2013 November Beacon

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

BEACON ‫املنـارة‬ at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

November 2013 / Thul Hijjah 1434 Volume 4, Issue No. 3

the

www.kaust.edu.sa

2013 DOW Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge Awards (SISCA)

KAUST President Jean-Lou Chameau listens to Joline El Chakhtoura, second place SISCA winner, explain her research at the DOW poster session.

The 2013 DOW Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge Awards (SISCA) were recently presented in a ceremony at KAUST to winners selected from a pool of 13 finalists. Dow established SISCA to encourage and promote forward thinking in social and environmental

(L-R): SABIC research chemist Mahmoud Almadhoun, Prof. Husam Alshareef, KAUST PhD student Mohammad Adnan Khan, and Dr. Ihab Odeh, director of SABIC’s New Materials Solutions Group, display some of their collaborative research work in the KAUST lab of Prof. Alshareef

responsibility, while acknowledging the energy, commitment, and enthusiasm of the students and their university professors who are focused on sustainable innovation.

“We are delighted to receive this award. For Dow to believe in and recognize our work really gives us great encouragement.”

– Aloysius Wong and Amanda Ooi

KAUST – SABIC Collaboration Leads to Innovations in Flexible Electronics Since June 2011, KAUST and SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries

“The SISCA program provides an opportunity

Corporation) have been engaged in an inspiring collaborative

for the next generation of leaders to apply

research project focused on the development of polymeric

creativity and innovation to sustainability

electronics. The field of polymer and flexible electronics is

challenges,” said Dr. Neil Hawkins, Dow’s Vice

growing rapidly and is expected to be an $80 billion industry

President of Sustainability and Environment,

by 2025. This represents a significant opportunity for both the

Health & Safety (EH&S). “Dow has increased the

Kingdom and companies like SABIC.

number of universities and regions participating

The collaboration between SABIC’s Corporate Research and

as a way of enabling more students with diverse

Innovation Center (CRI) and KAUST’s Functional Nanomaterials

perspectives and approaches to tackle some of the

and Devices group, led by Dr. Husam Alshareef, Professor

most complex challenges of our time.”

of Materials Science and Engineering, has produced five

The Dow Chemical-sponsored SISCA program

international patent filings and a number of high impact journal

is currently conducted at 17 key strategic

papers. The success of this collaboration is a good example of

universities from around the globe. These leading

how KAUST’s engagement with Saudi industry can benefit the

and innovative academic institutions were selected

Kingdom’s economy.

based on their depth and breadth of excellence in

This November, two publications resulting from the KAUST-

sustainability. This represents the third year of

SABIC collaboration have appeared in the high impact journals

KAUST’s participation in the program.

Advanced Functional Materials (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/

At KAUST, a four-member jury panel awarded

doi/10.1002/adfm.201302056/full) and ACS Nano (http://pubs.

a grand prize of $10,000 to the winner and $2,500

acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn403873c). Both research studies

to the runner-up. Each team presented a poster for

relate to polymeric electronic memory developments, which can

the jury’s consideration. The jury was comprised

be useful in printed and flexible electronic applications such as

of KAUST and Dow representatives, including

radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, storage capacitors,

Dr. Gary Amy, Director of the Water Desalination

and sensors.

and Reuse Research Center; Dr. Matthew McCabe, Associate Professor, Earth Systems Observation and Modeling; Dr. Khaled Salama, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering; and Mrs. Lorraine Francort, Environmental Health & Safety Director for Dow, Saudi Arabia.

“This collaboration demonstrates how academia and industry can work hand-in-hand to find innovative solutions for the benefit of the Kingdom.”

– Prof. Alshareef

This year’s winning project was “Laser Based Indoor Horticulture,” presented by Aloysius Wong 2013 DOW SISCA Awards | Continued on p3

INSIDE:

News 1-5

‫التعاون بني جامعة امللك عبداهلل‬ ‫وسابك يعزز االبتكارات يف جمال‬ ‫االلكرتونيات املرنة‬ ‫انضمت جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية مع سابك (الشركة السعودية‬ ‫للصناعات األساسية) في مشروع بحثي تعاوني ملهم لتطوير اإللكترونيات‬ ‫ حيث أن مجال البوليمر وااللكترونيات‬.2011 ‫البوليميرية منذ شهر يونيو‬ ‫المرنة ينمو بسرعة ومن المتوقع أن تكون قيمة االستثمارات في هذه الصناعة‬ ‫ وهذا يمثل فرصة هائلة لكل من المملكة‬.2025 ‫ مليار دوالر بحلول عام‬80 .‫العربية السعودية والشركات االخرى مثل سابك‬ ‫وأثمر هذا التعاون بين مركز سابك للبحث واالبتكار وفريق المواد‬ ‫النانوية واألجهزة الوظيفية بجامعة الملك عبداهلل بقيادة البروفسور‬ ‫ عن تسجيل خمس براءات‬،‫ استاذ هندسة وعلوم المواد‬،‫حسام الشريف‬ .‫اختراع دولية ونشر عددًا من األوراق البحثية في مجالت علمية مشهورة‬ ‫ تم نشر ورقتين علميتين في شهر نوفمبر الحالي‬،‫فعلى سبيل المثال‬ ‫عن دراستين خرجتا من هذا التعاون بين الجامعة وسابك في مجلتين‬ ‫ الورقة األولى في مجلة‬،‫علميتين رائدتين وذات تأثير عالمي كبير‬ ‫ وتناولت‬. ACS Nano ‫ و الثانية في مجلة‬Advanced Functional Materials ‫ والتي‬،‫الورقتين أبحاث تتعلق بتطويرات الذاكرة البوليميرية اإللكترونية‬ ‫يمكن أن تكون مفيدة في تطبيقات اإللكترونيات المطبوعة والمرنة مثل‬ ‫ وأجهزة‬،‫ ومكثفات التخزين‬،RFID ‫شرائح تحديد الهوية بموجات الراديو‬ ‫ال جيدًا على مدى فائدة الشراكات‬ ً ‫ ويعد نجاح هذا التعاون مثا‬.‫االستشعار‬ ‫التي تقوم بها الجامعة مع القطاع الصناعي السعودي والتي ستعود بالنفع‬ ‫" أظهر هذا‬: ‫ ويقول البرفسور حسام الشريف‬.‫الكبير على اقتصاد المملكة‬ ‫التعاون قدرة األوساط األكاديمية والصناعية على العمل جنبا لجنب إليجاد‬ ."‫حلول مبتكرة تعود بالنفع على المملكة العربية السعودية‬ ‫ من فريق البروفسور حسام‬،‫ويعمل طالب الدكتوراه محمد عدنان خان‬ ‫ في تصنيع أجهزة الذاكرة البوليميرية المتبلورة ذات االستقطاب‬،‫الشريف‬ ‫الكهربائي على ركائز سابك البالستيكية واستخدام بوليمرات من انتاج‬ ‫ إذ أن إمكانات الذاكرة البوليميرية المتبلورة ذات االستقطاب‬.ً‫سابك ايضا‬ ‫ ولكن لم يتم حتى اآلن تصنيع أي منتج‬،ً‫ عاما‬30 ‫الكهربائي معروفة منذ‬ ‫تجاري يعتمد عليها نظرًا لوجود عوائق كبيرة كضعف أدائها وانخفاض‬ ‫ لذلك قام الطالب خان بمزج البوليمرات المتبلورة ذات‬.‫جهدها الكهربائي‬ ‫االستقطاب الكهربائي مع مجموعة مختارة من بوليمرات سابك ذات جهد‬ .‫كهربائي عال في محاولة لتحسين أدائها‬ 2 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

Flexible Electronics | Continued on p2

Research 6-7

Community 8

2

News

November 2013

The Beacon

During late October and November, KAUST hosted several scientific conferences, bringing

Hussain, and associates. Their research concerns enhanced materials mapping through hot

experts from around the world to interact with KAUST faculty and students. November was

electron nanoscopy, polymeric electron memory development, and a novel complementary

also the month that KAUST partners SABIC and DOW bestowed awards on KAUST students,

metal-oxide-semiconductor process, respectively.

postdoctoral fellows, and faculty for outstanding research. Be sure to look for news of the workshops and awards throughout this issue.

