2014 July/August Beacon

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

BEACON ‫املنـارة‬ at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

July - August 2014 / Ramadan- Shawwal 1435 Volume 4, Issue No. 10

the

www.kaust.edu.sa

SIZE MAKES A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE IN TUNING ELECTRON INJECTION IN QUANTUM DOT SOLAR CELLS

Prof. Omar Mohammed and his research team work in the laser lab at KAUST’s Solar Center to align the femtosecond transient absorption setup to monitor electron injection between quantum dots (QDs) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in real time.

OMAR F. MOHAMMED, KAUST Assistant Professor of

BILL GATES VISITS KAUST ON EXPLORATORY TOUR

‫بيل غيتس يستكشف فرص تعاون مع جامعة امللك عبداهلل للحد‬ ‫من مشاكل اجلوع وسوء التغذية وندرة املياه يف العامل‬

KAUST and the University of California at Berkeley recently

IN A COLLABORATIVE effort aimed at exploring ways to reduce

published a paper in the Journal of the American Chemical

the problems of hunger, malnutrition and water scarcity, Bill Gates,

Society (DOI: 10.1021/ja413254g) examining the properties

world-renowned technology pioneer, philanthropist and co-chair

essential for quantum dot (QD) solar cells.

of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, visited KAUST on Tuesday,

‫في مجهود تعاوني يهدف إلى استكشاف طرق مبتكرة للحد من مشاكل‬ ‫ قام رجل األعمال بيل‬،‫الجوع وسوء التغذية وندرة المياه في العالم‬ ‫ والرئيس‬،‫ أحد أشهر رواد التقنية واألعمال الخيرية في العالم‬،‫غيتس‬ ‫ بزيارة جامعة الملك‬،‫المشارك لمؤسسة بيل وميليندا غيتس الخيرية‬ .ً‫عبداهلل مؤخرا‬ ‫ "إنه لمن دواعي سروري أن أرحب بالسيد‬: ‫لو شامو‬-‫وقال الرئيس جان‬ ‫غيتس وأن أدعوه لاللتقاء بأعضاء هيئة تدريسنا وطلبتنا الذين يبذلون‬ ‫مجهودات كبيرة للتصدي للتحديات العالمية الرئيسية متسلحين بسالح‬ ‫ لقد تعرف السيد غيتس عبر هذه الزيارة على العلوم‬.‫االكتشافات العلمية‬ ‫المتطورة التي تنتجها جامعتنا واالبحاث المهمة التي يقوم بها طلبتنا‬ ."‫والتميز‬ ‫الموهوبين ومرافقنا االستثنائية وثقافتنا التي تعزز االلهام‬ ّ

Chemical Science and the principal investigator of the ultrafast laser spectroscopy and four-dimensional electron imaging laboratory at KAUST’s Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center, and a team of researchers from

QD solar cells are “emerging as promising low-cost

June 24, 2014.

alternatives to existing photovoltaic technologies,” the

KAUST’s long-term and sustained investments in four strategic

researchers state. They are advantageous for use in

research areas—water, food, energy and the environment, have

photovoltaics for several reasons, including strong above-

attracted some of the world’s leading faculty, scientists and

gap sunlight absorption, the possibility to tune the bandgap

researchers. As a result, KAUST’s research centers are at the

by controlling the QD size, solution processability and the

forefront of scientific efforts to address some of humanity’s

availability of a range of device architectures.

pressing challenges.

QUANTUM DOT SOLAR CELLS | Continued on p4

BILL GATES VISIT | Continued on p2

2 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

‫حبث علمي يبني أن أمساك اللقيطة‬ .‫هي من أمساك األعماق‬ TAGS REVEAL CHILEAN DEVIL RAYS ARE AMONG OCEAN'S DEEPEST DIVERS MAINLY thought to be surface dwellers, Chilean devil rays (Mobula tarapacana) are most often seen gliding through shallow, warm waters. But a new study by KAUST scientists and international colleagues reveals that these large and majestic creatures are actually among the deepest-diving and fastest-diving ocean animals.

"Very little is know about devil rays," said Michael Berumen, a biologist at KAUST and senior author of the paper, which was published July 1, 2014, in the journal Nature Communications. "We suspected that they travelled long distances horizontally, but we had no idea that they were diving so deep or so fast. That was truly a surprise."

