��Customizable Method Allows Farmers to Have Right Type of Artificial Soil to Grow Different Crops��

Khalifa University has announced promising results and findings on its research to develop ‘artificial soil’ with the necessary ingredients and properties required for the growth of plant and vegetation, thus paving the way for the agriculture sector to grow further in the UAE. A provisional patent application has been filed in this regard to ensure further development of the research work and potential commercialization.��

The patent, developed by Khalifa University’s Dr. Saeed Alhassan Alkhazraji, Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, and Kevin Halique, a researcher in Dr. Alkhazraji’s’ team, describes a method to prepare customizable soil that resembles fertile soils in Thailand and Ukraine and allows users to grow different crops based on their need.��

Explaining further, Dr. Alkhazraji said: “We have developed a method that will allow us to make artificial soil using abundantly available non-fertile sand here in the UAE. Thus the soil is tailored to any specific texture and porosity to emulate some of the well-known fertile soils; such as the Thailand soil which has great alluvial deposits or the Ukraine black soil, the grassland soil that is used extensively for growing cereals or for raising livestock.”��

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice of President at Khalifa University, said: “The artificial soil developed by our faculty reflects our commitment to focus on research that remains relevant to the region and drive innovation in areas that benefit not only the UAE and the region but the entire world. The UAE recently established the Emirates Food Security Council to coordinate and lead the implementation of the country’s National Food Security Strategy, which specifically aims to implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, while ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. We believe this type of research will help and support not only the country’s agriculture sector but may also benefit those countries with arid regions that lack a suitable farming environment.”��

Out of the three ecological areas in the UAE’s topography – northeastern mountain, desert and marine coastal regions – the desert takes up nearly 80%, virtually restricting agricultural activities to a relatively smaller area. The artificial soil, if approved, can support agriculture in the country by creating the right conditions for growing plants and crops.��

The UAE has already initiated several measures to tackle challenges to farming, especially through sustainable agriculture. Currently, according to government estimates, the UAE’s agriculture sector faces scarcity of water resources and arable land, soil salinity, challenging environmental conditions, high production costs, agricultural pests and post-harvest losses.��

Dr. Alkhazraji was the first recipient of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Medal of Scientific Excellence in 2017. He is also two times recipient of Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Achievement (2008 and 2012) and the first-runner up for the Bayer Fellowship for excellence in graduate studies from the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (2011). His other research works focus on materials for different applications including water harvesting, water remediation, energy storage, hydrogen production and catalysis.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
7 May 2020

The post Emirati Researcher at Khalifa University Develops Technology for ‘Artificial Soil’ Suitable for Agriculture in UAE appeared first on Khalifa University.

Patented Technology Invented in Biomedical Engineering Research Laboratory Helps Development of Novel Device for Pregnant Mothers to Monitor Baby’s Cardiac Activity

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has announced the licensing of its patented technology to a startup floated by an alumnus Emirati entrepreneur with a faculty member.

The intellectual property (IP) technology license was granted recently, marking a significant milestone in the university’s innovation journey. The home-based monitoring device, called by the Emirati startup ‘Twinkle Heart’, helps pregnant mothers to monitor fetal heart-beat and the baby’s cardiac activity. The technology behind the product was developed by Dr Ahsan Khandoker, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, and licensed to Advanced Research Projects, the start-up established by Biomedical Engineering graduate Saeed Alteneiji, and was incubated at Khalifa Innovation Centre (KIC).

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “Khalifa University’s comprehensive role includes not only education, but also providing a successful and integrated academic journey in areas that serve the UAE’s strategic sectors. This enables graduate studies and innovations at our state-of-the-art research centers, while facilitating the creation of start-ups and commercialization of patented technology with products targeting these sectors.”

Al Hammadi added, “This is a key milestone for Khalifa University towards successful commercialization of a technology developed at our own research laboratory. It is also critical for the university to grant intellectual and patent rights to a startup led by an Emirati entrepreneur. We will continue to further exploit the commercial potentials of our IP and patent portfolios and contribute to the innovation ecosystem.”

Twinkle Heart comprises four fetal phonocardiogram (FPCG) sensors held on the maternal abdomen by a square fabric harness and elastic belts, making it easier for pregnant women to simply listen to their baby’s heartbeat and feel reassured.

