King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
BEACON
at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
February 2012 / Rabi Al-Awaal 1433 Volume 2, Issue No. 6
the
Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) wrap up
2012 turn to pages 4 – 5
www.kaust.edu.sa
Professor Pierre Magistretti
Professor Pierre Magistretti, newly
arrived
Dean
of
Chemical and Life Sciences and Engineering, looks to bring his knowledge, expertise and leadership to consolidate the rich environment of the division so allowing the academic community to further flourish. In his thirty years in academia, he has repeatedly drawn people and projects together by listening carefully to the scientists undertaking the research, and then providing the vector that aligns the various particles in a spirit of collaboration across disci-
Dropping Ballast and Embracing the Spirit of Adventure
plines, ensuring coherence and
“The unknown is part of life,” said physician-scientist-adventurer Bertrand
the first man to enter the Earth's stratosphere after successfully ascending
direction. Attracted to KAUST by
Piccard, the man who set the world record for balloon flight, during his key-
16,000 feet.
both the people and the resources
note lecture for the 2012 Winter Enrichment Program (WEP). “Ballooning
that this young institution offers,
is a beautiful metaphor, because in a balloon, like in life, we go very well
Dean Magistretti sees a unique
in unforeseen directions… but as long as we fight horizontally against life,
and important opportunity to
against the winds, against what is happening to us, life is a nightmare.”
unite technology with the life
Moving from this metaphor to give some pragmatic advice, Piccard, a mem-
sciences to promote “engineer-
ber of the first two-person team to circumnavigate the earth non-stop in
ing-inspired biology” in line
a hot-air balloon in 1999, counseled, “In the balloon, it is easy. When we
with King Abdullah’s vision for
drop ballast, we climb. I think life should be exactly like this,” he continued,
a knowledge-based economy in
“Throw overboard the ballast, the habits, certainties, convictions, paradigms,
Saudi Arabia. Dean Magistretti’s
and dogmas… and embrace a pioneering spirit.”
arrival is part of the ongoing aca-
Piccard explained that he had realized that the traditional definitions of
demic restructuring underway
"exploration" and "pioneer" were now defunct. “I thought, what was left in
under the leadership of Provost
the world for pioneers to explore? What could we do for adventure? The last
MAGISTRETTI | Continued on p. 3
millennium had been great for exploration. Humanity had conquered the
The creator of Tintin, Hergé, used Auguste Piccard as his inspiration for the character of Professor Calculus.
North Pole, the South Pole, the Mariana Trench, Mount Everest, space, and the Moon. Everything had been conquered. I came to the conclusion that there
His father, Jacques, was an oceanographer who developed underwater vehi-
is nothing left to conquer, but there is much left to explore and achieve. We
cles vital to the study of ocean currents, and holds the world record jointly with
now have to think in terms of pioneering and adventuring for sustainability
Don Walsh for the deepest underwater dive. In 1960, the two used a submers-
and better quality of life," said Piccard, who believes that the individuals who
ible, developed by Auguste Piccard, to travel seven miles beneath the Pacific
successfully demonstrate the energy potential of clean technologies such as
Ocean to explore the Mariana Trench – the deepest undersea area in the world.
solar power, wind power and biofuel, will define the future.
Continuing this legacy, Bertrand Piccard announced the Solar Impulse pro-
Piccard comes from a family of adventurous, record-breaking engineers and
ject in 2003. In collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology,
scientists. In the 1930s, his grandfather Auguste, a peer of Albert Einstein and
Lausanne (EPFL), Piccard’s team designed and engineered a plane powered
friend of Marie Curie, made modern aviation a reality through his invention
solely by the sun and after eight years of grueling modeling, simulation, and
of the pressurized air cabin and stratospheric balloon. In 1931, he became
testing, completed the first overnight manned-flight. PICCARD | Continued on p. 2
“ Magic” materials to separate oil and water INSIDE:
News 1–3
The recent crude oil spills off the coast of New Zealand and in
Prof. Wang's group, describe how they turned household mate-
the Gulf of Mexico highlighted just how primitive our methods
rials including textiles and sponge, into something that could
for separating oil and water continue to be and the need there
effectively separate oil and water. Considered by the NPG editor
is for novel technology to help prevent the environmental dis-
as making a significant contribution to the field, the extraordi-
asters that result from such accidents.
nary thing about their functionalized materials is that they can
In a recently accepted paper in NPG Asia Materials, a journal
reverse their oil attraction or repulsion on demand, which makes
from the Nature Publishing Group (NPG), Peng Wang, Assistant
them selective and re-generable materials for oil-related applica-
Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering in Water
tions. The KAUST Technology Transfer & Innovation (TTI) Office
Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) together with Lianbin
has already protected these newly discovered scientific concepts
Zhang (first author) and Zhonghai Zhang, both postdocs in
under a US patent. PENG WANG | Continued on p. 2
Winter Enrichment Program 4–5
Electrical Engineering 6–7
Community 8
2
News
February 2012
The Beacon
It is sometimes difficult in the press of the day’s minutiae, the ordinary stresses of life as well as those
allowing our balloon of life to embrace unforeseen directions, throwing overboard the ballast of our
unique to building an institution and its culture and community from scratch, to remember some of the
habits, certainties, paradigms, and dogmas captures the commitment all of us engaged in when we
values which unite us all. Dr. Bertrand Piccard’s extraordinarily motivating remarks during WEP 2012
joined the KAUST adventure.
helped us to do so. For after all, every one of us dropped ballast and thought out of the box when we
We owe a deep apology to our dear Commencement Student Speaker Ali Al-Dawood for mistakenly
came to KAUST – as do they who join us daily on this journey of exploration and adventure. Whether
publishing a photo of one of his classmates instead of him in the last edition. We have rectified our
it’s Professor Pierre Magistretti coming to us as new Dean of the CLSE division from his accomplished
mistake in the digital edition and provided him with corrected print copies as well. We are very grateful
roles at EPFL and the International Brain Research Organization, or student Jessica Masterman persis-
for his graciousness in accepting our regrets.
tently making her way from her landlocked homeland and an undergraduate degree in chemistry and geology to the shores of the Red Sea and a graduate degree in marine science – Piccard’s metaphor of
— THE BEACON Editorial
Ali Al-Dawood Correction: The Commencement 2011 article on page 1 of the January issue
The Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 6, February 2012. Published by The Communications Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
incorrectly identified a photo of Albara AlAuhali (the Qur’an verse speaker) as
Contact Salah Sindi salah.sindi@kaust.edu.sa, or Michelle D'Antoni michelle.dantoni@kaust.edu.sa
Ali Al-Dawood (student speaker). We sincerely apologize for the erroneous
| © King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Printed on partially recycled paper.
photo selection.
PICCARD | Continued from p. 1
In brief
AMPM Center Opening
The Solar Impulse team plans to build a second plane with
energies that they already have. People need clean technologies.
cockpit space for two pilots featuring a lightweight communi-
We cannot do more by doing more of the same," said Piccard.
cations system allowing it to be flown for several days at a time
"We have to make paradigm shifts. Solar Impulse was testament
Student and Postdoc
and Porous Materials (AMPM)
entirely on solar power and, perhaps, like Piccard’s Breitling
to what can be achieved today with new technologies.”