The researchers utilized pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags (PSATs) to record the movement

patterns of 15 Chilean devil rays in the central North DEVIL RAYS | Continued on p2

INSIDE:

News 1-3

‫أظهرت أجهزة التعقب أن أسماك اللقيطة‬ ‫التشيلية هي من بين أسماك المحيطات التي‬ ‫تغوص ألعماق كبيرة‬ ‫كان االعتقاد السائد سابقًا أن أسماك اللقيطة‬ ‫) هي من‬Mobula tarapacana( ‫التشيلية‬ ‫الكائنات البحرية التي تعيش في المياه الضحلة‬ ‫ ولكن كشفت دراسة جديدة‬.‫والدافئة فقط‬ ‫قام بها علماء من جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم‬ ‫والتقنية في المملكة العربية السعودية بقيادة‬ ‫عالم األحياء الدكتور مايكل بيرومين وبعض‬ ‫الباحثين والزمالء الدوليين أن هذه المخلوقات‬ ‫الكبيرة هي في الواقع من ضمن األسماك التي‬ ‫ وتم نشر‬.‫تغوص ألعماق كبيرة في المحيطات‬ Nature( ‫الدراسة في ورقة بحثية في مجلة‬ .2014 ‫ يوليو‬1 ‫) بتاريخ‬Communications ‫وقال الدكتور بيرومين "المعلومات المتوفرة‬ ‫عن أسماك اللقيطة محدودة للغاية وكنا‬

2 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

Community 4

THE COMPUTATIONAL BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH CENTER INAUGURATION KAUST officially inaugurated the Computational

oversaw the graduation of over 30 master’s

Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), on June 8,

students. Moreover, out of the ten inaugural

2014. CBRC began operating in September 2009

KAUST Ph.D. graduates, three were CBRC

and since that time the center has achieved

students. “Overall, our measurable performance

many concrete milestones. In addition to having

has been reasonable, but we are striving to

published over 200 papers in peer-reviewed

improve it much further,” said Prof. Vladimir

journals based on research conducted at KAUST

Bajic, Director of the Computational Bioscience

with less than four faculty on average, the center

Research Center (CBRC).

developed more than 40 different bioinformatics

The official inauguration of the center

resources and tools, as well as 10 full patent

coincided with a two-day symposium featuring

and 13 provisional patent applications. CBRC

over 30 invited international speakers and KAUST

also graduated KAUST’s first Ph.D. student and

faculty. Under the theme of “Meeting Modern

CBRC INAUGURATION | Continued on p3

3 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

2

News

July - August 2014

The Beacon

The Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 10, July - August 2014. 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 Nicholas Demille nicholas.demille@kaust.edu.sa © King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Printed on partially recycled paper.

:‫تتمة الصفحة األولى‬

BILL GATES VISIT | Continued from p1 “It was pleasure to welcome Mr. Gates to meet with faculty and students who are committed to addressing major world issues through scientific discoveries,” said President Jean-Lou Chameau. “Mr. Gates saw first-hand the novel science our talented people are undertaking, empowered with exceptional facilities and a culture that promotes excellence and impact.”

Since agriculture stands as a major pillar in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s work in improving the lives of women, children and communities in the developing world, Mr. Gates took part in a roundtable discussion with KAUST faculty on the topic of agriculture research in arid and harsh conditions. The group focused on ideas and opportunities to align KAUST’s research pursuits with the Gates Foundation. Following the discussion, Mr. Gates had the opportunity to visit several KAUST laboratories and observed first-hand the innovative water-efficient and sustainable systems of food production being developed.

Mr. Gates also met with faculty, postdocs, researchers and students advancing science to address global problems in water security and the

sources, especially in places like India and Africa.

the world’s poorest.” Mr. Gates also expressed

sustainability of water resources. During the visit,

Before departing, Mr. Gates shared his

how impressed he was in KAUST’s unique

faculty and students demonstrated their progress

confidence in KAUST’s progress stating,

facilities and the culture of collaboration

in pursing innovative research that shares the

“I’m optimistic that the research KAUST is

among faculty, students and postdocs inside

Gates Foundation focus on improving water

undertaking will help benefit the livelihoods of

the laboratory. 

