King Abdullah University of Science and Technology at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
BEACON
October 2011 / Dhul-Qi'dah 1432 Volume 2, Issue No.2
the
KAUST WElcomes prince Faisal and international scouts
www.kaust.edu.sa
New Red Sea Research Center Director
Shell (outer) gate contact
Drain Core(inner) Contact gate contact
Source Contact
Director of the Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Professor Xabier Irigoien, has an adventurousness typical of the Basque region where he was raised and where his studies began. From Spain, he went to France and
Interlayer dielectric (ILD)
the UK, where he worked at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the Southampton
Drain
Top Insulator
Oceanography Center. He returned to his homeland in 2002 and became Head of the Pelagic Fisheries and Biological Oceanography at AZTITecnalia in Pasaia, a
Channel
Gate Metal
technological center specializing in Marine RED SEA | Continued on p.2
Source Bottom Insulator
Silicon Substrate
Professor Xabier Irigoien
Gate dielectric
Figure 1: Architecture of the silicon nanotube transistor. For the first time an inside (core) gate has been included and the concept of a silicon nanotube transistor has been introduced.
student designs innovative nano-scaled transistor .طالب جامعة امللك عبداهلل يصممون جهاز ترانزستور مبتكر باستخدام تقنية النانو Hossain Fahad, a first year PhD student in the Electrical Engineering program, has challenged previous examples of silicon nanowire transistor technology with his novel device concept. A recent paper in the high impact, American Chemical Society publication, Nano Letters, describes his research — undertaken at a small desk at KAUST without any collaborators. The new compact device promises both performance and area-efficiency and has a US patent application pending. Transistors constitute a vital component in myriad modern electronic devices including computers, cell phones, televisions, and GPS systems: the on-off switch that governs their very heart. The transistor industry has been expanding for the last three decades and constitutes a business with a turnover exceeding $300 billion/year. As the demand for ever-smaller machines accelerates (laptops that can be rolled up and put in a pocket are on the horizon), the need for nano-scale transistors has escalated. However, as the size of transistors has shrunk and computational speeds have increased, dissipated heat has become a major challenge, particularly with the addition of diverse functions to established devices such as cameras in cell phones. There is a well
Student Jhonathan Rojas, Dr. Casey Smith, and Professor Muhammad Hussein
established nano-scale semi-conductor research niche but much is technologically unproven. The
discuss transistor technology.
nanowire-based transistors that do reduce heat dissipation and provide higher computation speed require many nanowire transistors costing more physical space to satisfy today’s demands. The
Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain is part of KAUST’s founding faculty and advisor to
work described in this paper seeks to address the challenge associated with making a transistor,
the student authors on the paper: Hossain Fahad and Jhonathan Rojas. He brings the benefit of
which can provide faster computation with more functionality beyond computation in a much
his experience both in academia and industry to his position as Assistant Professor in Electrical
smaller portable device.
Engineering, beginning his Advanced Nanofabrication (EE 203) teaching in a “virtual” lab. In his NANO-SCALED | Continued on p.2
INSIDE:
News 1-2
SEDCO 3
News 4-5
Research 6–7
Community 8
2
News
October 2011
The Beacon
The University welcomes to its shores this month Spanish
Prof. Irigoien assumes the leadership of a well-established diverse team as KAUST’s
Marine Science Professor Xabier Irigoien who takes over
nascent but developing institutions evolve and our University grows. Although it is
the directorship of the Red Sea Research Center from
bittersweet to bid adieu to one of our original Center Directors, we are thrilled to
founding director, Professor James Luyten. Prof. Luyten
have Prof. Irigoien join us. We know that Prof. Luyten’s long-planned retirement is
was one of the earliest supporters of KAUST, leaving
richly deserved and that he will continue to work in other capacities as part of the
the directorship of the world-renowned Woods Hole
University’s academic family for what we hope will be years to come.
Oceanographic Institute, which he had joined in 1968.
—THE BEACON Editorial
In brief INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH POSTER COMPETITION FOR UNDERGRADUATES
The Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 2, October 2011. Published by The Communications Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia. Contact Salah Sindi +966 (2) 808-3221, email salah.sindi@kaust.edu.sa, or Michelle D'Antoni +966 (2) 808-3178, email michelle.dantoni@kaust.edu.sa © King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Printed on partially recycled paper. RED SEA | Continued from p.1
and Food Research committed to the social and economical development of the marine environment and food sector. Prof.
This month marks the launch
Irigoien was initially recruited by founding RSRC Director,
of an annual Research Poster
Professor Jim Luyten who took his planned retirement in June.
