Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have discovered a crystalline material that changes shape in response to light, showcasing its potential applications in novel optoelectronic devices
KAUST researchers develop a tomographic PIV system using four low-cost smartphones and colored backlighting, enabling quantitative flow visualization. The system compares well with commercial equipment, with deviations in circulation flow of less than 8%, and holds promise for various applications involving turbulence.
Scientists at KAUST have found that the edge of a surface structure plays a crucial role in water-droplet formation during vapor harvesting. This discovery reveals that rough-edged structures mimicking nature can be highly effective in collecting atmospheric water vapor, potentially improving efficiency in regions with limited rainfall...
Scientists at KAUST have discovered that two-dimensional layers of perovskite material can achieve higher purity levels than their three-dimensional counterparts. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective solar cells.
Researchers have developed a metal-organic framework (MOF) material that can regulate humidity levels within a specific range. The material, Y-shp-MOF-5, takes up water in dry air but releases it when the relative humidity falls below 45%. This autonomous behavior maintains optimal humidity levels between 45-65%.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have identified three traditional Saudi plants with potent anticancer substances, including topoisomerase inhibitors. The study suggests these compounds could be used to develop novel cancer treatments, but more research is needed before they can be tested in humans.
Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have modeled the impact of El Niño on rainfall in the Red Sea region. The study found that El Niño strengthens the Red Sea Convergence Zone (RSCZ), leading to increased rainfall and storms along the coast.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a method to create omniphobic surfaces, repelling liquids, using doubly reentrant microcavities. This technique has the potential to reduce hydrodynamic drag and antifouling in industries such as oil-water separation and membrane distillation.
A team of scientists at KAUST has discovered a key role for epigenetic chromatin modification in plant defense against pathogens. By phosphorylating histone deacetylase (HD2B), MPK3 releases genes and blocks others, rapidly reprogramming the cell's molecular makeup.
A team from KAUST developed a cheap, reliable system to signal danger using disposable sensor nodes linked wirelessly to fixed nodes. The system uses 3D printing and inkjet printing to create small sensors that can detect heat, low humidity, and hydrogen sulphide.
Researchers developed a new laser source that stores light energy in nanoscale disks, enabling ultrafast light pulses suitable for studying neural connections and machine learning. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize optically powered neurocomputers.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a systematic method for comparing the accuracy of different types of simulation models for predicting extreme events. The study found that nonparametric methods are more flexible but limited to small dimensions, while parametric methods can handle higher-dimensional problems but are sensitive to errors.
Metal-nitride nanowires show high sensitivity to light when arranged in nano-sized wires, but thermal effects significantly impact their performance at room temperature. Researchers have developed a detailed study to quantify the effect of photoinduced entropy on device performance.
A KAUST team has found that transition-metal carbides, known as MXenes, can trap sunlight energy to purify water through evaporation. The Ti3C2 MXene achieved 100% efficiency in converting light to heat, while other materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene also showed high efficiency.
A KAUST-led team reveals a short regulatory gene that adapts to dynamic environments by tagging genes for repression. This discovery offers a new paradigm for gene regulation, linking the genome with the environment and providing insights into cellular plasticity.
Researchers from KAUST have developed a model predicting how climate change impacts plankton populations. Temperature, nutrient availability, and mortality rates influence the numbers of heterotrophic planktonic prokaryotes.
Researchers at KAUST have overturned the long-held assumption that DNA molecules move randomly by analyzing their motion using a probabilistic approach. They found that DNA molecules exhibit nonrandom motion with varied speed and molecular 'track', precisely conserving Brownian linear MSD characteristics.
Researchers at KAUST developed a novel catalyst to split water efficiently in acidic conditions, paving the way for greener power sources. The molybdenum coating improves stability and prevents oxygen recombination, enabling longer-term hydrogen production.
Excess nitrogen in oceans disrupts coral-algae symbiosis, triggering bleaching even without heat and light stress. Microbial processes like nitrogen fixation can exacerbate bleaching events.
A team of researchers at KAUST has created a computational model to simulate soot production in gasoline engines, allowing car makers to test potential changes to reduce emissions. By analyzing the chemical reactions involved in soot formation, the model can help manufacturers optimize engine design and improve fuel efficiency.
Researchers at KAUST have identified the molecular liaison responsible for promoting inflammation in endothelial tissues. They found that CD44 and PSGL-1 are key E-selectin ligands involved in this process.
Researchers at KAUST developed a new fluorinated MOF that selectively adsorbs water to dry gas streams, achieving energy-efficient dehydration. The innovation requires half the energy input of conventional procedures, highlighting potential for huge efficiency savings in gas production and transport industry.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a strategy to create highly fluorescent nanoparticles through molecular design of conjugated polymers. The twisted shape of the molecules produces smaller, brighter particles with tunable spectroscopic properties, opening up new opportunities for bio-imaging and nanomedicine.
Researchers found that fish biomass is 62% higher in Sudanese reefs compared to Saudi Arabian reefs, highlighting the effect of fishing on local ecosystems. The study suggests that careful management and protection could restore Saudi's reefs to their former state, making them suitable for eco-tourism
A team of scientists has developed an algorithm called PhenomeNET Variant Predictor (PVP) that can identify genetic changes in patients with genetic disorders. PVP uses data from non-human model organisms and a large database of gene-to-phenotype associations to prioritize variants with their likelihood of involvement in human disease.