‫وشارك السيد غيتس في حلقة نقاش مع أعضاء هيئة التدريس‬ ‫في جامعة الملك عبداهلل لبحث طرق مبتكرة للزراعة في الظروف‬ ‫الجافة والقاسية والتباحث حول إمكانية تعاون بحثي مشترك بين‬ ‫جامعة الملك عبداهلل ومؤسسة غيتس الخيرية خصوصًا أن األخيرة‬ ‫تقوم بأعمال كبيرة في مجال الزراعة نظرًا ألهميتها الكبيرة‬ ‫ وبعد‬.‫في التصدي لمشكلة الجوع في مجتمعات الدول النامية‬ ‫المناقشة قام السيد غيتس بزيارة العديد من مختبرات جامعة‬ ‫ وتعرف عن قرب على االبحاث المتطورة التي تتم‬،‫الملك عبداهلل‬ ‫فيها خصوصًا تللك المعنية باألنظمة المستدامة والمبتكرة لإلنتاج‬ .‫الغذائي وذات الكفاءة العالية في استهالك المياه‬ ‫كما زار السيد غيتس مركز أبحاث تحلية وإعادة استخدام المياه في‬ ‫جامعة الملك عبداهلل حيث قدم أعضاء هيئة التدريس والطالب‬ ‫عروضا حول تقنيات تحلية المياه والصرف الصحي والمجاالت‬ ‫ ومن الجدير بالذكر أن مجال معالجة مياه‬.‫األخرى المرتبطة بها‬ ‫الصرف الصحي يتصدر قائمة اهتمامات مؤسسة جيتس خصوصًا في‬ .‫األماكن التي تنشط فيها مثل الهند وأفريقيا‬ ‫وأعرب السيد غيتس في ختام زيارته لجامعة الملك عبداهلل عن‬ ‫إعجابه الكبير في الجامعة ومرافقها المتطورة وثقته الكبيرة في‬ ‫أبحاثها والثقافة التعاونية بين أعضاء هيئة التدريس والطلبة وزمالء‬ ‫" أنا متفائل بأن األبحاث‬: ‫ما بعد الدكتوراه في المختبرات وقال‬ ‫التي تجريها جامعة الملك عبداهلل ستساهم في الرقي بمستوى‬  ." ‫معيشة أفقر النساء واألطفال واألسر في العالم‬

DEVIL RAYS | Continued from p1

Atlantic Ocean during 2011 and 2012. The tags, which stay on the animals for

cold water —two to three degrees Celsius (35.6 to 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit),"

up to nine months, also measure water temperature, depth and light levels of

Thorrold said.

the waters. Once the PSATs detach or “pop off” from the tagged animal, they float to the surface and transmit data via the ARGOs satellite system back to computers on shore.

QUESTIONS ABOUT RAYS CONTINUE While it's not certain what the rays are doing at these depths, the dive

"Data from the tags gives us a three-dimensional view of the movements of

profiles suggest that they're foraging on large numbers of fish that live in

these animals, and a window into how they're living in their ocean habitat—

deeper waters. Earlier this year, a KAUST-led team of scientists described this

where they go when and why," said Simon Thorrold, a first author to the

fish abundance in a report also published in Nature Communications.

paper and a biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in the United States.

"There’s an enormous amount of biomass in the deep ocean that we’re only starting to understand the significance of," said Camrin Braun, a coauthor and a graduate from KAUST’s Marine Science program. "This paper suggests that

TRACKING THE RAYS IN THE OCEAN Devil rays, which can grow as large as four meters (13 feet) across, are nomads who travel large areas of the ocean. Dive data from the tags show

devil rays are aware of and regularly exploit this resource, which demonstrates an unexpected new link between the surface and deep ocean." Braun is currently a PhD student in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography.

