Latest news with #KhalifaUniversityofScienceandTechnology
Gulf Today
18-06-2025
- Science
- Gulf Today
Eco-engine for mini-satellites activated
Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the UAE Space Agency announced on Monday the activation of the first precise and environmentally friendly propulsion system for use in 6-unit mini-satellites, which was fully designed, built, and tested within the UAE. The project is part of the Mini-Satellite Initiative, supported by the UAE Space Agency through a formal agreement with Khalifa University. The initiative aims to demonstrate orbital technology for missions sent to low Earth orbit (LEO). Six university researchers and senior associates from the agency are involved in the project, which has now entered the final phase of pilot operation at the university's Small Satellite Laboratory. Bati Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, stated: 'This strategic achievement reflects our commitment to sustainable space technologies and highlights the capabilities of our national talents in engineering.' Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, added: 'The project aligns with the UAE's vision to enhance local and regional space capabilities. These advanced systems represent a qualitative leap in the nation's ability to independently verify complex and sustainable space technologies. Reaching the final phase of pilot operation underscores the university's dedication to nurturing national talents and strengthening local infrastructure.' The propulsion unit will be integrated into a fully operational small satellite system, with its launch expected by the end of 2026, Al Hajri added, indicating that its primary mission is to demonstrate orbital propulsion capabilities through altitude control and orbital maneuvers.
Al Etihad
13-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
1,112 students graduate with flying colours at Khalifa University of Science and Technology ceremony
13 June 2025 17:12 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) held its 2025 graduation ceremony over two days at ADNEC on June 11-12, celebrating 1,112 graduates from both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.A total of 738 students earned bachelor's degrees, including 31 medical graduates, while 193 received their master's and 163 were awarded their part of the UAE's Year of Community, the ceremony celebrated significant achievements, including a record-breaking number of Biomedical Engineering graduates, a robust group from the inaugural Nuclear Engineering programme, and the awarding of degrees in the Master of Science in Sustainable Critical Infrastructure launch of the bachelor's programme in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence also highlighted the university's increasing focus on future-oriented to Aletihad, Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, praised the graduates' achievements and their growing role in shaping the UAE's innovation landscape."The 2025 graduates have now become part of a community of Khalifa University alumni who are not only advancing in their careers but shaping industries in the UAE and the region. Wherever these graduates go next as industry professionals, researchers, scientists and academicians, we encourage them to carry the same habits and values – integrity, curiosity, and the willingness to learn – which they have built over the years at Khalifa University, consistently top-ranked in the UAE for the 7th consecutive year."He added: "While I offer my congratulations to the new graduates, we are also proud of them and firmly believe they will live up to the reputation of Khalifa University wherever they are placed. Khalifa University's alumni hold senior positions in both government and private sector organisations, creating value and offering their expertise. We believe these 2025 graduates will similarly emulate the previous cohorts of graduates who are also launching new commercial ventures, receiving industry awards, and earning places on regional and global platforms." Pioneering Research and Innovation He noted that the graduating class of 2025 has greatly contributed to research and innovation that remains integral to Khalifa University's core mission and strategy."These students were involved in projects across key fields such as robotics and AI, biotechnology and healthcare, aerospace and sustainable space propulsion, as well as defence technologies – advancing the university's mission of academic excellence and national impact."Professor Al Hajri highlighted that student projects in areas such as smart agriculture, wearable technology, biofuels, carbon capture, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence demonstrate the innovation and technical expertise driving the future of the UAE and the broader mission of Khalifa University, he noted, aligns with the UAE's priorities in space, energy, and health by transforming laboratory innovations into startups, achieving notable successes in areas such as decarbonisation, CubeSats, advanced materials, and healthcare."In research and innovation, Khalifa University leads with more than 300 patents and total invention disclosures crossing 700," he University President emphasised initiatives like the HusTab Health Analysis Pipeline, an AI-driven health system for wearable data, indoor air quality evaluations in UAE schools, coral monitoring near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, and studies on protein alterations associated with infertility and cancer. He also mentioned the university's partnerships with Stanford, Airbus, and university's graduates have developed start-ups through its innovation and entrepreneurship programmes via the Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC) and the Khalifa Innovation it introduced the UAE's first dual master's programme in partnership with Arizona State University, centred on Al Hajri further explained how