There is also a preview of WEP activities that you won’t want to miss. And don’t forget the Community page for highlights about the Sunset Concerts, the Visualization Lab Open House,

In these pages there are also three articles about exciting recently published nanotechnology

and accolades and info about KAUST colleagues. 

research conducted by Prof. Enzo Di Fabrizio, Prof. Husam Alshareef, Prof. Mohammad Mustafa —THE BEACON Editorial The Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 3, November 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.

Technology Transfer from Academia to Industry Fred Farina, Chief Innovation Officer at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Executive Director of Caltech’s Office of Technology Transfer, was a recent guest speaker at KAUST. He gave an enlightening talk on the commercialization of academic research.

As a representative of an academic institution renowned for the efficiency of its technology transfer model, Farina discussed the optimal ways in which universities, and research institutions can license the fruits of their research output to establishd corporations and create new startup companies.

Speaking about this region he said: “The big topic is the transition to a knowledge economy.

People here are looking beyond oil. Universities are the driving force behind innovation.” The key, he believes, is in academic and industry partnerships through IP transfers. 

Two Potential Businesses Receive Pre-Seed Funding Falcon Viz and Shading Systems are the first two potential businesses to receive pre-seed funding, a new funding mechanism offered by Economic Development to help entrepreneurs take their ideas

Organizers Dean Yves Gnanou and Prof. Nikos Hadjichristidis pose with the 16 invited world-renowned polymer scientists at the KAUST Polymer Conference.

KAUST Hosts Polymer Conference Nov. 9-13

and innovations from the lab to the marketplace. Essentially it helps entrepreneurs establish proof

International scientists met to discuss cutting-edge topics in contemporary polymer science

of concept and makes them stronger candidates to receive Seed Funding.

and technology November 9-13 at the high-level KAUST Polymer Conference. The event

Falcon Viz uses an unmanned multi-rotor copter to safely fly different types of imaging

was organized by Chemical Science Prof. Nikos Hadjichristidis, Physical Science and

sensors over areas of interest for 3D scanning. It uses a computer vision technique called

Engineering Dean Yves Gnanou, and Vice President for Research Jean Fréchet with the

Structure-from-Motion (SfM) to reconstruct complete 3D models of architectural buildings and

support of the Office of Competitive Research Funds and the KAUST Catalysis Research

landscapes within minutes. Research scientists Dr. Neil Smith and Dr. Mohamed Shalaby and

Center. More than 150 polymer scientists and students attended.

Earth Sciences PhD candidate Luca Passone hope to turn their technology into a viable value

“Polymeric materials play an essential and ubiquitous role in all aspects of our everyday

proposition. As part of the project, they are currently scanning the entire KAUST campus and

life. Their production, processing and applications are particularly significant to today’s

are setting up a GPS network for ground-truthing the accuracy of their results. Their future

chemical industry,” said Prof. Fréchet. “SABIC is now one of the largest chemical companies

plans are to start up Falcon Viz as a company to provide services and complete products to

in the world, and, as such, its success is extremely important to the Kingdom’s economy. As

government organizations and medium to large companies.

one of the key research partners of SABIC, KAUST is committed to meet the needs of the

Shading Systems uses geometric modeling to optimally design shade by an aesthetically pleasing structure. Shading systems can reduce cooling energy consumption by as much as 23%

industry by providing talent and capabilities in the area of polymer science.”

“Polymers are very important in KAUST research in the four thrusts: as membranes in

and increase the comfort level of users. Since Hajj will be in the summer for the next decade,

water research, solar cells and petrochemicals in energy research, CO2 capture and use as

such shading systems at critical locations could enhance the comfort and experience of pilgrims.

feedstock in environmental research, and packaging and green housing in food research,

The team, consisting of Geometric Modeling and Visualization Research Center Director Professor

to name just a few,” said Prof. Hadjichristidis. “This conference, highlighting the newest

Helmut Pottmann, PhD candidate Caigui Jiang, postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jun Wang, consultant

research and technology in the field, gave KAUST scientists a chance to demonstrate their

architects Florin Isvoranu and Philippe Bompas, and consultant structural engineer Dr. Alexandra

research and to learn from some of the top people in the field.”

A. Gomes, think it is important to build a demonstration unit providing a proof of concept, the

Sixteen invited world-renowned polymer scientists from around the globe and 11 KAUST

core deliverable of the pre-seed funding. When available, the demonstration unit will be installed

scientists presented their research to the assembly. A highlight of the conference was a poster

on KAUST grounds so that the community can provide feedback to the team.

session bringing together 30 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from around the world.

Application to the pre-seed fund is open all year. It is for three months and can be up to 30,000 US dollars. For more information, please contact psf@kaust.edu.sa 

“Renowned scientists who attended the conference were very enthusiastic about the conference and the research being conducted at KAUST,” said Dean Gnanou. “They will be very effective ambassadors for the University.” 

Flexible Electronics | Continued from p1 Mohammad Adnan Khan, a PhD student in Prof. Alshareef’s

polymer PEDOT:PSS using a gradient morphology approach.

group, has been working on fabricating polymer ferroelectric

In this process, chemical additives are incorporated in selected

memory devices on SABIC plastic substrates and using

portions of the polymer layer. The use of this approach made it

SABIC’s polymers. The potential for polymer ferroelectric

possible to produce functional memories with good performance.

memory was realized 30 years ago but has not led to any

In addition, it was not necessary to use metal electrodes made of

commercial product. Issues like poor reliability and low

materials such as gold, which is expensive and is notorious for

breakdown voltages have been major drawbacks.

diffusion into the polymers.

In an attempt to improve the performance of the ferroelectric

The all-polymeric memory was developed as a Write-Once-

polymers, Khan tried blending them with selected high

Read-Many-Times (WORM) memory device, which can be

breakdown voltage proprietary SABIC polymers. In the study

used for reliable and long-term storage of archival standards,

published in Advanced Functional Materials, the team, including

tamper-proof secure databases, electronic labels, and RFID

Dr. Ihab Odeh, director of SABIC’s New Materials Solutions

tags.

Group, and SABIC research chemist Mahmoud Almadhoun,

The all-polymer memory devices are attractive to the

discovered that by blending ferroelectric polymer P(VDF-TrFE)

flexible printed electronics community, as they are low cost,

with small amounts of highly insulating SABIC polymer, the

solution processed, scalable, highly transparent, flexible, and

ferroelectric blend memory exhibited drastically improved

fabricated at very low temperatures.

performance, stability, and endurance. The researchers were also able to tailor its operating voltage.

In the second study published in ACS Nano, the team developed an all-polymer resistive memory device based on the

“This collaboration demonstrates how academia and industry can work hand-in-hand to find innovative solutions for the benefit of the Kingdom,” Prof. Alshareef stated. 