Poster Display and
Research Center will officially
All-Campus Reception
open with a ribbon cutting by
The Advanced Membranes
Orbiter balloon, even around the world. In the balloon, Piccard
Piccard further encouraged students and all members of
flew 45,755 kilometers in 19 days, 21 hours and 47 minutes,
the KAUST community to continue with their "research with-
To celebrate the opening of
President Shih at midday on
breaking seven world records. The Solar Impulse plane, he said,
out walls" mantra and to use it to bring improved sustainable
Spring Semester and to recog-
Tuesday, March 6.
would be flown from continent to continent and not on a non-
technology to the world. "What is entrepreneurship? What is
nize research accomplishments
The mission of the KAUST
stop flight, at least not at first.
adventure? It is each time we take a risk or explore new areas of
by graduate students and
Advanced Membranes and
But, Piccard reminded the spellbound audience, “Solar Impulse
thinking," said Piccard. “We need to change our mindset and stop
postdoctoral fellows, President
Porous Materials Center is
is not an airplane, at least not just an airplane.” It is, he reflected,
relying on the past, on old habits, on certainties. We should try
Choon Fong Shih will host a
the development of novel,
“a demonstration of what can be achieved if we manage to think
to see the future with the eye of the entrepreneur, with the eye of
Student and Postdoc Poster
cutting-edge technologies to
out of the box – if we implement adventure in our daily lives. We
the pioneer, with the eye of the explorer. This is what our world
Display at the University Library
provide efficient and sustain-
cannot have growth if we push people to use technologies and
desperately needs.”
from February 13 - 17, 2012.
able separation processes. The
The student and postdoc par-
center will play a prominent
ticipants have been selected
role in the search for advanced
"MAGIC" MATERIALS | Continued from p. 1
“Our idea is inspired by a natural example: fish scales, which exhibit a remarkable
cells, domestic surface coatings as well as in
and to repel oil. Remarkably, having
by their deans to present
polymeric and inorganic mate-
medicine and cosmetics.”
been rinsed in water and dried in air or
their research results to the
rials and membrane structures
oil-repellant ability and thus allow fish
The technology makes use of inexpen-
with a nitrogen flow at room temperature
full KAUST community. The
and devices for the economic
to survive in oil-polluted water – a phe-
sive and easily available materials such
(negating the need for extreme heat or sol-
SABIC postdoctoral fellows
and environmentally benign
nomenon called superoleophobicity,” Prof.
as non-woven textiles and polyurethane
vents), the acidic-water wetted material
will also present posters on
processing of natural gas, pet-
Wang said. “But in our work, we extended
sponges as the base for the block copoly-
easily recovered its superoleophilicity as
their projects.
rochemical and oil resources;
the fascinating ability of fish scales to
mer grafting strategy to produce surfaces
the PDMS now dominant on the exterior
President Shih invites all mem-
carbon capture; the more effi-
achieve artificial smart surfaces that can
that can be switched back and forth to
surface endows the material with a high
bers of the KAUST community
cient desalination of seawater;
selectively switch from repelling oil to
attract or repel oil. Silica nanoparticles
affinity to oil and a high repellency to
to a reception for the students,
and wastewater treatment
attracting it (superoleophilicity) and vice-
were deliberately deposited onto the sur-
water. The reversible cycles of the surface
postdocs, and their advisors
technologies. In collaboration
versa.” Such surfaces have the potential to
faces to increase the roughness amplifying
wettability can be repeated many times.
on February 13 at 4:3O p.m. in
with KAUST’s academic and
play a critical role in many practical appli-
the surfaces’ intrinsic wetting behavior.
As a proof of concept, Prof. Wang and
the Library.
industrial partners, the cent-
cations apart from the separation of oil
The particular copolymer comprises pH-
his group demonstrated that the func-
and water, including droplet manipulation
responsive poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP)
tionalized textiles could be used for the
in microfluidics, cell and protein adhesion
and oleophilic/hydrophobic polydimethyl-
control on surfaces, and the preparation of
siloxane (PDMS) blocks which allow
electrowetting-based displays. “From the commercialization perspective, this is not
er will strive for excellence Separation and Mass
in the development of novel
controllable separation of oil and water via
Spectrometry Seminar
membranes and porous mate-
filtration and the functionalized sponges
On Monday, February 13, the
rials products for commercial
alteration of the materials’ wettability via
for selective and highly efficient oil cap-
Gulf Scientific Corporation and
domestic and international use.
protonation and deprotonation of P2VP
ture-and-release. Prof. Wang believes that
the Waters Corporation will
“Particularly noteworthy is the
just a simple discovery but a breakthrough,"
in response to the pH of aqueous media,
their functionalized materials represent a
present a half-day seminar on
opening of the ‘Gas Permeation
commented Dr. Sami Bashir from the
so allowing controllable and switcha-
sustainable and highly cost-effective way
campus, featuring two paral-
Suite’ - a facility unique in the
KAUST TTI Office. “This is the first success-
ble access of oil by the oleophilic PDMS
for oil-spill cleanup as the materials can
lel sessions: Environmental
world,” Center Director Ingo
ful single surface in oil/water-based system
blocks on the surface. When in contact
be regenerated and recycled. There are no
and Petroleum Focus; and
Pinnau told The Beacon. “This
with dual-affinity switching. Quite apart
with acidic water (pH≤2), the P2VP chains
prior reports of a material so versatile in
Proteomics and Imaging.
custom-designed, in-house
from its potential for oil spill cleaning, there
on a grafted material become protonated
terms of selective oil and water separation.
are many possible commercial applications
and so the material acquires hydrophilic
Prof. Wang was keen to point out, "We all
including the design of self-cleaning solar
properties allowing it to absorb water
know that magic isn't real, but science is!"
Functionalized materials: textile and sponge
Non-treated
Acid-treated
built laboratory will enable Parade of Nations
the AMPM Center to perform
The KAUST Schools will be cel-
world-leading research in
ebrating International Week
natural gas and petrochemical
from February 11–15. The
gas purification and separation.
week-long celebration of cul-
We look forward to working
tural activities will culminate
with Saudi Aramco and SABIC
with a Parade of Nations on
to contribute to the Kingdom’s
February 15. You won’t want to
prosperity.”
miss this colorful display of tra-
A two-day symposium on
ditional costumes and national
M e m b r a n e s a n d Po r o u s
flags with over 70 nationalities
Materials to be held on March
represented.
6–7 is open to the KAUST community and will bring together leading researchers from
Acid treated
universities and companies worldwide.
Air dried
From top down: Dr. Lianbin Zhang, Dr. Zhonghai Zhang, Prof. Peng Wang
News
www.kaust.edu.sa
February 2012
3
MAGISTRETTI | Continued from p. 1
Catsicas to further strengthen the integration and manage-
KAUST, he aims to focus on two research thrusts. Firstly he will
of effectively promoting health and preventing and treating disease
ment of the university’s education and research activities. “One
build upon the core competencies present on campus in technol-
in the local population. He hopes that KAUST, with its supercom-
impressive aspect of Professor Magistretti’s career is his capacity
ogy and in imaging to look at biological processes at the atomic,
puting and visualization resources and proficiency, will be able to
to focus his own laboratory while at the same time launch-
molecular, cellular and microscopic level as a key tool to under-
make an important contribution to the Human Brain Project, an
ing and managing broad academic endeavors. The common
standing the role of genes and proteins in disease. This effort will
international collaboration which aims to build an accurate simu-
denominator between these two roles has been to always iden-
be developed in coordination with the well-established research
lation of the brain.
tify questions of major academic relevance and societal impact,”
groups in marine and plant biology as well as with those to be
Dean Magistretti believes that working at KAUST is a “trans-
Catsicas remarked.
established as part of an effort to develop cell and systems ani-
formational experience” and sees successful recruitment as his
Dean Magistretti’s personal research has focused on brain energy
mal biology. The aim is to develop a close collaboration between
major priority. To that end, he will be organizing intimate, high
metabolism and its implications in functional brain imaging and in
engineers and biologists around cutting-edge imaging. Secondly,
level workshops within the division to ensure that more people
neuropsychiatric diseases, in particular neurodegenerative ones. He
he will develop opportunities to study the genetic background of
are familiar with all the opportunities the university offers.
has made major contributions to the understanding of the role that
a number of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and psychiatric dis-
“KAUST is a place where bio-scientists think big and chal-
glial cells play in brain function, notably in sustaining neuronal
orders, as well as the more frequently occurring cancers that are
lenge engineers to turn their discoveries into viable technologies,”
activity. From the academic and scientific leadership point of view
of relevance to the public health of the Kingdom. In December
President Shih commented to The Beacon. “In turn, our engineers
Pierre Magistretti has been responsible for bringing together two
a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to allow coopera-
show what is possible through innovative new technologies, and
large multidisciplinary consortia involving several institutions, one
tion between the King Abdullah International Medical Research
inspire bio-scientists to think even bigger. With Dean Magistretti on
in brain imaging and the other to study the genetic and biological
Center and KAUST, leveraging the excellence of that health care
board, we have just the person to build up our engineering-inspired
bases of mental illness including depression and schizophrenia. At
system to facilitate the study of population genetics with the aim
bioscience to reach global eminence.”
