2013 February Beacon by KAUST

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

BEACON ‫املنـارة‬ February 2013 / Rabi II 1434 Volume 3, Issue No. 6

the

www.kaust.edu.sa

Prof. Peinemann demonstrates the manufacturing process to Dr. Mohamed Samaha

‫فريق من جامعة امللك‬ ‫عبداهلل يطور تقنية جديدة‬ ‫يف االغشية املسامية‬ ‫قام فريق من باحثي جامعة الملك عبداهلل‬ ‫للعلوم والتقنية بتطوير أعماله في مجال‬ ‫االغشية المسامية بتقنية النانو الحساسة لألس‬ ‫الهيدروجيني حيث تمكن من تصنيع غشاء ذي‬ .‫مسام متجانسة وشحنات قابلة للضبط والتعديل‬ ‫ويمكن استخدام الغشاء ليس فقط لفصل‬ ‫ ولكن أيضا لفصل‬،‫البروتين على أساس الحجم‬ ‫ وهي خاصية ال‬، ‫الجزيئات ذات الحجم المماثل‬ .‫تتوفر في االغشية التجارية الحالية‬ ‫وكان هذا المشروع البحثي تحت قيادة كل من‬ ‫ فيكتور بينيمان والدكتور‬-‫البروفيسور كالوس‬ ‫شياو يان تشيو من مركز األغشية المتطورة‬ ‫والمواد المسامية بالتعاون مع زمالء ما بعد‬ ‫ ومادهافان‬،‫الدكتوراه في المركز وهم هايتشو يو‬ ،‫ وعالم األبحاث نيالكاندا براديب‬،‫كاروناكاران‬ ‫والبروفيسور سوزانا نونز من مركز أبحاث‬ ‫ ولقد تم نشر‬.‫تحلية واعادة استخدام المياه‬ ‫ تحت عنوان‬ACS Nano ‫هذا البحث في مجلة‬ 6 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

Vice President for Research, Professor Jean Fréchet, has been announced as co-recipient of the 2013 Japan Prize. The Japan Prize acknowledges original and outstanding achievements in science and technology which are recognized as having “advanced the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind.” Prof. Fréchet and C. Grant Willson of the University of Texas at Austin are recognized for their achievement in the “development of

Selective Separation of Similarly Sized Proteins with Tunable Nanoporous Block Copolymer Membranes

chemically amplified resistant polymer materials for innovative semiconductor manufacturing processes.” Renowned scientists across North America, Europe, and Asia – including Nobel Prize Laureates, Japan Prize Laureates, and Millennium Technology Prize winners – have been swift in sending their warm congratulations. Nobel Laureate (Chemistry, 2001) Professor Ryoji Noyori of RIKEN and Nagoya University, Japan, said: “Jean Fréchet has unlimited crea-

A group of KAUST researchers has advanced

tivity and he finds no borders in science. Furthermore, Jean has bridged

in their work on pH-responsive nanoporous

science, engineering, and innovation, generating beneficial economic

films and manufactured a membrane with uni-

and social value. His chemically amplified photo-resists renovated the

form pore sizes and tunable (pH-responsive)

production process of all kinds of memory chips used in modern elec-

charges. The membrane can be used not only

tronic technologies. This splendid prize will further vitalize science and

for size-based protein separations, but also for

technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly at KAUST."

something no commercially available mem-

From his early work in solid-phase synthesis at the University of

brane is currently able to achieve – to separate

Ottawa, to his studies in polymers for therapeutics at the University

similarly sized molecules.

of California Berkeley, Prof. Fréchet's research in the field of func-

The research effort was led by Professor Klaus-

tional polymers has been renowned for its innovative nature and great

Viktor Peinemann and Dr. Xiaoyan Qiu from

breadth, spanning fundamental studies, the search for properties, and

the Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials

the exploration of applications.

Research Center. The work was conducted in

Nobel Laureate (Chemistry, 1987) Professor Jean-Marie Lehn of The

collaboration with the Center’s postdoctoral fel-

University of Strasbourg, agreed: “The research of Jean Fréchet extends

lows Haizhou Yu and Madhavan Karunakaran,

far into other areas at the meeting point of organic chemistry, materials

research scientist Neelakanda Pradeep, and Prof.

science, and chemical engineering. It bears the triple seal of excellence,

Suzana Nunes from the Water Desalination and

creativity, and technological innovation."

Reuse Center. The paper that describes the work, MEMBRANES | Continued on p6

INSIDE:

News 1-3

‫الربوفسور جان فريشيه‬ 2013‫حيصد جائزة اليابان‬

Prof. Jean Fréchet awarded 2013 Japan Prize

Robert Grubbs, a Nobel Laureate (Chemistry, 2005) of the California JAPAN PRIZE | Continued on p3

Winter Enrichment Program 4-5

‫ نائب رئيس جامعة الملك عبداهلل‬،‫تم اإلعالن عن فوز البروفسور جان فريشيه‬ .2013 ‫ كفائز مشترك بجائزة اليابان‬،‫لألبحاث‬ ‫وتمنح جائزة اليابان تقديرا لإلنجازات األصلية والمتميزة في العلوم والتقنية ذات‬ .‫التأثير الفعال في تقدم مجاالت المعرفة وخدمة قضايا السالم ورفاهية البشرية‬ ‫ غرانت ويلسون من جامعة تكساس‬.‫وقد تم تكريم البروفسور فريشيه و سي‬ ‫في أوستن لقاء إنجازهما المتمثل في تطوير مواد البوليمر المقاومة والمعززة‬ ‫ وسرعان‬.‫كيميائيا لالستخدام في عمليات تصنيع أشباه الموصالت المبتكرة‬ ‫ بمن في ذلك‬-‫ما بادر العلماء المشهورون من أمريكا الشمالية وأوروبا وآسيا‬ ‫الحائزون على جائزة نوبل والفائزون بجائزة اليابان والفائزون بجائزة األلفية‬ .‫ إلى اإلعراب عن التهاني الحارة للفائزين‬-‫للتقنية‬ ‫ من‬،2001 ‫ الفائز بجائزة نوبل في الكيمياء‬،‫يقول البروفسور ريوجي نويوري‬ ‫ "يتمتع جان فريشيه بمواهب إبداعية‬،‫معهد ريكين وجامعة ناغويا في اليابان‬ ،‫ وعالوة على ذلك‬.‫ال محدودة وال تعترض مساره في مجاالت العلوم حدود‬ ‫تولى فريشيه بناء الجسور بين العلوم والهندسة واالبتكار مما ترتب علي ذلك‬ ‫ وأدت طريقته لتطوير مواد البوليمر المقاومة‬.‫منافع اقتصادية واجتماعية جمة‬ ‫للضوء والمعززة كيميائيا إلى تجديد عملية إنتاج جميع أنواع رقائق الذاكرة‬ ‫ وهذه الجائزة الرفيعة ستؤدي‬.‫المستخدمة في التقنيات االلكترونية الحديثة‬ ‫إلى مزيد من التفعيل لنشاطات العلوم والتقنية في المملكة العربية السعودية‬ ."‫وخاصة في جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ ‫ومنذ بداية أعماله المبكرة في توليف الحالة الصلبة في جامعة أوتاوا إلى دراساته‬ ‫ نالت‬،‫في مواد البوليمر لألغراض العالجية في جامعة كاليفورنيا في بيركلي‬ ‫أبحاث البروفسور فريشيه في مواد البوليمر الوظيفية الشهرة بفضل طبيعتها‬ ‫االبتكارية واتساع نطاقها وامتدت شهرتها لتشمل الدراسات األساسية والبحث‬ .‫في الخواص واستكشاف التطبيقات‬ ‫) من معهد كاليفورنيا‬2005( ‫ الفائز بجائزة نوبل في الكيمياء‬،‫وأشاد روبرت قربز‬ ‫للتقنية بجهود البروفسور فريشيه قائال "تمثل أبحاث البروفسور فريشيه مزيجا‬ ‫فريدا بتميز جودتها النوعية وعمقها واتساع نطاقها في عمليات توليف وتصميم‬ ‫ وقدم البروفسور فريشيه اسهامات مقدرة‬.‫ المواد العضوية‬/‫مواد البوليمر‬ ‫ مما دعم‬،‫تراوحت من المقاومات الضوئية إلى الجزيئيات المتشعبة ومواد الفرز‬ ."‫التوفيق الذي حالفه بصورة ملحوظة في تفادي الملل الفكري‬ ‫) واألستاذ‬2010( ‫ الفائز بجائزة األلفية للتقنية‬،‫ويقول البروفسور السير رتشارد فريند‬ ‫األعلى في جامعة كيمبردج ورئيس المجلس االستشاري الدولي لجامعة الملك‬ ‫عبداهلل "تعتمد التطورات على امتداد خارطة طريق الكترونيات السيليكون بصورة‬ 3 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

