Astrophysicist Kip Thorne discussed his role as the lead scientific advisor for the movie "Interstellar" at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program in 2016. Thorne collaborated with the movie's visual effects team to ensure the depictions of astrophysical objects like black holes and wormholes were scientifically sound. Thorne highlighted his collaboration with director Christopher Nolan and the challenges of blending scientific accuracy with Nolan's artistic vision. Why it matters: The lecture highlights KAUST's commitment to engaging with cutting-edge science and its applications in popular culture.
Researchers from LENS, CNR-INO, the University of Florence, UNAM, RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau, and TII Abu Dhabi have observed Shapiro steps in ultracold atoms for the first time. This allows for real-time observation of quantum mechanics and could lead to advanced quantum sensors and simulation. The experiments involved creating vortex-antivortex pairs, resulting in step-like signals, and the findings were published in Science. Why it matters: This breakthrough provides a new method to observe and control quantum coherence, potentially enabling advancements in quantum technologies and simulations within the region.
Communications Physics journal has a focus collection on space quantum communications. The collection covers supporting technologies, new quantum protocols, inter-satellite QKD, constellations of satellites, and quantum inspired technologies and protocols for space based communication. Contributions are welcome from October 20, 2020 to April 30, 2021, and accepted papers are published on a rolling basis. Why it matters: Space-based quantum communication is a critical area for developing secure, global quantum networks, and this collection could highlight relevant research for the GCC region as it invests in advanced technologies.
Planetary scientist Carolyn Porco, who led the imaging science team for the Cassini mission to Saturn, was a keynote speaker at KAUST's 2018 Winter Enrichment Program. Porco aimed to recreate the Pale Blue Dot photograph of Earth taken by Voyager 1. On July 19, 2013, Cassini's cameras captured another Pale Blue Dot image of Earth when Saturn eclipsed the Sun. Why it matters: The event fostered contemplation on Earth's place in the universe among the KAUST community.
KAUST hosted the KAUST-NSF Research Conference on Interactive Electronics from January 30 to February 1. The conference featured speakers from Purdue University, Cornell University, and Saudi Aramco's EXPEC Advanced Research Center. Attendees from around the world gathered at KAUST for the event. Why it matters: The conference highlights KAUST's role as a hub for international collaboration and knowledge sharing in advanced electronics research within Saudi Arabia.
Professor Arnab Pain's group at KAUST discovered new insights on how a malaria protein enables parasites to spread malaria in human cells. Professor Haavard Rue's group upgraded the Integrated and Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) for faster real-time modeling of large datasets. A KAUST-led study examined the stability of Y-series nonfullerene acceptors for organic solar cells. Why it matters: KAUST continues producing impactful research across diverse fields from medicine to climate change, advancing scientific knowledge and potential applications.
Edward C. Stone, former Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratories at Caltech, spoke at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program in 2017. He discussed the exploration of Neptune's moon Triton, enabled by the Voyager 2 mission. The article includes images from NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 missions and a photo of King Abdullah. Why it matters: Such events and collaborations enhance KAUST's reputation as a leading science and technology university.
American artist Rachel Sussman spoke at KAUST's 2019 Winter Enrichment Program about her project documenting the world's oldest living organisms. Sussman photographed 30 species alive for over 2,000 years, including trees, coral, and bacteria. She collaborated with 30 scientists to identify and document these organisms. Why it matters: The lecture highlights KAUST's interdisciplinary approach to knowledge, connecting art, science, and philosophy to explore concepts of time and longevity.