Competition open to undergradu-
His particular interest lies in the relationship between cli-
ates from around the world. This
mate, plankton, and fish – especially pelagic (open water) fish
competitive research poster event
and he actually learned of KAUST by reading of Professor Stein Kaardvet’s work. Frustrated by the bureaucratic EU funding sys-
From left: Professor Muhammad Hussein, Dr. Casey Smith, student Jhonathan Rojas, and student Hassain Fahad
is part of the University’s Winter Enrichment Program (WEP), being
tem, he was attracted here both by the opportunity to initiate
NANO-SCALED | Continued from p.1
held from January 14-29, 2012.
research using novel approaches, and because of the core labo-
first semester, he started mentoring eight master’s students of whom five are now pursuing
Authors of the top 50 accepted
ratory system that will facilitate such research. With the support
doctorates. He points out that it is very hard for academic research to compete with industrial
abstracts will be invited to spend
of the Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab (CMOR) and the
scale research when the stakes are so high.
one week at KAUST to present their research poster and partici-
facilities provided by the Biosciences and Bioengineering Core
In the summer of last year, Fahad attended a three-day workshop offered by Synopsis in
Lab, he will be examining plankton diversity using molecular
California where he learned more about the software that can be used for device simulation,
approaches, which will be faster and more accurate than the more
which helped to crystallize his previous work. The published paper is built on his master’s the-
traditional method of microscopy. Interestingly, while plankton
sis. Fahad was awarded the KAUST Graduate Research Symposium first prize in the oral session of PhD students from the Division
numbers decrease with increasing water temperatures, diversity
of Physical Science and Engineering in Spring 2011.
pate in WEP.
increases. The cryptic diversity revealed will allow him to study
Worldwide, nearly 30 groups are recognized for their nanoelectronics research. Only a very few have their own device concept
the different molecular adaptations plankton make in response to
with novel architecture or physics. This paper introduces the newest device architecture and physics concept of a silicon (or alter-
environmental challenges. “KAUST encourages its researchers to
native semiconducting material) nanotube field effect transistor which has unique property control using bottom-up processes
take risks,” explains Prof. Irigoien, “to try new things…”
combined with nearly perfect alignment-controlled, well-organized, ultrahigh-density circuit compatible top-down processes.
Commenting on a recent Nature Middle East article referencing
At the same time, the resulting transistor concept has unique core-shell gate stacks that mimic the all-around gate nanowire
a KAUST paper in Geophysical Research Letters in July (http://
devices by having inner and outer gates as shown in Figure 2. The result is a transistor with full volume inversion with high
www.agu.org/journals/gl/gl1114/2011GL047984/) discussing the
Core gate
abrupt warming of the Red Sea, Prof. Irigoien saw it reinforcing the need for continuous observation to further understand which
DRAIN
changes comprise a natural cycle and which may be evidence of an acute problem. KAUST research scientists, Dionysios Raitsos and Yasser Abualnaja, Assistant Professor Ibrahim Hoteit, and PhD student Perdana Prihartato worked together with colleagues at the Hellenic Center for Marine Research to analyze satellite
Limited electron crowding in traditional transistor
derived sea surface and ground based air temperatures. Prof. Irogoien has been joined by his wife, Idoia, and their chil-
DRAIN
Nanotube Channel
performance and efficient real estate consumption.
DRAIN DRAIN
The development of next generation transistors requires skills in materials science, process engineering, integration, and device architecture
More electron crowding in all-around gate nanowire transistor
as well as new physics (disruptive device) based research. source
dren, Oier and Irati.
source All around-gate
source source
The unique aspect of this paper is that it addresses device architecture, physics,
Shell (outer) gate
Figure 2: Rigorous quantum mechanical simulations show how the electron crowding can be
and integration simultaneously. Prof. Hussain’s group is
manipulated (from left to right) in different transistor architecture to achieve the
now working hard to produce
highest output current (due to the largest electron crowding) from a single silicon
a prototype of the device.
nanotube transistor using core-shell gate stacks.
President’s Iftar Incoming graduate scholars were officially welcomed at a special President’s Iftar on August 20. Dr. Faizi Ghodsi, Graduate Affairs Director of Development and Support, congratulated over 200 master’s and PhD students on their acceptance at KAUST and Brian Moran, Associate Provost of Graduate Affairs, introduced the new students to President Choon Fong Shih. In addition to meeting key figures, students participated in team building activities to help kick off their academic year.
The event included special remarks by the President and the telling of an inspiring fable, where President Shih imparted the maxim of passion, perseverance, and a prepared mind being keys to success.
SEDCO
www.kaust.edu.sa
October 2011
3
SEDCO funds brine pool research شركة ( سدكو ) القابضة متنح فريق من أعضاء هيئة التدريس .في اجلامعة أول منحة لبحث ممول من قبل القطاع اخلاص
Dean Kenneth Minneman, from Chemical and Life Sciences and Engineering; Prof. Jörg Eppinger, from Chemical Sciences; and Prof. Samir Hamdan, from Biosciences. Co-Investigators include Prof. Vladimir Bajic, Director of the Computational Bioscience
On September 12, the University’s first privately-funded research
Research Center; and Prof. Niveen Khashab, of Chemical
grant, the SEDCO Research Excellence Award, was awarded to a
Engineering and Environmental Science and Engineering. The
senior faculty team by the SEDCO Holding Company. The winning
research will be guided by an external scientific advisory board
research project, entitled “The Deep-Sea Brine Pools of the Red
including Professor Greg Ferry, Stanley Person Professor of
Sea: From Novel Extreme Organisms to Commercial Applications”
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State; and Professor
will investigate microbial activity in deep-sea pools eight to ten
Shil DasSarma, University of Maryland.
times saltier than the water above them.