Research 6-7

Community 8

February 2013

News

The Beacon

OUR CAMPUS has been buzzing with activity with the 2013 Winter Enrichment Program (WEP), collabo-

for both personal and professional enrichment, and many thanks go to the organizing committee, under

rative partner signings, on-going research, and exciting news of Professor Fréchet’s latest accolade. The

the leadership of Vice President for Education, James Calvin. Because of their dedication and hard work,

University was especially honored to receive a visit from HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.

members of our community as well as regional and international guests were able to discover, learn, and

A month filled with many highlights, this issue offers a snapshot of the various happenings before the start of the spring semester. WEP 2013 truly delivered a diverse program teeming with opportunities

participate in one of the most anticipated and popular annual events on campus.  —THE BEACON Editorial

The Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 6, February 2013. Published by The Communications Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.Contact Salah Sindi salah.sindi@kaust.edu.sa, or Michelle D'Antoni michelle.dantoni@kaust.edu.sa © King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Printed on partially recycled paper.

in brief

HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal is greeted by KAUST President Prof. Choon Fong Shih and Mr. Nadmi Al-Nasr, Executive Vice Pres. of Admin and Finance, during his recent visit to KAUST.

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal Visits KAUST His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Governor of the Makkah Province, visited KAUST January 24, addressing KAUST leadership and touring the campus. HRH Prince Khalid reasserted that King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is one of the most important mega projects of the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. “We are looking forward to, in fact we want you to, employ the greatest amount of your knowledge and experience to improve this land which is the cradle and center of the Islamic world,” he said. “This country cannot only be, but also ought to be, a role model for the Islamic world. These aspirations can be achieved with the assistance of a modern scientific institution, a knowledge beacon the caliber of this research university.” His Royal Highness, accompanied by KAUST President Choon Fong Shih, Provost Stefan Catsicas, and Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance Nadhmi Al-Nasr, concluded his visit

‫ بمعرفتكم‬:‫األمير خالد الفيصل مخاطبًا قيادات جامعة الملك عبداهلل‬ ‫وخبراتكم سيكون هذا البلد نموذجًا لدول العالم المسلم‬ ‫ أن جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم‬،‫ أمير منطقة مكة المكرمة‬،‫أكد صاحب السمو الملكي األمير خالد الفيصل‬ ‫والتقنية هي أحد أهم المشاريع العظيمة التي تميز بها عهد خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبداهلل بن‬ ‫ نحن نتطلع بل نريد استخدام أكبر قدر‬:‫ وقال سموه مخاطبًا قيادات الجامعة في "ثول" ظهر أمس‬،‫عبدالعزيز‬ :‫من المعرفة والخبرات الخاصة بكم لتحسين هذه األرض التي هي مركز العالم اإلسالمي" وأضاف األمير خالد‬ ‫ يمكننا فعل ذلك بمساعدة‬..‫"هذا البلد يمكن أن يكون بل ينبغي أن يكون نموذجا للدول في العالم المسلم‬ ."‫مؤسسة علمية حديثة ومنارة معرفية بحجم هذه الجامعة البحثية‬ ‫جاء ذلك أثناء زيارة سموه أمس لجامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية في ثول التي رافقه فيها االمير مشعل‬ ‫ ثم التقى األمير خالد‬،‫ وبدأت الزيارة بجولة في مجتمع الجامعة والحي السكني‬،‫بن ماجد محافظ محافظة جدة‬ ‫بقيادات جامعة الملك عبداهلل واستمع لعرض مفصل عن الجامعة بدءًا من الرؤية وحتى أضحت واقعًا فريدًا‬ ‫تفخر به حيث استعرض المهندس نظمي النصر نائب الرئيس التنفيذي للشؤون المالية واإلدارية ما أسماه بـ‬ ‫رحلة األلف يوم وهي مدة إنجاز جامعة الملك عبداهلل ومراحل تأسيسها وشرح أهدافها االستراتيجية التي تتمثل‬ .‫ال مساعدًا في حياة الناس وتنويع االقتصاد السعودي والنهوض بالعلم والتقنية‬ ً ‫في أن تكون الجامعة عام‬ ‫وذكر النصر أن خادم الحرمين الشريفين أعلن عن تأسيس هذا المكان انطالقًا من مبادئ اإلسالم الخالدة و التي‬ ‫ وتدعو إلى عمارة األرض وتعارف الناس وبعد التوكل على اهلل جل جالله كما جاء في كلمته‬،‫تحث على طلب العلم‬ ‫) والتي يأمل الملك عبداهلل أن تكون منارة من منارات المعرفة‬2007( ‫حفظه اهلل أثناء وضعه حجر أساس الجامعة‬ ‫ و أن تؤدي رسالتها اإلنسانية السامية في بيئة نقية صافية مستعينة‬،‫وجسرًا للتواصل بين الحضارات و الشعوب‬ ‫باهلل و بالعقول النيرة من كل مكان بال تفرقة و ال تمييز انطالقا مما درجت عليه المؤسسات التعليمية في عصور‬ ‫ ثم قدم البروفيسور تشي فونغ شيه عرضًا عن واقع الجامعة الحالي واألبحاث‬..‫الحضارة العربية واإلسالمية الزاهرة‬ .‫التي تعمل عليها في مراكزها التسعة ومستقبل هذه األبحاث والفائدة المنتظرة منها لتحسين حياة الناس‬ ‫ تجول سمو األمير خالد داخل‬،‫وقبل أن يختم زيارته بجولة قصيرة في متحف العلوم والتقنية في اإلسالم‬ ‫الحرم الجامعي يرافقه رئيس جامعة الملك عبداهلل البروفيسور تشي فونغ شيه ونائب الرئيس التنفيذي‬ ‫المهندس نظمي النصر والوكيل نائب الرئيس التنفيذي للشؤون األكاديمية البروفيسور ستيفان كاتسيكاس‬ ‫حيث اطلع على مراكز األبحاث وتعرف على المعامل والمختبرات واإلمكانيات الهائلة التي تزخر بها الجامعة‬  .‫واستمع إلى شرح مفصل عن كل ذلك‬

with a short tour of the Museum of Science and Technology in Islam and the KAUST Research Centers and laboratories. 