:‫تتمة الصفحة األولى‬ ‫ـرى الدراسة التي نشرت في مجلة‬ ‫ـذي أجـ‬ ‫كما قام الفريق الـ‬ ،‫ وضمت ك ًال من الدكتور إيهاب عودة‬،Advanced Functional Materials ‫ وباحث علوم الكيمياء‬،‫مدير عام مجموعة حلول المواد الجديدة في سابك‬ ‫ بابتكار طريقة لتحسين أداء واستقرار وتحمل‬،‫في سابك محمود المدهون‬ ‫البوليمرات المتبلورة ذات االستقطاب الكهربائي عبر مزجها بكميات صغيرة‬ ‫ كما تمكنوا أيضًا من تعديل‬.‫من بوليمرات سابك ذات العزل الكهربائي العالي‬ .‫جهدها الكهربائي‬ ‫ طور فريق الدراسة جهاز‬، ACS Nano ‫وفي الدراسة الثانية التي نشرت في مجلة‬ PE� ‫البوليمر) يتمتع بمقاومة كبيرة ومصمم على أساس البوليمرا ت‬-‫ذاكرة (كل‬ ‫ باستخدام منهج التشكل المتدرج حيث يتم دمج مواد كيميائية‬DOT: PSS ‫ ويمكن باستخدام هذه الطريقة إنتاج‬.‫مضافة ألجزاء مختارة من طبقة البوليمر‬ ‫ذاكرة وظيفية بأداء جيد دون الحاجة الستخدام أقطاب كهربائية مصنوعة من‬ .‫معادن مكلفة كالذهب‬ -‫مرة واحدة‬- ‫البوليمر) كجهاز ذاكرة بنظام الكتابة‬-‫تم تطوير ذاكرة (كل‬ ‫ والتي يمكن استخدامها لتخزين المعلومات‬، )WORM( ‫ عدة مرات‬-‫القراءة‬ ‫ وفي قواعد البيانات اآلمنة والمقاومة للتالعب‬، ‫االرشيفية بأمان ولفترة طويلة‬ .RFID ‫ وفي شرائح تحديد الهوية بموجات الراديو‬، ‫والترميز اإللكتروني‬، ‫والتغيير‬ ‫البوليمر) المتخصصون في مجال اإللكترونيات‬-‫وتجذب أجهزة ذاكرة (كل‬ ‫ وكونها شفافة‬،‫ وقابليتها للتحجيم‬،‫ نظرًا النخفاض كلفتها‬،‫المطبوعة والمرنة‬  .‫ وامكانية تصنيعها في درجات الحرارة المنخفضة‬،‫للغاية ومرنة‬

News

www.kaust.edu.sa

November 2013

3

KAUST Postdoctoral Fellows and Professors honored at the 2013 SABIC Fellowship and Professorship Awards

Awardees of the 2013 SABIC Fellowship and Professorship awards pose with KAUST President Jean-Lou Chameau, SABIC’s Technology and Innovation Executive Vice President Ernesto Occhiello, and senior members of the KAUST administration at the awards ceremony on November 12.

The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC)

The 2013 postdoctoral awardees are: Drs. Shawkat

“Innovation is greatly enhanced through industry-

direct research funding in several fields, horizontal

recognized 13 KAUST postdoctoral fellows as the

Aly, Salim Bougouffa, Robin Chrystie, Hailin Dong,

university synergy, and our partnership with SABIC

research funding in industrial clusters, further

2013 SABIC Postdoctoral Fellowship Awardees in a

Kenneth Graham, Erqiang Li, Umesh Patil, Rakhi

is an excellent example to that point," Dr. Chameau

sponsorship of employees’ higher education [at

ceremony held at the University on November 12.

Raghavan, Bilal Saad, Nirpendra Singh, Enrique

said. “A highlight of our SABIC partnership is the

KAUST], and continuing the hiring of top KAUST

Vilanova Vidal, Zhonghai Zhang, and Yihan Zhu.

funding of research of strategic importance to

talent…This list shows a few of the examples

fellowships as part of the company’s support for

SABIC and KAUST and the sponsorship of KAUST

of SABIC’s promise to continue and expand its

KAUST’s innovative research achievements. The

talent. This paves the way for breakthrough science

engagement with KAUST.”

This is the third year for SABIC to award

ceremony was attended by KAUST President Jean-Lou Chameau, SABIC’s Technology and Innovation Executive Vice President Ernesto Occhiello, KAUST Vice President for University Development Abdullah Almojel, KAUST faculty,

Innovation is greatly enhanced through industry-university synergy, and our partnership with SABIC is an excellent example to that point.”

– President Chameau

students, and staff, and members of the KAUST administration.

and technology.”

The 2012 Postdoctoral Fellowship Awardees

Prof. Jean Fréchet, KAUST Vice President for

produced over 35 publications, ten conference

Research, echoed Dr. Chameau, stating, “The

presentations, and two patent applications out of

relationship with SABIC is extremely important to

the funded research.

KAUST, as SABIC is at the forefront in many of the

“SABIC sees the Fellowship Awards as an

research areas that KAUST covers. Therefore, SABIC

opportunity to promote research excellence, as

can provide new challenges and new opportunities

it has a direct impact on the KAUST researchers

to our researchers.”

and their supervisors, the KAUST community, the

The awardees and their research topics were

As further evidence of SABIC’s commitment

selectively chosen to highlight the KAUST-SABIC

to KAUST’s long-term vision and mission, the

Ernesto Occhiello added, “In addition to the

Kingdom, and the region at large,” Occhiello noted.

collaboration’s long-term research goals. Topics

company awarded Career Development SABIC

fellowship program, SABIC continues its efforts in

Added Dr. Almojel, “It is through the dedication

included solar energy, energy storage, feedstock and

Chairs to five KAUST assistant professors. The

shaping a center of excellence in long-term research

and commitment of our partners at SABIC that

catalysis, separations, biorenewables, computation,

awardees are: Profs. Aram Amassian, Osman Bakr,

on the KAUST campus, supporting five young

education and the scientific community are truly

and environmental sciences.

Kuo-Wei Huang, Zhiping Lai, and Ulrich Stingl.

principal investigators with SABIC professorships,

excelling. For that we are truly grateful.”

2013 DOW SISCA Awards | Continued from p1 and Amanda Ooi. The runner-up was “Decentralized

gives us great encouragement. Out research explores

Electricity from Organic Waste Coupled with

new and creative methods of plant cultivation,

Treatment,” by Joline El Chakhtoura.

particularly one that is cost- and energy efficient,

Both Wong and Ooi are working for a PhD in

“Innovation in sustainability is at the core of KAUST’s mission… to have our bright students recognized for their innovative ideas reaffirms their stellar work.”

- President Chameau

ungoverned by environmental conditions, water saving and scalable. We believe that this work helps address food security issues here and in other parts of the world.”

Second place winner Joline El Chakhtoura is currently pursuing a dual PhD degree in Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology at KAUST and TU Delft whereby she conducts research in both Saudi Arabia and The Netherlands.

Dr. Neil Hawkins, DOW Vice President of Sustainability and Environment, Health and Safety, and BESE Dean Pierre Magistretti congratulate DOW SISCA Award first place winners Amanda Ooi and Aloysius Wong.

Bioscience, working primarily in the Biomolecular

She is affiliated with the Water Desalination and

Lab and in collaboration with the Photonics Lab.

Reuse Center at KAUST and the Environmental

Both are supervised by Prof. Chris Gehring. Ooi is

Biotechnology Group at TU Delft. El Chakhtoura

food waste using microbial fuel cells inoculated

KAUST President Jean-Lou Chameau

also working with Prof. Boon Ooi. They are both from

is originally from Lebanon and has BS and MS

with wastewater or manure, while simultaneously

commented: “Innovation in sustainability is

Penang, Malaysia, but Wong preceded Ooi to KAUST

degrees from the American University of Beirut

achieving organic treatment

at the core of KAUST’s mission. To have our

by two years. Ooi arrived last June. They’re graduates

(AUB). She also earned a Diploma in Astrobiology

"In developing countries up to 70% of

bright students recognized for their innovative

of UCSI University in Malaysia, in Biotechnology.

when she was a NASA Astrobiology Institute

the waste stream is organic. Treating and

ideas reaffirms their stellar work. We thank

Wong received a M.Phil. in biotechnology from the

scholar in 2011. El Chakhtoura started her PhD two

converting food waste to electricity is a two-

Dow for their sponsorship of these awards and

University of Cambridge (UK), and Ooi, a M.Sc in

years ago and is working on the biological stability

in-one solution for energy security and waste

are proud to be research partners with them in

Biotechnology and Enterprise from the University of

of drinking water with Dr. Hans Vrouwenvelder

management. I am happy an influential

our quest for solutions to global challenges in

Exeter, (UK).

in Delft while also continuing her AUB master's

company like DOW invests in sustainable

sustainability.” 

They said, “We are delighted to receive this award.

research with Dr. Pascal Saikaly at KAUST. Her

research, and I thank them for acknowledging

For Dow to believe in and recognize our work really

master's research is on harvesting electricity from

this achievement," El Chakhtoura said.