that individuals are also routinely descending at speeds up to six meters per

"Ultimately, answering whether these animals depend on the deep layers

second (13.4 miles per hour) and to depths of almost 2,000 meters (1.24 miles)

of the ocean for their feeding and survival could have major implications

in water temperatures less than four degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

for their management and that of oceanic habitats," added Pedro Afonso,

The deep dives generally followed two distinct patterns. The most common

a coauthor of the paper and researcher at the Institute of Marine Research

involved descent to the maximum depth followed by a slower, stepwise

(IMAR) at the University of the Azores and the Laboratory of Robotics and

return to the surface with a total dive time of 60 to 90 minutes. The tagged

Systems in Engineering and Science (LARSyS).

rays generally only made one such dive during a 24-hour period. In the

Devil rays are under increasing pressure from fishing, particularly in the

second dive pattern, individuals descended and then remained at depths of

Indian and Pacific Oceans. Manta gill rakers are targeted for use in Chinese

up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) for as long as 11 hours.

medicine and their cartilage is used as filler in shark fin soup.

During the day, the rays would spend time at the surface—presumably

Little is known about the life span of devil rays or at what age they

heating up—immediately before and then again after a deep dive. This may

reproduce. Like other large rays, devil rays are thought to birth just one pup

explain how these animals deal with the cold temperatures of the deep ocean.

per about every two years.

A previous study from the 1970s found that several species of devil

"With such low reproductive rates, any increase in natural mortality rates

ray possess a physiological adaptation associated with thermoregulatory

will have a big impact on the species," Berumen said. "We don’t know enough

capabilities—well-developed retia mirabilia (networks of blood vessels)

about devil rays to even know if we should be worried about their status. There

around the cranial cavity.

is evidence to suggest we should be worried, or at least that we should be

"They are basically heat exchange systems that allow animals to become

trying to learn more about the basic biology and ecology of these rays.

endothermic, or in some sense warm blooded," explained Berumen. "We see

Movement ecology studies can be challenging, but the results are crucial

them in other deep-diving elasmobranchs, such as mako and white sharks."

to inform conservation efforts. The more species we tag, the more we

Though it has been hypothesized that devil rays use this adaptation to

learn about their remarkable behaviors. Without such knowledge, it’s hard

cool down rather than warm up, Berumen and his colleagues show that the adaptation could facilitate dives into deep, cold waters, thus solving a decades-old puzzle.

:‫تتمة الصفحة األولى‬ ‫ ولكننا‬،ً‫نشتبه في أنها تقطع مسافات طويلة أفقيا‬ ‫تفاجأنا أيضًا أنها من الكائنات البحرية التي تغوص‬ ."‫في األعماق وبسرعة‬ ‫استخدم الباحثون أجهزة تعقب باألقمار الصناعية قابلة‬ )PSATs( ‫للفصل تثبت على جسم السمكة وتسمى‬ ‫ من أسماك اللقيطة التشيلية‬15 ‫لتسجيل أنماط حركة‬ ‫ و‬2011 ‫في وسط وشمال المحيط األطلسي خالل عامي‬ ‫ وتبقى أجهزة التعقب مثبتة على جسم السمكة‬.2012 ‫ وتقوم خالل هذه الفترة برصد‬،‫ أشهر‬9 ‫لمدة تصل إلى‬ ‫ وبمجرد فصل هذه‬.‫درجة حرارة الماء ومستوى العمق‬ ‫األجهزة من جسم السمكة تطفو على السطح و تبدأ‬ ‫بإرسال البيانات إلى أجهزة كمبيوتر موجودة على‬ .‫) لألقمار الصناعية‬ARGOs( ‫الشاطىء عبر نظام أرغوس‬ ‫عالم أحياء‬،‫ويضيف الكاتب األول للورقة سايمون ثورولد‬ ‫من معهد وودز هول لعلوم المحيطات في الواليات‬ ‫ "نستطيع بواسطة هذه البيانات عرض تحركات‬:‫المتحدة‬ ‫ ويمكننا أيضًا‬،‫هذه الحيوانات على خريطة ثالثية األبعاد‬ ‫التعرف على نمط حياتها في بيئتها في المحيط – أين‬ ‫ وفي حين أننا ال نعرف ماذا تفعله‬."‫تذهب ومتى ولماذا‬ ‫ إال أن بيانات الغوص‬،‫هذه األسماك في هذه األعماق‬ ‫تشير إلى أنها تقتات على أعداد كبيرة من األسماك التي‬ .‫تعيش في المياه العميقة‬ ‫وساهم الباحثون من مصائد األسماك البحرية في والية‬ ‫ماساتشوستس في الواليات المتحدة أيضًا في هذه‬ ‫ وجاء تمويل هذا البحث من المؤسسة الوطنية‬.‫الدراسة‬ ،‫ رودني وإليزابيث بيرينز‬،‫ ومؤسسة هاريسون‬،‫للعلوم‬ ‫ والمؤسسة البرتغالية للعلوم‬،‫جامعة الملك عبداهلل‬ ‫ والمشروع‬،‫ وزارة التربية والتعليم والعلوم‬/ ‫والتقنية‬  .‫ ومعهد وودز هول‬،LARSyS ‫االستراتيجي‬

