KAUST researchers in the Sensors Lab are developing neuromorphic circuits for vision sensors, drawing inspiration from the human eye. They created flexible photoreceptors using hybrid perovskite materials, with capacitance tunable by light stimulation, mimicking the human retina. The team collaborates with experts in image characterization and brain pattern recognition to connect the 'eye' to the 'brain' for object identification. Why it matters: This biomimetic approach promises advancements in AI, machine learning, and smart city development within the region.
KAUST researchers have developed an artificial electronic retina mimicking the behavior of rod retina cells, utilizing a hybrid perovskite material (MAPbBr3) embedded in PVDF-TrFE-CEF. The photoreceptor array, made of metal-insulator-metal capacitors, detects light intensity through changes in electrical capacitance. Connected to a CMOS-sensing circuit and a spiking neural network, the 4x4 array achieved around 70 percent accuracy in recognizing handwritten numbers. Why it matters: This research paves the way for energy-efficient neuromorphic vision sensors and advanced computer vision applications, potentially revolutionizing camera technology.
KAUST startup Quantum Solutions manufactures quantum dots, semiconducting nanoparticles that emit light with controllable energy. These dots are being explored for applications including displays, photodetectors, and solar cells. Quantum dots can enhance the efficiency of silicon solar panels by absorbing infrared light. Why it matters: This highlights the potential of KAUST-incubated startups to contribute to advanced materials science and renewable energy technologies in the region.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a nanocomposite material that converts X-rays into light with nearly 100% efficiency. The material combines a metal-organic framework (MOF) containing zirconium with an organic TADF chromophore. This design achieves high resolution and sensitivity in X-ray imaging, potentially reducing medical imaging doses by a factor of 22. Why it matters: This innovation could lead to more efficient and safer medical imaging and security screening technologies in the region and beyond.
Researchers at the Quantum Research Center's (QRC) Quantum Communications lab (QComms) achieved a milestone by demonstrating the violation of a Bell inequality using pairs of polarized entangled photons. This achievement serves as a "quantum health check" for their entangled photon source. The QRC team is working to harness entanglement effects in ultra-secure key distribution schemes to enhance secure communication. Why it matters: This advancement validates the application-readiness of QRC's quantum communication devices, paving the way for enhanced security in communication technologies within the region.
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 held an open day on December 3, 2015, to celebrate the International Year of Light. The event showcased technological developments in light research, especially photonics and LED-based technologies. Exhibits and demonstrations were provided by researchers from KAUST's CEMSE and PSE divisions, under the direction of Professor Boon Ooi. Why it matters: The event promoted understanding of achievements in light research and its applications in various sectors like communications, medicine, and energy.
KAUST Ph.D. candidate Amal Mohammed Alamri received a grant from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for her work on "Fully Inkjet Printing Photodetectors MSM - 2D Materials & Perovskite Based Inks." The grant supports her Ph.D. research at KAUST, focusing on photodetectors using 2-D materials and perovskite-based inks for applications in light communications and biomedical devices. Alamri aims to develop printed image detectors with flexible, thin, and transparent features through improved ink formulas. Why it matters: KACST's strategic investment in graduate students like Alamri helps advance Saudi Arabia's capabilities in science and technology, particularly in emerging areas like printed electronics and advanced materials.