A new technology developed at KAUST uses waste heat from solar cells to desalinate seawater, improving efficiency by up to 8% while reducing solar cell temperature. The device features a gravity-driven system and a special fabric that wicks away solid salts and minerals.
The KAUST Metagenomic Analysis Platform (KMAP) enables researchers worldwide to analyze massive microbial data, eliminating the need for advanced bioinformatics skills. KMAP allows scientists to identify proteins and enzymes with potential applications in various industries, such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
A KAUST-led research team has developed an approach to mix high-precision calculations with lower precision for large geospatial datasets, significantly speeding up modeling without overall precision loss. The technique, implemented on high-performance computing systems, will enable larger datasets to be analyzed in shorter timeframes.
Researchers at KAUST found that a sweet spot for membrane thickness exists to optimize separation performance, with thicker films showing higher microporosity but thinner films posing unexpected transport resistance
Researchers have created an AI-powered method to automate the identification of promising lunar landing and exploration areas. The technique uses machine learning and deep learning frameworks to accurately detect craters and rilles with precision rates as high as 83.7%, outperforming existing state-of-the-art methods.
A network of ground-based sensors paired with drones can significantly shorten wildfire detection time, giving firefighters a better chance to control the fire. The technology is complementary to satellite imaging and suitable for high-risk regions near human settlements and national parks.
The KAUST team's solution involves a layer of hierarchically porous graphene that significantly suppresses polysulfide shuttling in Li-S batteries. This innovation improves the capacity and recharging ability of Li-S battery technologies, making them suitable for large-scale commercial applications.
The Vigilant platform combines reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) with bacterial enzymes to detect SARS-CoV-2 gene sequences. This method produces comparably reliable results as PCR tests but is cheaper and easier to use, making it suitable for non-laboratory settings.
Researchers have developed ultrathin sensors that can monitor plant health without harming them, providing a promising solution for sustainable farming. The sensors use bioimpedance measurements to detect physiological changes in plants, enabling farmers to optimize water, light, and nutrient supply.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) create a biomaterial that supports the growth of bone marrow precursor cells and forms tubular blood vessels, mimicking natural bone tissue architecture. This breakthrough enables the development of 3D disease models for tissue engineering and biomedical research.
A new mathematical model developed by KAUST and KCST improves pandemic prediction accuracy by incorporating biological uncertainty and latest case data. The model, which uses an ensemble approach and data assimilation process, provides reliable forecasts for up to 14 days in advance.
Research reveals minor microbes, like fungi and environmental bacteria, play crucial roles in maintaining bee gut health. These forgotten microbes produce antibiotics, break down toxins, and metabolize nutrients, helping bees resist pathogens and climate change.
Researchers at KAUST developed a new molecular coating that significantly enhances the performance of organic photovoltaic cells, outperforming current materials like PEDOT:PSS. The coating increases efficiency by reducing electrical resistance, improving hole transport, and allowing more light to pass through.
Researchers analyzed thermal discomfort index levels across Saudi Arabia and neighboring regions to combat heat stress and discomfort. Most cities showed improvement, but Yanbu and Makkah regions had significant exceptions with increased heat-related deaths during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) develop a new method for real-time seismic imaging using acoustic waves. This breakthrough improves image resolution and accuracy, enabling faster and more efficient exploration of subsurface structures.
Researchers at KAUST developed an electrochemical cell using a ceramic membrane to extract lithium ions from seawater. The process yields solid lithium phosphate with minimal impurities, making it suitable for battery production.
A recent study suggests that a massive Toba supervolcano eruption destroyed the ozone layer around 60,000 years ago, contributing to a significant bottleneck in the human population. The team found that the resulting UV stress had severe effects on human survival rates, including crop failures and disease.
A comprehensive genetic resource of rat-infecting malaria parasites has been published, providing insights into the evolution, virulence, and transmissibility of the disease. The study reveals diverse genetic and phenotypic variations between subspecies, which may aid in understanding malaria parasite gene functions.
Scientists have discovered a way to synthesize highly active single-atom catalysts using iron-breathing bacteria, promising a cheap and reliable method for hydrogen production. The innovation utilizes the bacterium's metal-reducing ability to conduct electrons and produce single atoms of catalytically active metals.
The new test combines electrochemical biosensors with engineered protein constructs to detect coronaviruses with high precision. It can be used on unprocessed blood or saliva samples, making it a game-changer for containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
A diverse microbial community has adapted to an extremely salty environment deep in the Red Sea, with microbial cell densities more than double those found in normal deep Red Sea water and the brine below. The team sequenced the genome of a new microbe that suggests this transition zone is critical for nitrogen cycling.
KAUST researchers have developed a robust catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide gas with 100% selectivity, overcoming the limitations of precious metals. The innovative method uses MOFs to create mixed metal catalytic nanoparticles in a homogenous mixture.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have developed a more efficient red micro-LED, emitting light with high color purity and quantum efficiency. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of full-color displays using just a single semiconductor.
Three carbon-based materials have been predicted to exhibit omnidirectional auxetic behavior due to their negative Poisson's ratio. The findings suggest that these materials could be useful in photovoltaic devices or as light-powered catalysts.
Researchers have revealed the 3D atomic structure of the human PANX1 protein, a channel pore that plays a crucial role in pyroptosis, a form of cell death triggered by an immune response. The study provides new insights into the mechanism controlling pyroptosis and opens up potential avenues for developing targeted therapies.
