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KAUST alumnus Khalid A. Al-Jabr, who received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from KAUST in 2014, is a reliability engineering specialist at Saudi Aramco's Consulting Services Department. Al-Jabr helped establish the Saudi Aramco Corrosion Management Hub and improve reliability culture within the company. In 2018, he received the Engineering Excellence Award from the Saudi Council of Engineers for his achievements. Why it matters: The recognition of KAUST alumni in key industrial roles highlights the university's contribution to developing talent and expertise for Saudi Arabia's strategic sectors.
KAUST researchers are exploring novel chemical reactors and separation processes using mathematical design, with a focus on time and shape variables to enhance transport, heat transfer, and mass transfer. By aligning design, modeling, and 3D printing, they create customized shapes with great complexity and less material. This approach allows for the creation of bespoke reactors and separation processes tailored to specific applications, improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Why it matters: This research demonstrates the potential of advanced manufacturing techniques to revolutionize industrial design in the Middle East's chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
KAUST Ph.D. students Amal Hajjaj and Sherif Tella won best paper awards at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Tella's paper was on electrothermally actuated microbeams, while Hajjaj's paper focused on the behavior of MEMS resonators. The students are supervised by KAUST Associate Professor Mohammad Younis. Why it matters: The awards recognize significant research contributions in micro- and nanosystems and highlight KAUST's strength in fostering impactful engineering research.
Deanna Lacoste is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in KAUST's Physical Science and Engineering Division. She is featured in a "Faculty Focus" section. Why it matters: This is a routine faculty highlight from KAUST.
KAUST alumna Nadia Kouraytem (M.S. '13, Ph.D. '16) is now a postdoctoral researcher in mechanical engineering at the University of Utah, working on laser-based metal additive manufacturing. During her time at KAUST, she worked in the High-Speed Fluids Imaging Laboratory under Professor Sigurdur Thoroddsen, using high-speed imaging to study fluid dynamics. Her research included investigations of metal sphere impacts on granular media, microbead formation during vapor explosion, and vapor explosions from droplet impacts on heated oil. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in training researchers who are contributing to advanced manufacturing techniques with potential industrial applications.
This paper presents the synthesis of a 1-DoF six-bar gripper mechanism for aerial grasping, designed for a task in the Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2020. The synthesis process involves selecting the mechanism class, determining the number of links and joints using algebraic methods, and optimizing link dimensions via geometric programming. The gripper was modeled in CAD software, additively manufactured, and mounted on a UAV with a DC motor for gripping spherical objects. Why it matters: The research contributes to advancements in robotics and aerial manipulation, with potential applications in various industries, particularly for tasks requiring remote object retrieval and manipulation.
Nobuyuki Umetani from the University of Tokyo presented a talk on using AI to accelerate simulations and optimization for 3D shape designs. The talk covered interactive approaches integrating physical simulation into geometric modeling. Specific applications discussed included musical instruments, garment design, aerodynamic design, and floor plan design. Why it matters: This highlights growing interest in AI techniques at MBZUAI and across the GCC for streamlining engineering design and simulation processes.