KAUST Ph.D. student José Efraín Pérez won the Magnetism as Art Showcase People’s Choice Award at the 62nd Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM) 2017 for his artwork "Magnetic Nanobeacon." The artwork represents magnetic nanowires embedded in a nanoporous template. Pérez's research focuses on biomedical applications of nanostructures, using nanowires as a scaffold for stem cell differentiation. Why it matters: This award highlights the innovative research at KAUST in the area of magnetic nanostructures and their potential applications in biomedicine.
KAUST researchers, in collaboration with Nanyang Technological University, have discovered a unique chiral structure in gold nanowires. The nanowires exhibit a Boerdijk-Coxeter-Bernal (BCB) helix structure, achieved through a seed-mediated substrate growth method, reaching a minimum diameter of 3 nanometers. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) at KAUST was crucial in revealing the structure. Why it matters: This breakthrough in chiral metallic nanowire production could lead to advancements in chemical separation, sensing, and catalysis due to the unique properties of chiral crystals.
Ainur Sharip, a Ph.D. student from Kazakhstan, joined KAUST in 2017, first pursuing her master's degree in bioscience under Associate Professor Jürgen Kosel, focusing on stem cell behavior on magnetic iron nanowire substrates. She then joined Professor Stefan Arold's Structural Biology and Engineering research group, developing a technology platform for the rapid biosynthesis of high-value natural products and enzymes. Sharip highlights KAUST's excellent faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities to attend international conferences as key factors in her research experience. Why it matters: Showcasing student success stories at KAUST can attract more international talent to the university and highlight the research opportunities available.