2012 12th IEEE International Conference on Nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO)

The International Conference Centre Birmingham

20-23 August 20112, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Current Status of Nanotechnology in Arab Gulf

States

Bassam Alfeelil, Tariq Mohiuddin2, and Khaled Saoud3

lNanotechnology and Advanced Materials Program, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat, 13109, Kuwait 2Department of Physics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoudh, 123, Oman

3Liberal Arts and Science, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar Email: bfeeli@kisr.edu.kw. tarigm@sgu.edu.om, s2kmsaou@gatar.vcu.edu

Abstract - A growing number of nanotechnology

research, education and industry initiatives have been recently

launched by several Arab Gulf States to quickly build scientific

capacity and track the worldwide developments in

nanotechnology. This comprehensive commitment is intended

to serve national interests in energy, water and food supply,

medicine, and local industry. This study assesses current status

of nanotechnology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of

Kuwait, State of Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, and United Arab

Emirates.

Index Terms - Infrastructure, National Policy, Funding Opportunities, Equipment and Facilities.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Arab Gulf States have recently realized their lag in taking part of the international effort to develop nanotechnology. With emphasis on science and technology (S&T) for promoting sustainable development, a growing number of nanotechnology research, education and industry initiatives have been recently launched by several Arab Gulf States to quickly build scientific capacity and track the worldwide developments in nanotechnology. This study assesses current status of nanotechnology in Arab Gulf States. The countries examined are the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, State of Kuwait, State of Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, and United Arab Emirates. The study seeks to document the current status of nanotechnology development in the different countries. This study drew information from official web sites of institutions discussed.

II. CURRENT STATUS

A. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saudi has established several nanotechnology research centers even before the full realization of its National Nanotechnology Program in 2007. The Center of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CENT) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) was established in 2005. CENT's main research focus is on catalysis and photo­catalysis, nanostructured chemical sensors, and carbon nanotubes production and applications. It also conducts activities in the field of anticorrosion processes, biotechnology, environment, and solar cells.

The Center of Nanotechnology (CNT) at King Abdul Aziz University (KAU) was established in 2006. The multidisciplinary center work covers several science and

engineering areas including: materials, fabrication, biotechnology, drug delivery, medicine, renewable energy, devices & systems, desalination & water treatment, and computation and simulation.

In 2009, the Center of Excellence of Nano­manufacuturing Applications (CENA) was established at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). CENA is a research consortium between KACST, Intel, and selected universities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The objectives of the consortium are to build up regional human capacity and reverse the brain drain in the MENA region. Research in CENA is focused on three main themes: fabrication of MEMS, sensors, and integration of CMOS-MEMS, fabrication of autonomous RF sensors and applications, and nanomaterials synthesis, processing, and characterization.

One of the core facilities at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is the Advanced Nanofabrication, Imaging and Characterization (ANIC) facility. ANIC is dedicated to providing the instrumentation, technical expertise, and team-teaching environment to stimulate collaborative research in nanoscale technology.

Most recently, King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology (KAIN) was established in 2010 at King Saud University (KSU). KAIN's conducts a wide range of activities spanning areas such as research, development, and applied activities (energy, water treatment and desalination, telecommunications, medicine and pharmaceutical, food and environment, and manufacturing), modeling and simulation, education and training, and economic and industrial studies.

B. State of Kuwait

In 2010 a $50 million initiative was launched by the Emir of Kuwait to establish nanotechnology center at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). The Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Center (NAMC) research focus areas include renewable energy systems (photovoltaic, fuel cell, and hydrogen storage), construction materials (high performance concrete), surface protection coating materials (corrosion and erosion resistant, self­cleaning, and antibacterial), catalyst materials (oil production and refining), water purification and desalination, and chemical and physical sensing technologies.

The college of engineering and petroleum at Kuwait University (KU) established in 2007 the Kuwait University Nanotechnology Research Facility (KUNRF) to service nanotechnology R&D in the college. The college of Science also established Nanoscopy Science Center (NSC). The center offers many services biological and material science research. Most of KU nanotechnology research fall in the fields of photovoltaic, nanoelectronics, biotechnology, and advanced materials.