Photos by Marina Kochetyga
First Alumni Reunion
At left: Alumni Reunion speakers Mustafa Nabulsi, Jack Cackler, and Noah DesRosiers Clockwise from top left: Excutive Vice President of Administration and Finance, Nadhmi Nasr; Vice President for Education, James Calvin; Provost Stefan Catsicas; and President Choon Fong Shih talk with Alumni at the reunion.
On January 19, the very first alumni reunion event took place
workshop, building satellites from scratch and testing the equip-
sunlight, and sponges that filter bacteria and viruses from
on campus when President Choon Fong Shih and other members
ment to over 30 km in the stratosphere. The workshop culminated
seawater for food, was also shared.
of the University’s senior leadership welcomed 75 alumni from
with a launching event of a weather balloon to survey part of the
across the Kingdom and the Gulf region as well as those still at
immediate region.
KAUST, to a luncheon in their honor. Greeting the guests, President Shih reflected, “Now that we have celebrated two Commencements and have a diverse group of alumni from all corners of the earth, we have the makings of a great alumni association, an extended family of culturally curious and intellectually adventurous young men and young women – who took the plunge to be part of a very young university, by the Red Sea, with big ambitions.”
Noah DesRosiers (‘11) also a 2010 Graduate Research
Mustafa Nabulsi (’10), gave the talk, Acadox: a Story of a KAUST
Symposium Winner, spoke about how he introduced WEP par-
Startup, sharing the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial expe-
“I have found that one of the biggest advantages of joining a new university is finding new solutions” — Mustafa Nabulsi
“Alumni, you are our University’s ambassadors in the world.
ticipants to the amazing biodiversity of the KAUST beach in his
You share your ideas and values with your families, your friends,
dramatic and colorful multimedia presentation, Life When You're
and your communities. Your knowledge, your ideas, and your
Little: the Overlooked World of Marine Invertebrates.
values, shaped by your KAUST education, hold the promise to
The third presenter in the WEP 2012 Alumni Series of Lectures additionally played a vital role in WEP’s success this year.
rience thus far. Nabulsi, along with the other founding members of Acadox, Nedhal Mourad (’10) and Mohammad Alhareeqi (a software engineer from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals) were among the recipients of the first round of seed funding. They describe their novel application as the next generation learning and intelligence platform, which was used for WEP 2012. “Being pioneer students of KAUST gave us experiences full of firsts. Because everything was new, you had to learn how to do
“If you shift your perspective to a smaller size, you open up a
things, make mistakes, and find new ways to solve problems,”
new world of tiny creatures easily overlooked,” said DesRosiers.
Nabulsi said. He described finding a similar pattern in startups –
Following remarks from Associate Provost Brian Moran, three
His WEP talk was a scientific performance in two acts; act
that there are always new things to learn, problems to face, and
alumni spoke about their experience as presenters of the 2012
one examined the KAUST beach habitats from the perspec-
a continual need to be flexible.
WEP Alumni Series of Lectures.
tive of a little marine invertebrate perspective and introduced
“I have found that one of the biggest advantages of joining
shape our collective future.”
Jack Cackler, Class of 2011 and a 2010 Graduate Research
the challenges they face; while act two showcased various
a new university is finding new solutions,” Nabulsi said. “This
Symposium Winner, earned his MSc in Chemical and Biological
creatures from these habitats and how they deal with those
setting fosters the creativity required for being a startup entre-
Engineering. Since graduating, Cackler has been working as a
environmental pressures.
preneur. Not only the setting and experience, but the people here
consultant on the KAUST Nanosatellite Laboratory, a project
DesRosiers also explained that he engaged his WEP audience by
based on prior research performed at NASA Ames Research Center
bringing to life the small world of sea slugs (Flabellina rubroline-
with the goal of establishing KAUST as an international center
ata), skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae), and sea spiders (Pycnogonida).
During the closing remarks Brian Moran, Associate Provost for
for satellite development. Cackler led the four-day Nanosatellite
Insight into the lives of the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea
Graduate Affairs noted that future alumni reunion events and
Development Workshop during WEP, a rapid-prototyping
andromeda) that have algae in their tentacles to photosynthesize
developments are being planned for 2012.
Attendees of the first alumni reunion
have been very valuable and we are thankful for all the opportunities KAUST has provided us.”
4
February 2012
Winter Enrichment Program
The Beacon
Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) Round up
2012
TINGATINGA PAINTING Tingatinga is a popular East African contemporary art style and the KAUST community was fortunate to have renowned Tingatinga painters Juma and Mshana Mzuguno from Tanzania, and Pascal Bogaert from Uganda as part of WEP 2012 to showcase their art in an exhibit at
Rolf-Dieter Heuer Research at CERN: From the Highest Energies to the Smallest Particles
the University Library, as well as to lead several workshops introducing this craft to others. Characterized by exotic and brightly patterned colors, participants had the opportunity to create their own masterpieces in this distinctive style.
During his opening keynote lecture, Dr. Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Director General of the European Organization of Nuclear Research (CERN), and member of the KAUST Board of Trustees, noted a distinct similarity between KAUST and CERN, in that both are autonomous in deciding their research projects. Additionally, both bring people together from different cultures and backgrounds to work together for the advancement of science and technology. "As with KAUST, CERN unites people through innovation, education and research," said Dr. Heuer. Read more online! Scan the QR code to visit the University website. http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/cern.html
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH POSTER COMPETITION FOR UNDERGRADUATES This first annual poster competition for undergraduates received over 300 submissions from students at national and international universities. From the entries, 50 finalists were invited to KAUST to present their posters to KAUST faculty and scholars as part of WEP 2012. Finalists
Bill Baxter WebGL and Google Maps
were judged on the novelty of work, clarity of ideas, creativity, and overall impact of the presentations that were made in the University Library, resulting in six winners:
First Place
Bill Baxter, Software Engineer at Google Maps paid tribute to
•
Willie Neiswanger, Computational Tools for T-Cell Motility Analysis, Columbia University, US
KAUST faculty member and WEP Committee Chair, Professor
•
Rohit Dasgupta, Thread as a Matrix for Biomedical Assays, John Hopkins University, US
Alyn Rockwood for his work on OpenGL. Prof. Rockwood, involved with computer graphics research for more than 30 years, developed a method for rendering curved surfaces in real time
Second Place •
Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil
while working at Silicon Graphics, Inc. This method is integral to modern computer graphics software.
•
Robert Swan Surviving Antarctica and the Importance of Sustainability
Shahad Al Saiari, Role of SLIT-2 in Thyroid Cancer, King Adbulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Read more online! Scan the QR code to visit the University website. http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/baxter.html
Felipe Massucato, Study of Thermal Stability of Abs Copolymer and its Nanocomposites,
Third Place •
Gabriellea Coloyan, Optimizing the Design of Carbon Nanotube Aerogels for Thermal
•
Mohamed Z. Al-Ashwan, Development of a Domestic Solar Air Conditioner for Saudi Arabia,
Transport Applications, Carnegie Mellon University, US King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia
"The future heroines and heroes of this next exploration are here and now," said Robert Swan, referring to KAUST students and young scholars of the world, "Not people like me walking to
DO WE REALLY NEED TO BE AFRAID OF SNAKES?
the North and South Poles, that's very outdated now." A polar
Sid Samtaney, the youngest WEP presenter at only 17 years old, is an 11th grade student at
explorer, environmental leader, and public speaker, Robert Swan
the KAUST School and an accomplished athlete, musician, and aspiring herpetologist. When the
is the first person in history to walk to both the North and South
call for proposals was made for WEP 2012 lectures, Sid felt compelled to share his passion and
Poles. During his keynote lecture he advised students to think
knowledge about a greatly misunderstood species: snakes.
