logo
KACST Grants 2 Licenses for Modular Construction, Carbon Nanotube Commercialization

KACST Grants 2 Licenses for Modular Construction, Carbon Nanotube Commercialization

Leaders14-02-2025
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced, as part of the Public Investment Fund and Private Sector Forum, the granting of two technology licenses to Al-Seif Engineers & Contractors for the commercialization of modular construction technologies and carbon nanotube technologies.
Granting these technology licenses aligns with KACST's role as a national lab and innovation hub, turning R&D projects into marketable products, boosting innovation, expanding deep tech applications, advancing technologies. This also enhances local content to add value to national industries.
The technology licenses for the 'Modular Construction Technologies' and 'Carbon Nanotube Technologies' projects support the Kingdom's Vision goals for the development of the construction sector through innovations in building materials, advanced construction technologies such as robotics and automation systems, and green buildings, which aim to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability in research support.
Related Topics :
KACST Signs Promising Partnerships with Prestigious Mining Entities
KAUST Drives Groundbreaking Research on Decarbonizing Cement Production
SEC, KAUST Launch Pioneering Carbon Capture Research Project at Rabigh
Aramco Partners with Gulf Cryo to Test Lower-Carbon Hydrogen Technologies
Corporate Climate Watchdog Document Deems Carbon Offsets Largely Ineffective- Reuters
Take a Look: First Public Display of Holy Kaaba's Kiswah outside Mecca
Short link :
Post Views: 23 Related Stories
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Salt solution boosts aqueous battery lifespan tenfold, KAUST study finds
Salt solution boosts aqueous battery lifespan tenfold, KAUST study finds

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

Salt solution boosts aqueous battery lifespan tenfold, KAUST study finds

JEDDAH: Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology's Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies have identified a key molecular barrier preventing aqueous rechargeable batteries from becoming a safer, cost-effective option for sustainable energy storage, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, show how water shortens battery life and performance — and how adding low-cost salts such as zinc sulfate can counter this effect, extending battery life more than tenfold. 'A major factor in battery lifespan — aqueous or not — is the anode, where energy-generating chemical reactions occur. However, parasitic reactions at the anode degrade it over time,' the SPA reported. The study reveals that free water fuels these parasitic reactions, while zinc sulfate reduces free water levels, mitigating damage and improving performance. Free water refers to water molecules not strongly bonded to others, making them more reactive. This state enables them to trigger unwanted reactions that consume energy and degrade the anode, according to the SPA. 'Our findings highlight the importance of water structure in battery chemistry — a key factor that has been largely overlooked,' said Husam Alshareef, KAUST professor, center chair, and the study's principal investigator. Sulfate was found to stabilize the bonds of free water, acting as what the KAUST team describes as 'water glue,' altering water molecule dynamics to reduce parasitic reactions. Most of the KAUST team's experiments involved zinc sulfate-based batteries, but early results suggest sulfate has a similar stabilizing effect on other metal anodes. This points to a potentially universal solution for extending the lifespan of aqueous batteries. 'Sulfate salts are cheap, widely available, and chemically stable, making our solution both scientifically and economically viable,' said KAUST research scientist Yunpei Zhu, who led the experiments. Aqueous batteries are attracting global attention as a sustainable solution for large-scale energy storage, with the market reportedly projected to surpass $10 billion by 2030. Unlike the lithium batteries commonly used in electric vehicles, aqueous batteries 'offer a safer, more sustainable option for integrating renewable energy sources like solar power into electrical grids — a key goal in Saudi Arabia's energy transition,' according to the SPA's report. KAUST professors Omar Mohammed, Osman Bakr, Xixiang Zhang, and Mani Sarathy also contributed to the study.

South Africa starts injecting rhino horns with radioactive material to curb poaching
South Africa starts injecting rhino horns with radioactive material to curb poaching

Al Arabiya

time3 days ago

  • Al Arabiya

South Africa starts injecting rhino horns with radioactive material to curb poaching

A South African university launched an anti-poaching campaign Thursday to inject the horns of rhinos with radioactive isotopes that it says are harmless for the animals but which can be detected by customs agents. Under the collaborative project among University of the Witwatersrand nuclear energy officials and conservationists five rhinos were injected Thursday in what the university hopes will be the mass injection of the declining rhino population. Last year about 20 rhinos at a sanctuary were injected with isotopes as part of initial trials that paved the way for Thursday's launch. The radioactive isotopes even at low levels can be recognized by radiation detectors at airports and borders which can lead to the arrest of poachers and traffickers. Researchers at Witwatersrand's Radiation and Health Physics Unit say that tests conducted throughout the pilot study confirmed that the radioactive material was not harmful to the animals. 'We have demonstrated beyond scientific doubt that the process is completely safe for the animal and effective in making the horn detectable through international customs nuclear security systems,' said James Larkin chief scientific officer of the Rhisotope Project. 'Even a single horn with significantly lower levels of radioactivity than what will be used in practice successfully triggered alarms in radiation detectors,' said Larkin. The tests also confirmed that individual horns could be detected inside full 40-foot shipping containers,' he said. The International Union for Conservation of Nature an international conservation body estimates that the global rhino population stood at around 500,000 at the beginning of the 20th century but has now declined to around 27,000 due to continued demand for rhino horns on the black market. South Africa has the largest population of rhinos with an estimated 16,000 but the country experiences high levels of poaching with about 500 rhinos killed for their horns every year. Private and public rhino owners and conservation authorities have been urged approach the university to have their rhinos injected.

Saudi team contest Malaysia Olympiad
Saudi team contest Malaysia Olympiad

Arab News

time4 days ago

  • Arab News

Saudi team contest Malaysia Olympiad

RIYADH: A team of Saudi Arabia students are participating in the second International Nuclear Science Olympiad in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from July 30 to Aug. 6. The Kingdom will be represented in the INSO 2025 by four high school students who were selected after completing intensive training, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. The skills program was organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, Ministry of Education, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. In the previous edition, the Kingdom won one silver and three bronze medals. The Olympiad aims to promote the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technologies, and inspire young people to specialize and innovate in this vital field.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store