to know even where to begin to protect a species."

Researchers from Massachusetts Marine Fisheries in the United States also contributed to the study. Funding for this research came from the

"Rays were always seen in very warm water up at the surface, so why

National Science Foundation, The Harrison Foundation, Rodney and

would they need an adaptation for cold water? Once we looked at the dive

Elizabeth Berens, KAUST, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and

data from the tags, of course it made perfect sense that the rays have these

Technology/ Ministry of Education and Science, the LARSyS Strategic

systems. Sometimes they’re down diving for two or three hours in very

Project and WHOI. 

Chilean Devil Ray

News

www.kaust.edu.sa

July - August 2014

3

research focuses on the study and preservation of archaeological sites in the Gulf region such as Petra in Jordan, or Mada’in Saleh in Saudi Arabia.

The two make an unlikely duo.

But in the few, short years they’ve worked together, they’ve designed and built a line of remote control helicopters, outfitted them with high-resolution cameras, written

3D MAPPING

a long time. Lidar scanners can

and debugged custom imaging software and

be used to generate a lot more

pitched their services to a range of high-profile

data, but they do not work well in

clients.

urban environments where they’re constantly interrupted.

With seed funding from KAUST, Smith and Passone run a small startup called FalconViz.

“A helicopter gives us the ability

It’s an apt name choice. The FalconViz team can

to cover huge areas in a short time,

give architects and planners access to a birdseye perspective they’ve never had before.

ON JUNE 21, the United Nations Educational,

make the argument for a UNESCO cultural heritage

generating a lot of useful data,”

Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

site in Jeddah. Their contribution was to map

said Passone. “We think this will be helpful to

“Imagine the construction site of the future,”

named “Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah,” a

Al-Balad, Jeddah’s iconic, old city.

project managers whose only option is probably an

said Smith. “Autonomous helicopters, similar to

outdated Google map.”

our prototypes, will buzz around capturing realtime

World Heritage Site. It’s a designation that took

Using a remote control helicopter, the team

several decades to achieve, in part, because

rapidly surveyed large areas using a high-definition

Passone pilots the helicopters using goggles

data that can be used to check the accuracy of

capturing and communicating the significance

camera from about 50 meters above street level.

that enable him to sit inside a virtual cockpit. It’s

construction. That data will be overlayed with

of Jeddah’s unique historical landmarks proved

Even in areas such as Al-Balad, several passes

a hobby that he cultivated as a diversion from the

information from the original plans, data from

a daunting task.

over each city block were enough to create a rich,

demands of academic life. He’s currently finishing

surveyors and more. Everyone has a much more

interactive model.

a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences focused on earthquake

accurate look, much earlier in the process, to make

buildings may not be safe to enter for

“In an area like Al-Balad, some of the

“We can create three-dimensional renderings

simulation. His background is in high-performance

sure things are being built they way they should.”

surveyors,” said Neil Smith, a KAUST researcher.

of complicated urban environments accurate up

computing, which is what brought him to KAUST as

“And at the rate these buildings are decaying,

to several centimeters. And we can create them

a master’s student.

traditional methods of survey are infeasible. A

quickly, which allows us to show planners how

“I’ve been able to move around and work on

expensive, hot and even dangerous work given

building was lost to fire only two weeks before

buildings are shifting, what improvements have

projects that I’m passionate about,” said Passone. “I

the state of some of the structures. The FalconViz

we arrived. That’s historical information that is

been made and where potential problems are

never envisioned myself flying model helicopters

team offers the ability to capture an entire area in

simply gone.”