News

4

The Beacon

‫االلتزام بالتميز وتشجيع املواهب أهم عوامل جناح اجلامعات‬

President Chameau speaks on universities as catalysts for innovation at 5th Annual Technology Incubation Conference At the 5th Annual Saudi International Technology

collaborations, and international partnerships is

Incubation Conference, President Chameau shared

in its DNA. To address important problems and

that a key element of success for universities as

leverage the increasing globalization of knowledge,

catalysts for innovation is a “relentless commitment

it made it a strategy and policy from the very

to excellence in education and research, where

beginning to encourage and support partnerships,”

highly talented people are encouraged and enabled

said Dr. Chameau.

To further highlight the role of entrepreneurship

to address important questions with passion.”

The conference, organized by King Abdulaziz

and incubation in delivering sustainable economic

City for Science and Technology (KACST), Badir,

development, Dr. Chameau chaired a panel

and the Technopolicy Network, was held from

discussion on the importance of science- and

November 5-6 in Riyadh, and also incorporated the

technology-based entrepreneurship to transitional

network’s 10th International Annual Conference.

economies like the GCC. “Innovation ecosystems

The 2013 theme was “Science and Technology as

must be ‘tuned’ to create the conditions to develop,

a Driver for Change: How regional development,

nurture, and leverage inventive and imaginative

entrepreneurship, and incubation interact.”

people, allowing for creativity and innovation to

Specific to the role that research universities play

flow from laboratories to the marketplace,” he

as a driver for innovation, economic development,

stated. He also pointed out that enabling policies

and prosperity of a region or country, Dr. Chameau

and a vibrant climate for innovation must exist

explained that it is critical for universities to

not only within universities but also in the larger

support and nurture both curiosity-driven and

regional and national ecosystems.

problem- or goal-driven research; to foster an

Dr. Chameau also noted that the heart of

agile and vibrant climate for innovation; and

the most productive innovation ecosystems

to leverage the globalization of knowledge by

is comprised of truly creative and inventive

promoting collaborations and partnerships.

minds. “If we educate students and engage them

“Thanks to the vision of King Abdullah,

in an environment that stresses excellence,

KAUST was created to be a model for advanced

curiosity, invention, integrity, and a passion

education and scientific research and to promote

for doing things that matter, we serve society

economic development. A culture of excellence,

well,” he said. 

Algal Production Technologies workshop brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia

‫أهمية ريادة األعمال القائمة على العلوم والتقنية في‬ ‫االقتصادات االنتقالية مثل اقتصادات دول مجلس‬ .‫التعاون الخليجي‬ ‫وأكد رئيس جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ ‫أنه يجب ضبط النظم البيئية لالبتكار لتهيئة الظروف‬ ‫المناسبة لتطوير واحتضان واستغالل قدرات أصحاب‬ ‫العقول المبتكرة والمبدعة مما يسمح لإلبداع واالبتكار‬ ‫ وتحدث أيضا عن‬.‫بالتدفق من المختبرات إلى السوق‬ ‫ضرورة عدم تقييد خطط وسياسات توفير المناخ‬ ‫ ولكنها يجب‬،‫الحيوي لالبتكار داخل الجامعات فقط‬ ‫أن تكون حاضرة أيضًا وعلى نطاق أوسع في النظم‬ .‫البيئية اإلقليمية والوطنية‬ ‫وأشار الدكتور شامو إلى أن العقول المبدعة‬ ‫والمبتكرة هي جوهر أكثر النظم البيئية لالبتكار‬ ‫"عندما نثقف الطالب ونشركهم‬: ‫ حيث يقول‬،ً‫إنتاجا‬ ،‫ واالختراع‬،‫ والفضول‬،‫في بيئة تشجع على التميز‬ ‫ فإننا بذلك نخدم‬، ‫ والشغف لصنع التغيير‬،‫والنزاهة‬ ."‫المجتمع على أكمل وجه‬ ‫يذكر أن المؤتمر السعودي الدولي الخامس‬ ‫ نظمته مدينة الملك عبدالعزيز‬، ‫لحاضنات التقنية‬ ‫ بالتعاون مع برنامج‬،)KACST( ‫للعلوم والتقنية‬ The Technop� ‫ و شبكة تكنوبولسي‬،Badir ‫باد ر‬ ‫ نوفمبر‬05-06 ‫ في الفترة من‬olicy Network ‫في الرياض وأدرج أيضًا المؤتمر الدولي السنوي‬ ‫ وكان موضوع المؤتمر‬.‫العاشر لشبكة تكنوبولسي‬ :‫للعام الحالي (العلوم والتقنية كدافع للتغيير‬ ‫كيف تتفاعل التنمية اإلقليمية وريادة المشاريع‬  .)‫والحاضنات‬

commitment to advancing food security and CO2 capture provides an opportunity for significant advancements in algal biotechnology. At KAUST, we are dedicated to conducting the research needed to advance this technology and playing our role in scaling it up to create new processes and products that benefit the Kingdom and the world”.

Expounding on the role of KAUST and other in-Kingdom universities, Minister Balghunaim said, “I am pleased that

Leaders from government, industry, and academia converged

KAUST and other Saudi universities consider advanced research

at KAUST for a three-day workshop titled, “Scaling Algal

on algal production technologies as part of their scientific

Production Technologies for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”

program, with the goal of positively impacting the Kingdom’s

from November 10-12, 2013.

economy through commercially viable industrial applications.

During his opening remarks, HE the Minister of Agriculture

Certainly scientific research is a key to success, and KAUST,

Fahd Balghunaim commented on the role of algae in the

through collaborative engagements and with proper support, is

Kingdom and its link to food and pharmaceutical industries.

well-positioned to mobilize talents and techniques in order to

He shared that the Ministry believes algae will have a promising

address existing knowledge gaps and achieve innovations that

future in the field of food security in Saudi Arabia and

are vital to spurring developments in this field.”

highlighted the importance of the workshop. “It is a noteworthy initiative that KAUST, with its impressive scientific capability, strategically aligns its research thrust to support the national agenda on food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development,” said Dr. Balghunaim.

In attendance were leading international algal biotechnology companies, academics, funding organizations, and Saudi Arabian companies. Workshop participants reviewed the latest scientific work in the field, the current state of the high-tech investor landscape, mechanisms for creating and

Vladimir Bajic, KAUST Director of the Computational

“It is a noteworthy initiative that KAUST, with its impressive scientific capability, strategically aligns its research thrust to support the national agenda on food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development.”

- Fahd Balghunaim, Minister of Agriculture

fostering partnerships in algal biotechnology, and

Bioscience Research Center and chairman of the workshop

the international view of the field in

said, “In addition to having a technological solution, another crucial component of establishing the algal biomass

Saudi Arabia.

“Saudi Arabia is the perfect

production industry in the Kingdom is a necessity for a

location for this research and

joint effort linking academia, industry, and the government

workshop,” said KAUST

sector. We are especially grateful for the participation of

President Jean-Lou

the Ministry of Agriculture and our ongoing collaborative

Chameau. “In addition

research. Having all three stakeholder groups engaged

to the sea on

in discussions builds momentum for renewable and

both sides, the

sustainable technology that we believe will fully utilize

Kingdom’s

the natural resources of the Kingdom.” 