"unconventionally and entrepreneurially" about their futures,
“Snakes play a vital role in our environment because they are responsible for eliminating dis-
stating that there are "many great opportunities" for careers in
ease-causing pests and if people continue to kill snakes our ecosystem will become imbalanced,”
the area of sustainability.
explained Sid. “It is generally out of ignorance and baseless fear that many people's first reac-
Read more online! Scan the QR code to visit the University website. http://www.kaust.edu.sa/media/features/swan.html
tion is to obliterate a snake the moment they see one, not realizing how much they are actually damaging the environment. A snake is only a threat to you when you become a threat to it.” Sid’s interest in reptiles and amphibians began in kindergarten when he started catching wild reptiles and amphibians, which later led to owning countless pet snakes both wild caught and captive bred. During middle school, he volunteered at the New Jersey Audubon Society Nature Center in the US, caring for the center's reptiles and other animals. He has also worked with many naturalists and received hands-on training with wild animals. In addition to his WEP lecture, Sid’s participation in this year’s Winter Enrichment Program included competing in the 5K Fun Run and winning first place.
www.kaust.edu.sa
Winter Enrichment Program
February 2012
5
Symposium speakers
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL SYMPOSIUM In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, recognizing that access to affordable energy services is essential for the achievement of sustainable development. To celebrate this initiative, WEP hosted a twoday symposium, co-organized by Professor Suzana Nunes and Craig Werner, an Environmental Science and Engineering PhD student. Bringing together 12 speakers from across the world to discuss sustainability, Prof. Nunes was especially pleased with the balance of the symposium in regards to presentations from KAUST faculty and graduate students as well as the caliber of guest lecturers covering a breadth of relevant topics.
Photo by Marina Kochetyga
On day one, two students who attended the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi the week prior shared their experience. Jenna Lloyd-Randolfi, a Chemical and Biological Engineering MSc student was encouraged by what she had heard at the summit as it validated her current energy focus on developing renewable carbon-neutral transportation fuels from microalgae. “As far as sustainability goes, I strongly believe that eliminating dependence on non-renewables such as diesel and gasoline has to be one of the top priorities. Algal biofuels are even possible to utilize flue gas with high CO2 concentrations as a substrate for growth; thus they function as a carbon sequestration system,” said Lloyd-Randolfi. Environmental Science and Engineering student, Shen Lin, shared one particular comment made by Dr. Fatih Birol, Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency, who spoke at the summit about the latest outlook for the health of the sustainable energy industry: “To succeed, not only innovation is needed, leadership is also required.” The report given by these two students set the stage for the WEP Symposium guest speakers, which included Dr. Paul Lucchese from the Atomic and Alternatives Energy Commission (France), who spoke about the role of “clean hydrogen” in the transition towards a decarbonized energy system, and Prof. Bruce Logan (Pennsylvania State University, US), who spoke on the applications possible for bioelectrochemical technologies to address the water-energy nexus.
Saudi Art Exhibit Over 33 works of art by some 14 artists from all over the Kingdom were on display in the University
Women in Science Lecture Series
Library as part of the Saudi Art Exhibit. The works received enthusiastic reviews from KAUST community visitors, including a number of students who met with the artists to discuss their art.
An engineer in the chemical industry, a chair of biochemistry from Italy, and a leading ver-
The paintings demonstrated the diverse techniques and trends from different art schools while
tebrate paleontologist each shared their rich experiences and professional insight during the
the sculpture collection showed why these Saudi women had made a name for themselves locally.
Women in Science Lecture Series.
In addition to workshops, two evenings of fusion art were presented. These performances featured
Maria Claudia Renjifo, Strategy Consultant for Bayer AG’s Corporate Development Department,
the violin for participative painting, giving many people a quite new experience.
built a business case for diversity and inclusion by sharing compelling statistics of the economic
The organizer of the exhibit and chairman of the art committee at the Jeddah Chamber of
value of women in the workforce and discussing the challenges and opportunities within the
Commerce, Hisham Binjabi, described the design and plan of the exhibit as most successful. Details
field of engineering based on her own experiences.
about the individual artists as well as each piece of art helped to educate the public about the cul-
Anna Tramontano is a KAUST Global Research Partnership Investigator and the Chair of
tural heritage and diversity of this group, which Mr. Binjabi explained is an important role for these
Biochemistry at Sapienza University of Rome. Dr. Tramontano is involved with the organization
artists – to be an ambassador for the Kingdom through their participation in both local and inter-
of specialized joint workshops on emerging issues and methodologies in computational genom-
national exhibitions.
ics and leading specialized hands-on courses at KAUST on new developments in computational
The artists who participated in the exhibition included:
genomics and proteomics, as well as fostering liaisons with worldwide initiatives in computational biology.
•
Dr. Iffat Fadaak
•
Fatimah Wares
The third lecturer, Professor Patricia Vickers Rich, imparted her passion for discovery and
•
Radeyah Barqawi
•
Hanaa Banaamah
shared her experiences as a paleontologist, geologist, and the founding Director of the Monash
•
Taghreed Albaqshi
•
Hind Nusair
Science Centre in Australia. The vision of the Centre is to open a window on science that offers
•
Mona Alqasabi
•
Maha Turki
an in-depth look at opportunities to use scientific thought and knowledge in every-
•
Alanoud Alshaibi
•
Mirvat Alamir
day life—considered by Dr. Rich powerful tools for facing the future realistically
•
Badia Ishan
•
Najlaa Alsaleem
and sustainably.
•
Doaa Shaalan
•
Fatmah Emraan
From left: Prof. Alyn Rockwood, Dr. Najah Ashry, Prof. Suzana Nunes, Anna Tramontano, Patricia Vickers Rich, Maria Claudia Renjifo
6
February 2012
Electrical Engineering
The Beacon
The EE Program
ELECTRiCal ENGINEERING at KAUST The Electrical Engineering (EE) program at KAUST accepts some
The research focus of EE faculty can be broadly grouped
into integrated circuits and making transistors using indus-
40–50 postgraduate students each year from an applicant pool of
into three thrusts that are well aligned with KAUST’s research
try standard technology and equipment. The faculty frequently
500, the second largest program at the university. EE plays a critical
vision and objectives. These comprise: (i) Energy efficient
involves students in their labs; many of the skills acquired,
role in shaping today’s world in many diverse applications including
electronics and photonics devices and systems, (ii) Microsystems,
such as working with lasers and high tech electronic device
electricity and power systems, information technology, computa-
and (iii) Information and Communication Systems. Selected
characterization systems, are invaluable in both research and
tion, communication, audio/video, biomedical instrumentation,
research topics include the fabrication of flexible and print-
industry settings.
sensors, optics and photonics, sound engineering, and navigation.
able micro-devices on plastic substrate, energy harvesting
Already some 55 students have graduated, 18 by writing a the-
The program at KAUST, which currently includes 13 faculty, was
structures and devices, biosensors, biomedical imaging sys-
sis, and more than 20 of these are continuing their research for
chaired for the first two years by Professor Khaled Salama and has
tems, energy efficient cognitive radio, and vision systems. EE
a doctorate. Among the 60 MSc students are 18 Saudi students.
been led since July 2011 by Professor of EE and Chair of Electrical
faculty members collaborate not only within the program, but
The EE faculty members advise a total of 51 PhD students, the
Engineering, Dr. Boon Ooi. It comprises two broadly defined tracks
work with faculty from other programs and divisions in an
largest PhD student population at KAUST with 10% of these stu-
in Systems and Electro-Physics with vibrant research thrusts includ-
interdisciplinary way, as well as with other prominent interna-
dents Saudi. “The tireless efforts of our newly established research
ing Communication and Signal Processing, Solid State Electronics,
tional groups.
teams have already brought forth several interesting new ideas,
and Optics and Electro-Magnetics. “Electrical Engineering is a broad
All students at KAUST, have unique access to state-of-the-art
paradigms, and results,” commented Professor of EE and Acting
and dynamic field,” remarked Prof. Ooi, “and our courses equip stu-
research and core laboratories. EE students in particular use the
Associate Dean of the Physical Science and Engineering Division,
dents for a successful and productive career.”
Nanofabrication Lab, to make devices such as converting wafers
Dr. Mohamed-Slim Alouini.