A new SBOL repository has been created to optimize metabolic processes and facilitate design of useful synthetic biological systems. The repository contains thousands of chemical compounds, enzyme classes, and metabolic reactions from nearly 4000 organisms.
A team of scientists has discovered a new rotational force inside magnetic vortices that makes it easier to design ultra-high capacity disk drives. The finding was made using intense x-rays and revealed a non-adiabatic spin-transfer torque that is crucial for electrical manipulations.
The study reveals how simple organic citrate ions can interact with gold atoms to yield stable nanoparticles. These clusters are useful as catalysts, drug delivery systems, anti-cancer agents, and components of solar cells.
Researchers control crystallization patterns in semiconductors by varying film thickness, enabling fine control over crystal orientation and position. This breakthrough facilitates high-quality, tailored polycrystal semiconductors for optoelectronics, photovoltaics and printed electronic components.
A new algorithm allows users from different network providers to pair up and make better use of the available wireless spectrum, reducing inefficiency in wireless technology. The 'blind' matching algorithm uses a simple learning process and converges to a stable-matching state, enabling mutually beneficial partnerships.
Scientists have detected an artemisinin-resistant malaria parasite originating from West Africa for the first time in Africa, posing a significant threat to malaria control efforts. The finding confirms that the parasite carries a new mutation in the Kelch13 gene, which is the primary driver of resistance in Southeast Asia.
Researchers at KAUST developed a method for fine-scale imaging of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), visualizing their atomic structures without damage. The high sensitivity of detectors allowed them to acquire images with resolutions as low as 0.21 nanometers, revealing surface and interfacial structures.
Researchers sequenced three Symbiodinium gene sequences to show their genomes have features promoting a prosperous symbiosis with corals. The study reveals that Symbiodinium has evolved bicarbonate and ammonium transporters to harvest essential nutrients for photosynthesis and growth.
A KAUST-led research team found that certain bacteria in corals' microbiomes can adapt to higher water temperatures and provide protection against bleaching. The study suggests that these symbiotic relationships could be vital for corals' survival in a rapidly warming ocean.
Researchers at KAUST have sequenced quinoa's genome, providing insights into its traits and growth mechanisms. The high-quality sequence is expected to aid in breeding quinoa plants with desirable characteristics, such as seed taste and plant stability.
Researchers developed a new gene-editing method called homology-independent targeted integration (HITI) that efficiently inserts DNA into genes in dividing and non-dividing cells of living rats. The technique uses the CRISPR-Cas9 tool to cut DNA at a specific location, followed by the NHEJ repair pathway for insertion.
Associate Professor Niveen Khashab's team created self-assembled toroids using a combination of materials and weak chemical bonds. The microstructures held their shape for months, providing insights into the formation of complex biological structures.
Researchers used bright X-rays to observe the one-step solution-coating process of perovskite material, identifying a crucial intermediate solid state. This discovery highlights the importance of solvent-solute interactions in halide perovskites, which significantly impacts film formation behavior and solar cell performance.
Researchers at KAUST develop a process to print high-performance silicon-based computers on soft, sticker-like surfaces for flexible electronics. Decal electronics enable easy integration of device components into compliant systems.
Researchers at KAUST developed ScaleMine, a system that accelerates frequent subgraph mining (FSM) by up to ten-fold, allowing for faster analysis of large graph data. The new approach uses a two-step process to divide and conquer the search space, resulting in significant performance improvements.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a simpler way to assemble silver nanoclusters, opening up new opportunities for catalysis and opto-electronics. The clusters can be modified with atom-by-atom control, allowing their properties to be tailored for specific applications.
Researchers found that clownfish can change hormone levels to become female and restore balance after the death of a female. The team identified key molecular pathways involved in this process, including aromatase, which is linked to estrogen production.
A KAUST research team created integrated microsupercapacitors with three-dimensional porous electrodes, achieving high energy density of 200 microwatt-hours per square centimeter. The devices outperform state-of-the-art microsupercapacitors and thin film batteries, offering promising applications for self-powered sensors and IoT systems.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) studied rice plant responses to moderately saline conditions and pinpointed new salt tolerance genetic loci. They found that growth rate diminished in salt-treated soils, with indica lines faring better than aus varieties, highlighting significant genetic differences.
Researchers at KAUST developed a catalog of compounds formed during methane combustion, revealing surprising findings on ion formation and behavior. The study proposes improvements to simulate ion formation and behavior, with potential applications in more efficient gas turbines and less polluting power plants.
Researchers develop fluorine-containing MOF for selective carbon dioxide capture, suitable for air and industrial applications. The material's unique geometry allows for efficient trapping of CO2 even at very low concentrations.
KAUST researchers have developed a process for two-dimensional anodes made from tin selenide, which stores sodium ions through a dual mechanism involving conversion and alloying reactions. This results in the highest reported energy density of any transition metal selenide.
Researchers estimate that seaweed globally sequesters 173 trillion grams of carbon per year, with 90% of this being due to transport into deep-sea sediments. This highlights the significance of seaweed as a major carbon sink, surpassing Amazonian forests.
KAUST researchers develop a nanocrystalline material that rapidly converts blue light into white light, enabling data speeds of up to 2 GB/s. This innovation has the potential to replace traditional LEDs for energy-efficient lighting and enable new applications like VLC.
Scientists have developed a new method for making transparent transistors and electronic circuits using aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), a cheaper and more abundant material than indium tin oxide (ITO). The process uses atomic layer deposition, which improves circuit performance and simplifies fabrication.