KAUST FUTURE

FORUM
ACCELERATING IMPACT
 KAUST FUTURE FORUM
FEB 12 - 13, 2024
KACST- The Garage, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Key Takeaways
• Excellence in Research: Recognized globally,
KAUST sets the benchmark for research,
innovation and talent development, rapidly
becoming a top-tier research university within
just 15 years.
• Pioneering Future Technologies: KAUST
advances critical sectors like energy, health
and environment, in alignment with Saudi
Vision 2030 and the national research,
development and innovation priorities.
• Building Strong Networks: Join KAUST’s
extensive network, which includes
government bodies, industries, investors
and other academic institutions, to foster
collaboration and drive impact.

Partner with KAUST

We welcome industry leaders, researchers,
investors, startups and governmental
authorities to join forces with KAUST.
Sponser
For more information on collaboration and
partnership opportunities, please contact us at
future.forum@kaust.edu.sa.

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 Research Interests
Host and Guide
for the Exhibition Dr. Alsulaiman’s research focuses on developing next-
generation biosensing platforms to detect an emerging class
of disease biomarkers called circulating cell-free nucleic
acids, including microRNA, from liquid biopsies. At the
intersection between polymeric biomaterials, nanomaterials,
and microtechnologies, her research includes advancements
in hydrogel microparticles, microneedles, nanopores,
soft bionics and microscale biosensing technologies for
applications in personalized medicine. Central to her work is
the rational design of synthetic mimics of DNA called xeno-
nucleic acids (e.g., peptide nucleic acids) as bioreceptor
probes and advanced therapeutics, which are more robust,
stable and specific than their natural counterparts. Ultimately,
Dr Alsulaiman’s research aims to tackle urgent clinical needs
in Saudi Arabia and globally, focusing on minimally invasive
early cancer diagnosis and monitoring through miniaturized,
sustainable, point-of-care technologies.

Dr. Dana Alsulaiman

Assistant Professor, Materials Science
and Bioengineering

Education Profile
Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, USA, 2021

Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute

of Technology, USA, 2020

Ph.D. Bioengineering, Imperial College London, UK, 2019

B.Eng. and M.Eng. Biomedical Engineering,

Imperial College London, UK, 2015

Multilingual: Arabic, English, Chinese, Turkish, French

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 Sustainable Environment
and Essential Needs

Energy and Industrial

Leadership

Economies
of the Future

Technology Health and

Exhibition Wellness

5 6
Sustainable
Environment and
Essential Needs
Sustainable Environment and Essential Needs Sustainable Environment and Essential Needs

CLIMATECRETE:
SUSTAINABLE
CONCRETE FROM
LOCAL MATERIALS
Dr. Jorge Gascon Carbon Management / Climate
Professor Chemical Engineering, Change Technologies
Director KAUST Catalysis Center

Technology Background Solution

KAUST has developed a technology to Drs. Gascon and McDonough have developed a process that converts
convert the small, smooth, round particles the small, smooth, round particles typically found in local sand dunes
of sand typically found in local sand dunes into the larger rougher particles required to make concrete. ClimateCrete
into the larger rougher particles necessary can be formulated with significantly less concrete, which reduces CO2
Dr. Bill McDonough for concrete production. This creates an emissions. This has two major strengths in that it can help eliminate a source
Co-inventor and Distinguished entirely new source of building material for of greenhouse gas emissions while creating a product for sustainable
Visiting Professor
Saudi Arabia. construction within KSA.

Opportunity Impact
Every year 50, billion tons of sand and The Saudi Arabian construction sand market attained a volume of 157.97
gravel are used for construction, which MMT in 2022 and is expected to grow further at a CAGR of 3.8% between
has tripled in the last 20 years. Converting 2023-2028, reaching a volume of 198.02 MMT by 2028. This novel
Anastasiya Bavykina local sands, such as dune sand, into a technology and the utilization of local natural resources will help Saudi
Research Scientist, KAUST
Catalysis Center
viable source of concrete creates new Arabia develop a sustainable, cleaner construction industry while reducing
opportunities for the Saudi construction the need to import sand for construction.
Partners industry. Moreover, Saudi Arabia currently
imports around 150 million tons of
construction sand every year.