“I am excited about this project,” commented Prof. Stingl,
Considered by many to constitute one of Earth's last unexplored
“as it combines the expertise of six research groups spanning
frontiers, these distinct “lakes” were originally thought to be sterile,
microbiology, computational biology, chemistry bio-informatics,
though in fact they contain unusual communities of extremophilic
biochemistry, and pharmacology. Some of the microorganisms in
microorganisms. There are around 25 of these unique environ-
the brine pools seem only distantly related to those we know and
ments at the bottom of the Red Sea, formed by tectonic movement
in our part of the project we will apply novel culturing techniques
and stabilized by differences in salinity between brine and overlay-
and cultivation-independent approaches to better understand
SEDCO, the Saudi Economic and Development Company, is
ing seawater. The extraordinarily harsh conditions (high salinity,
their metabolism and their adaptions to these harsh environ-
a leading private wealth management organization that con-
high levels of heavy metals, no oxygen, and elevated tempera-
ments…This project will advance science on extremophiles, will
ducts its business according to Shari'ah guidelines. Managing
tures) of such environments are unable to support higher life, but
improve our understanding of life under such harsh conditions,
a spectrum of businesses in Saudi Arabia and worldwide,
novel microorganisms have adapted to thrive in these conditions.
and could lead us to novel compounds for diverse biotechnologi-
SEDCO is dedicated to responsible and ethical practices.
Chemicals that are produced by these microbes have the potential
cal applications.”
SEDCO supports the welfare and development of individu-
for diverse biotechnological applications that could impact global
The first year of this project will be dedicated to sampling,
als and communities across Saudi Arabia, investing in a range
medicine and health, for example through enzymes used for anti-
cultivating, and cultivation-independent approaches with the
of corporate social responsibility and community activities.
inflammatory or anti-cancer purposes.
subsequent two years focusing on applications including bioac-
These include promoting and supporting the education sector,
tive molecules, compatible solutes, novel sequencing enzymes,
and furthering the contribution of women to society. SEDCO
and metallo-enzymes.
also works with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and the
Professor Jean Frechet, Vice President for Research, said “SEDCO’s support of KAUST through this new research grant allows the University to further its commitment to advancing
According to Dr. Adnan Soufi, Chief Executive Officer, SEDCO
science and technology through transdisciplinary research, edu-
Holding, “The long-term economic growth and diversification of
cation, and innovation. This award is a significant agent that
Saudi Arabia does not depend solely upon our natural resources,
will allow for breakthrough discoveries within Red Sea research.
abundant as they are. Rather, the shape of our future will be
Specifically, this winning project is an outstanding example of
determined primarily by the investment we make in our greatest
collaborative research that is fundamental to our University:
resource – our young people. This partnership with KAUST under-
research that bridges science and engineering for commercial
lines our long-term commitment to meeting the needs of the next
applications to benefit the Kingdom and beyond.”
generation in Saudi Arabia.
Ministry of Education to enhance the skills of teachers and administrators in the Makkah region.
The research project, supporting six faculty, four postdoc-
"This commitment includes the value we attach to our place in
toral fellows and three PhD students, will involve the combined
the community and we fulfill our role as a good corporate citizen
expertise of three Research Centers: the Red Sea Research
with a deep sense of social responsibility that extends to many
Center, the Computational Bioscience Research Center, and the
sectors of society — and it is in this spirit that we fully support
Catalysis Center. The highly collaborative winning team is led by
King Abdullah's intention that KAUST shall become a center of
Principle Investigators Prof. Ulrich Stingl, from Marine Science;
excellence for science and technology."
A philanthropic first at KAUST
proposals, a total of 19 large-scale projects were received, which
Sheik Saleh Salem Bin Mahfouz, Chairman of the Board
were then evaluated by 60 high-caliber international reviewers.
of Directors and the Executive Committee for SEDCO
Q&A with University Development’s VP, Dr. Abdullah Almojel
The Beacon: In your opinion, what does the SEDCO donation signify to KAUST and to the Kingdom?
Holding, and Sheik Abdelelah Salem Bin Mahfouz, Chairman of SEDCO Charity and a shareholder at SEDCO
Dr. Almojel: This donation is significant not only for the
Holding, have extended their passion and commitment
financial boost it provides to the winning research project, but
to supporting the welfare and development of individu-
also because it is symbolic of the growing trust and allegiance
als and communities across Saudi Arabia. Their personal
between business leaders in the Kingdom and the research and
involvement in support of the Research Excellence Award
The Beacon: How did this award
discovery at KAUST. I believe that this mutual relationship is
reflects SEDCO’s commitment to the economic growth
come about, and how was the win-
critical for economic growth in the Kingdom, and for addressing
and diversification of Saudi Arabia through cutting-edge
ning team chosen?
the global challenges of our time.
research and collaboration.