M emorandum of Cooperation Signed Between Saudi Geological Survey and KAUST A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) and KAUST in order to expand and deepen collaborative research in Earth Sciences and related fields. The ceremony was held on January 29 at KAUST, at which Dr. Zohair bin Abdulhafeez Nawab, President of SGS, and Professor Choon Fong Shih, President of KAUST, signed for their organizations, in the presence of HE Minister Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi, Chairman of the KAUST Board of Trustees and member of the board of the SGS. Delegates from both organizations participated in the ceremony, which included presentations about the scientific vision of this memorandum given by Professors Thomas Missimer and Martin Mai. Identified areas of cooperation between the two organizations include knowledge transfer from SGS to KAUST and vice versa, and a broad data exchange that includes sharing of hydrological and geological data for research on groundwater aquifer recharge, and exchanging geophysical and seismological data for volcano imaging and Earth structure studies. Moreover, sharing of equipment and logistical resources for field studies and other activities is envisioned to enable scientific collaboration that leads to co-publication of research results. This Memorandum of Cooperation has the potential to generate direct benefits to the Kingdom. These include the development of geothermal energy resources, the development of detailed geological information on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Arabia coastlines and their use in the subsurface intakes for seawater desalination, and the mapping of soils, soil moisture and water levels in agriculture. Other possible benefits are refined monitoring of seismicity and volcanic activity, improved mapping of Earth structure, and state-of-the art seismic and volcano hazard assessment. 

Memorandum of Understanding Signed between KAUST and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy

HE Ali I. Al-Naimi, Chairman of the KAUST Board of Trustees and member of the Board of SGS, joins hands with Dr. Zohair bin Abdulhafeez Nawab, President of SGS, and Prof. Choon Fong Shih, KAUST President, at the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two institutions.

‫هيئة المساحة الجيولوجية وجامعة الملك عبداهلل توقعان مذكرة تعاون‬ ‫وقعت هيئة املساحة اجليولوجية السعودية وجامعة امللك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية مذكرة تعاون تهدف إىل‬ ‫ وجرى التوقيع يف احتفال نظم مؤخرًا‬.‫توسعة وتعميق األحباث التعاونية يف علوم األرض واملجاالت املتعلقة بها‬ ‫ حيث وقع على املذكرة كل من الدكتور زهري‬،‫) يف مقر اإلدارة العليا يف جامعة امللك عبداهلل‬2013 ‫ يناير‬29( ‫ حبضور معايل املهندس على بن‬،‫ رئيس اجلامعة‬،‫ والربوفسور تشون فونغ شيه‬،‫ رئيس اهليئة‬،‫بن عبداحلفيظ نواب‬ ‫ رئيس جملس أمناء اجلامعة وعضو جملس إدارة هيئة املساحة‬،‫ وزير البرتول والثروة املعدنية‬،‫إبراهيم النعيمي‬ ‫ وعقب كلمات االفتتاح قدم‬.‫ كما حضر احتفال التوقيع قيادات وشخصيات متثل اجلهتني‬.‫اجليولوجية السعودية‬ .‫الربوفسور توماس مسمار والربوفسور مارتن ماي استعراضا للرؤية العلمية هلذه املذكرة‬ ‫وتشمل جماالت التعاون اليت مت حتديدها بني الطرفني نقل املعرفة من اهليئة إىل اجلامعة وبالعكس وتبادل قطاع‬ ‫عريض من البيانات اليت تشمل املشاركة يف املعطيات املائية واجليولوجية ألغراض األحباث املتصلة بإعادة تعبئة‬ ‫الطبقات احلاملة للمياه اجلوفية وتبادل املعلومات اجليوفيزيائية والزلزالية املتصلة بصور الزالزل ودراسات البنية‬ .‫ إضافة إىل املشاركة يف موارد املعدات واملوارد اللوجستية للدراسات امليدانية وغري ذلك من النشاطات‬،‫األرضية‬ .‫وتتوقع اجلامعة من هذه املذكرة التعاون العلمي الوثيق الذي يؤدي إىل النشر املشرتك لنتائج هذه األحباث‬ ،‫وينتظر من مذكرة التعاون هذه أن تسهم بإمكانيات وفرص حتقيق منافع مباشرة تصب يف مصلحة اململكة‬ ‫مبا يف ذلك تطوير موارد الطاقة احلرارية والبيانات اجليولوجية التفصيلية حول ساحلي البحر األمحر واخلليج‬ ‫العريب واستخدامها يف مأخذ حتلية مياه البحر وانتاج خرائط ألنواع الرتبة ورطوبتها ومناسيب املياه لألغراض‬ ‫ وتضم املنافع األخرى املحتملة الرصد املوثق للنشاطات الزلزالية والربكانية وانتاج اخلرائط‬.‫الزراعية‬  .‫املحسنة لبنية األرض وتشكيالتها والتقييم املتطور ملخاطر الزالزل والرباكني‬

A strategic partnership memorandum of understanding between KAUST and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE) was signed January 26 by HE Dr. Khalid Al-Sulaiman, K.A.CARE Vice President of Renewable Energy, and Dr. Mohamed Samaha, KAUST Senior Vice President of Economic and Technology Development. The agreement outlined proposed areas of R&D collaboration in such areas as solar and photovoltaic engineering, wind energy, and solar resource mapping. Cooperation in the areas of energy focused entrepreneurship, industry collaboration, technology transfer, and best practices and know-how transfer are also covered in the Memorandum of Understanding.  HE Dr. Khalid Al Sulaiman, K. A. CARE Vice President of Renewable Energy, and Dr. Mohamed Samaha, Senior Vice President of KAUST Economic and Technology Development, shake hands on the occasion of the signing of a Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding with KAUST Pres. Choon Fong Shih in attendance.

News

www.kaust.edu.sa

February 2013

Over 70 Alumni Attend Second Annual Alumni Luncheon

KAUST alumni pose with members of KAUST Leadership at the Second Annual Alumni Luncheon.

Over 70 In-Kingdom and GCC KAUST alumni attended the

both personal and professional experiences gained at KAUST.

and recruiting the best minds – the promising and the proven –

Second Annual Alumni Luncheon on January 24. The luncheon

Al-Rowais hopes to stay in academia. He said his drive to do so

from within the Kingdom and across the world; so my heart is really

was organized by the Alumni Team within the Office of Graduate

was fostered by his experience at KAUST, and he and his father

lifted when I hear from professors and industry leaders that KAUST

Affairs as part of the 2013 Winter Enrichment Program (WEP).

hope that one day his academic career might even lead to his

talent is making a difference in discovery and delivery,” he said.

Among the attending alumni were four individuals who were

becoming President of the University. Lecocq spoke of the spe-

Associate Provost Brian Moran described the luncheon as a

invited to give presentations about their current activities as

cial bonds he made at KAUST with his fellow students, two of

celebration of the contributions KAUST alumni are making in the

part of the 2013 WEP program. They were Hommood Al-Rowais,

whom became such good friends that they were in his wedding.

workforce. “Hearing from Rami, Mark, Hommood, and Daniel that

Daniel Lecocq, Rami Hammad, and Mark Rosa.

