KAUST and LONGi, a solar energy company, have signed an MoU to collaborate on solar energy innovation. The partnership aims to develop and deploy solar technologies, focusing on improving the efficiency of photovoltaic technologies. Joint projects will include testing PV module concepts, developing new materials, and optimizing performance, alongside talent development programs. Why it matters: This collaboration aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, fostering sustainable energy solutions and local expertise in the region.
A new benchmark, LongShOTBench, is introduced for evaluating multimodal reasoning and tool use in long videos, featuring open-ended questions and diagnostic rubrics. The benchmark addresses the limitations of existing datasets by combining temporal length and multimodal richness, using human-validated samples. LongShOTAgent, an agentic system, is also presented for analyzing long videos, with both the benchmark and agent demonstrating the challenges faced by state-of-the-art MLLMs.
KAUST scientists developed a new perovskite solar cell design using thin perovskite layers at the top and bottom of the interface. The new design achieves a power conversion efficiency of 25.6%, comparable to silicon solar cells, with only a 5% efficiency loss after 1000 hours of high heat exposure. The key innovation is the use of a specific ligand that interacts effectively with the 3D perovskites for passivation, maintaining purity in the thin layers. Why it matters: This advancement enhances the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells, making them a more viable and cost-effective alternative to silicon, especially for countries like Saudi Arabia aiming to increase renewable energy reliance.
TII and LightOn have partnered to build the NOOR Platform for exascale computing, aimed at developing foundation models. The collaboration will leverage LightOn's expertise in large language models, with the first output being the largest Arabic language model to date. The platform will provide high-quality data pipelines and facilitate extreme-scale distributed training and serving. Why it matters: This partnership aims to establish Abu Dhabi as a center of AI excellence and boost the UAE's ambitions in high-tech innovation and NLP research.
KAUST researchers have achieved a breakthrough by passing the damp-heat test for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a rigorous assessment of their ability to withstand prolonged exposure to high humidity and temperatures. The team engineered 2D-perovskite passivation layers that block moisture and enhance power conversion efficiencies. The successful test, which requires maintaining 95% of initial performance after 1,000 hours at 85% humidity and 85 degrees Celsius, marks a significant step toward commercialization. Why it matters: This advancement addresses a critical weakness of PSCs and brings the technology closer to competing with silicon solar cells in terms of stability and longevity, crucial for widespread adoption of renewable energy.