Dr. Almojel: The debut of a philanthropic gift of this kind at KAUST
The Beacon: What other donation opportunities or programs are available to prospective donors?
required that a process of interna-
Dr. Almojel: Currently we offer donation opportunities for pro-
tional and academic standards be
grams including Research, Professorships, Scholarships, National
established. In collaboration with
Collaborations, and supporting the KAUST waq f. We continue
Global Collaborative Research and SEDCO, an intricate process
to develop new donation opportunities in collaboration with the
was created to fund a three-year multidisciplinary, high-impact
University's academic and research community, and with the
research project of relevance to the Kingdom. After a call for
Kingdom's business and private sector.
Professor Shih sits with the Sheiks Bin Mahfouz.
4
News
October 2011
The Beacon
KAUST 2011 Red Sea Expedition من شهر سبتمبر املاضي رحلة إستكشاف البحر األحمر لهذا العام وستستمر ملدة15 بدأت في . يوما81 The KAUST Red Sea Expedition (KRSE) involving some 65 scientists began on Thursday, September 15 and will end on December 16. This is the third time that the oceanographic research ship, Aegaeo, has enabled collaborative research engagements between the University and various local and international institutions. This expedition will consist of five cruise legs that will cater to the sampling
http://krse.kaust.edu.sa
LEG TWO: MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES AND ICHTHYOPLANKTON SURVEYS
needs of over 20 research studies in addition to providing invaluable practical training experience to students at KAUST. KRSE is a groundbreaking initiative of the University to advance the state of
Leg two will serve several microbiological studies and an ichthyoplankton survey. Sampling will
marine research and education in Saudi Arabia, though scientists from other disciplines (for exam-
be conducted at specific brine pool (Fig. 1) and non-brine pool sites for the collection of large-
ple: the Water Desalination and Reuse Center) will also be participating.
volume seawater (Fig. 2) and sediment samples that are required for microbial genetics and OMICS (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics) studies in collaboration between KAUST and AUC.
LEG ONE: LARGE–SCALE HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY AND MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES
The general goal of these research projects is to obtain a better understanding of hypersaline ecosystems and their microbial communities through single-cell genomics and the isolation and characterization of new extremophiles from the brine-filled deeps of the Red Sea. Results from these studies will constitute a step forward in understanding local geochemical reactions and the biological input and influence on geochemical evolution of the deeps. It will also bring us new insights on
The first leg of the 2011 expedition is dedicated to conducting large–scale hydrographic survey
the microbial capability to deal with multiple simultaneous environmental stresses and metabolic
and microbiological studies in collaboration with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
diversity in highly saline environments that could be of potential use in pharmaceutical and bio-
(WHOI) and the American University in Cairo (AUC), respectively. This leg will require approxi-
technological applications. By including representative brine-pools along the S-N axis, we expect to
mately 28 days at sea to complete the entire sampling plan.
obtain relevant information on the different steps of formation and evolution of the deep-sea brine
The vessel will cover a pre-designated set of sampling stations along nearshore/offshore oriented transects for various hydrographic measurements. Sampling for microbiological and desalinationrelated studies will also conducted at some of stations along the hydrographic transects.
and consequent variation in their microbial communities. This project is sponsored by the SEDCO Research Excellence Award. This leg will also deploy the In Situ Ichthyoplankton Imaging System (ISIIS), an automatic imag-
These studies will make use of the
ing and counting device, at selected non-brine pool locations for identifying and quantifying
planned large scale transects from North to
larvae in the water column. The system simultaneously records numerous environmental variables,
South to extend the current knowledge of
including current speeds, water temperature and salinity, and depth. This allows researchers to
the bacterioplankton in the Red Sea. Similar
advance their understanding of the distributions and abundances of larval organisms, especially
to the previous cruise, our own techniques
fish, with particular respect to the environmental conditions related to those distributions. It is
and expertise will be used to complete and
hoped that this information can be used in conjunction with larger-scale oceanographic modeling
extend the ongoing studies on the Red
to understand the patterns and processes of connectivity within the Red Sea.
Sea nutrient composition and microbiology. The present study will be targeting the most important bacterial primary producer (Prochlorococcus) and the most important group of heterotrophic, CO2-producing bacteria (SAR11/Pelagibacter). These high impact studies will result in conclusions on how the metabolism of these Red Sea organisms might change globally with an increase in surface water temperatures. Methods to be used include pyrotag sequencing to catalog the microbial communities including bacteria, archaea, and nanoeukaryotes; single-cell genomics, dilution-to-extinction culturing; quantitative PCR for Prochlorococcus and SAR11; as well as (meta)transcriptomics targeted for Fig. 1: Map showing location of brine pools in the Red Sea.
