Technology Innovation Institute's (TII) Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) in Abu Dhabi has launched the GCC region's first Laser-Matter Interaction (LMI) Laboratory. The LMI Lab, part of DERC's Laser, Photonics, and Optoelectronics Division, will investigate laser interactions with matter. This lab will enable local research and development in laser materials processing, plasma physics, and nanotechnology, reducing reliance on foreign outsourcing. Why it matters: This regional first enhances the UAE's position in advanced technology research and expands the application of lasers across diverse industries in the GCC.
Five Emirati researchers from the Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) concluded a 5-week training course in Switzerland on laser processing and laser-matter interaction at Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories. The training involved hands-on experience with high-end equipment to conduct independent research. The DERC researchers will contribute to DERC’s projects and help operate its AI-powered laser-matter interaction laboratory. Why it matters: This international training enhances local expertise in advanced laser technology, crucial for developing AI-driven material science capabilities in the UAE.
The Atomtronics@AbuDhabi2021 meeting, held virtually via Zoom, focused on recent advancements in cold atom quantum technology, particularly within the emerging field of Atomtronics. The meeting covered applicative, experimental, and theoretical aspects of atomic circuits for computation, communication, and sensing. Poster sessions were organized in Zoom breakout rooms. Why it matters: The event signals growing interest and activity in quantum technologies and quantum simulation within the UAE, with potential implications for future research and development in the region.
A talk at the Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) at TII will discuss rapid prototyping using laser-cutting facilities available at MakerSpace in Al Zeina. The talk will cover constructing prototypes from wood and acrylic and compare this approach to traditional 3D printing. The speakers will also describe the impact of the ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ on manufacturing in the UAE, and how makerspaces can contribute to Operation 300bn. Why it matters: This highlights the UAE's focus on advanced manufacturing and the role of makerspaces in fostering innovation and developing local capabilities.
KAUST and Saudi Aramco collaborated to develop a laser-based sensor for detecting trace amounts of gas leaks in petrochemical plants. The sensor uses machine learning to identify specific gases, differentiating it from previous sensors that only detect large leaks. The technology can differentiate between closely related industrial gases like benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (BTEX). Why it matters: This innovation enables proactive monitoring and rapid pinpointing of leaks, enhancing safety, environmental protection, and operational efficiency in the petrochemical industry.
Technology Innovation Institute (TII) announced that its Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) has developed the first high-power (kW-level) Ytterbium-doped fiber laser in the MENA region, designed, assembled, and tested in the UAE. The project, led by Dr. Giuseppe Scurria, involved building an optical laboratory, developing local expertise in optical fiber processing, and establishing relationships with laser and photonics companies. High-power fiber lasers have applications in material processing, defense, telecommunications, and medicine. Why it matters: This achievement signifies a critical step for the UAE towards sovereignty in high-power laser technologies and establishes the UAE as a key player in the fiber laser field, opening doors for further collaborations.
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 researchers developed a laser-based sensor that exploits the "chirp" phenomenon in semiconductor lasers to accurately measure gas temperature in combustion systems. The sensor uses spectroscopic measurements at very fast rates (1.0 MHz) and can measure temperature at the nanosecond timescale at repetition rates of thousands of kHz. The new sensor reduces uncertainty compared to previous methods and works rapidly in transient shock tube experiments. Why it matters: This in-house development provides a non-invasive, accurate, and easily implementable system for combustion research, with implications for understanding and improving energy efficiency.