،‫تحدث رئيس جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ ‫ في المؤتمر السعودي الدولي‬،‫الدكتور جان لو شامو‬ ‫الخامس لحاضنات التقنية عن أن العنصر األساسي‬ ‫لنجاح الجامعات كعوامل محفزة لالبتكار هو‬ ،‫بالتميز في التعليم واألبحاث‬ ‫"التزامها الدؤوب‬ ّ ‫وتشجيع المواهب وتمكينها لمعالجة المسائل‬ ." ‫الهامة بشغف‬ ‫وفي حديثه عن الدور الذي تلعبه جامعات األبحاث‬ ‫كمحرك لالبتكار والتنمية االقتصادية واالزدهار‬ ‫ أوضح الدكتور شامو أنه من‬،‫في أي منطقة أو بلد‬ ‫األهمية بمكان للجامعات أن تدعم األبحاث التي‬ ‫يحركها الفضول واألبحاث الموجهة نحو تحقيق‬ ‫ باإلضافة إلى‬،‫هدف محدد أو لحل مشكلة معينة‬ ‫ واالستفادة من‬،‫تبني مناخ نشيط وحيوي لالبتكار‬ .‫عولمة المعرفة عبر تشجيع التعاون والشراكات‬ ،‫ " وبفضل رؤية الملك عبداهلل‬: ‫وقال الدكتور شامو‬ ‫تم إنشاء جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ ،‫لتكون نموذجا للتعليم والبحث العلمي المتقدم‬ ،‫وتعزيز التنمية االقتصادية على أسس ثقافة التميز‬ ‫ كما بنت الجامعة‬.‫والتعاون والشراكات الدولية‬ ‫استراتيجيتها وسياستها منذ انطالقتها على‬ ‫تشجيع الشراكات ودعمها انطالقا من حرصها‬ ‫الكبير على معالجة المشاكل المهمة واالستفادة‬ ‫من هذه العولمة المتزايدة للمعرفة التي نشهدها‬ ." ‫في هذا الوقت‬ ‫وسلط الدكتور شامو الضوء على دور ريادة‬ ‫األعمال و الحاضنات في تحقيق التنمية االقتصادية‬ ‫المستدامة من خالل مشاركته في حلقة نقاش حول‬

‫ورشة عمل يف جامعة‬ ‫امللك عبداهلل تبحث زيادة‬ ‫إنتاج الطحالب‬

‫أقامت جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية ورشة عمل تحت عنوان "زيادة تقنيات‬ ‫ نوفمبر‬12-10 ‫إنتاج الطحالب في المملكة العربية السعودية" خالل الفترة من‬ ‫ وقد جمعت تلك الورشة بين عدد من المختصين األكاديميين من الجامعة إلى‬.2013 .‫جانب عدد من ممثلي كل من القطاع الحكومي والقطاع الصناعي‬ ‫وشدد معالي الدكتور فهد بن عبدالرحمن بالغنيم وزير الزراعة في المملكة خالل‬ ‫كلمته االفتتاحية على أهمية هذه الورشة وبالدور الهام الذي تقوم به جامعة الملك‬ ‫عبداهلل في مجال االبحاث العلمية وبما تملكه من قدرات علمية هائلة لتوجيه مجاالت‬ ‫أبحاثها الرئيسة لدعم األبحاث االستراتيجية التي تساهم في تحقيق الخطة الوطنية‬ ‫ الفتًا إلى الدور الهام للطحالب‬، ‫ والتنمية االقتصادية‬،‫ واالستدامة البيئية‬،‫لألمن الغذائي‬ .‫وعالقتها بالصناعات الغذائية والدوائية في المملكة فضال عن أهميتها في األمن الغذائي‬ ‫وأشاد بالغنيم بدور الجامعات السعودية وجامعة الملك عبداهلل في مجال تقنيات‬ ‫ "لقد سررنا بتبني جامعة الملك عبداهلل لألبحاث المتقدمة‬: ‫الطحالب حيث قال‬ ‫الخاصة بتقنيات إنتاج الطحالب كجزء من برنامجها العلمي الذي يهدف إلى التأثير‬ ‫ ومما‬.ً‫إيجابًا على اقتصاد المملكة من خالل التطبيقات الصناعية المجدية تجاريا‬ ‫ال شك فيه أن االبحاث العلمية هي مفتاح النجاح وأن جامعة الملك عبداهلل بما‬ ،‫تملكه من قدرات كبيرة وشراكات مع الجهات ذات الصلة وتوفر الدعم المناسب‬ ‫يجعلها في مكانة كبيرة لدفع المواهب وابتكار التقنيات الضرورية لمعالجة الثغرات‬ ."‫المعرفية الحالية وتحقيق التطور في هذا المجال‬ ‫لو‬-‫من جهته قال رئيس جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية الدكتور جان‬ ‫ " إن المملكة العربية السعودية بيئة خصبة لهذا النوع من ورش العمل‬: ‫شامو‬ ‫ إضافة اللتزام المملكة‬،‫نظر ًا لموقعها المتميز وإحاطة مياه البحر لها من جانبين‬ ‫الكبير بالنهوض باألمن الغذائي وتطوير تقنيات التقاط انبعاثات غاز ثاني أكسيد‬ ‫ األمر الذي يدفع عجلة التقدم بصورة كبيرة في مجال التقنيات‬CO2 ‫الكربون‬ ‫ ونحن في جامعة الملك عبداهلل حريصون على إجراء‬.‫الحيوية إلنتاج الطحالب‬ ‫البحوث األساسية والتطبيقية المهمة ولعب دور فاعل في حل المشاكل وابتكار‬ ."‫طرق ومنتجات جديدة تخدم المملكة‬ ‫تجدر اإلشارة إلى أن هذه الورشة حضرها العديد من الشخصيات البارزة من عدة‬ ‫ باإلضافة إلى عدد من‬،‫شركات عالمية رائدة في التقنيات الحيوية إلنتاج الطحالب‬ .‫ال عن مجموعة من الشركات في داخل المملكة‬ ً ‫ فض‬،‫ وجهات تمويل‬،‫األكاديميين‬ ،‫حيث استعرض المشاركون في الورشة أحدث المشاريع العلمية في هذا المجال‬ ‫ وآليات بناء وتعزيز الشراكات‬،‫والوضع االستثماري الحالي في هذا المجال بالمنطقة‬  .‫ والرأي الدولي في هذا المجال‬،‫في مجال التقنيات الحيوية إلنتاج الطحالب‬

News

www.kaust.edu.sa

November 2013

5

Mark your calendars for the 2014 Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) The Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) will launch its fifth edition

A Profile: KAUST’s Graduate Student Council

with the much-anticipated opening night on Saturday, January 11.

The three-week 2014 WEP program will run from Sunday, January

Faculty, students and staff gather in the lobby of the auditorium awaiting the launch of WEP 2014 and the announcement of speakers and activities.

12 to Thursday, January 30. In attendance will be a total of 134 speakers, including 47 local, 14 in-Kingdom, and 73 international guests. The coming year’s theme, Farming and Food, coincides with the UN’s International Year of Family Farming. In addition, there

and Innovation and Environment (week 3). One of the highlights of

Brown Bag Lecture Series

will be a focus on explorers and innovation.

the upcoming program is the Film Festival, which is a community-

Daily lunches where you can meet with speakers and learn more

As Prof. James Calvin, KAUST Vice President for Education,

focused festival with multi-award winning films suitable for all ages.

about what they are doing

expressed at the WEP 2014 program unveiling event, “WEP is

A scientist, filmmaker, or distinguished lecturer will be introducing

about the ability to make unusual connections amongst science

all the films, giving the audience unique insight into the background

and technology in ways that will enrich you personally and have a

and making of them.

Future Food Round Table (by Mark J. Post & Jonathan Fraser) 3D Google MAP (by Bill Baxter)

long-standing impact.” In order to facilitate such interactions, the

While a more detailed listing of keynote speakers and various

WEP team is making a strong push this year to make the program

events will appear in the next issue of The Beacon, the following is

more interactive with the speakers. Community members will have

a snapshot of what’s on offer:

How to get that job (by Randall Ribaudo) – week 1

Food and Farming Highlights

Putting your PhD to work (by Peter Fiske) – week 2

the opportunity to network with the innovative and engaging speakers through a series of “Meet the Speakers” events. Moreover, a “Brown Bag Lecture Series” is being introduced in the form of

Special event: chef cooking demo and farmer’s market

daily lunchtime sessions with speakers. This is a good opportunity

Art exhibit: Edible botanical installations (Natalya Ayers)

for KAUST staff who may not be able to attend during daytime WEP

Keynote lecture: Feeding 9 billion human beings (Dr.

events to learn more about the work that the speakers are doing.