Researchers in the Photonics lab
IEEE Student Branch
IEEE 2011 Workshop participants
world's largest technical pro-
globally and IEEE student
fessional association. It does
branches play an important
not usually allow a student
facilitative role. I look forward
branch to be formed before at
to seeing this happen here."
least one group of graduate
Rojas took his under-
students has matriculated, but
graduate degree in EE at
Rojas worked with Assistant
the Universidad Nacional
Professor
Dr.
de Colombia and having
Muhammad Hussain to pre-
completed his master’s, is
pare the dossier. The case
studying for his PhD. He is
proved convincing enough
currently involved in two
to persuade the IEEE Head
research projects: one on a
Office in the US to grant their
silicon substrate for flexible electronic devices;
approval.
the more major venture involves the design and development of
of
EE ,
Jhonathan Rojas
The branch, part of a
a self-powered system on a chip by integrating power generators
large, active society in the
from different energy sources, with active devices that perform a
Kingdom, is responsible
certain task. Rojas, together with first author Justine Mink, pub-
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, read
for promoting EE issues, organizing workshops, and provid-
lished a paper discussing microbial fuel cells in Nano Letters in
I-Triple-E) KAUST student branch was formed in February 2010
ing its growing group of 13 graduate students with career
January, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl203801h. Prof.
with founding student Joanna Oommen as the Student Branch
development and networking opportunities. Past activities
Hussain has been Rojas’ faculty advisor since he began his master’s
Chair. The current chair is Jhonathan Rojas and the Vice-Chair
at the University include an IEEE Workshop Week, Graduate
degree and his supervision is integral to this project. "Professor
is Hossain Fahad. IEEE's Constitution defines as its core purpose
Group Expos, and a website competition. "I am very pleased to
Hussain's mentorship and guidance have been a great inspiration
"to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit
see the activities conducted by the IEEE student branch and its
to me, commented Rojas. “It motivates me to work hard towards
of humanity." Alexander Graham Bell is a notable past presi-
continuing growth,” commented Prof. Hussain. “Ongoing institu-
greater goals. I am enjoying my time at KAUST and it makes me
dent of IEEE and, with 400,000 members, the organization is the
tional support and encouragement allow our students to compete
really happy to see that my work is being acknowledged."
www.kaust.edu.sa
Electrical Engineering
KAUST-UCSB-NSF Workshop on Solid-State Lighting
February 2012
SEM images of high density GaN nanowires for potential application in LEDs.
February 13–14, 2012
Lighting consumes over 20% of all electricity produced
provide a forum for interaction between US scientists, who are at the
on solid state lighting as
globally corresponding to over 25 quads of primary fuel
leading edge of solid-state lighting, and the faculty at KAUST and
a more efficient lighting
(with an associated 410 million tons of carbon emissions)
other institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region.
source. Born in Makkah and raised in Jeddah, Gasim stud-
at an annual cost of ~$300 billion. Conventional lighting
The outcome of this workshop and the proposed research will be
ied for his first degree at the University of Liverpool and was drawn
sources include incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps,
directed towards the science of LEDs - the lighting of our future.
to KAUST because of the opportunities for hands-on work and
Anwar Gasim
which are inefficient at converting electricity to light. In con-
Prince Dr. Turki Al Saud, Vice President of the Research
access to the Nanofabrication Core Lab. An introductory course
trast, solid-state lighting sources in the form of light emitting
Initiative of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
on partial differential equations with Professor David Keyes rekin-
diodes (LEDs), that could not only potentially achieve over
(KACST), will address the research vision and strategy of KSA,
dled Gasim’s love of math and was instrumental in directing him
80% energy efficiency but also offer an extraordinary field
as well as research capability, collaboration, and funding
toward more theoretical work. After two courses with Professor
lifetime (25-50 years), have been identified as the lighting that
opportunities of KACST. Another keynote speaker is Dr. Shuji
Boon Ooi, Dr. Ooi became his academic supervisor for his master’s
will ultimately replace all existing lighting technologies.
Nakamura from University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr.
thesis and continues to instruct Gasim as part of the Photonics Lab
Nakamura is the inventor of the high efficiency LEDs that ena-
in both experimental and theoretical work with lasers. “You need
bled solid-state lighting technology.
to have experimental ability and you need to refine your theoreti-
In this workshop, the first National Science Foundation workshop to be held in the Kingdom, KAUST will bring together preeminent researchers to explore the long-range challenges and opportuni-
One of only two student speakers at the NSF workshop, KAUST
ties of the latest advances in solid-state lighting. The objective is to
graduate student Anwar Gasim will be presenting his research
KAUST EE Days
February 20–22, 2012
KAUST and non-KAUST activities, engaging debates on scientific issues, and brainstorming for future collaborative efforts. Participation by industry representatives facilitated by Economic Development will offer students and researchers the opportu-
cal knowledge to better analyze the results you are getting,” Gasim told The Beacon.
Mechatronics and Multi-Sensory Systems Workshop
KAUST has taken the initiative to arrange a series of events in
nity to get to know the KAUST Industrial Collaboration Program
February with the theme Electrical Engineering for a Sustainable
(KICP) members. At the same time, in-Kingdom industrial part-
Future. It aims to highlight the cutting edge research within
ners and investors will be able to share King Abdullah’s vision
the Electrical Engineering program, to introduce our global
of a Saudi Arabian knowledge-based economy. It is hoped that
network of world-renowned scientists and researchers, and to
this event will increase visibility and networking opportunities
About half of the graduate students in the Mechanical
promote the potential economic impact of the work in pro-
for the University’s community of researchers and will help clar-
Engineering Department at KAUST conduct research in the area
gress. Planned events include a research exhibition of both
ify the role of Electrical Engineering for a sustainable future.
of mechatronics or its related fields. This workshop will com-
February 23, 2012
plement KAUST courses in the fields of mechatronics, robotics,
International Workshop on Biomedical Micro- and Nanodevices February 25, 2012
Micro- or nanotechnology is rapidly drawing the attention
control systems, sensory data fusion, and related areas. It aims to provide a platform for KAUST students and researchers to interact with renowned international figures in these fields. The workshop will be a great opportunity for exploring future avenues for collaboration and potential research projects of common interest. It aims to raise
This workshop will address the scientific community
researchers’ awareness of the state
of the biomedical research and industrial community due to
working on integrated devices for biological and
its many potential benefits including versatility, high sensitiv-
medical applications using micro- or nanotech-
ity, low cost, miniaturization, and reduced power. Applications
nology. A forum for novel ideas, the workshop
of engineering and
include cancer therapy with higher specificity and fewer side
is designed to promote contacts between experts
boost their inter-
effects, physiological imaging with unprecedented resolution,
from both academia and industry and provide
est in them.
and lab-on-a-chip devices that perform complex diagnostic
KAUST students with insight into the most recent
tasks at a fraction of the current time and cost involved.
developments in this field.
SEM image of carbon nanotubes for micro-sized microbial fuel cells.
SEM image of magnetic nanowires fabricated for cancer cell destruction.
of the art in such important and challenging fields
7
8
Community
The Beacon
Photo by KUMARAN MANDE
February 2012
Winter Enrichment Program 2012 SCIENCE FUN FAIR
Seventeen interactive demonstrations were a part of this year’s Science Fun Fair, located at the Discovery Walk Spine. Almost 30 KAUST scientists, graduate students, faculty, and
The amazing colors of the sky at sunset were captured
Do you have a picture to share? Every
photo of the month
staff, as well as secondary and high school students, presented their engaging experiments as part of the WEP 2012 Science Fun Fair. “Last year, we organized the first Science Fun Fair in cel-
by research scientist Kumaran Mande who took this photo
month The Beacon selects an imaginative
one evening in November. With such a backdrop, the sil-
and interesting shot to be published. Only
houette of the minarets of the Grand Mosque make a
original photos are accepted. Send in your best
increase the scope of this event and invite presenters from the
powerful impression.
take to thebeacon@kaust.edu.sa.
