KAUST Professor of Electrical Engineering Boon S. Ooi has been elected as a Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors (NAI). This honor recognizes Ooi's contributions to semiconductor photonics, optical sensors, and particularly his work on fiber sensors for oil & gas and agriculture. Ooi's inventions are relevant to communications, health, energy and agriculture. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's and the region's increasing contributions to impactful research and innovation in areas like optical sensing and semiconductor photonics.
KAUST Professor of Electrical Engineering, Boon Ooi, has been elected as a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (OSA). Ooi is a professor in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST. The fellowship recognizes his contributions to the field of optical engineering. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's growing prominence in optics and photonics research and boosts its reputation as a leading STEM institution in the Middle East.
KAUST Professor Boon S. Ooi has been named an IEEE Fellow for his contributions to broadband light emitters and visible light communications. Ooi's work in semiconductor photonics has led to the establishment of successful startups. He is among the first to propose energy-efficient lighting and ultra-high-speed visible light communication using semiconductor lasers. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST faculty demonstrates the institution's growing prominence in advanced technology research and its impact on global innovation.
A multidisciplinary team from KAUST attended the COP22 conference. Boon Ooi, a professor of electrical engineering at KAUST, addressed attendees. The KAUST team's participation highlights the university's engagement in international discussions on science and technology.
KAUST Professor Boon Ooi, Nobel laureate Shuji Nakamura, and colleagues are collaborating on laser-based solid state lighting (SSL) and visible light communications (VLC). The team is using gallium nitride (GaN) to develop high-performance semiconductor laser devices, leveraging nanofabrication techniques at KAUST. They demonstrated that their laser-based VLC system is over 20 times faster than LED-based Li-Fi systems. Why it matters: This research could enable faster, more energy-efficient data transmission using visible light, with potential applications in both terrestrial and underwater communication.
KAUST Professor Boon Ooi, Nobel laureate Shuji Nakamura from UCSB, and KACST researchers are collaborating on laser-based solid-state lighting (SSL) through a 2014 tripartite agreement. Their research focuses on SSL, which has the potential to be even more energy-efficient than existing LED lighting by using semiconductor lasers. Nakamura, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014 for developing blue LEDs, spoke at KAUST about the potential of SSL to improve energy efficiency further. Why it matters: This collaboration aims to advance energy-efficient lighting technologies, leveraging Nobel-winning expertise to develop solutions that could significantly reduce global energy consumption.
KAUST researchers Dr. Islam Ashry, Dr. Chun Hong Kang, and Professor Boon S. Ooi won the 2022 International Date Palm Innovative Technology Excellence Prize from the National Center for Palm and Dates (NCPD) for their fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensor. The sensor enables early detection of red palm weevils in date palm trees, a major problem in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The prize includes a SAR 200,000 reward. Why it matters: This award recognizes innovative research addressing a critical agricultural challenge in the region, with potential for significant economic impact by reducing losses from infestations.
KAUST Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini received the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Science and Technology (S&T) Achievement Award at the First OIC Summit on Science and Technology. The award recognizes Alouini's contributions to science and technology within the OIC member states. Why it matters: Recognition at the OIC level highlights KAUST's impact and Professor Alouini's leadership in advancing science and technology across the Islamic world.