employed by faculty and students from the biomedical, mechanical, and electrical engineering departments to conduct critical research. “Many faculty members are engaged with Additive Manufacturing at Khalifa University. Either they are working on the development of advanced materials or on design perfection based on current capabilities of 3D printing,” Dr. El-Khasawneh shared. “We have recently established an Advanced Digital & Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) research center, which is a strategic advanced manufacturing center at KU to cater to the needs of aerospace, healthcare, construction, defense, and energy sectors. The ADAM center will serve as the stateof-art-research facility in the area of AM and will be a platform to provide services to industries across the UAE. The center will address the challenges and limitations in the current status of AM and will work towards developing new processes and advanced materials to mitigate these limitations. KU also established the Additive Manufacturing Lab, which was developed in collaboration with industry partners Strata and the Emirates Research and Innovation
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Center (ETIC), who contributed funding for the purchase of an industrial-scale metal 3D printer. This printer will help us conduct R&D on printed metallic parts for aerospace and other cutting-edge applications.” Dr. El-Khasawneh was invited to chair the Additive Manufacturing Middle East Conference due to his in-depth knowledge of additive manufacturing. Five years ago he was part of an initiative launched by the UAE Prime Minister’s Office to improve awareness of 3D printing across different disciplines in the country. And now he is part of an advisory board for the Innovation Laboratory at the Dubai Health Authority, which includes the exploration of the use of 3D printing. “The UAE is striving to be a regional hub for 3D printing by 2030. In fact, Dubai Municipality regulations have set an ambitious target of 25% of every new building be 3D printed by 2025,” he shared. At Khalifa University, his research focuses on designing and building novel robotic systems that are capable of constructing large structures (large houses) with special types of cement mixtures suitable for such technologies. Construction in such a scheme is an additive manufacturing process. During his presentation, titled “3D Printing: Revolution vs. Evolution in Design & Innovation,” Dr. ElKhasawneh spoke about how 3D printing has revolutionized the role of design, and explained how
it has “changed the rules of the game.” “3D printing has revolutionized the capability of the designer. The designer can now focus more on functionality rather than follow a traditional way of design, giving designers a new paradigm in order to think about their design in a completely different fashion. Additive manufacturing (AM) is not leading to designing outside the box, rather, it has dissolved the box. Meaning, AM eliminated the constraints that impacted the traditional designs. Designers can better design for performance with less regard for traditional limitations of design for assembly or manufacturing.” Dr. El-Khasawneh also highlighted the important impact that 3D printing is having on innovation in general, and in universities in particular. Innovation requires expression tools such as computer aided design (CAD) and realization tools such as the easy-entry 3D printing technologies. This leads to an expansive base of innovators across a wide span of age groups. “3D printing is significantly enhancing the innovative capabilities of universities. Students can now easily transform ideas into products, and hopefully, change their mindset to become entrepreneurs.” In the UAE, this means 3D printing will play an important role in fueling the country’s innovators and inventors, and accelerating the UAE’s ongoing transition to a knowledge economy.
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
INNOVATION FORWARD
CUT TING-EDGE R E SE ARCH AN D BREA KTHROUGH S
KU RESEARCH PAPER ON PHOTOCATALYSTS AMONG TOP 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL FOR 2019 Paper by Dr. Saeed M. Alhassan, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, and researchers Dr. Sunil P. Lonkar and Dr. Vishnu V. Pillai, announced as one of Scientific Report’s top 100 papers in Chemistry
A paper authored by a team of researchers from Khalifa University that explains a new method for developing high-efficient photocatalysts – materials that absorb sunlight to cause a chemical reaction – has been named one of 2019’s top 100 most important papers in the field of Chemistry in the renowned journal Scientific Reports. The paper, titled “Facile and scalable production of heterostructured ZnS-ZnO/ Graphene nano-photocatalysts for environmental
remediation,” identified an affordable, scalable, and environmentally friendly way to synthesize nano-sized photocatalysts from zinc sulfide, zinc oxide and graphene – a first in the research community. “The aim of our project was to develop highly efficient photocatalysts through a scalable, solvent-free approach in an effort to promote sustainability while utilizing sulfur – a byproduct of oil extraction that the UAE and Middle East has in abundance, further creating value for one
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
using highly complex and costly processes that use toxic sulfurizing agents, which restricts their largescale production and eco-friendly applications. The KU process induces photocatalysis without using toxic solvents, via a ‘solventfree’ approach, or a method that employs a solid-state mixing of the constituent chemicals – which are, in this case, graphite oxide, zinc salt and elemental sulfur – rather than dissolving them in a solvent. “We used ball-milling and thermal annealing for a uniform distribution of the hybrid particles. The result was a non-toxic, efficient, and scalable photocatalyst,” Dr. Alhassan explained.