Prochlorococcus and SAR11. Fig. 2: S ampling for large-volume seawater samples for microbiological studies at the hot brine pool sites.
News
www.kaust.edu.sa
October 2011
5
Fall 2011 Seed Fund Kicks Off The Seed Fund is actively seeking applications for its Fall 2011 round and welcomes innova-
seed funding can go online by October 31, 2011. Initial applications will be evaluated and scored by a
tors with significant changes to better support the product development process. This process has
panel of local, regional, and international judges including successful entrepreneurs, business exec-
evolved into a collaborative journey from research to commercialization during which the Seed
utives, technology commercialization professionals, as well as venture capital and angel investors.
Fund team will encourage and nurture applicants
The shortlisted applicants that progress to the next
discovery into business opportunities that will help
“It's really amazing to work for your own passion and vision, instead of following someone else's. Thank you KAUST for the opportunity, and thank you Seed fund for making it happen"
move innovative projects from the lab to the market
— Acadox Founding Team
ideas are strong contenders for funding. Unlike start-
by mentoring teams to further develop ideas, as well as provide the appropriate funding to facilitate that process. “The Seed Fund translates good ideas, research, and
place,” commented Lama Naseer, Acting Seed Fund Manager.
stage will be supported to work on developing a more detailed proposal for their projects. This will be further guided by required participation in a workshop to be held as part of the Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) and will ensure that participants with robust up capital, this program supports a business model
and product development prior to the formation of a company, by drawing on the wisdom of those
At its core, the Seed Fund is a product development funding mechanism that can help move promising ideas forward and aims to provide members of the KAUST community with a way to
who have formerly trodden similar paths and providing appropriate financial support. For questions about applying for seed funding, please contact: Seedfund@kaust.edu.sa
turn innovative projects into market products. In addition to financial support — up to $200,000 over two years according to demonstrated need — the Seed Fund will offer access to industry experts and mentors through the Entrepreneurship Center, and may provide lab and office space, and other practical support at a time when it is most needed. There are some significant changes to the eligibility and application procedure; details are available on the New Ventures website under the Seed Fund section (http://newventures.kaust.edu.sa/
“The Seed Fund is one of the first critical steps in commercializing research, introducing these innovations to the Saudi economy and creating jobs.”
seed-fund/).
—
One major change is that the ideas and secondary team members can be drawn from outside our
Professor Choon Fong Shih, KAUST President
University, allowing for collaborations in-Kingdom, though there remains a requirement that the primary applicant must be an eligible KAUST member (faculty, researcher, postdoctoral fellow, student, or staff). It is hoped that this will further encourage applications from a larger pool of talented individuals who are working with the University on novel technologies. Students graduating in 2011 should not be despondent as they are encouraged to apply as secondary team members (please contact the Seed Fund for more details). Having demonstrated that the research and proof-of-concept for potential products have been carefully considered and completed, eligible parties are encouraged to submit their applications for
From left: Mustafa Nabulsi, Nedal Mourad, and Mohammad Al-Hareeqi, Co-founders of Acadox. Two Syrian master's graduates, Nedal Mouard and Mustafa Nabulsi, were successful in their Seed Fund application. Teaming up with their Saudi undergraduate colleague, Mohammad Alhareeqi, they are developing Acadox: cutting edge software to manage learning activities by combining academic, social, and professional flavors. Acadox is community-focused and has an interesting blend of tools, resources, and services to help students reach their academic goals and beyond. Mourad and Nabulsi declined attractive job offers choosing to be full time entrepreneurs working on their new venture. Nurtured by the evolving Seed Fund support ecosystem and with the accompanying financial support, the founding members have already secured a contract with KAUST’s WEP, which has over 3000 users, allowing them to further develop the software. The team is currently in discussions with other potential customers in the Kingdom and is looking into the next step of incorporating a company and raising further startup funding. Acadox will go live January 1, 2012.
Fedoroff outlines desert agriculture initiative
President Choon Fong Shih
She also shared an overview of current approaches that use
introduced Prof. Fedoroff, the
modern science and technology to tackle these challenges. New
Evan Pugh Professor of Biology at
irrigation methods like sub-surface drips and hydroponics with
Pennsylvania State University and
an emphasis on water recycling help to curb water footprint.
current President of the American
Aquaponics combine the rearing of seafood with agriculture to
Association for the Advancement of
improve nutrient efficiency.
Science. President Shih explained
Prof. Federoff, a 2006 winner of the US National Medal of
that Prof. Fedoroff uses the latest
Science, shared her expertise, insight, and passion for her work
tools in plant genetics and molecu-
along with her hopes for future research at our University. She
lar biology to try to increase food
described KAUST’s Desert Agriculture Research Initiative — an
production worldwide to address the
integrated program that strives to produce salt and heat tolerant
cycle of hunger.
plants using halophyte domestication and genetic modification.
