KACST research discovers new class of industrial polymers

[al-Hasani]

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RIYADH: RASHID HASSAN

Published — Monday 7 July 2014

Last update 6 July 2014 11:53 pm

A Research and Development (R&D) team at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has discovered a new class of industrial polymers which could deliver cheaper, lighter, stronger and recyclable materials ideal for electronics, aerospace, airline and automotive industries.“Four researchers at the National Petrochemical Technology Center affiliated to the Materials Research Institute at KACST, in collaboration with IBM Global and their counterparts at the University of California at Berkeley and the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, recently discovered the wide range of polymerized materials with unique physical advantages,” sources at KACST media center said.
“These newly discovered polymers combine resistance to cracking with a strength which is higher than bone; an ability to bounce back to their original shape and material (self-heal); are 100 percent recyclable in addition to their being light-weight and highly resistant to solvents which overcome the limitations of the current polymers,” sources said. These distinguished scientific achievements come within KACST’s keen interest in research in petrochemical industries in addition to its collaboration with IBM Global through the Center of Excellence for Nanotechnology, which was established in 2008 and accommodates more than thirty Saudi researchers with a similar number of IBM counterparts.
The research works of the center focus on applications of this technology in fields of petrochemicals and water desalination.
According to the media center, this research collaboration has resulted in a list of patents that are either awarded or registered under the procedure and KACST will work in the near future to focus research on the conversion of these polymers into viable products for industrial investment by the Saudi Company for Investment Technology (Taqniah).
A KACST official said that the discovery was published in the peer-reviewed US journal, ‘Science’ last month.

KACST research discovers new class of industrial polymers | Arab News — Saudi Arabia News, Middle East News, Opinion, Economy and more.

 

[Indus Falcon]

Very good to hear that their investments in R&D is paying off !!!

 

[al-Hasani]

Very good to hear that their investments in R&D is paying off !!!

It's great is it not? KAUST is also doing good. New universities planned as well and the educational system will also get a much needed overhaul with new curriculums etc. This is a constant process and SHOULD be that.

Also KSA has the 4th highest number of foreign students in the US. Only Chinese, Indians and South Koreans have more. But all 3, especially the first 2 have populations that are much, much bigger than that of KSA.

More Saudi Arabians studying in the U.S. - Los Angeles Times

 

[elszADaQ]

Way to go KSA

 

[Indus Falcon]

It's great is it not? KAUST is also doing good. New universities planned as well and the educational system will also get a much needed overhaul with new curriculums etc. This is a constant process and SHOULD be that.

Also KSA has the 4th highest number of foreign students in the US. Only Chinese, Indians and South Koreans have more. But all 3, especially the first 2 have populations that are much, much bigger than that of KSA.

More Saudi Arabians studying in the U.S. - Los Angeles Times

Absolutely wonderful news!!

 

[al-Hasani]

Way to go KSA

KSA, the GCC and the Arab world in general should work more closer with Horn of Africa. A lot of potential human capital there. Don't you think?

Absolutely wonderful news!!

It is indeed, bro.

 

[elszADaQ]

KSA, the GCC and the Arab world in general should work more closer with Horn of Africa. A lot of potential human capital there. Don't you think?

Yes, I think there should be more cooperation. If KSA continues to follow the path towards 'knowledge economy' with the same commitment, dedication and eagerness, it will not only be industrially self sufficient but also become a 'Germany' in MENA region exporting value added quality products to developing Asia and Africa.

 

[Last Hope]

I have been the KACST research labs on a visit once. It certainly is very hi-tech and advanced. Good luck for future programs.

 

[Skull and Bones]

They need more universities in the lines of KAUST.

 

[farhan_9909]

Would love to see Joint research Program by NUST and KACST

 

[al-Hasani]

Yes, I think there should be more cooperation. If KSA continues to follow the path towards 'knowledge economy' with the same commitment, dedication and eagerness, it will not only be industrially self sufficient but also become a 'Germany' in MENA region exporting value added quality products to developing Asia and Africa.

I really hope so. KSA already has the 4th highest number of students in the US after China, India and South Korea (by far the most pr. capita) and the countless of future industrial cities, new universities, research center and a much bigger focus on sciences etc. should be a good start.

At least I hope for such an cooperation.

Also don't forget that KSA has one of the youngest populations in the world but so has Horn of Africa.

They need more universities in the lines of KAUST.

Correct.

Would love to see Joint research Program by NUST and KACST

Would be a very good thing although I believe that there is cooperation already.