Technology Innovation Institute (TII) has launched a state-of-the-art research facility within its Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) in Abu Dhabi's Tawazun Industrial Park. The facility includes seven workshops and five specialized laboratories focusing on areas like High-Power ElectroMagnetics (HPEM), acoustics, and laser development. It can accommodate 150 researchers and provides research and testing services to local industries, including Radio Frequency testing and acoustic experiments. Why it matters: This new facility enhances the UAE's research infrastructure and supports the development of advanced technologies for regional industries in the safety and security sector.
KAUST's Solar & Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center (SPERC) was officially inaugurated with a two-day seminar featuring international solar energy experts. The event included discussions on developing the solar energy manufacturing industry in Saudi Arabia and a memorandum of understanding between KAUST and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) to develop thin-film photovoltaic technology. ZSW holds the world record in thin-film photovoltaics cells efficiency, achieving a rate of 20.8%. Why it matters: This initiative signifies KAUST's commitment to becoming a regional hub for renewable energy and photovoltaics, fostering collaboration between research and industry to advance solar energy development in Saudi Arabia.
Boeing has inaugurated a new Research & Technology office at KAUST's Research and Technology Park, marking Boeing's first research center in a university within the GCC. The office will focus on R&D in aerospace technologies, building on Boeing's partnership with KAUST since 2009. Boeing is currently collaborating with KAUST on six major projects in areas like advanced materials and solar power. Why it matters: The establishment of this office signifies a deepened commitment to R&D in Saudi Arabia and the region, leveraging KAUST's resources to advance aerospace technologies.
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.