Hammad described how being a KAUST graduate gained him

graduate study and research at KAUST prepared them for their

Al-Rowais, a 2010 master’s graduate in electrical engineering,

stature in the workplace. “I can see in colleagues’ eyes that they

current jobs was gratifying. Hearing them speak of their passion

is presently pursuing a PhD at Georgia Tech University. During

think better of me after hearing I am from KAUST,” he said. Rosa

for KAUST and how it continues to inspire them was heartwarm-

his WEP presentation, he discussed his research in bio-inspired

agreed and said that his degree had opened many doors for him

ing,” he said. “It challenges us at KAUST to continue to provide

sensors for sensory loss in the vestibular system. Lecocq, a 2010

in the workplace.

excellent instruction, research opportunities, and career guidance for our students.”

master’s graduate in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science,

University President Choon Fong Shih welcomed the group to

now works in the US as a software engineer. He spoke about

the luncheon saying he always looks forward to meeting so many

Prof. Shih said that there was a profoundly touching and per-

Computer Languages used in his work. Hammad, a 2010 MS grad-

young people who possess an abundance of the 3 E’s – energy,

sonal resonance to the luncheon. It was the last WEP Alumni

uate in Mechanical Engineering, now works at Saudi Aramco in

enthusiasm, and enterprise. Prof. Shih said that he heard from

event at which he will preside as President before stepping down

the Inspection Technology Unit, as does Rosa, a 2012 MS graduate

Saudi Aramco colleagues at the Third Commencement Ceremony

later this year. He said it has been a privilege, an honor, and a

in Materials Science Engineering. In their presentation, they shared

in December that KAUST graduates are really excelling in the

source of deep joy to serve as the Founding President of KAUST

their experiences about the new types of technology they were

workplace and that they are giving their counterparts from lead-

and that he, like the alumni, would be a flag bearer for the special

analyzing and introducing for pipeline inspection.

ing global research universities a “real run for their money.”

KAUST academic community and its unique values and attributes

The four spoke briefly at the luncheon as well, reflecting on

“Much of building a great university is about investing in people

to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the world. 

The KAUST Schools (TKS) Winter Enrichment Program The inaugural TKS WEP (Winter Enrichment Program) at the Garden Secondary School (GSS) was a week-long, jam-packed enrichment experience for students. It was designed to enrich and expand all aspects of the TKS curriculum, providing a “hands-on” experiential learning opportu-

TKS students learn to build with power tools. Others learned about robotics.

nity in support of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile traits. Coinciding with the University’s WEP program, students in grades 6 through 12 met with many of the WEP keynote speakers in special sessions. Spencer Wells, leader of the Genographic Project and

classes in robotics, building with power tools, career exploration, Earth architecture, Italian cooking, Korean pop culture, Oriental Arts, solar astronomy, and ceramics, to mention a few.

Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society, spoke to a full assembly at the school.

Also incorporated into the week was student leadership and service training provided by the

Phillippe Cousteau, Jr., environmentalist and grandson of Jacques Cousteau, met after school with

JUMP! Foundation. The JUMP! team held sessions with the GSS Student Council and middle and

the Diploma Programme Biology and Environmental Systems class. Claude Nicollier, European Space

high school students to explore community building, leadership, conflict resolution, and cultural

Agency astronaut, visited the Diploma Programme Physics classes, and Charles Elachi, director of

respect. There was a special session for grade 10 and 11 students on initiating action and com-

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory who oversees the Mars Rover, spoke with grade 7 students.

munity service projects.

Unique to the TKS WEP program, there were bus excursions to a Rabigh Beach camp, golf in Jeddah, the Modern Ocean Lab at KAUST, the EnviroHome, and more. Other activities for GSS students included

JAPAN PRIZE | Continued from p1 Institute of Technology, shared: “Frechet's

Minister, the Speaker of the Japanese House of

research is an incredible combination of quality,

Representatives, the President of Japan's House

depth, and breadth in the synthesis and design of

of Councilors, the Chief Justice of the Japan

polymer/organic materials. He has made signifi-

Supreme Court, foreign ambassadors to Japan,

cant contributions from photoresists to dendrimers

and more than a thousand other distinguished

to separation materials. He has been remarkably

guests including eminent academics, researchers

successful at avoiding intellectual boredom."

and representatives from public life, industry and

Professor Sir Richard Friend FRS, a Millennium

the international media.

Technology Prize Laureate (2010), is Cavendish

KAUST President, Professor Choon Fong Shih,

Professor at the University of Cambridge and

said: “Jean Fréchet is multi-talented – an outstand-

Chair of the President's International Advisory

ing scientist and engineer, an inspirational educator,

Council at King Abdullah University of Science

and a hugely respected entrepreneur. At King

and Technology. He noted: “Advances along the

Abdullah University of Science and Technology

silicon electronics roadmap depend critically

one of his key roles is to strengthen the synergy

on the performance of the photoresists used

between scientific advancement and technological

for photolithographic patterning. This award

innovation to bring benefits to the Kingdom and

recognises the seminal advance of Fréchet

humankind. His fellow faculty, the staff, and stu-

and Willson, whose brilliant new chemical

dents of King Abdullah University of Science and

approaches brought unprecedented performance

Technology are thrilled and inspired that our Vice

in sensitivity and resolution."

President for Research, who oversees KAUST's sci-

A formal Presentation Ceremony will be

entific direction, has been recognized by the Japan

held in Tokyo in April, in the presence of Their

Prize Foundation. It is a proud day for all of us to

Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

have an internationally acclaimed scientist working

Celebration events are also attended by the Prime

and living in our Red Sea community." 

By the end of the TKS WEP week, over 250 GSS students had taken part in some of the 120 enrichment sessions and 20 field trips. 

‫ وسيحضر االحتفال أيضا رئيس‬.‫وامبراطورة اليابان‬ ‫الوزراء و رئيس مجلس النواب الياباني ورئيس مجلس‬ ‫المستشارين الياباني ورئيس القضاء والمحكمة العليا‬ ،‫والسفراء األجانب وأكثر من ألف من كبار الضيوف‬ ‫بمن في ذلك المتميزون من االكاديميين والباحثين‬ ‫والممثلين البارزين للحياة العامة والصناعة ووسائل‬ .‫اإلعالم العالمية‬ ‫ رئيس جامعة‬،‫وأدلى البروفسور تشون فونغ شيه‬ ‫ بتصريح قال فيه "البروفسور فريشيه‬، ‫الملك عبداهلل‬ ‫هو شخص متعدد المواهب وعالم ومهندس مبرز‬ .‫ومعلم صناعي ورجل أعمال ومشاريع مبتكرة محترم‬ ‫وزمالؤه في هيئة التدريس وموظفو وطالب جامعة‬ ‫الملك عبداهلل مغتبطون للغاية بفوز نائب الرئيس‬ ‫لألبحاث في الجامعة والذي يشرف على أجندة‬ ‫األبحاث وتوجهها العلمي بهذا التكريم والتقدير‬ ‫ وهذا يوم يحق للجامعة‬.‫من مؤسسة جائزة اليابان‬ ."‫والمملكة أن تفخرا به كل الفخر‬ ‫يذكر أن جائزة اليابان هي جائزة دولية كبرى في مجال‬ ‫األبحاث العلمية والتقنية وإحدى الجوائز العالمية‬ ‫ ويعتبر حصول أحد كبار‬،‫األكثر رفعة في هذا المجال‬ ‫علماء جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية على هذه‬ ‫ يعد بمثابة تقدير وإشادة بالجامعة‬،‫الجائزة الرفيعة‬  .‫بعد أربع سنوات فقط من انطالقها‬