Speaking at the first 2011-12 President’s Seminar Series Lecture
Prof. Fedoroff spoke of the tremendous opportunity to travel
It will include the development of aquaculture facilities and novel
in September, Distinguished Visiting Professor Nina Fedoroff chal-
worldwide for several years as part of the state department, US
technology to cool greenhouses over the summer months. She
lenged the audience to think about where food for an ever-increasing
Aid, which has given her a unique perspective of some of the
foresees much hard work, but is optimistic that progress can be
population will come from as the world becomes hotter and drier.
problems facing the planet.
accelerated to meet the needs of a hungry world.
6
Research
October 2011
The Beacon
DOW CHALLENGE:
Rewarding the stuff of sustainability عدد من طالب جامعة امللك عبداهلل يحققون فوزا في املسابقة التي نظمتها شركة داو كيميكال .حول موضوع اإلبتكار واإلستدامة
From left: W ei Chen, Craig Werner, and Dominik Jantke This year, KAUST was among just eight universities worldwide invited to participate in the Challenge. Project entries for the first stage in the competition came from across the University during the summer. Seven were selected to compete in the competition final. The three chosen win-
The 2011 Dow Sustainability and Innovation Student Challenge Award Ceremony brought together KAUST
ners will take their projects to the recognition ceremony held at UC Berkeley in October. Although
students, faculty, and staff members in early September only a few days after the 2011-12 academic year
the subject areas of the three winning projects ranged from catalysis to nanotechnology, they each
began. The Challenge, established by the Dow Chemical Company in 2009, is designed to recognize and
focused on the theme common to waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
support the innovations of young scientists that could bring us all closer to sustainable living.
Reduce: Toxic Chemical Waste Dominik Jantke – Efficient and Sustainable Palladium Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions in Water
Reuse: Waste Sponges
Wei Chen – Transforming Waste Sponges into High Performance Energy Storage Devices
Recycle: Wastewater
Craig Werner – Microbial Osmosis Cell: An Integrated Technology to Achieve Wastewater Treatment, Energy Recovery, and Desalination
Undesirable, used kitchen sponges are put to reuse in Wei In his project, Dominik Jantke, a PhD student in the Chemical
Chen’s energy storage devices. A PhD student in the Material
Wastewater contains significant amounts of energy and
Science Program, did away with conventional organic solvents
Science and Engineering Program, Chen coats waste sponges
water that can be put to good use. Craig Werner, PhD student
in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, a reaction widely used in syn-
with carbon nanotubes, which conduct electricity, and MnO2
in the Environmental Science and Engineering Program, uses a
thetic chemistry to make new carbon-carbon bonds. Suzuki
nanoparticles, which store electrical energy. Chen’s sponge-
novel, low-energy recycling method to treat wastewater, gener-
shared the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this ubiquitous
based devices exhibit unprecedented performance capabilities
ate electricity, and partially desalinate seawater. His microbial
reaction. Jantke, alongside colleague Alexander Marziale,
in their capacity for energy storage as well as the speed at
osmosis system combines the existing technologies of forward
developed a procedure so the reaction could be performed in
which they are charged, likely because of the inherent poros-
osmosis and microbial fuel cells. Water moves from wastewa-
water, the most environmentally friendly solvent. Almost all
ity of the sponges and the MnO2 nanoparticles. Chen’s project
ter into seawater spontaneously during forward osmosis, which
organic solvents are harmful to some degree and lead to most
gives us better materials for the next generation of energy
leads to the dilution and partial desalination of seawater. At
of the environmental issues that plague the chemical industry.
storage devices and keeps old sponges out of landfills, a
the same time, microbes that feed on the organic waste in the
Solvents comprise the overwhelming bulk of chemical waste
win-win proposition.
wastewater generate electricity that is harnessed by the fuel cell.
alongside toxic by-products and additives. With Jantke’s pro-
Chen is from the Functional Materials Laboratory, led by
cedure, the chemical waste generated by the Suzuki-Miyaura
Professor Husam Alshareef. His work has been accepted in
reaction can be significantly reduced.
Nano Letters.
Jantke is from the Biological and Organometallic Catalysis Laboratories headed by Professor Jörg Eppinger in the Catalysis Center. His work was published earlier this year in Green Chemistry.
With the use of these technological advances, it is perhaps time to give “wastewater” a new name. Werner is from the Water Desalination and Reuse Center, supervised jointly by Professor Gary Amy and Professor Pascal Saikaly.