Marion Gwuillou)

The WEP team will also relocate to temporary offices on the

Keynote lecture: By Ingo Portrykus (Golden Rice –

first floor of the Engineering Science Hall (building 9) to be

Humanitarian Board) and Michael D. Purugganan (Dean

more accessible.

for Science, New York University)

The three weeks of WEP 2014 will be broadly divided into the following themes: Food and Farming (week 1), Underwater (week 2),

Workshop: Tell me what you eat, I will tell you what you

Social savvy for scientists (by Mary Mitchell) – week 3

Field Trips Old Jeddah, arts & cultural experiences Visit to Al Qassim organic farm KAUST mangroves

Science Fun Fair Community-wide event on January 27 

are – Food Archaeology Workshop (Christine Hastorf)

Members of the Graduate Student Council discuss council matters together at a meeting in the University Library

Physical Sciences & Engineering. “My

their studies to achieve higher goals in their working lives. We work

committee deals with the two main

closely with different services at KAUST to enhance the possibility

concerns of a university: the quality of

that students will be hired, or we link them with a career planner to

research and education. Achieving our

further advise them.”

goals can be challenging, but it is also very exciting.”

A Profile: KAUST’s Graduate Student Council Hassan Al-Ismail, Chair of the Graduate Student Council (GSC) and a

What to Do With My PhD Workshops

One goal of the council is to “make the GSC into a significant resource for information,” Siller says. “We want to gather input from

Mustafa Mousa, a PhD student in

the students, but we know that our students come from different

Electrical Engineering, is Chair of the

academic, national, and family backgrounds, so we want to channel

University Relations Committee (URC).

this information to make their experience at KAUST better. We want to

“My committee takes care of the non-

work with their ideas to make them into tangible events and projects

academic side of the GSC,” he notes.

that can be expanded on for future students at KAUST.”

“We act as a link between students and

Several GSC members served on student councils at their previous

the University’s administration and

universities, but as Siller explains, working on the GSC at KAUST is

on-campus service providers, addressing

a different experience. “Here you have many opportunities to serve

any concerns that affect students’

because the campus is small. Because of this, the changes you can

everyday lives.”

make are easier to realize compared to what you can do if you’re part

master’s degree student in Earth Science & Engineering, offers advice

The Graduate Life Committee (GLC) is chaired by Fausto Oritz, a

for students who have recently joined KAUST: “Consider running for

master’s degree student in Environmental Science & Engineering. “The

council office and attend the general meetings to see what the council

GLC is involved with organizing recreational activities for students,”

GSC Chair Al-Ismail agrees, stating: “It’s a good feeling to serve,

is currently doing for KAUST students.”

Oritz explains. “We recognize that students really need leisure time

and it’s a rewarding experience to feel that you’re working towards

after their hard work studying and spending time in the lab, and we

goals that will benefit everyone in the student body.”

Damian San Roman Alerigi, Vice-Chair of the council and a PhD student in the Electrical Engineering program, agrees. “New students

want to enable them to interact with each other.”

of a bigger community,” he says. “This makes me happy because I feel I can do more for the people who are around me.”

Vice-Chair San Roman Alerigi sums up the council members’

should remember they are part of a diverse and vibrant student

One of the council’s most popular events is the Tuesday Lounge,

feelings about their efforts on the GSC. “We want to make sure the

community, and it’s worthwhile to get to know it and explore it,” he

which takes place on Tuesday evening in the Student Center. “We set

students feel a sense of belonging at KAUST, and our goal is that they

says. “One way to do this is by investing time into making it better.

up the Tuesday Lounge so students can come and interact with the

interact fully with their community while they are here,” he notes.

You can do this through interacting with the GSC.”

GSC members or other people they don’t meet often because they’re in

“Even if our activities on the council represent only a small part

the lab or taking classes,” Oritz notes, adding that the event provides

of what we contribute to the vision of KAUST, each small part is

a valuable venue for discourse about academic, social, and other

important because it may be the starting point for something big,”

lifestyle matters at KAUST.

he adds. “What we on the council leave at KAUST is very important.

The GSC was established in 2009, and it has been growing, evolving, and re-defining its role in the student community since then.

Along with the Chair and Vice-Chair, a number of other dedicated students are members of the council’s four subcommittees, representing

The GSC also works with the International Business Relations

the voice and interests of KAUST students to University management,

Committee (IBRC) to connect students with industry, “linking them to

staff, faculty, the wider community, and international industry.

what they are going to do after they finish their studies at KAUST,”

To contact members of the GSC, please email

At the end, when you see results and how things are growing and changing, all our efforts are worth it.”

“We KAUST students come from a lot of different universities and

says Flavio Siller, IBRC Chair and a master’s degree student in Chemical

graduatestudentcouncil@kaust.edu.sa with the subject heading “GSC.”

from very broad backgrounds,” explains Stefan Grotzinger, Chair of

& Biological Engineering. “We have helped host and organize career

One of the council members will be happy to assist with your query. 

the Academic and Research Committee (ARC) and a PhD student in

fairs and workshops to give students the skills they will need after

6

Research

November 2013

Enhanced Materials Mapping through Hot-Electron Nanoscopy

The Beacon

Scanning electron microscope displaying new cantilever architecture. Hot electrons are generated from tip of the pyramid.

In a paper recently published in Nature Nanotechnology, (doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.207) KAUST professor of Materials Science and Engineering Dr. Enzo Di Fabrizio and colleagues have demonstrated a novel scanning technique for probing the typography and chemical properties of generic materials at the nanoscale. Based on existing atomic force microscopy, this new approach employs a tapered conical metallic tip to inject hot electrons into a semiconductor, increasing the mapping efficiency from 1% to about 30%. In addition to Prof. Di Fabrizio, the team of researchers from KAUST and various institutions in Italy, Germany, and the United States included: A. Giugni, B. Torre, A. Toma, M. Francardi, M. Malerba, A. Alabastri, R. Proietti Zaccaria, and M. I. Stockman.

By concentrating the photonic energy at the apex of the metal tip, hot electrons are extracted within a confined space (~10nm), reducing scattering. This generates hot carriers with high efficiency and localization.

“Atomic force microscopy already exists. It’s also a commercial instrument that was first proposed at the end of the 80s... But what we've been able to do now is to force the tip of an atomic force microscope to emit electrons. The nice thing is that we are able to generate these electrons in a stable way so we can use them to do imaging of the surface," Prof. Di Fabrizio explained.

The team of researchers collects the current from the tip as it passes through the substrate, closing the circuit from the bottom, and uses the circulating current to analyze the local chemistry.

This sample can be a semiconductor, a multi-layered material, a generic substrate with molecules deposited on it, or any complex material that one may want to characterize.

While complex surfaces are characterized by various points, each with their own conductivity properties, the current on uniform materials is constant. “So in general, in the future, electrons could be used to characterize new materials,” said Prof. Di Fabrizio.

characteristic of this technique is it therefore allows scientists to work with biological samples.

Prof. Di Fabrizio further explained, “We believe that this technique will help to determine the

In addition, this technology allows researchers to “work in conditions that are compatible

structure and function of proteins when they aren’t available in a crystallized state.” He also

with biology instead of just physics ─ where observations normally operate under vacuum.

imparted that KAUST is currently in the process of setting up a laboratory devoted to the study

But by putting cells under vacuum you kill them,” explained Prof. Di Fabrizio. An important

and function of molecules, in particular with respect to biology, but also for materials science. 

International Colloquium on Flexible Electronics and Photovoltaics Marks an Important KAUST Milestone The International Colloquium on Flexible Electronics and

The event also brought together several in-Kingdom participants

Prof. Jean Fréchet, KAUST Vice President for Research, praised

Photovoltaics (ICFE-PV) was held at KAUST from November 3-5.

from industry and academia, including SABIC (Saudi Basic

the initiative, stating that “at this event we assembled all the

Attended by graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty from

Industries Corporation), Saudi Aramco, Rawabi Holding, King

best people in the field.” He noted the attendance of Prof. Karl

KAUST and other global universities, and international experts

Saud University, and King Abdulaziz University.

Leo, newly appointed KAUST Director of the SPERC, who gave a

from around the world, the three-day program featured a series of talks and a poster presentation session on topics ranging from emerging areas in thin film photovoltaics to plastic electronics and bioelectronics.

“The ICFE-PV was an important milestone in the history of our University and of the Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center (SPERC),” said Dr. Aram Amassian, KAUST Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and

presentation during the opening session of the colloquium. “We

“The colloquium was an invaluable forum for researchers to gather and exchange ideas with peers from Saudi Arabia and from around the world, and to contribute to the Kingdom’s future energy goals.”