2013 ‫تابع جان فريشيه حيصد جائزة اليابان‬

‫حرجة على أداء المواد المقاومة للضوء المستخدمة‬ ‫ وال‬.‫في عمل أنماط الطباعة بالليثوغرافيا الضوئية‬ ‫شك أن هذه الجائزة تأتي تقديرًا للتطورات المبدئية‬ ‫التي حققها كل من فريشيه وويلسون اللذين ترتب‬ ‫على أساليبهما الكيميائية الجديدة أداء غير مسبوق‬ .".‫في حساسية المواد ودقتها‬ ‫وعملية التضخيم الكيميائي ما هي إال واحدة من‬ ‫إنجازات البروفسور فريشيه العديدة التي أتاحت إنتاج‬ ‫المقاومات الضوئية والدوائر المدمجة مما أسهم في‬ ‫تطوير أجهزة الحاسوب وغيرها من األجهزة االلكترونية‬ ‫ وقد ركزت أعماله األخيرة على استخدام‬.‫الحديثة‬ ‫ بما في ذلك األدوية‬،‫البوليمر في االستخدامات العالجية‬ .‫المستهدفة واللقاحات وفحوص الحمض النووي‬ ،‫و فريشيه أيضا مؤسس شركتي أرديليكس وأكوانونو‬ ‫كما عمل كمستشار علمي لبعض من أكثر الشركات‬ ‫ بما في ذلك شركات‬،‫ابتكارا ونجاحا على نطاق العالم‬ ‫يونيليفر وميرك ونوفومر وآي بي إم واكسون موبيل و‬ .‫اكزيروكس وباير وباسف وديبونت وأموكو ونوفارتيس‬ ‫ دولة جائزة‬13 ‫ عالما من‬74 ‫ نال‬،1984 ‫ومنذ العام‬ ‫ حيث تسلم كل واحد من كل فئة من فئات‬،‫اليابان‬ ‫الجائزة شهادة تقدير وجدارة وميدالية تذكارية‬ .‫ مليون ين ياباني‬50 ‫وجائزة بمبلغ‬ ‫وسيتم تنظيم احتفالية رسمية بتقديم الجائزة في‬ ‫اليابان في شهر أبريل المقبل بحضور جاللة امبراطور‬

Winter Enrichment Program

February 2013

The Beacon

2013 Winter Enrichment Program Wrap-Up The Winter Enrichment Program came to a close at the end of January after three weeks of stimulating lectures, classes, symposiums, and recreational and cultural events. A coordinated effort involving divisions, departments, and individuals from across the University and community, WEP delivered an inspiring program under the leadership of the 2013 committee.

2013 WEP Committee Leadership

Philippe Cousteau, Jr., Our Oceans, Ourselves

Philippe Cousteau, Jr.

Like generations of people around the world, environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau, Jr. draws inspiration from his legendary grandfather, the explorer and pioneering marine conservationist Jacques Cousteau. Philippe Cousteau, Jr. continues the family legacy on edu-

Vice President for Education: Prof. James Calvin

cating the public about environmental and conservation issues. "My

WEP Chair: Prof. Suzana P. Nunes, PSE (Physical Sciences and Engineering Division)

mission in life is to help people to understand the power they have to

WEP Co-Chair: Prof. William Roberts, PSE

change the world," he said during his keynote lecture.

WEP Conference Manager: Marie-Laure Boulot, Provost’s Office

Read more about this talk online. Scan the QR code or visit the University website

2013 WEP Committee

http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/cousteau.html

Prof. Husam Alshareef, PSE Prof. Shuyu Sun, PSE Prof. Uli Stingl, BESE (Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division) Prof. Ying Wu, CEMSE (Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division)

Charles Elachi on New Space Frontiers and Scientific Innovation

Dr. Charles Elachi

Prof. Niveen Khashab, PSE

Dr. Charles Elachi, Director of NASA’s Jet

Alaa I. Ragab, MS student, BESE

Propulsion Laboratory and member of the President’s

Alvaro Morales Gutierrez, PhD student, CEMSE

International Advisory Council at KAUST, presented a

Dr. Christiane Hoppe-Jones, postdoctoral fellow, Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center

keynote lecture on the recent successful landing of the

Dr. Raed A. Bkayrat, Economic Development

Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars.

Dr. Steve Cutchin, Visualization Core Lab

Dr. Elachi explained that the rover program has “confirmed by analyzing the rocks that actually

Wendy Keyes, Office of the Arts

salty liquid ocean existed in the past, which modified the rocks.” In fact, geological analysis has

Georg Eitelhuber, The KAUST Schools

confirmed that the Curiosity rover landed onto what was once a riverbed.

Ioanna Karariga, The KAUST Schools

The next step, he adds, is to perform chemical analysis to see if it has the right ingredients for organic material.

Philip Rosedale Speaks on Entrepreneurship Success Philip Rosedale

Read more about this talk online. Scan the QR code or visit the University website http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/elachi.html

Silicon Valley technology entrepreneur Philip Rosedale gave a keynote speech on his business background, philosophy, and the predictors of entrepreneurial success. The founder and chairman of the virtual world website

Second Life, Rosedale has seen many startups come and go. The advice he gives to emerging entrepreneurs is to be fully committed. “The investor needs to know that you've got no choice but to make this

Dr. Ismail Serageldin on Building a Global Knowledge Society Dr. Serageldin heads one of Egypt's most ambitious projects as the Distinguished Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the

Dr. Ismail Serageldin

New Library of Alexandria. In his keynote lecture, Dr. Serageldin

business successful. That's when they know it's time to invest," said Rosedale.

described the major social and technological forces that are fostering

His latest project is called Coffee and Power. His new company of two years offers

and challenging the creation of a global knowledge society, and how

solutions to people to help them work together in unconventional ways.

the changes will affect the “manner in which knowledge is organized,

Read more about this talk online. Scan the QR code or visit the University website

transferred, and passed on across space and time.”

http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/rosedale.html

Read more about this talk online. Scan the QR code or visit the University website http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/serageldin.html

Dr. Spencer Wells, Exploring the World's Genetic Diversity

Spencer Wells

Water Sustainability Symposium

National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Dr. Spencer Wells, focused

WEP 2013 hosted a one-day symposium focusing on sustainable water management. The event

his keynote address on the Genographic Project. As a human population

was organized by the University's Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) in acknowledge-

geneticist, Dr. Wells' primary research focus is to explain patterns of human

ment of the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation.

diversity. Launched in 2005, the Genographic Project has been using the

The one-day symposium, "Sustainable Water Management as an Adaptation to the Challenge of

latest DNA analysis techniques to study samples collected from indigenous

Climate Change," brought together prominent water technology specialists, chief executive offic-

populations and people from around the world.

ers, and leading academics working in the water sector. The seminar covered the current relevant

The accumulated DNA information gathered has enabled Dr. Wells and his team at

topics on sustainable water management, highlighting the burning issues of water education,

the Genographic Project to map historical human migration patterns using genetics as a

water diplomacy, trans-boundary water management, financing operations, and legal frameworks.

tool rather than simply using archaeology or paleoanthropology.

The day concluded with round table discussions by industry leaders and stakeholders mainly from

Read more about this talk online. Scan the QR code or visit the University website

within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/wells.html

“I wanted to see if we can dispute the historical perspective, and come up with an alternative approach,” said Professor Gary Amy, Director of WDRC. In his talk, he highlighted the need to think about "comprehensive, integrated, and holistic approaches" and "flexible water designs" that

Winter Enrichment Program

www.kaust.edu.sa

February 2013

are able to take uncertainties and environmental issues into account. Prof. Nina Fedoroff, Director of KAUST’s Center for Desert Agriculture, talked about water and food in arid regions. She summed up the food crisis challenges by saying, “We need to reduce agriculture’s ecological impact… reduce its demand for fresh water… adapt staple crops to a hotter and drier world… and double the food supply.” Although the task is daunting, she believes this all could be achieved in a sustainable way if we “apply much more sophisticated thinking and planning” and “think outside the box.” In the symposium’s closing talk, Gary White, CEO and Co-founder of Water.Org, urged KAUST students to tackle some of the water sustainability problems: “If we harness the best and the brightest towards solving the crisis, in the same way that we have some of the best and the brightest trying to figure out how to make the next smartphone… we are in a good shape to put this crisis behind us.”