C. State of Qatar

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is planning to establish several applied research centers of excellence in Qatar including a center for applied nanotechnology focused on medical applications and renewable and sustainable solutions for energy use.

Current nanotechnology R&D activities are faculty members driven within Qatar University and other international universities in Qatar such as Texas A&M University Cornell University Virginia Commonwealth University. Most of the activities are focused on: catalyst for natural gas liquefaction, nanoparticles for cancer treatment, and nanomaterials synthesis including functional nanofibers for protective textile applications, water filtration, and biomedical applications.

D. Sultanate of Oman

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has recently established a 'Chair in Nanotechnology and Water Desalination'. The aim of this initiative is to increase outreach and quality of nanotechnology research in SQU and to develop economic opportunities resulting from this type of research. At present scientists at SQU are mainly carrying out material science related research within nanotechnology. The general areas are: surface and topographical analysis biotechnology, 2-D materials (Graphene), and magnetism and electronics. Additionally a lot of devotion is intended for water desalination and the petroleum industry.

SQU is very keen to develop educational programs that include nanoscience and technology. At the postgraduate level, The College of Science at SQU is planning to design a M.Sc. in nanoscience. The College of Science is also proposing undergraduate courses in nanoscience and technology.

E. United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) announced in 2009 that the Emirates Centre for Nanosciences and Nanoengineering will be established within the College of Engineering by a $10 million grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF). The research at this center will be aimed toward cancer treatment, solar energy, and building materials.

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) currently working in nanotechnology areas such as: photovoltaic devices, biodegradable composite materials, transport in thermoelectric materials, nanostructured

materials and their applications in emerging technologies, low power high-performance electronics, photonics, and memory technologies.

The $35 million investment in 2006 for establishing the Center of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) was the largest investment in discovery and commercialization of technology in the Middle East. CERT's Blue Gene supercomputer offers 5.7 teraflops calculating speed for use in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and genetics research as well as oil and gas simulation.

Ras AI Khaimah Center for Advanced Materials (RAK­CAM) was established as a key contributor to the long-term technological development of the Emirates as a leader in advanced materials research. RAK-CAM research areas include: nanomaterials for diverse applications, inorganic and hybrid materials, materials for environmental remediation and hydrocarbon processing (catalysis and separations), materials for water purification and conservation, materials for solar energy applications and energy storage systems, advanced structural materials, ceramics and composites, polymeric materials and polymer composites, and biomaterials and biofuel technologies.

The Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) recently announced it will set up a nanotechnology research center. The aim of the center is to play a leading role in the establishment of nanotechnology research, development, and industry in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The center will be dedicated to research on theoretical and experimental nanotechnology with strong emphasis on the performance attributes and functional demonstration of nanomaterials/systems, by assembling/integrating sophisticated materials, composite materials, and structures that translate to devices and systems at the macroscale. The research center is also intended to develop materials/solutions for applications in power/optoelectronic, aerospace, and diagnostic monitoring.

III. CONCLUSION

Generally speaking, nanotechnology infrastructure development in the Arab Gulf States had to wait for the executive decision from the head of state but experienced exceptionally rapid growth due to the wealth and nature of the political system on these countries. With a national S&T policy and national nanotechnology program in place, Saudi quickly achieved advanced nanotechnology R&D stage relative to others. Though they lack national S&T policy, Emirates and Qatar, based on their large investments, are rising stars in nanotechnology and anticipated to produce significant R&D in nanotechnology once they build their human capacity. The new nanotechnology research, education and industry initiatives in these states open tremendous opportunities in nanotechnology R&D for students, researchers, technology providers such materials suppliers and equipment manufacturers, as well as startup companies in the five countries investigated.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was funded by KISR project EA037G.

978-1-4673-2200-3/12/$31.00 ©2012 IEEE