broader KAUST community, as well as partner universities and
ebration of the International Year of Chemistry,” explained WEP Manager Marie-Laure Boulot. “This year, we decided to
regional institutes such as Effat University and the Riyadhbased Mishkat Interactive Center for Atomic and Renewable Energy who presented their show, The Energy Around Us.” This year’s fair was attended by over 500 people, including KAUST school children, community members, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and 60 students from regional schools. Participants got a close look at the experiments and had the opportunity to vote for their favorite one, resulting in two winning teams. Sixth graders, Abdulaziz Al Mubarak and Abdulrahman Gabbani, won the Under 18 Category with their demonstration of fuel cells. In the Over 18 Category, a team of graduate students won for their “Messin’ with Oobleck” presentation that explored viscosity and states of matter. Team members included master’s students Muhammed Sameed, Philip Danser, and Daniel Toth, as well as PhD student Awad Alquaity. After the outdoor fair, the science fun continued indoors with an explosive presentation by TV scientist Dr. Bunhead, who thrilled audiences by igniting bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen and performed chemical reactions that literally shook the audience (and auditorium) with their resonating booms. Commenting on the success of this year’s science fair,
My University: Why I came to KAUST One of six children, brought up in a cash-strapped, single-
thesis she undertook on the relationship between the nutritional
parent family in the landlocked Midwest of the US, Jessica
content of prey coral to the nutrient uptake in corallivorous
Masterman always dreamed of pursuing a career in marine
fishes has greatly increased her confidence in conducting
science. Forced for financial reasons to transfer from her under-
independent research with Professor Michael Berumen as her
graduate course in oceanography at the University of Michigan,
primary advisor.
she was the first person in her family to graduate — majoring
Jessica relishes the challenge of making complicated concepts
in chemistry and geology at the University of Wisconsin.
easy to understand when teaching younger scientists, and par-
Jessica never relinquished her passion for marine science,
ticularly enjoyed mentoring a Saudi high school student last
undertaking internships in marine micropaleontology and
summer as part of the Saudi Research Institute program.
marine chemistry and a research project in aquaculture chemistry.
Boulot said, “I hope this is the beginning of a growing project that will involve more KAUST participants, partner universities, and companies that help our university to become a platform for scientists to inspire curious, young minds.”
Abdulaziz Al Mubarak and Abdulrahman Gabbani
Quite apart from her academic achievements, Jessica feels she has grown personally in many ways. Extending the voluntary
Always adventurous, Jessica surprised her family when she
work she undertook as an undergraduate in Wisconsin encour-
announced she would be attending graduate school in Saudi
aging young women to explore career opportunities in science,
Arabia to study for an MSc in marine science. Having only once
engineering, and math, Jessica became Girl Scout leader for the
before ventured abroad for an internship in the Netherlands,
KAUST campus troop, introducing the girls to new ideas includ-
she left her often snowy homeland in the fall of 2010 for the
ing careers in science and international travel.
sun-soaked shores of Saudi Arabia, exchanging her all-Amer-
Jessica is currently completing her master's thesis. Her goal is
ican culture for one unfamiliar and often more conservative.
to become a “prominent marine scientist conducting meaningful
The combination of “highly accomplished professors, amaz-
and influential research with a particular focus on environmental
ing facilities, and extraordinary opportunities” served to make
applications.” She plans not only to “study the world’s oceans,
Jessica’s “time at KAUST… undoubtedly the most rewarding
but to help protect them so that future marine enthusiasts can
experience of my life,” she told The Beacon. The ambitious
enjoy their wonders.”
Muhammed Sameed right "messin' with oobleck"
املنارة King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fubruary 2012 / Rabi I 1433 Volume 2, Issue No.6
www.kaust.edu.sa
جامعة امللك عبداهلل تستضيف 14فنانة يف معرض الفن السعودي استضافت مكتبة جامعة امللك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية معرضًا للفنانات التشكيليات السعوديات أقيم حتت عنوان معرض الفن السعودي خالل الفرتة 28-30من يناير املاضي وذلك ضمن الفعاليات اخلتامية لربنامج اإلثراء الشتوي لعام .2012 ال ما بني واشتمل املعرض على ما يزيد عن 33عم ً رسم وحنت لـ 14فنانة من مجيع مناطق اململكة شدت أعماهلن انتباه الزوار من منسويب اجلامعة خاصة الطالب والطالبات الذين التقوا بالفنانات يف ساحة العرض اليت خصصت هلن يف املكتبة ،وتكونت لدى مرتادي املعرض صورة واضحة حول الرسالة اليت ترغب املرأة السعودية يف إيصاهلا من خالل مشاركتها يف مثل هذه املعارض.
ينتمي إىل عائلة مولعة باملغامرة وحتطيم األرقام القياسية بيكارد طائر البالون خيرتع طائرة النبض
الشمسي ويدعو إىل أحباث دون قيود
أكد العامل الفيزيائي بريتراند بيكارد يف املحاضرة اليت ألقاها ضمن فعاليات برنامج اإلثراء الشتوي أن املجهول ُيعد جزءًا ال يتجزأ من احلياة وأن السفر بالبالون هو مبثابة تشبيه واستعارة لذلك املجهول. ويعد بيكارد أول رجل حيقق الرقم القياسي للطريان حول األرض دون توقف ببالون يستخدم اهلواء الساخن وكان ذلك يف عام .1999 وذكر بيكارد عدة نصائح عملية قائالً“ :إن األمر بالنسبة للبالون يف غاية السهولة ،فبعد إسقاط ثقل صابورة املياه فإن البالون يصعد إىل أعلى” ،وهلذا يرى ضرورة أن تكون احلياة بالضبط كذلك من خالل رمي األثقال اليت تعيق والعادات والشكوك والقناعات والتمسك باحتضان روح الريادة. ويشرح بيكارد ذلك بقوله إنه أدرك أن بعض املصطلحات التقليديةمثل “االستكشاف”و “الريادة” قد اندثرت اآلن معتقدًا أنه مل يعد هناك شىيء ميكن استكشافه ألن األلفية املاضية متيزت بعظمة االكتشافات ،والبشرية أحكمت سيطرتها على القطبني الشمايل واجلنويب وأعماق البحار وقمة إيفرست والفضاء والقمر ..وهلذا هو يقرر أنه يتعني على البشرية التفكري من منطلق الريادة واملخاطرة من أجل استدامة النوعية األفضل للحياة. ويؤكد املحاضر أن األفراد الذين يثبتون بنجاح إمكانيات الطاقة الكامنة يف التقنيات النظيفة مثل الطاقة الشمسية وطاقة الرياح والوقود البيولوجي هم الذين حيددون ويرمسون املستقبل.
إرث االبتكار وينتمي بيكارد إىل عائلة ينتسب هلا عدد من
حميب املغامرة وتتألف من مهندسني وعلماء حطموا الكثري من األرقام القياسية .ففي الثالثينات من القرن املاضي ،قام جده أوقست ،وهو ند أللربت إنشتاين وصديق ملاري كوري ،جبعل الطريان احلديث حقيقة ماثلة من خالل اخرتاع البالون املزود بكابينة مضغوطة اهلواء للطريان يف الطبقة الرئيسة الثانية من الغالف اجلوي. ويف العام ،1931أصبح أول رجل يدخل الغالف اجلوي لألرض بعد أن صعد بالونه بنجاح ملسافة 16000قدم ،مستخدمًا خمرتع الرسوم الكرتونية تننت وهريجي أوقست كمصدر لإلهلام بشخصية الربوفسور كالكيولس. أما والده جاك ،فقد كان عامل حميطات وقام بتطوير مركبة تسري حتت املاء وكانت حيوية لدراسة تيارات مياه املحيطات وحيتفظ بالرقم القياسي باإلشرتاك مع دون والش ألعمق عملية غوص .ففي العام ،1960استخدم اإلثنان غواصة طورها أوقست بيكارد للسفر ملسافة 7أميال حتت املحيط اهلادي بهدف استكشاف أعماق املحيطات يف العامل. وواصل بريتراند هذا اإلرث عندما كشف عن مشروع الطائرة اليت أطلق عليها اسم “النبض الشمسي” “ ”Solar Impulseيف العام 2003بالتعاون مع معهد التقنية الفيدراىل السويسري يف مدينة لوزان ،حيث قام فريق بيكارد بعد 8سنوات من العمل الشاق وعمل النماذج واملحاكاة واالختبار بتصميم وهندسة طائرة تستمد طاقتها من الشمس فقط وأكملت أول رحلة يقودها طيار استمرت طوال الليل. وخيطط فريق طائرة النبض الشمسي بناء طائرة ثانية مزودة مبقصورة قيادة مبساحة تكفي لطيارين اثنني وتشتمل على نظم اتصاالت خفيفة الوزن مما يتيح هلا
الطريان لعدة أيام تعتمد بصورة كاملة على الطاقة الشمسية ورمبا على غرار بالون بيكارد الطريان حول العامل. وأثناء رحلته بالبالون ،متكن بيكارد من الطريان ملسافة 45755كيلومرتا يف 19يوما و 21ساعة و 47دقيقة وعندها متكن من حتطيم سبعة أرقام قياسية عاملية .ويقول بيكارد إن طائرة النبض الشمسي ستتمكن من الطريان من قارة إىل أخرى ولكن ليس دون توقف على األقل يف الرحلة األوىل.