developing,” said Passone.

over important historical sites as a business

a day or two and prepare a range of printed plans,

enterprise, but here I am.”

video flyovers, interactive three-dimensional

Smith and his partner Luca Passone are part of a

A team of surveyors on the ground can collect

small team of researchers from KAUST that helped

a few, highly accurate data points, but this takes

CBRC INAUGURATION | Continued from p1 Life Science Challenges Through Computational

with collecting samples,

Bioscience,” the topics covered by the distinguished

processing them, and through

speakers included methods in bioinformatics,

various steps of experimental

genomics, bioengineering, microbial cell factories

and computational analyses

and big data management.

finally arrive at the suitably

“We are going to focus on covering domains

engineered microbial cells.

pertaining to the center’s research activities

In this process computational

as much as possible,” said Bajic prior to the

analysis has a critical role

inauguration. Speaking about the center’s

in suggesting optimized

research thrusts over the next few years, Prof.

solutions that could minimize

Takashi Gojobori, Distinguished Professor of

required experimental effort.

Bioscience and Associate Director of CBRC, said:

“In particular, we are

“ We understand that in life science, so-called

focused on the Red Sea,”

big data is coming out prominently. Whether

Gojobori confirms. The Red

it’s in genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics,

Sea represents a very rich

metabolomics or proteomics, big data approaches

source of microbiological and

are essential to analyze databases and establish

microorganismic diversity. “If

experimental procedures.”

we can find out what kind of

Combining diverse fields such as computer

Smith has a Ph.D. in Archeaology. His

In the case of areas like Al-Balad, surveying the space using traditional methods is prohibitively

models and more 

microorganisms exist in the

science, mathematics, biology and chemistry,

Red Sea, such as bacteria, algae or sometimes

KAUST’s direct access to the Red Sea’s rich source

microbial cell factories. CBRC will receive a large

CBRC concentrates on computational biology

maybe even marine viruses, we can be in a very

of understudied microorganisms, Bajic explained

new computing cluster, which is expected to be

and bioinformatics as catalysts for life science

good position to identify genes which may be

that “we decided that the most rational way for

functional in September of this year. This resource

discoveries and technology development. The aim

useful for technological innovation,” he delineates.

us to go was to embark on something related to

is primarily aimed at supporting CBRC research.

is to integrate several disciplines to design novel

The Red Sea is a unique and still largely

the utilization of microbes for the production of

However, Bajic states that CBRC has strong intention

high-performance computational biology and

unexplored marine environment. By combining

useful chemicals.” This could be either though the

for establishing large-scale collaborative projects

bioinformatics methods, tools and models that will

bioinformatics with experimental procedures,

intermediate form of producing biomass, which

that will expand the existing collaboration with

lead to and speed up development of applications

particularly metagenomics and single cell genomics,

would then be converted into chemicals, or directly

other life-science groups in KAUST. This resource

in synthetic biology and biotechnology – as well

the CBRC scientists aim to further explore the

producing the chemicals of interest.

will enable large-scale studies that were previously

as validating these applications in engineered

microbial diversity of the Red Sea.

This hybrid approach, involving several

infeasible. In this way, they will be beneficial to the

cells. This process also helps to understand

From its inception, the Computational Bioscience

disciplines, is reflected in the diversity of the KAUST

data and practical problems related to data

Research Center's aim has been to develop

faculty working in and around CBRC. Currently, the

Through the leadership of Professors Bajic

storage, processing, database construction and

bioinformatics methods that will enable easier

center has seven faculty members; but there are an

and Gojobori, with the aid of Professors Victor

experimental activities.

biological discoveries, subsequent technology

additional six from different KAUST divisions and

Solovyev, Mikhail Moshkov, Stefan Arold, Xin

development and potential industrial use.

centers who are affiliated with CBRC.

Gao and Dr. John Archer, the Computational

As Bajic further explained: “Our center

broader KAUST life science research community.

combined bioinformatics research with

Considering the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s

The center has defined its flagship project for the

Bioscience Research Center is well positioned

experimental biology.” CBRC will develop the

new commitment to introducing an algal biomass

next six years, which relates to the development

to ensure successful developments in the

new hybrid pipeline where the process starts

production industry in the Kingdom, coupled with

of hybrid platforms for design of efficient

coming years. 