of the UAE’s core industries,” said Dr. Saeed Alhassan, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, who led the research team. The novel approach is an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional methods of fabricating photocatalysts. Typically, photocatalysts are developed through wet-chemical synthesis, co-precipitation methods, thermal and hydrothermal methods, and sulfurization, which uses toxic hydrogen sulfur gas at high temperatures. While sulfide based photocatalysts are synthesized
“We developed a series of hybrid compositions with varying content of zinc sulfide and zinc oxide combined with graphene, which we prepared and thoroughly characterized. The hybridization of zinc sulfide and zinc oxide combined with graphene promoted bandgap narrowing when compared to pristine zinc sulfide nanoparticles,” Dr. Alhassan said. The zinc sulfide/zinc oxide composition was controlled by graphite oxide under thermal treatment and proved to be a crucial factor in enhancing photocatalytic activity. Photocatalysts are semiconductor materials that absorb different wavelengths of light energy and transfer that energy buildup to a reacting substance, resulting in a chemical reaction called photocatalysis. Two simultaneous reactions are required for photocatalysis to occur – in the first, a reactant gains an electron, while in the second, a reactant loses
an electron; the process is more commonly known as redox. When the electrons are recombined, photocatalysis occurs. Photocatalysis plays a vital role in sustainable development and environmental cleanup through decomposing pollutants in water treatment, air purification, and soil purification from agriculture chemicals. It also enables solar energy conversion directly to chemicals by overall water splitting also termed as ‘Solar Fuels’. A photocatalyst can also decompose microorganisms under photocatalytic antibacterial effects. However, the prevalent methods and materials used to induce photocatalysis absorb light poorly and recombine electrons inefficiently. These inefficiencies demand fine-tuning in order achieve ideal bandgaps – the energy it takes for a molecule to go from a non-conducting to a conducting state – that effectively utilize the absorbed light energy for redox of toxic pollutants and organic compounds. Growing environmental concerns across the globe have identified the need for cleaner and cheaper photocatalysts. The work being conducted at Khalifa University directly addresses this concern and is an important contribution to the research and development of environmentally-friendly photocatalysts. The research is gaining significant attention from the scientific community, and the researchers have already filed a patent for the unique process, titled “Mechanothermal preparation of zinc sulphide nanoparticles.”
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A KHALIFA UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
THE SEAWATER ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE SYSTEM (SEAS) GETS AN UPGRADE
Khalifa University’s Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS), the world’s first research facility to grow both food and fuel using desert lands irrigated by seawater, has received a major upgrade to improve the pilot facility’s performance and the healthy growth of its salt-tolerant plants and fish. Back in January, the oil-rich seeds of the plants grown in the SEAS facility, which is the flagship project under KU’s Sustainable Bioenergy
Research Consortium (SBRC), were used to produce the first batch of biofuel that was combined with traditional jet fuel to power the world’s first commercial flight using locally produced sustainable halophyte-based fuel, on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787 from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam. The major achievement was a testament to the commercial potential of the SEAS project. But to those most intimate with the
work, it highlighted the importance of continuous improvement. The researchers identified significant structural improvements to the facility that would enable better yields of the salt-loving plant known as Salicornia and the growth of a wider range of fish species. “Given that the SEAS concept had not been attempted in such a way before, the initial design of the aquaculture ponds tried to mimic natural conditions as much as possible, but
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this, we realized, was not the most optimal design,” said Hendrik Visser, Program Manager for the SEAS at Khalifa University. Visser is working with Dr. Alejandro Rios, Director of the SBRC, and Jose Barron, Research Engineer, to optimize the Salicornia’s harvest yields. In addition to refurbishing the facility, the team is exploring other crop management practices to obtain high yields, such as planting different quality of seeds and other factors. “Preparation of the fields, such as tilling, leveling, and sowing, volume of irrigation, quality of the water and seeding density (plants per square meter), play a crucial role in the agronomic performance of the plants,” Barron explained. The team is implementing a new sowing pattern – rows instead of concentric circles, facilitating much better coverage of the fields in less time. The plants will be ready for harvesting by the end of September. The final yield of the harvest will help the researchers understand the optimal growing season of the plant in the UAE’s harsh environmental conditions of high salinity and very high summer temperatures and humidity.