- Prof. Amassian

co-organizer of the colloquium. “The topics covered were also

need the best people to make what we have here a reality,” Prof.

Fréchet stated. “Prof. Leo will help in really building the SPERC to its true potential.”

The poster session, which featured 50 presenters, was organized by the Materials Research Society’s KAUST Student Chapter, headed by President and KAUST PhD student Nuha Al-Hebshi.

Nature Materials, the Nature Publishing Group, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation)

timely and relevant, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently

Dr. Natalie Stingelin, Reader in Functional Organic Materials

announced a historical $109 billion investment in renewable

in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London and

energy over the next two decades.

sponsored the poster session and three awards given to students for the best posters.

co-organizer of the event, echoed Prof. Amassian’s statements.

Colin David Baillie (Stanford University) won the Nature

“The aim is to achieve 41 gigawatts of electricity by 2030,

“We wanted to bring leading experts here to showcase KAUST,” she

Publishing Group student poster award; Ala’a Elbalouli

with the goal to become less dependent on oil domestically.

stated. “Events such as this are important for encouraging young

(KAUST) won the Journal of Materials Chemistry C student

KAUST has a unique opportunity to play a central role in this

people to come to the University and learn about it, and they are

poster award; and Alfonso Caraveo (KAUST) won the SABIC

national endeavor.”

important for its future as a leading global research institution.”

student poster award.

In his opening remarks at the poster session, KAUST President

Prof. Stingelin brought several PhD and postdoctoral students

Al-Hebshi said she was “very happy” to see the results of the

Jean-Lou Chameau stated, “This topic is very important for KAUST.

from Imperial College with her to exhibit their research work

poster session, particularly because of the large number of students

We want to be proactive in this area of research, and we want KAUST

during the poster session. “The future of research really depends

presenting their work.

to play an important role” in achieving the Kingdom’s energy goals.

on young people,” she noted.

Guy Olivier Ngongang Ndjawa, KAUST PhD student and a

Prof. Amassian noted that 35 “leaders of the field,” including

The approximately 30 visiting PhD students and postdoctoral

member of the MRS Student Chapter, noted the poster session

faculty and researchers from Imperial College London (UK),

fellows were enthusiastic about their visit to KAUST to attend

was important because it showcased students’ “top-notch research

Stanford University (US), the University of Oxford (UK), École

the colloquium. Thomas W. Phillips, a PhD student at Imperial

work, and was really valuable in helping others understand what

Nationale Supérieure des Mines (France), the National University

College, stated that he was “amazed by all of KAUST,” finding

we do at KAUST.”

of Singapore (Singapore), and IBM (US), attended the colloquium

the University “quite remarkable.” He said he was “quite envious

“Although KAUST is still a fledgling institution,” stated Prof.

and gave presentations.

of the faculty and students who get to come here” to use the

Amassian, “events like the ICFE-PV illustrate that the University

University’s top-notch facilities.

has at its core many of the ingredients of a truly successful

“The visiting experts from nearly every continent were able to share their considerable knowledge with us,” Prof. Amassian said.

Sarah Conron, a postdoctoral fellow from the University of

research institution. The colloquium was an invaluable forum

“KAUST may be a young university, but the colloquium managed

Southern California, said that attending the ICFE-PV was a “really

for researchers to gather and exchange ideas with peers from

to showcase some exciting results emerging from the KAUST

unique opportunity,” adding, “It was really exciting to learn about

Saudi Arabia and from around the world, and to contribute to the

research groups, as well.”

the research and facilities at KAUST.”

Kingdom’s future energy goals.” 

Research

www.kaust.edu.sa

November 2013

7

(L-R) PhD student Jhonathan Rojas, Prof. Muhammad Mustafa Hussain, and PhD student Galo Torres Sevilla examine their fabricated device, which is flexible and semi-transparent.

KAUST Researchers Lead the Way in Flexible Computation Devices

Prof. Muhammad Mustafa Hussain shows off the flexibility of his research team’s fabricated device.

Muhammad Mustafa Hussain, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, takes his inspiration

the researchers performed ion implantation of dopants to make source and drain regions. They

from the human brain for his work in high-performance electronics.

activated the dopants by rapid thermal process (RTP), and formed holes in the contact pads.

“The brain is the world’s most powerful and energy-efficient computer,” Prof. Hussain explains.

A final process of deep reactive ion etching created straight channels in the silicon substrate, and a thin silicon fabric forming the device was then released from the substrate by another etching

“Interestingly, it has a folded architecture.

“My research group and I are exploring how we can physically model a powerful computer” that mimics that structure, he states. “This involves investigating high-performance electronics integration on a folded platform to one day produce an ultra-mobile, brain-inspired computer.”

In a paper recently published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports (http://www.nature.com/

process. In the finished device, a network of 10 µm holes separated by 10 µm cover the entire film, making it flexible and semi-transparent.

“We were surprised to find that the heat dissipation improved with our process, as while making the flexible silicon-based circuitry we also made the wafers thin and porous, leading the way for

srep/2013/130910/srep02609/full/srep02609.html), Prof. Hussain and PhD students Jhonathan Rojas and Galo Torres Sevilla from Prof. Hussain’s Integrated Nanotechnology group developed a novel complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. This process may enable the conversion of “high performance silicon electronics into flexible and semi-transparent [electronics] while

quicker heat dissipation,” explains Prof. Hussain. He notes that, in terms

“Our study shows that a truly highperformance flexible computer is an achievable goal, and KAUST is globally leading in this track.”

- Prof. Hussain

of a computer, this would “help us to have our laptops on our laps without them becoming too hot.”

After testing the mechanical and electronic properties of the produced device, the team found it has a sub-threshold swing of 80 mV dec-1 and an Ion/Ioff ratio of near 104. The released silicon fabric is able to achieve

retaining [their] performance, process compatibility, integration

a bending radius as small as 5 mm. “These results demonstrate not only

density, and cost,” the researchers state.

competitive electrical behavior but also outstanding bendability and [a]

Notes paper first author Rojas: “The process has an immense potential to develop numerous

modest degree of transparency” using only inorganic silicon, state the researchers.

flexible devices and applications that were previously unachievable. The transformation of well-

In addition, the CMOS process allows the reuse of the substrate to produce many thin substrates

established silicon-based technology into a flexible platform with ultra-fast transistors will

of functioning devices, which provides an economical advantage and may enable the production

leverage the development of true flexible computation.”

of “high performance applications in a cost effective and simple manner for the expanding

Although silicon-based high performance electronics form the foundation of today’s information technology-centered world, silicon has some disadvantages for the production of flexible and transparent electronics: it is brittle and rigid.

Because of silicon’s limitations, most flexible devices in production today are made from organic materials. These organic devices, however, have moderate electrical mobility, making

market of transparent, flexible electronics,” the team notes.

“Our study shows that a truly high-performance flexible computer is an achievable goal, and KAUST is globally leading in this track,” Prof. Hussain says. “But even beyond flexible computers, we can use the process we developed for energy harvesting and storage, sensors, displays, and most importantly for smart bionics.”

them much slower than comparable silicon-based devices, and they cannot withstand the high

US National Academy of Engineering member Dr. John Rogers, Swanlund Professor of Materials

temperatures used during the fabrication of electronic devices. It remains an “elusive goal,”

Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois, who was not involved in the research work,

the researchers note, “to achieve truly high performance flexible and transparent computation

praised Prof. Hussain and his team on the website nanotechweb.org for their innovative work:

devices.”

“[Their devices] not only demonstrate mechanical flexibility, but also remarkable levels of optical

To combat these issues, Prof. Hussain, Rojas, and Torres Sevilla used their new CMOS process to produce p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). “We have chosen

transparency. The ideas outlined [in their research] add to the growing toolkit of approaches and materials for making flexible integrated circuits with excellent performance.”

p-type transistors since they have been less studied and usually show lower current generation

Adds Torres Sevilla: “We in the Integrated Nanotechnology group have opened a ‘new door’ at

than n-type MOSFETs, demonstrating…the ability of our processes and set of materials to

KAUST, showing a pragmatic way to integrate high performance devices on a flexible silicon platform.

perform well even with more challenging devices,” state the researchers.