4

Community

July - August 2014

The Beacon

YOU SEE THEM at night pounding the pavement.

Svensson and Houborg both have four children.

They swim past diligently as you lounge at the

Akhdar has three. All three have spouses. All

beach. They’re up at 5 a.m. turning the pedals

three have careers. And yet all three of them

over in the pursuit of something that, for many

dedicate several hours each day to training,

of us, is hard to understand: why do endurance

preparing healthy food and reading up on all of

athletes do what they do?

the knowledge required of triathletes.

“At some point I always ask myself: why am

“The mix of disciplines makes it more

I doing this?” said Michelle Houborg of her

challenging and more fun” said Svensson about

triathlon experiences. “I do it because I can, and

switching from cyclist to triathlete. “You’d be

that keeps me moving forward.”

surprised at how technical racing is. If you miss

Running, swimming and biking are

Svensson actually cites the Global Corporate

But for a select few, combining all three into

Challenge or GCC as having started her triathlon

one epic test of strength and determination

aspirations. “After doing the biking, swimming

has become a passion.

and running required as a participant in the 2013

KAUST is home to a number of triathletes,

KAUST TRIATHLETES TAKE ON ABU DHABI

one detail, it can ruin the whole race.”

popular pursuits among residents at KAUST.

GCC, I was physically ready to do a triathlon.”

three of which sat down with The Beacon

Akhdar placed sixth in the 2013 Abu Dhabi

to talk about a race they all share; the Abu

triathlon in the short distance. It’s something he

Dhabi triathlon.

takes on almost as though it were a second job. He

Vibeke Svensson, Mazen Akhdar, and Michelle

attended the 2013 race as a sponsored participant,

Houborg all know each other. They give an

thanks to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Association.

occasional wave as they pass on training runs.

Most recently he took third place in a Jeddah

They meet for coffee occasionally, but being on

triathlon, for which he took home a medal and a

the move is clearly what all three of them share.

shiny, new Galaxy S4.

QUANTUM DOT SOLAR CELLS | Continued from p1 In solar cells, the efficient generation of current requires charge

“We added a piece to the puzzle into how we can tune

steady-state and time-resolved data demonstrate that only

transfer (CT) at a donor-acceptor interface, but this must take place on

electron injection at the interface between QDs and PCBM,

small-sized QDs with a bandgap larger than one electron volt

a timescale much shorter than the lifetime of the excited state of the

which is a material commonly used in solar cells,” says

can transfer electrons to PCBM upon light absorption.”

absorber. It has recently been shown that smaller-sized QDs, or QDs

Mohammed. “The steady-state and femtosecond time-

“For QD solar cells, size makes all the difference,”

with increased bandgap energies, may promote, suppress, or rectify

resolved data clearly demonstrate that the charge transfer

Mohammed says. “Our results have clearly demonstrated

electron transfer to the accepting layer in the solar-cell. QD size is also

process at the QDs-PCBM interface can be tuned from zero to

for the first time the possibility of modulating the electron

important in optimizing both charge transfer and separation at QD/

very efficient and ultrafast injection by controlling the size

transfer rate between QDs and PCBM by tailoring the size

oxide interfaces, which allows for the use of QDs instead of dyes in

of the QDs.”

distribution of QDs via quantum confinement effects.”

producing QD-sensitized solar cells.

The researchers investigated charge separation and ultrafast

Mohammed hopes the team’s work will advance the

In their work, the team used QDs and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl

electron injection at the QD/PCBM interfaces for four different

understanding and design of QD interfaces for solar energy

ester (PCBM) as a unique model system to examine the interfacial

sizes of QDs, and also as a function of PCBM concentration.

conversion. “We hope our work enables other researchers

charge transfer and separation in real time using a combination of

They claim that the energy band alignment is one of the key

to understand that the size of QDs can make a dramatic

femtosecond (fs) broadband transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy

elements for efficient electron injection and charge separation

difference, and that it should be taken into consideration

and steady-state photoluminescence quenching measurements.

processes. “More specifically,” the researchers state, “the

before the fabrication of QD solar cell devices,” he says. 

