Issue 2 – Dec 2024 | KU Explorer

Summary

Published: 12/11/2024

What's in this issue?

About the cover: Flowing water nourishes the leaves of a tree branch in the form of a circle. Our cover image symbolizes water’s vital role as a precious resource and emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable water management.
Advancing sustainability and security through research and teaching
Unveiling Earth’s climate chronicles
Safeguarding against future outbreaks of infectious disease
Innovative ways to make water resources last
Electrifying heavy metal ion recovery and reuse from wastewater
Academia and industry unite for a sustainable UAE
Toward a greener iron and steel industry
Addressing language barriers in dementia assessment
How AI can help improve the accuracy of multimodal gait analysis

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In this edition

Features

Advancing sustainability and security through research and teaching

Khalifa University is putting the emphasis on water and environment in its latest strategic priorities.

Features

Modelling energy dynamics for sustainable urban planning

Modelling energy supply and demand in different building types highlights how crucial built form and function are to urban sustainability.

Lab Insights

Transforming deserts into green oases using seawater

Salt-tolerant plants and microbes irrigated by seawater can generate valuable bio-resources, in a system that turns desert sands into rich soil.

Lab Insights

Catalyzing the future

Cutting-edge research in reaction and separation technologies promises a cleaner and more sustainable world.

Lab Insights

Pushing the boundaries of water technologies

At Khalifa University’s Centre for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology researchers are developing resilient, energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions to tackle water scarcity.

Features

Innovative ways to make water resources last

Through key collaborative efforts and innovative research, Khalifa University endeavors to offer sustainable water solutions and establish itself as a global leader in desalination technologies.

Research Spotlights

Electrifying heavy metal ion recovery and reuse from wastewater

A new separation technique using porous electrodes traps metal ions from wastewater, offering smarter, greener solutions for heavy metal pollution.

Research Spotlights

Harnessing body movements to power electronic devices

Utilizing 2D nanomaterials, advances in energy-harvesting technologies could revolutionize the way we yield electrical power.

Research Spotlights

Carbon capture brought to life by tweaking the plumbing

Straightforward modifications to gas turbine power generators can reduce the energy required to capture exhaust carbon emissions.

Research Spotlights

A mussel-inspired designer adsorbent for efficient pollution control

Interdisciplinary collaboration between research centers at Khalifa University finds functionalized polydopamine nanoparticles to be highly effective at adsorbing dyes present in industrial waste.

Research Spotlights

Mangroves inspire membranes that can filter heavy metals from water

Khalifa University researchers have developed an eco-friendly ultrafiltration membrane using particles from mangrove trees.

Features

Toward a greener iron and steel industry

With the steel industry accounting for a significant portion of global CO2 emissions, calculating the technical and economic feasibility of future steel factories with reduced carbon emissions is vital in the transition toward a greener sector.

Inside views

Using lipid indices to signal cardiovascular and renal outcomes

Eman Alefishat, Associate Professor at Khalifa University’s Department of Medical Sciences and Assistant Dean for Medical Education at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Research Spotlights

Pioneering pervasive digitalization for a smart future

As digital technology becomes ubiquitous, Khalifa University’s cross-cutting research strategy gives it the edge.

Features

Academia and industry unite for a sustainable UAE

Researchers at Khalifa University are pioneering applied research and AI tools to integrate renewable energy into national power grids with real-world solutions.

Research Spotlights

Renewable energy model turns water desalination green

Incentivizing industries to actively manage their power consumption could lead to more efficient usage of renewable energy.

Research Spotlights

How AI can help improve the accuracy of multimodal gait analysis

Using a combination of advanced sensors and AI, scientists are improving neurological disease diagnosis by studying how a person walks.

Research Spotlights

Smart materials for more advanced wastewater treatments

Stimuli-responsive membranes offer more efficient ways to capture and break down persistent organic pollutants, ensuring cleaner water and a healthier environment.

Research Spotlights

Bio-composite material tackles emerging water contaminants

Researchers at Khalifa University have found a novel way to remove potentially toxic chemicals from wastewater.

Research Spotlights

Addressing language barriers in dementia assessment

Validated and standardized neuropsychological tests that can assess cognitive abilities in Arabic could better ensure earlier, and more accurate, diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases in the Middle East and North Africa.

Research Spotlights

Waste-not ideology improves toxin removal from contaminated waters

A nanomaterial synthesized using decomposed garlic and lemon juice shows promise in removing organic and inorganic toxins from wastewater.

Research Spotlights

Helping hearts to beat for life

Moni Nader, Associate Professor at the Department of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University

Inside views

High-speed computing seen through light-enabled circuitry

Jaime Viegas, Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Khalifa University.

Features

Intelligent robots and smart systems meet sustainable development at IROS 2024

Robotics experts from around the world will gather in Abu Dhabi to discuss the role of robotics in sustainable development at this year’s International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems.

Inside views

Unveiling Earth’s climate chronicles

Aisha Al Suwaidi, Associate Professor at the Department of Earth Science, Khalifa University.

Inside views

Printing materials by design

Rashid K. Abu Al-Rub, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Khalifa University

Inside views

Safeguarding against future outbreaks of infectious disease

Dean Everett, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Lead for the KU Infection Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Medical and Health Sciences at Khalifa University