Research
www.kaust.edu.sa
October 2011
A
http://oepv.kaust.edu.sa/ Pages/Home.aspx
Professor Aram Amassian
B
C
D
E
7
A) Elemental maps of PbS quantum dots following inorganic ligand exchange prove the bromine (atomic passivant) remains on the surface of PbS. B) EF-TEM image at same location as panel A, showing Lead mapped in green. C) EF-TEM mapping of Sulfur. D) EF-TEM mapping of Bromine. E) Overlay of elemental mapping from panels B-D. Jian Tang et al. Colloidal-quantum-dot photovoltaics using atomic-ligand passivation. Nature Mat. 10,765-771 (2011)
CQD:
A significant step in solar technology
the solar cell. KAUST researchers contributed by “proving that the inorganic passivants were tightly correlated with the location of the quantum dots and that it was the chemical passivation, rather than nanocrystal ordering, that led to the remarkable colloidal quantum dot solar cell performance,” explained Prof. Amassian. This was done using a combination of “visualization methods with sub-nanometer resolution and accuracy combined with synchrotron X-ray scattering measurements to determine the atomic and mesoscale structure and composition of the passivated quantum dots,” he adds. Not only is this work likely to provide the path toward both more efficient and stable quantum dot solar cells, it should also impact other electronic and optoelectronic devices that use colloidal nanocrystals. “It is intriguing that mesoscale ordering is completely lost in the best quantum dot
Researchers from KAUST, University of Toronto (U of T), and Pennsylvania State University
solar cells.” states Prof. Amassian. “This has altered our thinking and provided important clues
have created the most efficient colloidal quantum dot (QCD) solar cell ever. Until recently, quan-
about the way forward.”
tum dots have been capped with organic molecules that separate the nanoparticles by nearly a
As a result of the potential of this research discovery, a technology licensing agreement has been
nanometer. "That is a long distance for electrons to travel between quantum dots," states Professor
signed by the University of Toronto and KAUST, which will enable the global commercialization of
Aram Amassian, and co-author on the paper. "We had to think at the sub-nanometer scale to
this new technology.
make a real difference".
“The world — and the marketplace — need solar inventions that break the existing compro-
In a paper published in Nature Materials in September, the team describes how using inorganic
mise between performance and cost. Through the partnership between U of T and KAUST, we are
ligands to wrap the quantum dots forms a shell of atomic thickness, which promotes the passivation
poised to translate exciting research into tangible innovations that can be commercialized,” said
and close packing of quantum dots. This helps to eliminate charge traps, which often limit device
Professor Sargent, corresponding author on the work and holder of the Canada Research Chair in
performance in such semiconductors. By using inorganic ligands, sub-nanometer-sized atoms that
Nanotechnology at U of T.
bind to the surface of the quantum dots, electrons were able to traverse much more easily through
The work was supported by a Global Research Partnership Grant from KAUST.
novel membrane enables targeted drug delivery Getting drugs to the body sites where their action is needed, causing minimal side effects systemically, and ensuring their timely release remains a challenge. In a paper published by the Royal Society of Chemistry in September, Professor Niveen Khashab discusses the recent development at KAUST of a novel membrane that is practical, safe and effective, which could be used in a microchip to release multiple stored chemical substances on demand using a pH-triggering mechanism. Using this membrane, microchips could be fabricated comprising a unique array of reservoirs to enable the delivery of multiple drugs in a single implantation procedure and making
Professor Niveen Khashab
possible local chemical delivery in a controlled manner. One possible use for such a system could be in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, notoriously difficult to treat effectively, as the pH in the pancreatic duct is significantly higher than in the surrounding tissue. Capitalizing on one of KAUST’s core facilities, Dr. Khashab, Assistant Professor of Chemical Science, worked closely with colleagues in the Advanced Imaging and Characterization Laboratory to synthesize a membrane material that would be reliable, stable and predictable. The resulting membrane developed on a model glass microchip was based on polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyrid-
pH
ine) block copolymer (PS-b-P4VP). When dissolved into selective solvents, PS-b-P4VP can form spherical or worm-like micelles with hydrophobic inner cores consisting of styrene block and vinylpyridine chains the coronas. With a pH less than the pKa of pyridine, the pyridine groups are protonated (spread over one another) and the blocks extend to minimize repulsion between like charges forming a protective network around the core, but as pH increases above this, the P4VP block is deprotonated and tends to shrink allowing for the release of the cargo (Fig. 1). Furthermore, tests revealed that the membrane is safe over a wide range of pH values and it provides a good reference for further work to design more biocompatible membranes. Proof of concept was demonstrated using Doxorubicin (Dox) and scanning electron microscopy. At pH 4.0 – 7.0, negligible amounts of Dox were released over 20h, but when the pH value increased to 9.0, about 10wt% was released after 5h in buffer solution. This pH-dependent release behavior could
OFF (cargo trapped)
ON (cargo released)
Fig. 1: Schematic representation showing the release of Dox molecules with increased pH. achieve specific site-targeted drug delivery with micelles by relying on variation in pH values. The advantage of such a system is that a high concentration of the required drug can be delivered at the site where it is needed, while the systemic concentration of the drug remains low.