Saudi Business Leaders Series: Jarir Group CEO, Muhammad Alagil

Mr. Mohammad Alagil

As part of WEP 2013’s Business Leadership Series lectures, KAUST welcomed Muhammad Alagil, CEO of Jarir Investment and Chairman of Jarir Group.

hour for the building permit to be granted. The fiber was actually found in Saudi Arabia, through

Alagil shared the story of his family business with the audience. A leading regional corporation

umbrella forms made of material that had been exposed to ultra-violet rays for more than thirty

comprised of Jarir Marketing and the Jarir Bookstore chains, the scope of the Jarir Group’s activi-

years without any loss of strength.

ties extend into stationary, computer supplies, books, and office machines.

The resulting 14-story-high textile sculpture, made from Tenera Architectural Fiber selected for

Recalling how his family started the business from a single modest building, Alagil shared some

its low degradation properties, became a social gathering place that people were naturally drawn

of the guiding principles which have secured their success. The overriding message he expressed

to. “A previously invisible place became a real part of the area,” said Echelman.

was: “Having the highest ethics leads to making a business a success.” In order to ensure full transparency and a successful line of succession, Alagil explained that in order for family members to be hired in leadership roles at Jarir, they must spend three years working in another organization and be promoted at least once. The family’s commitment to

Chinese Painting and Calligraphy with Peng Longxi

excellence and basic business ethics is at the core of the corporation’s value system.

Peng Longxi is a Chinese painting and calligraphy

The Jarir Group is strongly rooted in the Gulf region and focuses on continuing to develop its

master with a first class national teaching certif-

presence in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. The region’s youthful and growing population represents

icate in fine arts. He joined 2013 WEP from the

a prime consumer pool according to Alagil.

southwestern part of China, where he is a master

Peng Longxi

at the Wenjiang Liucheng Painting and Calligraphy

Janet Echelman: Merging an Ancient Art with Modern Technology Acclaimed artist Janet Echelman, whose public art installations have graced urban public spaces in cities around the world, spoke about her work and career. Describing how Echelman’s netted sculptures embrace thousand-yearold art with new millennium software innovations,

Institute. He is also a member of Sichuan Artists Association and Secretary-General of Xiling Painting Academy. Peng specializes in landscapes, flowers, and birds. His style, brushwork, and spirit

Phot o by

reflect those of Master Huang Binhong, who is considered to be one of the last great innovators of the Southern School of Chinese painting.

Peng introduced the WEP community to the art and history of Chinese painting

Professor David Keyes praised her for “taking so

and calligraphy with a five-day program that included a lecture, art exhibition, painting

many steps as an artist towards technology.”

demonstrations, and a series of hands-on workshops. 

Echelman shared with the audience how she evolved as an artist from working with traditional fishermen in India, creating a net of a million and a half handtied knots, to meeting the CEO of Autodesk after a hvaslaiho Photo by HEIKKI La

TED Talk and working with his company on customized design software taking into account the effects of gravity and wind on 3D models. In 2001 tens of thousands of people had attended the opening of her hand-made temporary netted sculpture installation on the courtyard roof of the Spanish National Janet Echelman’s mesh sculpture in the Administration Building foyer

HEIK KI La hva slai ho

Trade Fair Complex in Madrid. She met a greater challenge when, at that event, she was asked to create a similar permanent sculpture to be displayed in the waterfront area of Porto-Matosinhos in Portugal. Echelman first wondered if the ephemeral and delicate nature of her temporary art installations and their essence would be lost by the robust engineering requirements of a permanent

structure. But when the 40,000 pound structure was completed in 2005, she described standing under the sculpture and feeling “both sheltered and connected to the infinite sky.” The challenge had been to find a fiber that could withstand ultra-violet rays without losing its strength. At the same time, the material had to be soft enough to move fluidly in the wind. The sculpture’s netted structure also had to withstand hurricane force winds of more than 90 miles per

wep.acadox.com

Research

February 2013

The Beacon

Second Annual International Research Poster Competition for Undergraduates The Second Annual International Research Poster Competition for Undergraduates, sponsored by WEP 2013 and organized by Professor Niveen M. Khashab, honored its winners at an award ceremony on January 30. This year’s winners were: 1st place: Whitney Wagner – Cornell University (US), Chemical Engineering, Developing a Novel Transport Layer for Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Undergraduate Poster Competition under way

2nd place: Pierce Maguire – Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland), Physics, Physical Characterisations of Nanoparticles Systems for Nanotoxicology Studies 3rd place: Nouf AlZahrani – KAU (Saudi Arabia), Diagnostic Radiology, Value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of myocardial viability Selected from three hundred poster abstracts, the top twenty-seven undergraduate finalists from the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and several other countries were invited to present their posters at KAUST. In the final competition, participants were judged on: • Novelty of the work • Ability of the presenter to showcase their project • The poster presentation The Annual Research Poster Competition also represents a valuable recruiting tool for KAUST as it attracts participation from top students from schools such as Harvard, Cornell, and Stanford. Every year, 15-30 Saudi students also take part and have the opportunity to meet with Saudi Initiatives at KAUST. Professor James Calvin, Vice President for Education, told the award ceremony audience that while resources and infrastructure dedicated to research vary around the world, “brilliance and intellectual capacity is uniformly distributed everywhere.” Global competitions such as KAUST’s

The 27 undergraduate finalists with WEP organizers

Annual Research Poster for Undergraduates competition, he added, “made it really obvious that this statement is undeniable.”  Selective protein separation with a tunable nanoporous block copolymer membrane. The ACS Nano-illustration

MEMBRANES | Continued from p1

was created by scientific illustrator Olga Kasimova from the KAUST Office of Academic Writing Services.

“Selective Separation of Similarly Sized Proteins with Tunable Nanoporous Block Copolymer Membranes,” was published in a leading nanoscience and nanotechnology journal ACS Nano, and can be accessed at http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ nn305073e. The membrane obtained a water flux of at least an order of magnitude higher than what is presently possible with commercially available membranes with comparable pore sizes, making it particularly well suited for size-selective and charge-based separation of biomolecules. The membrane can be manufactured in a self-assembling one step process, allowing for large-scale production. “The manufacturing of highly

Innovation Cluster, and the awarded team

ordered and stimuli-responsive artificial mem-

has started manufacturing membranes with

branes by molecular self-assembly has been tried

a machine that was designed and purchased

for many years, but we demonstrated for the first

through the Seed Fund program. “Instead of lab-

time that, due to our unique process, this can be

sized membrane samples, the team can produce

done on a continuously operating machine,” said

significant size membranes that can be tested at

Prof. Peinemann.

a commercial level,” Dr. Bashir said.