By doing this, we expect to awaken the curiosity of other researchers towards the integration of devices

The team produced the transistors in a multistep process involving micro-fabrication techniques. Using Si (100) as a fabric, they first formed a trench on a silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer, and then used atomic layer deposition (ALD) to deposit a high-k/metal gate stack on the SiO2 layer. Reactive ion etching (RIE) was next used to pattern the deposited films. After this,

that nowadays we can only dream of. We believe that our findings are the first step towards great achievements in the area of flexible electronics.”

For earlier research by Prof. Hussain and Jhonathan Rojas on flexible computing, see The Beacon, April 2013, page 1. 

8

Comunity

November 2013

The Beacon

Imran Shafique Ansari Wins IEEE Computer Society's Richard E. Merwin Scholarship

to Phothe of nth mo

Imran Shafique Ansari, a

modeling and performance analysis of optical and

PhD candidate in the Electrical

hybrid RF/optical wireless communication systems.

Engineering program, won an Institute of Electrical

“I have been a member of the society since

and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society

2007,” Ansari explains. “I was chosen for the

Richard E. Merwin Scholarship in recognition of

scholarship based on my extensive dedication in

his outstanding involvement in the IEEE Student

organizing events at KAUST and increasing the

Chapter activities and his activities as a student

IEEE’s presence on campus. In addition, as an

ambassador for the IEEE.

ambassador, all queries from local students for the

The IEEE Computer Scholarship was created to

IEEE are forwarded to me for clarification.”

honor the memory of the later Richard E. Merwin,

Since 2009, Ansari has assisted in organizing

past president of the Computer Society. The

academic workshops, academic seminars featuring

scholarship rewards and recognizes outstanding

international speakers, and graduate student

students and their leadership skills.

extracurricular events. He has also assisted with

Imran received his BS in Computer Engineering

Orientation as a Graduate Student Orientation

On November 16, the Thuwal-based recreational fishing group, The Angler’s Club, helped

with First Honors from King Fahd University of

organize a Fish Festival at KAUST’s South Beach. Emad Al Sharif, KAUST Financial Analyst and

Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran in

“Imran deserves this recognition,” stated Prof.

manager of The Angler’s Club, took this photo of one of the festival winners, Sulaiman Thunayan,

2009. He joined KAUST as a founding class student,

Alouini. “While devoting an important amount of

Director of Government Affairs. 

completing his MS in Electrical Engineering at the

his time to support, help, and advise his peers, he is

University in 2010. He is currently supervised by

still able to rely on his excellent organizational skills

Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini, and works on the

to do very well in his PhD studies and research.” 

Email your photos to thebeacon@kaust.edu.sa.

Open House Event at the Visualization Core Laboratory

Leader and with events during Commencement.

molecules from different professors’ research, explaining how being able to see research data from a different perspective often leads to new discoveries and applications.

In the Showcase area, 3D stereoscopic displays transported visitors to Mada’in Saleh; allowed

Students, faculty, and staff had an opportunity to learn more about the KAUST Visualization

them to fly above, around, and into the University’s King Abdullah Mosque; or examine the

Core Laboratory (KVL) on November 12 at the all-day open house. Laboratory specialists were on

working of the human brain, viewing data that is part of the Blue Brain Project. The tiled display

hand to explain how one-of-a-kind visualization, interaction, and computational resources can

walls and impressive sound system again demonstrated how seeing research can aid in discovery.

be used for the exploration and presentation of scientific data. The facility is available to any

Laboratory specialists were also available in the Audio Development Studio to demonstrate

KAUST member, and the laboratory staff can assist in creating new customized applications with

spatial audio and sound design, and in the Audio Video Production Studio that provides

their expertise in computer graphics, human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and scientific

production support for KAUST researcher productions and annual conference events. In the

visualization, sonification, and scientific video production - all of which were on display to

Multipurpose Room, which can seat up to 75, scientific videos were playing and 4K resolution

visitors at the open house. More than 350 visitors attended throughout the day.

video footage was showcased. The room includes several large plasma screens mounted on the

At CORNEA, KAUST’s six-sided virtual reality cave and one of only a few in the world, VR Research Scientist Dr. Daniel Acevedo Feliz escorted visitors into the cave and into the middle of

side walls for additional imaging, and HD cameras and wireless microphones are available for video conferencing sessions. 

My University Garret McKerricher After growing up in a rural area near Horizon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Canada, KAUST PhD student Garret McKerricher decided he wanted to experience something different for his PhD studies.

Pianists from the Piano Dedication Recital on November 6 pose next to KAUST’s new grand piano.

“I was looking for a learning experience in all aspects, from the classes, facilities, and research, as well as a new experience

Three Concerts Display KAUST Community’s Musical Talents

in environment and lifestyle. And I wanted to live outside of Marie-Laure Boulot, Winter Enrichment Program Manager; and Mutleb Al Shammeri, Vice President of Facilities & Community.

North America,” Garret says.

A 2010 meeting with his now-PhD supervisor Dr. Atif

“Ever since we uncrated [the piano] on September 4…the

Shamim, KAUST Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, at

The KAUST community celebrated the talents of its many

excitement amongst the pianists [to play it] has been evident,” added

an electromagnetic conference in Toronto provided him with the

musicians in a series of three concert events culminating in a

Keyes. “KAUST’s artistic programs can now attract international

opportunity to do just that, and he arrived at KAUST in 2012.

Community Concert on November 18.

artists, not just pianists, but singers and instrumentalists who

At the Sunset Concert in the University Library on October 27,

require a piano as a near universal accompaniment instrument.”

For his PhD, Garret is working on printed electronics fabrication. “We use materials such as tin, zinc, silver, and plastics

attendees were treated to performances of music composed by Haydn

The recital, which opened with a piano performance of Saudi

to make electronics with an inkjet printer,” he explains. “We

and Mozart, among other famous composers. Students, faculty, and

Arabia’s national anthem, included performances by KAUST

are fabricating the basic components for electronics, inductors,

staff from KAUST and the KAUST Schools performed in the concert.

Schools students James Ross, Abbie Ross, Dana Cha, Duha Hussain,

capacitors, and transistors. The major drive for these low-cost

The Piano Dedication Recital, held in the Auditorium on November

Ritwik Pain, and Ee-shian Ooi. PhD student Yue (Steffi) Guan,

printed electronics now is radio frequency identification (RFID).”

6 in honor of KAUST’s newly acquired Yamaha C7X grand piano,

Prof. David Keyes, KAUST Schools’ ECC Performing Arts teacher

Garret praises the University for its “cooperative spirit and

was a unique event for the community. As Wendy Keyes, Coordinator

Eduardo Regula, and Jaein Yoo, community member and private

sense of community,” noting that although he thought he had

of Arts Programming, stated, “A grand auditorium deserves a grand

piano teacher, also displayed their solo pianistic artistry.

“experienced diverse universities before, at KAUST it’s the norm

instrument…When I first saw the architects’ depiction of [the

The Community Concert built upon the talents of both the

auditorium], I imagined a grand piano on this stage. Now I no longer

Community Orchestra and Chorus, featuring performances of a variety

need to imagine it – the piano is a reality!”

of pieces from the 1600s to contemporary times, and from different

Keyes thanked the many people who showed “tenacity” and

parts of the world, including Europe, America, Russia, and Tunisia.

to have every single person in a group from a different country.

This is a great opportunity to develop unlikely friendships.”

Although KAUST is a long way from the agricultural community of Horizon, Garret feels his time here has so far been

“kindness” while working to purchase and ship the piano to KAUST,

The three recent concerts reminded the community that the

“a very unique experience.” And, he notes, unlike in Canada,

including Executive Vice President of Administration & Finance

arts are alive and well at KAUST, and will now be enriched by

here “you’re not distracted from your research work by bills,

Nadhmi Al-Nasr; Ian Hastings, Head of Procurement Services;

the new grand piano. 

traffic, and hockey playoffs!” 