Scientists at KAUST have created a new absorber layer for perovskite solar cells using single crystals with a mixture of organic cations. This improvement increases the absorption range and enhances device performance, reaching an efficiency of 22.8 percent.
Researchers at KAUST developed a new family of catalysts that leverage aromaticity for improved performance in reactions such as hydrogen production and ester formation. The PN3(P) pincer complexes exhibit high catalytic activity, but more importantly, provide insights into the role of aromaticity in catalysis.
Researchers found that corals' ability to grow calcium carbonate skeletons evolved between 308 and 265 million years ago, with necessary proteins present in their soft-bodied ancestors. The team identified genes responsible for transporting calcium and removing protons, as well as an acid-rich protein involved in skeleton building.
A new study finds that the Red Sea's seafloor spreading began 13 million years ago, with most of the basin composed of ancient oceanic crust. This discovery challenges existing geological models and sheds light on the region's formation history.
Researchers have discovered an alternative way of organizing genes in coral symbiont dinoflagellates, with alternating unidirectional blocks and a 3D chromosome structure dependent on transcriptional activity. This unique genome organization challenges traditional understanding of eukaryotic genetics.
KAUST researchers create a new approach to capture evolving periodicity in variable star brightness, expanding cyclostationary theory. This allows for modeling of phenomena like solar irradiance and climate change.
Researchers have developed an all-in-one test that integrates COVID-19 diagnosis, variant tracking, and co-infection detection into a single portable mini-laboratory. The NIRVANA test can detect SARS-CoV-2 mutations and report them simultaneously, making it a promising solution for rapid field-deployable detection.
Researchers at KAUST developed a brain-on-a-chip that can learn real-world data patterns without extensive training, leveraging spiking neural networks and spike-timing-dependent plasticity model. The system is more than 20 times faster and 200 times more energy efficient than other neural network platforms.
Researchers found that prolonged warm water causes coral heat stress, disrupting nutrient cycling and leading to starved corals. Monitoring nutritional status can help anticipate bleaching problems.
Researchers at KAUST developed a new technology that increases machine learning speed on parallelized computing systems by five-fold. This 'in-network aggregation' method uses readily available programmable network hardware to provide dramatic speed improvements.
A study of over 10,000 papers reveals significant impacts of human sounds on marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates, disrupting behaviors such as communication, foraging, and navigation. Researchers suggest solutions like reducing shipping speeds, quieter propellers, and floating wind turbines to alleviate anthropogenic noise.
Researchers develop a new bioprinting process using ultrashort peptides, overcoming challenges in cell survival and creating complex scaffolds that facilitate long-term cell growth. The technology enables the creation of tissue models for high-throughput drug screening and diagnosis.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a novel method called thermal interdiffusion alloying (TIA) to create high-quality thin films of aluminum gallium oxide alloys. By controlling the annealing temperature and time, they achieved a record-high composition of up to 81% aluminum, resulting in a wide bandgap range.
Research reveals that root-dwelling bacteria can enhance plant heat tolerance, with SA187 showing promising results in lab and field tests. The bacteria trigger the plant's defense system by producing metabolites that prime its heat-resistance genes for action.
Researchers at KAUST have developed electron-transporting, air-stable organic semiconductors that can generate electricity from waste heat. The polymers' unique design enhances electrical conductivity and thermoelectric performance, paving the way for scalable, sustainable energy solutions.
Researchers discover histone-lysine N-methyltransferase (NSD3) as a main driver of squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer. Targeting NSD3 could improve treatment and survival rates.
Scientists at KAUST have successfully synthesized copper nanoclusters with a cuboid shape, exhibiting promising properties for photoluminescence and catalysis. The unique structure is driven by intercluster noncovalent bonding interactions, including hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new solar cell material combination that surpasses the performance of traditional silicon-based panels. By optimizing perovskite materials and device architecture, they achieved efficiencies beyond commercial silicon solar cells.
KAUST researchers review the prospects for IPMs to separate gases and liquids without traditional high-temperature methods, offering energy efficiency and environmental benefits. The team identified promising compounds like cyclodextrin, cucurbiturils, and pillararenes with impressive performance in industrial gas and liquid separations.
Lowering solar panel operating temperature by a few degrees can significantly increase electricity generation over lifetime, KAUST researchers show. They developed a metric to compare LCOE gains from reducing module temperature vs. improving efficiency, finding that cooling can achieve similar gains as PCE improvements.
KAUST researchers have developed a method to produce carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide using a porous crystal and silver catalyst. The new approach improved the selectivity of CO production by controlling the binding mode of activated carbon monoxide, resulting in a 94% efficient reaction.
Scientists at KAUST create an efficient catalyst that converts CO2 and hydrogen into methane using photothermal energy, reducing the need for external heat sources. The reaction achieves nearly 100% selectivity and impressive efficiency, offering a sustainable way to convert harmful greenhouse gases into valuable fuel.
Materials scientists have created a method to incorporate diverse perovskite materials into silicon-based semiconductor platforms using microfluidic pumping technology. This innovation enables the creation of complex optoelectronic devices on a single chip, offering potential applications in fields like lab-on-a-chip technology.
A new virus detection method has been developed by KAUST researchers using magnetic nanoparticles, allowing for fast, safe and cheap testing of viruses in clinical and wastewater samples. The method rivals commercial viral-RNA extraction kits while lowering the risk of handling potentially infectious samples.
A team of scientists is exploring the use of beneficial bacteria to help corals cope with climate change and bleaching events. By improving the health of coral symbionts, researchers hope to provide a 'medicine' to help corals adapt to changing environmental pressures.