In 2010, Prof. Peinemann introduced the

Describing the synergy between the University's

technology to the Univesrity’s Economic

research output and Economic Development,

Development department. “We saw the nov-

Amin Al-Shibani, Vice President of Economic

elty of the work. We saw something unique,”

Development, said, “We were able to provide

said Senior Technology Portfolio Manager

funding, resources, infrastructure, a physical

Sami Bashir from the Economic Development’s

home for the technology, and connections with

Technology Transfer and Innovation unit. “Our

the industry… Economic Development acts as a

team sought global protection for the tech-

bridge that translates the University’s research

nology. In parallel, Economic Development’s

output into innovative commercial products and

Seed Fund Committee looked at the commer-

applications.” 

cial potential of the technology. They saw the novelty and the business potential, and awarded Prof. Peinemann’s research ‘Isoporous Membranes’ seed funding in March 2011.” The technology is being incubated in the

Prof. Peinemann

."‫بأحجام كبيرة يمكن اختبارها على المستوى التجاري‬ ‫ويصف أمين الشيباني نائب الرئيس للتنمية‬ ‫االقتصادية هذا التعاون بين مخرجات األبحاث‬ ‫والتنمية االقتصادية في الجامعة بقوله " تمكنا من‬ ‫توفير التمويل والموارد والبنية التحتية والمكان‬ ،‫الفعلي للتقنية إضافة إلى التواصل مع الصناعة‬ ‫وتعتبر التنمية االقتصادية بمثابة الجسر الذي‬ ‫يترجم مخرجات األبحاث في الجامعة إلى منتجات و‬ ." ‫تطبيقات تجارية مبتكرة‬

‫تابع األغشية املسامية‬

Selective Separation of Similarly Sized" Proteins with Tunable Nanoporous Block ‫ وهي مجلة علمية‬، "Copolymer Membranes ‫ ويمكن اإلطالع على‬،‫رائدة في علوم وتقنية النانو‬ http://pubs.acs. :‫المجلة عبر الرابط التالي‬ ogr/doi/abs/10.1021/nn305073e ‫وكان معدل تصريف الماء عبر هذا الغشاء المبتكر‬ ‫أعلى بدرجة على األقل من التصريف المتاح في‬ ‫األغشية ذات المسامات المماثلة المتوفرة تجاريًا‬ ‫مما يجعله مناسبًا جدًا على وجه الخصوص في‬ ‫عملية الفرز االنتقائي للجزيئيات البيولوجية على‬ ‫ ويمكن تصنيع الغشاء بخطوة‬. ‫أساس الحجم‬ ‫واحدة ذاتية التجميع مما يتيح الفرصة إلنتاجة على‬ .‫نطاق واسع‬ ‫وذكر البروفسور بينيمان بأنه " توجد محاوالت‬ ‫منذ عدة أعوام لتصنيع أغشية صناعية ذات‬ ‫تنظيم عال واستجابة للمحفزات من خالل التجميع‬ ‫ إال أننا أثبتنا للمرة األولى‬، ‫الذاتي للجزيئيات‬ ‫بفضل طريقتنا الفريدة امكانية تحقيق ذلك على‬ ‫ وقدم البروفيسور بينيمان‬."‫جهاز تشغيل مستمر‬ ‫ إلى قسم التنمية‬2010 ‫هذه التقنية في العام‬ .‫االقتصادية في الجامعة‬ ‫ويقول الدكتور سامي بشير كبير مديري محافظ‬ ‫التقنية في وحدة نقل التقنية واالبتكار بقسم‬ ‫التنمية االقتصادية " رأينا شيئًا جديدًا و فريدًا من‬ ‫" سعى فريقنا الى حماية‬: ‫ال‬ ً ‫ و استطرد قائ‬، "‫نوعه‬ ‫ درست‬،‫ و في الوقت نفسه‬.‫نطاق العالم‬ ‫التقنية على‬ ً ‫لجنة صندوق التمويل التأسيسي في قسم التنمية‬ ‫االقتصادية اإلمكانيات والفرص التجارية والجوانب‬ ‫ ومنحت بحث البروفيسور‬، ‫االبتكارية لهذه التقنية‬ ‫"" جائزة‬Isoporous Membranes " ‫بينيمان‬ .2011 ‫صندوق التمويل التأسيسي في مارس‬ ‫ويجري تطوير هذه التقنية في مجمع االبتكار حيث بدأ‬ ‫الفريق الحائز على الجائزة بتصنيع األغشية بواسطة‬ .‫جهاز قام برنامج التمويل التأسيسي بتصميمه وشرائه‬ ‫"يستطيع الفريق انتاج أغشية‬: ‫ويقول الدكتور بشير‬

www.kaust.edu.sa

Research

February 2013

Photoelectrochemical water splitting enhanced with gold particles on a TiO2 nanotube array. Illustration by Dr. Zhonghai Zhang.

Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting In a quest to produce renewable fuel in an environmentally friendly way, scientists have been exploring techniques to split water molecules to produce hydrogen, the “fuel of the future.” A KAUST collaboration has made a significant contribution in the field of photoelectrochemical water splitting. Professor Peng Wang's group from the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) collaborated on the research with Dr. Mohamed Nejib Hedhili from the Imaging and Characterization Laboratory. “In the process of photoelectrochemical water splitting, water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen with electricity that is generated by a semiconductor on exposure to light,” explains Prof. Wang. His group is an expert in titanium dioxide (TiO2) and in making TiO2 nanotube arrays. “TiO2 is often the semiconductor of choice because it is stable, cheap, and nontoxic." However, TiO2 is only responsive to UV light. Out of the solar light that reaches the surface of the Earth, 95% is in the visible and infrared regions; TiO2 is only responsive to 5% of the solar light. “My group has been striving to expand the TiO2’s responsive range into the visible light to put our TiO2 nanostructures into practical applications,” said Prof. Wang. The group, with Dr. Zhonghai Zhang as the project’s leading postdoctoral researcher, has now reached a milestone by producing a material that generates a record-breaking water splitting performance under visible light. “To achieve this, we utilized a TiO2 nanotube array structure and deposited small gold parti-

‫جامعة امللك عبداهلل حتقق خطوة‬ )‫مهمة يف احباث (وقود املستقبل‬ ‫ ظل العلماء يستكشفون أساليب متعددة لشطر جزيئيات الماء‬،‫في سعيهم إلنتاج وقود متجدد بطريقة ال تلحق أضرارا بالبيئة‬ ‫ حقق برنامج بحثي تعاوني‬،‫ وفي إطار جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬."‫إلنتاج الهيدروجين الذي يعد بمثابة "وقود المستقبل‬

‫اسهامات مقدرة في مجال الفصل الضوئي الكهربائي الكيميائي للماء وذلك بفضل أبحاث مهمة قامت بها مجموعة البروفسور‬ .‫بينغ وانغ في مركز أبحاث تحلية وإعادة استخدام المياه بالتعاون مع الدكتور محمد نجيب حضيلي من مختبر التصوير والتوصيف‬

‫ويقول البروفسور وانغ "في طريقة الفصل الضوئي الكهربائي الكيميائي للماء يتم فرز جزيئيات الماء إلى هيدروجين وأوكسجين‬

‫ ومجموعة البروفسور وانغ لها خبرة في ثاني‬."‫باستخدام الكهرباء المولدة من أحد أشباه الموصالت عند تعريضها للضوء‬

‫ وغالبا ما يكون ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم هو مادة شبه‬.‫أوكسيد التيتانيوم وعمل مجموعات أنابيب نانو ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم‬ ‫ ومن بين‬. ‫ ولكنها ال تستجيب وال تتفاعل إال مع األشعة فوق البنفسجية‬،‫الموصل المفضلة ألنها ثابتة ورخيصة الثمن وغير سامة‬

‫ منه يكون في نطاقات األشعة تحت الحمراء المرئية وبذلك ال يستجيب‬95% ‫ فان‬،‫ضوء الشمس الذي يصل إلى سطح األرض‬ .‫ من ضوء الشمس‬5% ‫ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم إال مع‬

‫ويقول البروفسور وانغ "سعت مجموعتي جاهدة لتوسعة نطاق استجابة ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم في نطاق الضوء المرئي من أجل‬ ،‫ لقد وصل الفريق اآلن مع الدكتور زهونغ زانغ‬.‫وضع تركيبات النانو الخاصة بثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم في نطاق التطبيقات العملية‬

‫ إلى مرحلة هامة وتمكنوا من إنتاج مادة ينتج عنها قدرة أداء تتجاوز كل‬، ‫باحث ما بعد مرحلة الدكتوراه وقائد فريق المشروع‬

