KAUST startup Wayakit has inaugurated its first production pilot plant in Saudi Arabia, with a capacity of up to 20,000 liters of cleaning and disinfection bio-formulations per day. The plant aims to satisfy national demand for cleaning and disinfection products. Wayakit's products tackle the transmission of communicable diseases, contributing to both the national economy and the health of citizens. Why it matters: This pilot plant supports Saudi Vision 2030's National Industrial Strategy by building a sustainable facility for environmentally friendly cleaning products.
KAUST startup Wayakit has partnered with Swissport International AG to provide its disinfecting products at Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh airports. Wayakit's antiviral formulation eliminates 99.999% of bacteria, viruses, and the SARS-CoV-2 strain in 30 seconds. Swissport will use Wayakit to disinfect aircraft and buses, helping to curb the spread of COVID-19 and restore passenger confidence. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the growth of the Saudi startup ecosystem and KAUST's role in fostering innovation and supporting local entrepreneurs in developing advanced biotechnological solutions for critical challenges.
An article from KAUST discusses the impact of COVID-19 on automation, material science, and VR. It suggests increased automation, voice activation, and motion detection to reduce transmission in public spaces. KAUST faculty member Derya Baran is working on antimicrobial materials for high-touch locations, and KAUST is exploring VR for virtual labs. Why it matters: The pandemic is accelerating the adoption of AI-driven solutions and advanced materials research within Saudi Arabia to address public health challenges.
KAUST researchers have discovered that combining ultraviolet sunlight with phages increases the susceptibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to sunlight disinfection. This breakthrough addresses the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, as the rate of discovering new antibiotics has slowed. The team demonstrated this method's effectiveness against a pathogenic E. coli strain found in Saudi wastewater. Why it matters: This research offers a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics, particularly relevant in regions like Singapore and the GCC where treated wastewater is a crucial water supply source.
KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center (WDRC) is dedicated to reducing the energy footprint of desalination, with Saudi Arabia being the largest producer of desalinated water globally. Biofouling, caused by organisms like the bay barnacle, increases the energy required for desalination and affects various sectors, including medical devices and marine vessels. Researchers at WDRC, including Professor Matthew McCabe and Director Johannes Vrouwenvelder, are exploring novel desalination technologies and anti-fouling agents to combat biofouling. Why it matters: Addressing biofouling is crucial for reducing the economic and ecological costs of desalination in water-scarce regions like Saudi Arabia and improving efficiency across multiple industries.
KAUST researchers are developing iSCAN, a rapid, field-deployable COVID-19 test using RT-LAMP coupled with CRISPR-Cas12. The iSCAN system is designed for rapid, specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 and can be deployed by untrained personnel. The researchers are benchmarking iSCAN against commercial kits and seeking emergency use authorization from the Saudi FDA. Why it matters: A rapid, accurate, and field-deployable COVID-19 test could significantly improve pandemic management and control in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
KAUST researchers have developed a method using high-intensity pulses of light to remove carbon-based organic micropollutants from wastewater. By using a pulsed light system previously used for semiconductor materials, the team dramatically accelerated the photodegradation treatment. The high-intensity pulsed light (HIPL) triggers decomposition of organic micropollutants (OMPs) with extraordinary degradation rates within milliseconds. Why it matters: This treatment offers a potentially scalable solution to the increasing environmental problem of OMPs in waterways, addressing a critical need in water treatment technologies for the region.
Azure Robotics, a KAUST startup, won a 100,000 SAR award from the KACST Combating COVID-19 Accelerator. Their winning project uses AI-enabled robots with UV light to disinfect large public spaces like airports and hospitals. The AI-powered robotic solution is reportedly six times more efficient than traditional human disinfection methods. Why it matters: This highlights the growing role of AI and robotics in addressing public health challenges in the region, with KAUST playing a key role in fostering related innovation.