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Perhaps the most important considerations the team has made to optimize crop yields are the corrective works to the facility. The six aquaculture ponds at the SEAS facility underwent a complete refurbishment that spanned seven months. The work consisted of excavating, setting new foundations, reshaping the ponds, installing a new liner, and reconfiguring the drainage pipes. The newly shaped ponds hold a bigger volume of water and have a sump at the bottom that helps drain the fish waste to the bottom of the pond and provides better conditions for the fish to grow during the hot summer. These new conditions will allow researchers to explore the potential of growing other fish species that may be more attractive to the UAE market. An additional benefit that has already been observed as a consequence of the newly refurbished ponds is a significant increase in the flow and quality of water for irrigation of the Salicornia fields. “This is the third season that the Salicornia bigelovii crop is being cultivated at the SEAS facility. By the end of September, when fields are
harvested and the biomass has been fully processed (dried, ground, and winnowed), the seed yield will help to build on the knowledge with regards to the best agronomic practices for cultivating the Salicornia bigelovii,” Barron added. Finding the optimal yield potential of the Salicornia will boost the production of sustainable fuel, and such management practices must be properly adopted. “The SEAS is an unprecedented project – it is an integrated system that ticks the UAE’s boxes for promoting energy sustainability, food security, carbon footprint reduction, and training and employing high-tech professionals in the future knowledge economy,” Dr. Rios said. “We will continue to investigate ways to further enhance the facility’s performance in order to boost the production of sustainable fuel and food. Our efforts will be particularly valuable as we enter our next phase of development, which involves scaling up this pilot facility to a 200-hectare facility, where we will demonstrate the feasibility of the SEAS concept at a commercial scale.”
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CHECKING IN WITH BABY: LISTENING TO THE FETAL HEART AT HOME Team at Khalifa University Develops Twinkle Heart, a Fetal Heart Monitor for Expectant Parents Eager to Hear Their Unborn Child
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Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United Arab Emirates, but researchers in the Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center at Khalifa University are working on all aspects of heart health care to ensure citizens and residents at all stages of life are looked after. This includes the latest product from the successful sponsorship and establishment of a UAE-based biomedical company in cardiac monitoring from Dr. Ahsan Khandoker, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Khalifa University. The product focuses on pregnancy and fetal heart health as a home-based monitoring device for pregnant mothers and their babies, named Twinkle Heart.
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The monitoring device comprises four fetal phonocardiogram (FPCG) sensors held on the maternal abdomen by a square fabric harness and elastic belts. “The center of the harness is placed over the mother’s umbilicus, which places the four sensors at equidistance from the center,” explained Dr. Khandoker. “This gives a very reliable measurement of fetal and maternal heart sounds, but without the need for operator skill in where to place the sensors.” The novel device makes it easier for women who may be worrying about their baby to monitor its cardiac activity, and also helps mothers simply listen to their baby’s heartbeat and feel connected and reassured. Beyond the home-based application, the device’s portability makes it an ideal solution for health workers in remote areas to monitor cardiac health in pregnancy.