Khalifa University has prepared them to lead: "At Khalifa University, work experience is built into the learning process, and many of our students intern with top UAE and leading international companies in various sectors such as energy, telecom, and defence research, gaining exposure to the roles they will step into."Khalifa University marked a milestone in its sustainable journey with the launch of "Sustainability Strategy - A Pathway to Net Zero 2050", a comprehensive five-year roadmap, and the university's first greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions report, he noted."We have also launched a Dh1 million sustainability challenge through which we are planning to offer grants for the most impactful research projects," Prof. Al Hajri said."In addition, Khalifa University is the Co-Chair of the UAE Universities Climate Network (UCN) and centres its works on four key pillars: Student Youth Engagement, Communal Activations, Research & Innovation, and Campus Carbon Neutrality," he added. A Rewarding Education Journey Also speaking to Aletihad graduates from various disciplines, shared their education journey and future Hessa Aljarwan, who holds a PhD in Engineering Systems and Management, the graduation "marks the start of a greater responsibility-to give back, lead with integrity, and pursue impact over titles." Her research explored how indoor environments affect brain activity, aiming to design healthier office spaces."Khalifa University gave me the freedom to explore neuroscience and architecture," she said, adding that she plans to pursue research, design and Gafoor Haddad, a PhD holder in Robotics, focused his research on reinforcement learning for UAVs."My PhD introduced reinforcement learning techniques for UAVs with slung loads, enabling them to pick and place items accurately – even when conditions like cable length or load mass change. It addresses the challenge of real-world adaptability," he university's comprehensive support, global exposure and participation in hackathons were pivotal in shaping his Alzaabi, who holds a Master's in Computer Science (AI), said: "This degree came with challenges, but each one pushed me to grow – technically and personally."Her research developed energy-efficient AI models for underwater navigation."It addresses the limitations of conventional AI, especially where energy efficiency is critical," she Almarzooqi, who holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Excellent with Honors) and led the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' KU Chapter, won national awards, and joined CubeSat projects with global partners."Today is not just about earning a degree - it is about perseverance and service to our country.""I want to keep contributing to aerospace through innovation and service," she Al Jasmi, Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering degree holder, called her KU experience "truly rewarding and it deepened my interest in the field".She thanked her family and shared how the university's evolving curriculum and her internship at KAIST, Korea, expanded her skills. "I plan to pursue postgraduate studies, but first I want hands-on experience," she said.
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Khalifa University to host RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 in Abu Dhabi
19 May 2025 15:08 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Khalifa University of Science and Technology has announced it will host the eighth edition of the RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP 2025) in Abu Dhabi from November 12-17, 2025, a landmark moment for the UAE's rapidly growing robotics RCAP 2025, hosted in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Khalifa University will present a dynamic lineup of technologies through eight leagues, including RoboCupSoccer, RoboCupRescue, RoboCup@Home, RoboCupJunior, RCAP Industry-Sponsored League, and RoboCupIndustrial, with 15 sub-leagues. Additionally, the event will have RCAP Challenges and RCAP Demonstrations. Also featuring will be 34 competitions across all categories with 14 in the major leagues and 20 in the junior division, spanning soccer, rescue, industrial, and home robotics, expected to attract 1,900 a broad spectrum of RoboCup leagues, RCAP 2025 will be in line with UAE national priorities such as smart mobility, AI for sustainability, and technologies for regional challenges. RCAP 2025 will focus on global themes of 'Sustainability', 'Transforming Industries', 'Energy-Efficient Robotics', 'Sustainable Manufacturing', and 'AI-Driven Sustainable Models', encouraging teams to build eco-friendly robots, use recyclable materials, and apply AI to optimise resource Excellency Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University, said: 'Hosting RCAP 2025 is a tremendous honor for Khalifa University and the UAE. It reflects Abu Dhabi's rising role as a regional hub for advanced robotics and AI, and accelerates our mission to foster innovation, talent development, and global collaboration. Aligned with the UAE's Year of Community, a national initiative aimed at fostering unity and empowerment across the country, this event also offers a powerful platform to inspire young minds, engage diverse communities, and spotlight the positive impact of robotics and advanced technology on society.'Abu Dhabi's successful bid to host RCAP 2025 builds on Khalifa University's growing international stature, particularly after the Khalifa University Robotics Athletes 'KURA' team achieved second place globally in the Kid-Size Humanoid League at RoboCup 2024 in The Netherlands, making the University's first-ever participation in the competition. Beyond competitions, Khalifa University aims to expand STEM engagement through initiatives like RoboCupJunior and is building partnerships with regional and international collaborators from academia, industry, and government to make RCAP 2025 a truly global event.
