KAUST startup uODS signed an MoU with Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company (Luberef) to develop and deploy technology removing sulfur from hydrocarbons. The uODS process, based on KAUST's sonochemistry research, reduces sulfur in marine fuels to meet IMO 2020 regulations. Luberef aims to reduce its environmental footprint by piloting the uODS technology at its Jeddah refineries, with uODS set to produce 10 tons per day of desulfurized fuel for testing. Why it matters: The partnership demonstrates KAUST's role in addressing Saudi Arabia's environmental goals and showcases the potential of university spin-offs to contribute to a more sustainable oil industry in the region.
KAUST's Fuel Lubricants Efficient Engine Technology (FLEET) Consortium, established with OSP last year, added Luberef and Ferrari as new members. FLEET has completed six projects in its first year, including studying liquid spray and combustion, developing fuel cells, and capturing energy from ship engines. Eight new projects have been announced, including lubricant exploration for electric and hydrogen vehicles and improving hydrogen engine performance. Why it matters: The expansion of FLEET and its new projects underscore Saudi Arabia's commitment to carbon neutrality through collaborative research and development in sustainable transportation technologies.
This paper introduces a Bayesian optimization method for estimating tire parameters and their uncertainty, addressing a gap in existing literature. The methodology uses Stochastic Variational Inference to estimate parameters and uncertainties, and it is validated against a Nelder-Mead algorithm. The approach is applied to real-world data from the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, revealing uncertainties in identifying curvature and shape parameters due to insufficient excitation. Why it matters: The research provides a practical tool for assessing tire model parameters in real-world conditions, with implications for autonomous racing and vehicle dynamics modeling in the GCC region.
KAUST and McLaren Racing have expanded their 5-year partnership to include collaborative research projects across McLaren's motorsport teams. The partnership will focus on simulation methodologies, optimized computing, and high-efficiency lubricants. KAUST students and researchers will work with McLaren at the McLaren Technology Centre to deliver joint projects. Why it matters: This collaboration provides KAUST students with real-world experience in an applied R&D environment, fostering innovation in areas like materials, lightweight structures, and circularity, with potential implications for the broader automotive and technology sectors in the region.
KAUST and McLaren Racing have signed a five-year R&D agreement focused on extreme performance technology. The partnership will focus on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), machine learning, fuels and lubricants, advanced mathematics and sensors and electronics. The collaboration aims to advance research and offer talent development for KAUST graduate students through research and internships. Why it matters: This partnership highlights KAUST's growing role in international collaborations to advance research and development in key areas like AI and sustainable mobility solutions.
This paper introduces a longitudinal control system for autonomous racing vehicles with combustion engines, translating trajectory-tracking commands into low-level vehicle controls like throttle, brake pressure, and gear selection. The modular design facilitates integration with various trajectory-tracking algorithms and vehicles. Experimental validation on the EAV24 racecar during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League at Yas Marina Circuit demonstrated the system's effectiveness, achieving longitudinal accelerations up to 25 m/s². Why it matters: This research contributes to the advancement of autonomous racing technology in the region, showcasing practical applications in high-performance scenarios and fostering innovation in vehicle control systems.
McLaren Racing and KAUST are collaborating to advance research, innovation, and education in high-performance motorsport, supporting Saudi Vision 2030. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri visited KAUST for a research tour showcasing collaborative projects in aerodynamics, advanced lubricants, and biosensors. KAUST researchers are applying aerodynamics work with McLaren to support Saudi industry, and designing improved lubricant formulations to reduce friction. Why it matters: The partnership exemplifies cross-sector collaboration and KAUST's role in driving high-impact science and technology in the region, with applications extending beyond Formula 1.
The KAUST Research Conference on Recovery of Difficult Hydrocarbons, organized by the Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC), addressed challenges in the oil and gas industry related to meeting global hydrocarbon demand within environmental and economic constraints. The conference featured 39 presentations and focused on technical solutions for environmentally sound recovery from complex oil and gas fields in the Middle East. Discussions covered topics such as multi-scale heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs, multi-scale imaging fractures, and modeling hydrocarbons. Why it matters: The conference highlights KAUST's role in addressing critical challenges facing hydrocarbon-dependent economies in the region through research and technology development.