KAUST students and faculty attended the 2017 Materials Research Society (MRS) Spring Meeting & Exhibit in Phoenix, Arizona. KAUST students also participated in the 2016 MRS Fall Meeting & Exhibit in Boston, Massachusetts, where they organized seminars and workshops. Rahim Munir represented the KAUST student chapter at the Spring 2017 event, attending a luncheon to recap the Fall 2016 communication seminars. Why it matters: KAUST's strong presence in international materials science conferences highlights its commitment to advancing research and fostering collaboration in the field.
Scimagine is a KAUST-based startup that provides a cloud-based platform for managing and storing experimental data for material scientists. The platform allows researchers to store, manage, and share their data, as well as create scientific visuals. It addresses the problem of experimental data being hidden in PDF files and not easily searchable. Why it matters: This platform improves data accessibility and collaboration in materials science research, potentially accelerating discovery and innovation in the field.
KAUST hosted the Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center Research Conference from February 20-23. The conference focused on new materials for energy-intensive industrial separations. Experts, students, and researchers participated in presentations and poster sessions. Why it matters: Conferences like this promote collaboration and knowledge sharing in materials science, which is crucial for developing sustainable technologies in energy and other sectors within Saudi Arabia.
KAUST Professor Nikos Hadjichristidis leads the Polymer Synthesis Laboratory, collaborating with Yves Gnanou to manipulate macromolecules at the nanoscale. They employ anionic polymerization using high vacuum techniques, a specialized method requiring handmade glassware and careful control. The team is working on sustainable polymeric materials, including rethinking tire composition to improve recyclability and reduce pollution. Why it matters: This research contributes to developing more sustainable plastics and polymers, addressing a critical environmental challenge while advancing materials science in the region.
A KAUST team discovered a simple method to fabricate microspheres using block copolymer self-assembly. The resulting particles have pH-responsive gates and a highly porous structure, granting them ultrahigh protein sorption capacity. The team leveraged their expertise in block copolymers and self-assembly to achieve this. Why it matters: This new method and the resulting particles have potential applications in biotechnology, medicine, and catalysis, advancing materials science in the region.