.‫األرقام القياسية لفرز الماء تحت الضوء المرئي‬

‫ويصف البروفسور يانغ العملية قائال" استخدمنا لتحقيق ذلك مجموعة أنابيب نانو من ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم وقمنا بترسيب‬ ‫كميات صغيرة من جزيئيات الذهب على السطح وتفاعلت جزيئات الذهب النانو بقوة مع اإلضاءة باألشعة تحت الحمراء المرئية‬

‫من خالل ما يسمى برنين بالسمون السطحي وأنتجت هذه العملية "الكترونات ساخنة" يمكن استخدامها بواسطة مادة ثاني‬

."‫أوكسيد التيتانيوم المجاورة لفصل الماء إلى أوكسجين وهيدروجين‬

cles on the surface,” Prof. Wang said. "Gold nanoparticles interact strongly with visible and even infrared light via 'surface plasmon resonance.' This process produces 'hot electrons' that can be utilized by the adjacent TiO2 to split the water.” Over the past couple years, there have been a few publications on combining TiO2 with gold for visible-light water splitting, but Prof. Wang's material takes this concept one step further. “The essence of our design is that the TiO2 nanotube array structure helps to selectively trap the light which gold particles are able to use to generate hot electrons. The TiO2 assisted surface plasmon resonance of gold particles' significantly boosted the water splitting performance of this composite material.

‫وقد نشرت على مدى العامين الماضيين مطبوعات قليلة تجمع بين مادة ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم و الذهب لفرز الماء بالضوء المرئي‬

‫ حيث يقول "إن جوهر تصميمينا يتمثل في أن هيكل أنابيب النانو‬،‫ولكن مادة البروفسور يانغ تأخذ هذا المفهوم خطوة إلى األمام‬ ‫لمادة ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم تساعد في احتجاز الضوء بصورة انتقائية والذي تستطيع جزيئيات الذهب توظيفه لتوليد االلكترونات‬

."‫ ويتولى رنين بالسمون السطحي لجزيئيات الذهب تعزيز أداء عملية فرز الماء باستخدام هذه المادة المركبة بصورة كبيرة‬،‫الساخنة‬

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ ‫" الورقة التي تصف هذا العمل في الموقع‬The Journal Nano Letters" ‫وقد نشرت مطبوعة‬ :‫ تحت عنوان‬nl3029202

"Plasmonic Gold Nanocrystals Coupled with Photonic Crystal Seamlessly on TiO2 Nanotube Photoelec-

trodes for Efficient Visible Light Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting,” 

The paper that describes the work, “Plasmonic Gold Nanocrystals Coupled with Photonic Crystal Seamlessly on TiO2 Nanotube Photoelectrodes for Efficient Visible Light Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting,” has been published by the journal Nano Letters. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nl3029202 . 

Library Training Classes Set for Spring Semester The University Library will host various training classes designed to help KAUST researchers obtain the information they need for achieving success in their studies.

Dr. Mohamed Nejib Hedhil, Dr. Zhonghai Zhan, and Prof. Peng Wang

KAUST specialists will present the following classes: Research Skills • Effective Literature Search • Building Better Search Strategies

• EndNote (citation management software) • More Citations for Your Research with KAUST Digital Archive Computing Skills

• Using Web of Science (science citation database)

• Introduction to C

• Using Scopus (science citation database)

• OpenMP Parallelization Introduction

• Using Business Source Complete (business database)

• Linux Bootstrap

• A Trip to Engineering Village

• MathLab Tutorial

• Mastering MathSciNet and SIAM • Decoding the ACM Digital Library

To register for classes, visit libguides.kaust.edu.sa/libtraining. Classes are open to all members of the KAUST community. 

Community

February 2013

Cirrocumulus clouds create a beautiful collage for KAUST residents in the Safaa Gardens neighborhood near the sea. Photo by Madhav R. Yada.

Have a photo to share? Send us a scene captured at KAUST for consideration for Photo of the Month. Email your photo to thebeacon@kaust.edu.sa

photo of the month

The Beacon

Photo by Jonathan D'AntonI

And they’re off!!!

The winners!

Down the home stretch!

5K Family Fun Run On your mark! Get set! Go! And they were off – the 400 participants in the 5K Family Fun Run running, jogging, walking, and some pushing strollers. The Fun Run, carried out by Recreation on January 17, was part of the 2013 WEP sponsored activities. Some participants came in crazy outfits to vie for the prize of best costume.

my university

Others came to complete the race course as fast as they could. No matter what, everyone came for a little exercise and a good time.

Wendy Keyes

Winners were by category:

The University's Coordinator of Arts Programming, Wendy Keyes, grew up in the Boston area of the US. She graduated with degrees in viola performance from the New England Conservatory of Music and from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she was in

Adult Male: 1. Sid Samtaney (who broke the 5K Fun Run record, with a time of 17 minutes and 48 seconds)

the Fellowship String Quartet. She has taught music and played in a number of orchestras

2. John Pearman

and ensembles, including the New Haven and Virginia Symphonies and in the Park Avenue

3. Abdullah Dehwah

Chamber Symphony of New York, where she was the Principal Violist. Wendy was active in Adult Female:

the New York City chamber music scene before joining KAUST in October 2008. Wendy created and established the KAUST performing arts program in coordination with

1. Cheryl Kane

Recreation, Communication, the Library, and other relevant organizations. She now oversees and supports the

2. Yvette Michelle Mesa

community orchestra and the community chorus, and organizes and manages events such as the in-house

3. Christina Marcella Smith

Sunset Concerts, the Talent Show and the WEP arts program. “One of the things I like about my job is that it spans all aspects of the community,” Wendy said. “In the

Under 15 Male:

Under 15 Female:

orchestra and the community chorus, we have students, faculty, staff, KAUST School teachers, and other com-

1. Yosef Gary

1. Acacia D’Antoni

munity members. In the past, we have even had a couple of talented high school students. We have been able

2. Hayden Evans

2. Caroline Cassell

to serve and inspire a broad spectrum of the community.” 

3. Leon Eppinger

3. Mayar ElBaz 

Celebrating Science at the Fun Fair and Blast Off Show

Dr. Bunhead’s pyrotechniques

The academic campus was the site of a science extravaganza on January 27 when KAUST faculty, scientists, graduate students, elementary and secondary students, and community members presented a series of experiments, demonstrations, and shows celebrating science for the

The Science Fair, held along Discovery Walk, attracted many visitors who experimented themselves in some cases.

community at large. There were presentations in chemistry, physics, environment and energy, archaeology, and microscopy and imaging.

with captivated children, their parents, and community

Interactive stations lined Discovery Walk (the pedestrian

members as Dr. Bunhead demonstrated scientific prin-

spine of the academic campus), where adults and children

ciples in a fun-filled explosive manner. Dr. Bunhead,

could learn more about volcanos, a solar powered car, or

Tom Pringle in real life, is a qualified secondary science

brushless motor. There were demonstrations on how to split

teacher and chartered chemist who moved his classroom

water and harvest the sun’s energy, make clouds, or move

to the stage, TV camera, and the world as the UK’s most

colors by using milk and soap. Participants could learn how

successful “stand-up scientist.” He has made science

to operate a top scanning electron microscope or about

exciting to over a quarter million people in over 1600

solar panels and how they work, about traffic sensors, or

shows in 500 venues in the last 13 years. His perfor-

how to make one’s own radar. Discovery Walk truly became

mance at KAUST was no exception. Children cheered,

a festival of scientific fun for everyone involved.

giggled, and explored their inner scientist during his edu-

The excitement carried over to the evening with Dr. Bunhead’s Blast Off Show. The Auditorium was packed

cational and entertaining performance. 

Children were fascinated by Luca Passone’s Quad-Copter Squadron