Dr Khandoker said: “It is rewarding to see this piece of my research work can further be progressed by a local start-up into a market product that can benefit the public. The uniqueness of this non-invasive device is the ease of use so it should be accessible to any pregnant mother to determine the well-being of her baby. The successful IP licensing to Advanced Research Projects is a reflection of the University vision for having impactful research.”

The portable, low-cost, safe, and easy-to-use fetal screening device for use at home or pregnancy clinics by mobile phone and cheap sensors was originally planned to help medical doctors and midwives. The research results have already been demonstrated through several collaborating hospitals in the UAE and overseas.

Alteneiji said: “ARP’s IP license with Khalifa University is vital for my startup. We will be executing a development plan in 2020 to transfer the IP from the prototype stage to a commercialized product. A marketing plan is already on the way to create awareness for the device, and our team of experts in marketing, engineering, and technology are closely working towards developing the final product. We are grateful to Khalifa University, especially Dr Al Hammadi as well as the Technology Management and Innovation and the Legal offices for their effort and extended support.”

Beyond its home-based application, the device’s portability makes it an ideal solution for health workers in remote areas. Alteneiji’s company Advanced Research Projects has a subsidiary MARP, established early this year, which will be responsible for this product.

Khalifa University currently has over 140 issued patents, with around 360 pending patent applications and more than 400 invention disclosures, while remaining a leading contributor to the country’s patents portfolio.

News Writer
18 March 2020

The post Khalifa University Grants Intellectual Property License to Emirati Startup appeared first on Khalifa University.

Recognitions at Abu Dhabi Awards for Intellectual Property during TIP 2020 Summit Validate Khalifa University’s Status in Driving Technology Innovations

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has won two top recognitions at the Abu Dhabi Awards for Intellectual Property, validating once again its status as a pioneering research-intensive higher education institution, driving innovation in new technologies.

Khalifa University was presented with the ‘Top University with Filed Patents’ award that was received by Dr Steve Griffiths, Senior Vice-President, Research and Development, Khalifa University. Moreover, Khalifa University’s Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC) sponsored by the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority’s ICT Fund, received the ‘Most Inventive Innovation Center’ award that was received by Dr Nawaf I. Almoosa, Acting Director, EBTIC and Assistant Professor, Khalifa University. The awards were presented during the Technology Innovation Pioneers (TIP) 2020 Summit organized by the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy.

Khalifa University currently has a total of 167 issued patents, which is considered the highest number among universities in the UAE. The University has also 228 filed patent applications, resulting from 417 invention disclosures. EBTIC, a Khalifa University research and innovation center focused on systems and technologies for the Next Generation Networks (NGNs) and NGN-enabled ICT applications and services, was awarded in recognition of its leadership in IP generation, specifically the volume and quality of patents and its contribution to the UAE’s status in innovation globally. EBTIC alone currently has 40 issued patents with over 60 pending patent applications.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The two awards – ‘Top University with Filed Patents’ and the ‘Most Inventive Research Center’ for our research center EBTIC – place us among the top league of well-established universities that contribute to creating intellectual capital. Our research thrust in the UAE’s strategic sectors, world-class faculty experts, and cutting-edge laboratory facilities have together helped us to achieve these recognitions. We believe these awards will further strengthen our resolve to consistently contribute not only to the creation of IP but also in capacity building, thus facilitating the country’s knowledge-economy transformation.”

At the TIP 2020 Summit, Dr Steve Griffiths joined a panel of experts to share his perspectives on ‘The Next Big Thing: DeepTech’ and MENA’s Cleantech start-ups: Growing the ecosystem to solve environmental challenges’. Dr. Nawaf Al Moosa offered his views on ‘IP from Ideation to Implementation’, while Dr. Daniel Choi, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, spoke about ‘How Universities Can Support Innovation’.

Currently, Khalifa University has 19 research centers and 228 laboratories housing state-of-the-art equipment to investigate a broad range of science and engineering subjects.

The research-intensive university’s focus sectors include clean and renewable energy, hydrocarbon exploration and production, water and environment, health, aerospace, and supply chain and logistics. Research in these sectors is enhanced by the research platforms of robotics, AI and data science, information and communication technologies, advanced materials and manufacturing.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
3 March 2020

The post Khalifa University Wins Award for Highest Number of Filed Patents in UAE, as EBTIC Wins ‘Most Inventive Innovation Center’ Award appeared first on Khalifa University.