تقنية مستدامة ويوضح بيكارد بأن “النبض الشمسي” ليست طائرة، بل هي برهان ملا ميكن حتقيقه إذا متكنا من التفكري خارج إطار املألوف وإذا طبقنا روح املغامرة يف حياتنا اليومية .ويعلل ذلك بأنه ال ميكن حتقيق النمو إذا دفعنا الناس الستخدام التقنيات والطاقات اليت يعرفونها اآلن .ويرى أن الناس حباجة إىل التقنيات النظيفة وال بد من عمل تغيري مجاعي يف منط التفكري ويف االفرتاضيات األساسية السائدة .مؤكدًا أن طائرة “النبض الشمس”ما هي إال شاهد على ما ميكننا حتقيقه اليوم بالتقنيات اجلديدة. وحث بيكارد طالب ومنسويب اجلامعة وشجعهم علي املضي قدما يف تطبيق شعارهم “أحباث دون قيود أو عوائق” واستغالل هذا الشعار من أجل حتقيق وجلب تقنية مستدامة وحمسنة للعامل ،مذكرًا إياهم بضرورة تغيري العقلية والتوقف عن االعتماد على املاضي والعادات القدمية والشكوك وكذلك ضرورة رؤية املستقبل من منظور االبتكار التجاري والريادة بعني املستكشف وهو ما حيتاج اليه عاملنا بشدةo.
وكانت هناك جمموعة من اللوحات اليت ُعرضت حتاكي خمتلف املدارس واالجتاهات الفنية ،إضافة إىل أعمال النحت ملجموعة من الفنانات الاليت متيزن يف هذا املجال يف الساحة املحلية. وبهدف إجياد مساحة للتواصل بني طالب وطالبات اجلامعة مع الفنانات املشاركات ُأقيمت على هامش ال كبريًا املعرض ورشة عمل للرسم شهدت إقبا ً وحققت صداها اجليد بني املشاركني من الطالب ال عن إعحاب الزوار الذين عربوا عن والطالبات ،فض ً ذلك بشراء لوحات فنية بغرض اقتنائها. منظم املعرض رئيس جلنة الفن يف الغرفة التجارية يف جدة هشام بنجايب وصف املعرض يف طريقة إخراجه واإلضاءة املستخدمة وقوائم العرض واليت تعد من املحاور األساسية بأنه من أمجل املعارض اليت شاهدها ،كما أن الختيار الزوايا املناسبة لكل عمل وحجمه وضوئه وبطاقة املعلومات اليت تتم كتابتها عن كل لوحة معروضة تبني هوية اللوحة ومقاسها واسم الفنانة واخلامات اليت شكلت أساسيات اللوحة ورمسها ،أيضًا يتيح العمل فرصة تعريف اجلمهور مبا وصلت إليه املرأة السعودية من وعي وثقافة على مجيع املستويات .وأكد بنجايب أن الفنانة السعودية سبق هلا أن حصلت على الثقة بأن تكون سفرية متثل اململكة من خالل املشاركات اليت تقوم بها يف املعارض املحلية والدولية. والفنانات املشاركات يف املعرض هن-: • د /عفت فدعق
• رضية برقاوي • تغريد البقشي • مىن القصيب
• العنود الشييب
• بديعة إيشان
• دعاء شعالن
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• فاطمة عمرانo.
الرئيس وقيادات جامعة امللك عبداهلل احتفلوا بلم مشل اخلرجيني يف برنامج اإلثراء الشتوي
كاكلر ونوح ونابلسي يستعرضون بناء األقمار وقناديل البحر اهلالمية وحتديات بداية اجلامعة جرت فعاليات أول عملية تهدف إىل مل مشل للخرجيني يوم 19يناير املاضي يف احلرم اجلامعي، عندما رحب الرئيس تشون فونغ شي وقيادات اجلامعة بنحو 75خرجيا قدموا من مجيع أحناء اململكة ودول اخلليج العربية يف وجبة غداء أقيمت على شرفهم.
علمي من فصلني ،أوهلما يتناول بالبحث مستوطنات الشاطىء عند جامعة امللك عبداهلل من منظور الالفقاريات الدقيقة مستعرضًا التحديات اليت تواجهها وثانيها تعداد ملختلف الكائنات يف هذه املستوطنات والكيفية اليت تتعامل بها مع تلك الضغوط البيئية.
وحتدث الرئيس شي عن االحتفالني بتخريج دفعتني من اجلامعة والتنوع اهلائل يف جمموعة اخلرجيني ممن حضروا من خمتلف أرجاء العامل ،مما يتيح للجامعة تشكيل قطاع وحتالف عريض من اخلرجيني وعائلة ممتدة تتألف من الشباب من ذوى الذهن املتوقد والتطلعات العظيمة والفضول املستحب لإلطالع على خمتلف الثقافات والذين جازفوا لكي يكونوا جزءًا من جامعة وليدة جبوار البحر األمحر.
وقدم ديزروزير عرضا حيا للعامل الصغري يف شكل سبيكة البحر الرخوية والروبيان اهليكلي ،كما استعرض العناكب البحرية وقناديل البحر اهلالمية اليت تتوفر لديها طحالب على قرون استشعار للقيام بعملية التمثيل الضوئي لضوء الشمس واإلسفنج اليت تتوىل عملية ترشيح البكترييا والفريوسات من مياه البحر للحصول على غذائها.
وذكر اخلرجيون بأنهم مبثابة سفراء ميثلون اجلامعة أمام العامل وحتدث عن ضرورة مشاركتهم لعائالتهم وأصدقائهم وجمتمعاتهم يف أفكارهم وقيمهم ومعارفهم اليت تشكلت من خالل دراستهم يف اجلامعة واليت تشكل بدورها مستقبلهم اجلمعي. وباإلضافة إىل الرئيس شي ،حتدث الوكيل املشارك برايان موران وثالثة من اخلرجيني عن جتاربهم كمقدمني لفعاليات سلسة اخلرجيني يف برنامج اإلثراء الشتوي .2012
ورشة عمل جاك كاكلر الذي خترج يف عام 2011والفائز جبائزة ندوة أحباث اخلرجيني يف العام ،2010نال درجة املاجستري يف اهلندسة الكيميائية والبيولوجية .ظل كاكلر يعمل منذ خترجه كمستشار جلامعة امللك عبداهلل يف خمترب أقمارالنانو اإلصطناعية ،وهو برنامج يقوم على أساس برنامج سابق نفذه مركز أحباث إمييز يف وكالة الفضاء األمريكية .ويهدف هذا الربنامج إىل ترسيخ وضع جامعة امللك عبداهلل كمركز لتطوير األقمار اإلصطناعية يف الشرق األوسط والعامل قاطبة. وخالل برنامج اإلثراء الشتوي ،2012قام كاكلر بقيادة ورشة عمل استمرت ملدة 4أيام عن تطور أقمار النانو اإلصطناعية بعمل مناذج سريعة وبناء أقمار إصطناعية من الصفر واختبار معداتها عند ارتفاعات تصل إىل 30كيلومرتا يف الطبقة الثانية من الغالف اجلوي.