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user-friendly to provide point-ofcare decision support to pregnant mothers as well as health workers in remote areas.” “The Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC) seeks to develop novel methodologies, devices and tools for the diagnosis, intervention and rehabilitation of the wide spectrum of health challenges associated with cardiovascular disease,” explained Dr. Cesare Stefanini, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the HEIC. “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United Arab Emirates, making our work crucial for the citizens and residents here. The HEIC collaborates with leading healthcare providers and regulators in the UAE to define and build population-specific, clinically implementable, and innovative approaches and engineering solutions.” It is evident from recent research that common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, and Type 2 diabetes in adult life are associated with adverse influences during fetal development. The fetal origins of cardiovascular disease, in particular, state that fetal undernutrition in middle to late gestation—which leads to disproportionate fetal growth—becomes permanently programmed into coronary heart disease in adult life.
“The device adapts to a mobile phone’s audio port to capture the four-channel FPCG signals so the app we developed can perform the data analysis,” said Dr. Khandoker. “The mobile phone interface app is
“This anomaly highlights the need to develop more effective ways of identifying ‘at-risk’ fetuses at home in ‘low-risk’ groups who are not seriously monitored,” said Dr. Khandoker. “Therefore, it is imperative to develop simple-
to-manage, easy-to-use home screening processes that can monitor all risk groups at the first point of obstetric contact and achieve very high perinatal detection rate of cardiac abnormalities.” Fetal heart rate is commonly measured on the labor ward and during pregnancy to monitor the health of the fetus and requires training and skill to perform accurately. While the prenatal products market has seen an influx of fetal heart monitoring devices, concerns have been raised over the incorrect use of such products. Doppler ultrasound devices and sound amplifying monitors do no harm to the baby, but there are concerns that their use risks mothers delaying seeking medical attention and suffering from false reassurances. “It’s true that pregnant mothers at home could possibly misinterpret vital signs. That’s why our device includes a sophisticated diagnostic algorithm that can recognize whether a baby is sick,” explained Dr. Khandoker. “The algorithm takes the vital signs from fetal and maternal heart sounds, and then classifies them into three categories: No worries; Caution with check again; and Call Hospital. This solution can also run on mobile platforms as well as a hospital cloud service connecting directly to medical professionals. “Now, a mother does not need to have any technical expertise to be able to make the decision on whether to seek medical attention—she can simply listen to her baby’s heart for the emotional connection that provides.”
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MAKING ABU DHABI HAPPIER WITH EVERY TWEET
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In a world where 500 million tweets are sent every day, making sense of it all requires specialized big data interpretation – especially when those tweets are in Arabic.
Every second, on average, around 7,800 tweets are sent. This equates to 473,000 tweets every minute, 681 million tweets per day, and around 248 billion tweets per year. Of these 500 million per day, Twitter users in the Arab region contribute 17.1 million. While English is still by far the most prevalent language used on Twitter, Arabic is the fastest-growing language used to tweet and social media use has exploded in the Arab world. “Social media has become not only a main way of communicating between individuals, entities and organizations, but also an instant way of spreading information and knowledge,” explained
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Dr. Nawaf I. Almoosa, Acting Director of Khalifa University’s Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC). “Social media provides richer information in all forms from text to images and networking interactions, and the way information flows through social networks is both dynamic and fascinating.” EBTIC has developed a tool that measures sentiment across social media in the UAE, using Twitter to assess sentiment – or people’s attitudes and feelings – across the country and generating a detailed picture of happiness nationally. “The aim of this project in the long term is to automatically integrate all available information we obtain from social media posts, user profiles, and networking to find out what is happening in the world and to predict what will happen next,” said Dr. Almoosa. “Posts range from text to images, videos and links and networking covers everything from interactions and conversations online to the way information emerges and flows through communities—it’s very comprehensive. “Extracting useful information and making use of it is the challenging part. The aim of this project is to make use of all this rich information to automate the online analysis of social media using machine learning and deep learning techniques, and the resulting analysis will be used across many application areas, including sentiment analysis.” Sentiment analysis is the systematic study of opinions expressed in text, looking at the polarity (whether the speaker is positive or negative about the topic), the subject and the opinion holder, in this case, the tweeter. “EBTIC has been working on social media analysis for years. Machine learning and deep learning
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techniques are applied and improved to be useful in understanding what people are talking about in short messages or texts and their feelings on what is happening,” said Dr. Almoosa. With the help of sentiment analysis systems, the opinions found on social media can be automatically transformed into structured data on public opinions on topics including products, events, and city services. EBTIC’s system uses machine learning techniques to detect opinions and feelings in social media message which are traditionally short, informal, and often unstructured. Currently, EBTIC is working on automatically detecting the underlying reasons driving sentiment changes across time, topics and demography and providing summary reports of the findings. The sentiment tool with this new character provides a brief and direct guide for deeper understanding of sentiment changes and potentially suggests possible solutions to improve happiness in the UAE.