8
Community
October 2011
The Beacon Saudi and International Boy Scouts.
scouts pledge to be messengers of peace The photo of the month for October was taken by Joseph Eibes, a
A/V departments with a smile. I wish the
consultant who has since left the University, but shares this photo
best of all of KAUST and may all students,
as “a tribute to all those contractors and consultants who have
faculty, and all unseen support continue to
helped make KAUST as you see it today.”
deliver a world renowned education.”
He further explains, “I arrived at KAUST July 2009. Things
photo of the month
Would you like to see your photo published in
جامعة امللك عبداهلل تستضيف املعسكر الدولي للكشافة والذي .)أقيم مؤخرا في كورنيش ثول حتت شعار (رسل السالم KAUST was privileged to host the week long Messengers of Peace International Scout Camp on behalf of our founder King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and in coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education. The Messengers of Peace campaign and our University share a commitment
were dusty to say the least. My time as a consultant has come
The Beacon? Every month we carefully review submissions and
to advancing peace, hope, and reconciliation. The Scouts’
and passed, and I am now back in the United States. I look upon
choose the one that best captures our attention. Keep them com-
Campground was set up at a site at the Thuwal Corniche
the fond memories of working with the Visualization Lab and
ing! Email your photos to thebeacon@kaust.edu.sa.
and was home to a large group of Saudi and international scouts. During the week, they were busy with activities such as painting and maintaining homes in Thuwal, scrubbing and
accolades
competition, which takes place annually. The first stage of
painting boats and visiting Thuwal families to experience
the competition was coordinated at KAUST by Professor
the local culture first hand. They visited the museum and
Jurgen Kosel. Ouda received his BS and MS in Electronics and
toured the university, attended seminars (including one led
Congratulations to Mahmoud Ouda who recently took
Communications Engineering from Ain Shams University in
by Professor Michael Berumen), and worked alongside our
an exam and beat the other 23 candidates from several Saudi
Cairo, Egypt in 2006 and 2011, respectively. He is currently
KAUST scout troops to plant mangroves along our shores.
Arabian universities to win a place (as the Saudi Arabia rep-
working towards his PhD in Electrical Engineering at KAUST.
The final closing ceremony for 5000 people took place in the
resentative) at the International Microelectronics Olympiad
His research here in Professor Khaled Salama's Sensors Lab is
Safaa Stadium, attended by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden,
of Armenia later this month. The best candidate from each
oriented towards energy harvesting for wireless sensors and bio-
Honorary Chair of the World Scout Foundation, and his wife,
country is sponsored by Synopsis to attend this international
medical implantable devices.
Queen Silvia, as well as the scouts, various international and Saudi dignitaries including His Excellency the Minister of Education, Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah and his wife, Princess
My University
Adila Bint Abdullah, as well as a representative cross-section of the KAUST family. The King and the Prince are leaders in the world of scouting
Daniela Catania
and came together at KAUST to further King Abdullah's chal-
"This was an excellent opportunity that I had to
"Eagles, scorpions and camels in the Arabian Desert
lenge to scouts to become messengers of peace and further the
grab with both hands," says Daniela Catania who
and coral reefs and an overwhelming diversity of
values of dialogue, respect, exchange, and peace.
has just begun her master’s studies in Marine
fish in the Red Sea."
Science. She has a bachelor’s degree in Zoology
Daniela looks forward to going deeper in her stud-
from the Royal Holloway College at the University
ies, figuratively and literally. Students in Marine
of London. After undergraduate studies she spent
Science have opportunities to dive, and past stu-
ten months traveling in New Zealand and Australia
dents have been involved in tagging whale sharks
where she worked in a marine laboratory.
and observing the migration routes of coral reef fish
Daniela’s relocation to the Kingdom is actu-
such as parrotfish.
ally a return. The daughter of an Italian father
"The Red Sea is a unique ecosystem that has not
and a Mauritian mother, she spent her childhood
been studied much and that is unfortunately over-
in Jeddah, going to the beach every Friday. It was
fished. The academic community can have a big role
then she discovered the Kingdom’s amazing fauna:
in preserving the species."
Saud Abohelayel
The Messengers of Peace Ceremony.
Visitors to the academic library may have
business but likes his current job the most. “Coffee
noticed a new smiling face behind the coffee shop
Republic has the second best coffee in the world,”
counter. Saud Abohelayel has joined the Coffee
notes Abohelayel, whose personal favorite is the
Republic team as a supervisor after working for the
double espresso.
same company in Jeddah. A native Saudi, he com-
One of Saud’s aspirations is to improve his
mutes to KAUST from Jeddah five days a week
English while here at KAUST. He is very grateful
to prepare coffee and refreshments for KAUST
to his boss for having the faith in him to promote
community members.
him to the next level.
Saud loves his new assignment. “People here are
As a pleasant surprise for library users, Saud
open-minded, smart and very nice,” he says. He has
promises a selection of new cakes and sandwiches
previously worked in marketing, car sales and travel
very soon.
Saudi and International Boy Scouts planted mangroves contributing to the preservation of the Red Sea ecosystem.