العامل املجهول أما نوح ديزروزير ،وهو أيضا من خرجيي العام 2011 واحلائز على جائزة ندوة أحباث اخلرجيني ،فقد حتدث للمستمعني يف استعراضه الشيق متعدد امليديا عن التنوع البيولوجي املذهل الذي يسهل الوصول إليه عند شواطىء اجلامعة حتت عنوان “احلياة عند الصغر :العامل املجهول اخلاص بالالفقاريات البحرية”. ويقول إنه إذا نظرنا إىل احلجم األصغر فإننا نفتح عاملا جديدا من الكائنات الدقيقة اليت يسهل جتاهلها .وكان حديثه عبارة عن أداء واستعراض
وبفضل إلقاء الضوء على هذه الكائنات من خالل االستعراض املمتع حلياتها ،حصل احلضور على فهم أفضل هلذه الكائنات الدقيقة اليت تعيش على عتبات دورنا مباشرة.
الرئيس شي رحب به واعتربه الشخص املناسب لبناء علوم األحياء
الربوفيسور ماجسرتييت باحث الدماغ البشري ينضم إىل جامعة امللك عبداهلل رحب رئيس جامعة امللك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية الربوفيسور شي فونغ شيه بوصول الربوفيسور بيري ماجسرتييت وانضمامه إىل أسرة اجلامعة عميدًا لقسم الكيمياء وعلوم احلياة واهلندسة ،وقال الرئيس شي إن جامعة امللك عبداهلل "هي املكان الذي تكرب فيه أفكار وآمال العلماء اجليولوجيني وكذلك املكان الذي يتحدى املهندسني من أجل حتويل اكتشافاتهم إىل تقنيات قابلة للحياة واإلستدامة. وباملقابل يربز مهندسونا األفكار املمكنة التحقيق من خالل ابتكار التقنيات اجلديدة وإهلام علماء األحياء بهدف تعظيم أفكارهم" ..وأضاف" :مع انضمام العميد ماجسرتييت إىل الفريق ،نكون قد حصلنا على الشخص املناسب لبناء وترشيد علوم األحياء القائمة على األسس اهلندسية للوصول إىل الريادة والتميز على نطاق العامل".
التقنية واحلياة ويتطلع الربوفسور بيري ماجسرتييت ،الذي وصل مؤخرا ،إىل أن يضيف إىل اجلامعة من خربته وحنكته ومهاراته القيادية من أجل توطيد وترسيخ البيئة الثرية اليت يتميز بها القسم مبا يتيح املزيد من االزدهار والتطور للمجتمع األكادميي .فخالل فرتة عمله األكادميي املتواصلة ألكثر من ثالثني عاما، جنح جناحا منقطع النظري يف جتميع األشخاص واملشاريع معا من خالل االستماع إيل العلماء القائمني باألحباث بكل حرص وانتباه ومن مث توفري اخليط الذي جيمع ويؤالف بني مجيع اجلزيئيات بروح تشيع التعاون بني مجيع التخصصات ومبا يضمن التناغم بني اجلزئيات ومتاسكها .وقد تضافرت نوعية األفراد واملوارد اليت تزخر بها هذه اجلامعة الفتية وجنحت يف استقطابه لاللتحاق بها ويرى فيها الربوفسور ماجسرتييت فرصة فريدة وهامة للجمع بني التقنية وعلوم احلياة من أجل تعزيز "علوم األحياء املستندة على اهلندسة" مبا ينسجم متاما مع رؤية اجلامعة اهلادفة إىل حتقيق اقتصاد اململكة القائم على أساس املعرفة.
اإلخفاقات والنجاحات
جتربة نوعية
أما العرض الثالث من سلسلة عروض اخلرجيني يف برنامج اإلثراء الشتوي ،2012فلم يكن مقدمه جمرد عارض فقط ولكنه كان أيضا جزءًا من الفريق الذي لعب دورا حيويا يف جناح برنامج اإلثراء الشتوي هلذا العام وهو مصطفى نابلسي ،الذي قدم عرضا لربجمية “أكادوكس :قصة بدايات جامعة امللك عبداهلل”حيث شارك املشاهدين يف اإلخفاقات والنجاحات اليت رافقت جتربته التجارية املبتكرة حىت اآلن .وكان نابلسي ،إىل جانب العضوين املؤسسني لربنامج أكادوكس :وهما نضال مراد وحممد احلريقي، من أوائل املستفيدين من اجلولة األوىل من برنامج متويل البذور .وقدموا وصفا للتطبيقات املبتكرة املستخدمة كمنصة تعليم وذكاء للجيل القادم وهي التطبيقات اليت استخدمت كأساس لربنامج اإلثراء الشتوي .2012
ال وكانت أحباث الربوفسور ماجسرتييت الشخصية السابقة قد ركزت على الدماغ البشري .وكان مسئو ً عن جتميع احتاد ضخم متعدد التخصصات لدراسة األسس البيولوجية لألمراض العقلية مبا يف ذلك االكتئاب وانفصام الشخصية وقد ساهمت هذه األحباث ليس فقط يف املعرفة احليوية هلذه احلاالت ولكنها ساعدت أيضا يف القضاء على املظاهر املرافقة هلذه االضطرابات النفسية .وبالنسبة لوجوده يف جامعة امللك عبداهلل ،يعتزم الربوفسور ماجسرتييت الرتكيز على توجهني يف األحباث :أوهلما البناء على الكفاءات األساسية للتصوير من أجل حتري واستكشاف العمليات البيولوجية على املستوى املجهري للنواة واجلزيئيات واخلاليا كأداة رئيسية لفهم دور اجلينات والربوتينات يف هذا املرض، وثانيهما تطوير ووضع فرص لدراسة اخللفية اجلينية لعدد من أمراض التمثيل الغذائي مثل السمنة وكذلك أمراض السرطان األكثر شيوعا ووثيقة الصلة بالصحة العامة يف اململكة العربية السعودية .وقد جرى يف ديسمرب املاضي التوقيع على مذكرة تفاهم تسمح بالتعاون بني مدينة امللك عبداهلل الطبية يف الرياض ومستشفى احلرس الوطين يف جدة وجامعة امللك عبداهلل مبا يتيح مضاعفة املكاسب من نظام الرعاية الصحية املتميز وتسهيل دراسة جينات السكان بهدف التطوير الفعال للجوانب الصحية ومنع ومعاجلة املرض يف جمتمع السكان املحلي .ويأمل الربوفسور ماجسرتييت أن تتمكن اجلامعة بفضل ما يتوفر لديها من فاعلية وموارد و أجهزة كمبيوتر فائقة اإلمكانيات ومرافق تصوير من املساهمة بصورة فعالة يف مشروع الدماغ البشري.
يقول نابلسي إنه بفضل كونهم من الرواد األوائل يف اجلامعة ،فإن ذلك منحهم التجارب الكاملة من البداية .ونظرًا ألن كل شىيء كان جديدا ،كان يتعني عليهم أن يتعلموا القيام بعمل األشياء من الصفر ويرتكبوا األخطاء ويكتشفوا طرقا جديدة لتذليل ال يف كل املشاكل .ويؤكد نابلسي أنه وجد منطًا مماث ً البدايات وأنه توجد على الدوام أشياء جديدة جيب تعلمها ومشاكل تتم مواجهتها واحلاجة املستمرة للمرونة.
ويرى الربوفيسور ماجسرتييت أن العمل يف جامعة امللك عبداهلل هو مبثابة "جتربة ونقلة نوعية" ويأيت التوظيف الناجح يف مقدمة أولوياته .وسيسعى هلذا الغرض من أجل تشكيل وتنظيم ورش عمل على مستوى عال يف إطار القسم لضمان إطالع املزيد من الناس على مجيع الفرص اليت توفرها اجلامعةo.
وأضاف نابلسي قائال إنه اكتشف أن” أعظم مزايا االلتحاق جبامعة جديدة يتمثل يف كيفية االهتداء إىل حلول جديدة وأن من شأن ذلك اإلطار العملي املتوفر يف اجلامعة أن يشجع االبتكار املطلوب لكي تكون مستثمرًا جديدًا ناجحًا” .ويرى نابلسي أن املطلوب ال يتمثل فقط يف اإلطار واخلربة ولكن أيضا كان لألفراد هنا دورًا قيمًا وهم ممنونون لكل الفرص اليت أتاحتها هلم جامعة امللك عبداهلل من أجل حتقيق أهدافهمo.