becomes even more complicated when an opinion is tweeted in any language or combination of languages other than English. “More work has been done for English and other languages with simple structures and grammars, but the complexity of the Arabic language means much more work is needed for Arab world social media analysis,” explained Dr. Almoosa. “In the Arab world, social media messages are naturally written in Arabic, using a mixture of Arabic script and Latin script to spell out Arabic words phonetically, and this is much more popular amongst the younger generations. Arabic social media analysis, therefore, is recent and still limited. We continue to work on developing the project to work more efficiently and comprehensively across Arabic language social media posts.” Tools like EBTIC’s sentiment analysis solution can provide unbiased insight into the thoughts and feelings of the UAE’s citizens and help the UAE government put the country among the top five happiest countries in the world by 2021.
“One of the big challenges for social media is informal speech and incomplete information—or even lack of information—presented in social media and short texts,” said Dr. Almoosa. “EBTIC has invented and filed a patent for a technique to enrich the short text and then let machine learning methods usually used for long formal documents work for the short texts without compromising their accuracy.”
“Right now, happiness is one of the most important national goals in the UAE and Twitter offers first-hand insight into the thoughts, feelings, and concerns of the population,” added Dr. Almoosa. “This is why developing a tool that analyzes the large volume of social media content in real-time and providing it in a visual form that enables interpretation is important.”
This technique could be applied beyond social media, as it is estimated that 80 percent of the world’s data is unstructured and not organized in any predetermined manner. These texts are usually difficult, time-consuming and expensive to sort through, understand and then analyze. This
“The results from this work have been applied to different applications and delivered to UAE government entities and EBTIC partners, including Etisalat, Abu Dhabi Police, Statistic Center Abu Dhabi and the Ministry of Education. Our ongoing work is attracting attention and more projects and deliveries are expected.”
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
LEAR N ABO UT UPCOMIN G EVENTS AT KU
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1ST IAEE MIDDLE EAST SYMPOSIUM
Khalifa University will host the first IAEE (International Association for Energy Economics) Middle East Symposium at Khalifa University’s Main Campus on Monday, 16 December 2019. The symposium will convene industry experts, policy makers and researchers to explore the impacts of economic diversification, new technologies and climate concerns on the Middle East energy outlook.
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MBZIRC Khalifa University will host the Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC), one of the world’s largest and most prestigious robotics competitions, set to begin February 2020. The MBZIRC is an international biennial competition that selects over 20 robotics teams from top universities around the world to compete in Abu Dhabi during a 3-day event, where they will compete for USD 5 Million worth of total prize and team sponsorship.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION Newly-enrolled students to Khalifa University of Science and Technology’s Undergraduate and Graduate Programs will be welcomed to the 2019/2020 academic year in August. They will be given an overview of the University’s research, academic and scholarship offerings during the orientation program. Undergraduate Student Orientation will be held from Monday, 19 August, to Tuesday, 20 August, at KU Main Campus. Graduate Student Orientation will be held on Wednesday, 21 August, at KU Main Campus.
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SEE THE WORLD THROUGH A NEW LENS
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Khalifa University is working in collaboration with the UAE Space Agency on developing a new satellite that will study methane and carbon dioxide levels in the Earth’s atmosphere. Using a shortwave infrared detector, the CubeSat will measure the abundance and distribution of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It will also provide valuable insight into the concentration of nutrients in the coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf, which allows for accurate predictions of algal blooms and supports the timely implementation of relevant precautionary measures. Working with NGOs, governments and business, we bring together the best and brightest from around the globe to tackle today’s most complex social, economic and environmental challenges. ku.ac.ae