MY UNIVERSITY IMRAN SHAFIQUE ANSARI

Though hailing from Budaun, India, Imran spent his

When not battling with the issues of global

IN HIS time at KAUST, Ph.D. candidate

formative years in Saudi Arabia. Upon completing his

communications, Imran takes full advantage of all that

Imran Shafique Ansari has flourished both

bachelor’s degree at King Fahd University of Petroleum and

KAUST has to offer. His friends hail from all corners of the

personally and in his academic pursuits.

Minerals, Imran was recruited to join the founding class at

globe, and he appreciates how the international dynamic

Already the first author of 11 publications,

KAUST. The decision to accept was an easy one. “KAUST

drives the social scene, stating, “KAUST has a very diverse

Imran has found the research support of

provides resources similar to the world’s best universities

environment and a very multi-cultural social life. Saudis

KAUST to be impressive. “KAUST has been

in terms of faculty, research facilities and a competitive

have an excellent reputation for hospitality, and being part

amazing in achieving my objectives in terms of research for

research environment,” he says. “This environment leads to

of the KAUST family makes this hospitality even better.”

my Ph.D. I have been blessed with an amazing supervisor, who

the advancement and gaining of top-level knowledge.”

His full and active schedule is made all the more enjoyable

guides, teaches and shares knowledge beyond what is required.

Imran earned his master of science in Electrical

by his surroundings. “KAUST’s panoramic view speaks for

Additionally, the lab equipment at KAUST is very powerful for

Engineering from KAUST in December 2010, and is now

itself in terms of its rare beauty and for the innumerable

computational areas, and so are other research resources,” he says.

fully invested in his Ph.D. research. Studying under Dr.

recreational opportunities,” he says.

According to Imran, though, it is not only the top-tier academics

Mohamed-Slim Alouini, Imran is tackling issues regarding

From global communications to global friendships, Imran

and facilities that make KAUST unique: “Most importantly, the work

how to best adapt and apply the fixed and limited resources

seems to have the perfect perspective on what KAUST is:

style is quite dynamic here, and as a student, one works according

of wireless communications to the ever-expanding base of

“KAUST seems to be situated at the center of the globe,

to the rhythm of his or her supervisor.”

users and their growing needs.

making every place on the map easily accessible.” 

MICHAEL GILMER

from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, and previously

not lost on him either. “Before I came to KAUST, I thought

HUMAN RESOURCES’ Senior Recruitment

worked for noted companies Xerox Corporation, Sony

the photos on the website were amazing. But now that I’ve

Specialist Michael Gilmer works hard at

Electronics and Delta Airlines, among others. “You need to be

seen KAUST in person, the photos pale in comparison to the

his job but likes to keep things light,

personable, social and a people person in my field,” says Mike.

reality,” he adds.

noting, “I’m a member of The Hair Club

“My job at KAUST is to locate and to hire the most qualified and

In his time away from the office, Mike likes to stay fit

for Men.” Seeing that Mike (as he prefers)

most dynamic candidates that best fit our career openings and

by taking in the full range of recreational opportunities at

is as bald as a marble floor, it’s clear he

our community.”

KAUST. “I like to go to the gym, and you can often see me out

doesn’t mind having a laugh at his own expense.

Mike doesn’t have difficulty selling KAUST to potential

cycling,” he says.

Born and raised in the friendly city of Pittsburgh,

candidates, stating, “One of the things I truly believe is

Being that he’s a recruiter, it might be easy to forget that

Pennsylvania (U.S.), Mike still maintains his roots, despite

that KAUST is a great place for families. We have a young,

Mike himself was recruited to join KAUST. On that point,

now calling Orlando, Florida his U.S. home. “I still love my

vibrant, growing community, and I get to work with and

he notes, “I came to KAUST because I wanted to do something

city and my Pittsburgh sports teams: the Steelers, the Pirates, and

break bread with some of the most talented people in their

different. I wanted to live and to work overseas. KAUST was

the Penguins,” he says. Mike earned two bachelor’s degrees

respective professions.” KAUST’s dreamscape scenery is

hands down the best opportunity to do that.”