The National
25-04-2025
- Science
- The National
How Abu Dhabi's salt domes could help the UAE reach its net-zero targets
Natural geological structures called salt domes in Abu Dhabi could play a leading role in the UAE's energy transition, new research suggests. These structures of sedimentary rocks, formed where a large mass of salt has been forced upwards, often forming traps for oil or natural gas, are of interest to engineers who are concerned with the storage of hydrogen generated by renewable energy. In a new study, to be presented at a conference in Vienna at the end of April, scientists said that UAE authorities are 'actively exploring the use' of salt domes for large-scale hydrogen and hydrocarbon storage. This, they said, is being carried out in line with the country's aim of a 'clean energy transition and decarbonisation'. The scientists from Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi and oil company Adnoc, said that the Jebel Al Dhanna salt dome stretches up to 2.8 kilometres east to west and 4.2km north to south. It was analysed using three-dimensional seismic techniques and four boreholes to assess its capacity for salt caverns, which are created within the domes by using liquid to dissolve the salt to leave a cavity that can be used for storage. 'You engineer the salt caverns by pumping water underground and gradually dissolving over a year or three years,' said Stuart Haszeldine, a geologist and professor of carbon capture and storage at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. While the size of salt caverns depends on the size of the structure in which they are being created, Prof Haszeldine said they typically stretch 20 to 30 metres vertically or 30 to 50 metres horizontally, although they can be much larger. The demand for hydrogen is growing and an advantage is that it can be stored underground until needed. At times of greater energy demand, the hydrogen can be extracted and used to power fuel cells that generate energy, or burned to produce heat. Hydrogen is ideally stored underground, said Kevin Taylor, a professor in energy geoscience at the University of Manchester in England, because the gas's low density means that it is not economical to build large-scale storage above the ground. The use of salt caverns to store hydrogen is still at an experimental stage. However, the European Union is currently supporting a project called HyPSTER (Hydrogen Pilot Storage for large Ecosystem Replication) which is a large-scale salt cavern in Etrez in eastern France for hydrogen storage. The project team announced in late 2024 that the first hydrogen molecules had been injected into a salt cavern. Prof Haszeldine said that in the Gulf states, salt caverns could be used to store hydrogen for either export or domestic use. They are already, he said, 'well proven' for the storage of methane. In separate research published last year, Chinese scientists looked at the potential for salt caverns to be used for the storage of carbon dioxide. With carbon capture and storage, where CO2 released by industrial plants is collected, and direct air capture, where CO2 is sucked out of the air, the carbon dioxide is typically stored deep underground. Ideally, it is dissolved and mineralised, creating a permanent storage so that the carbon no longer contributes to global warming. However, producing salt caverns to store CO2 permanently in this way may not be realistic, given the costs of creating the cavern, while another drawback is that the gas will not become mineralised. 'You could use salt caverns for CO2 storage, but you would probably make more money injecting hydrogen or methane in and out,' Prof Haszeldine said. ' … If you're going to mine a cavern as a business, you will probably mine a cavern for the storage of hydrogen.' While salt caverns may not be ideal for permanent CO2 storage, the researchers from China indicated in the journal Engineering they could be used for non-permanent CO2 storage and so could help to 'promote the important transformation of carbon as a waste to [an] industrial resource'.
Trade Arabia
24-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
WaHa, Khalifa University partner to advance water tech
WaHa, a leading climate technology company, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology, announced an enhanced partnership to raise energy efficiency and capability of WaHa Vaporator atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology for water security in the UAE and Middle East. The collaboration will optimise advanced material selection and energy efficiency for the WaHa Vaporator, a patented technology with unparalleled energy efficiency for AWG and HVAC systems, creating distributed, reliable, and cost-effective potable water sources, independent from existing water supplies. The partnership builds on an existing relationship between WaHa and Khalifa University. The University has been testing two versions of the WaHa Vaporator in Abu Dhabi since April 2024, and the latest version has demonstrated exceptional performance with 100% uptime and 99.9% reliability, with improved energy efficiency and surpassing daily water production targets. Professor Samuel Sheng Mao, a leading expert in energy and water technologies, Center Director, ASPIRE Virtual Research Institute for Sustainable Energy, and Professor of Practice, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, said: "This collaboration is a significant step in addressing water scarcity challenges in our region. By combining our expertise in materials research with WaHa's innovative AWG technology, we aim to deliver transformative and sustainable water solutions for the UAE and beyond. The impressive results from our ongoing tests underscore the potential of this technology to make a real difference in water-stressed areas."