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Sustainable Environment and Essential Needs Sustainable Environment and Essential Needs

ALGAE PRODUCTION
FOR SUSTAINABLE
FOOD SYSTEMS
Advanced Agricultural
& Food Technologies

Dr. Claudio Fuentes Technology Background Solution

Grunewald
Algae Program Director, The technology for algae production is Using materials and equipment sourced in Saudi Arabia, KAUST has
KAUST Beacon Development well understood and scalable but requires adapted freshwater temperate climate algae to local conditions. Our
developing and adapting to the country’s adapted strains grow in high-salinity seawater in open ponds and are
climatic conditions. KAUST has proven and capable of producing biomass and other products at commercial scale
validated microalgae biomass production throughout the year. This project supports the Kingdom in achieving the
under KSA weather conditions, allowing goals of Vision 2030, offering a solution to meet the growing national
year-round algae biomass production demand for proteins of natural origin, increasing food self-sufficiency and
suitable for many industrial applications, providing raw materials for new markets.
including feed for animals.

Impact
Opportunity
Emna Mhedhbi This project takes a whole value chain approach, combining emerging
Bioprocess Lead in the Algae Program The technology can significantly reduce the microalgae concepts with technological and process innovation, creating a
amount of imported raw materials used for scalable solution and developing sustainable animal feed products that will
animal feed, instead allowing to produce it directly impact food security issues for the country. The technology has the
Partners locally using algae technology. Algae can capability by 2030 to replace 4,360,396 tons of imported protein worth 1.7
provide several markets with sustainable billion USD and to create 200,000 new jobs in rural areas.
and economical alternatives to base
chemicals and additives from other sources.

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Sustainable Environment and Essential Needs Sustainable Environment and Essential Needs

DECENTRALIZED
WASTEWATER costly and contributes to many issues like traffic congestion, pollution
TREATMENT and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, centralized wastewater
AND REUSE treatment plants in Saudi Arabia are based on a conventional biological
wastewater treatment technology that is energy-intensive and does not
Water Management
generate treated sewage effluent suitable for nonpotable reuse. Also,
& Treatment Technologies there is a lack of distribution infrastructure for urban reuse.

Dr. Pascal Saikaly Technology Background

Professor of Environmental
Science and Engineering Solution
Aerobic granular sludge (AGS)–gravity-
driven membrane (GDM) technology is an The KAUST-invented AGS-GDM technology is a decentralized
innovative wastewater treatment and reuse wastewater treatment and reuse technology designed to address these
technology that enriches microorganisms grand challenges in the Kingdom. Each unit can treat wastewater for
in large aggregates or bio-granules for 1000 to 1500 people. Moreover, it can reduce energy demand by 50%
the efficient removal of pollutants in and space footprint by 70% compared to conventional wastewater
wastewater. It is mobile, compact, modular, treatment systems, while generating treated sewage effluent suitable for
and plug & play, thus making it an ideal nonpotable reuse.
technology for decentralized wastewater
treatment and reuse.
Impact
Mohammed Alomari The AGS-GDM technology will improve environmental quality and the
Ph.D. Student, Environmental Science Opportunity overall quality of life by providing clean water locally for landscaping to
& Engineering
Currently, 40% of households in Saudi increase green spaces and contributing to Vision 2030 to achieve 70%
Arabia do not have access to a centralized water reuse and 100% sanitation by 2030. It also contributes to Sustainable
Partners sewer network, and wastewater generated Development Goal 6 to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.
from these households is collected and
transported to centralized wastewater
treatment plants by trucks, which is

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Energy and
Industrial
Leadership
Energy and Industrial Leadership Energy and Industrial Leadership

CRYOGENIC CARBON
CAPTURE
Future Energy Technologies

Dr. William Roberts

Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
Director Clean Combustion
Research Center Technology Background Solution
Exhaust from power plants, refineries and KAUST has developed techniques for capturing carbon dioxide emissions
industrial plants adds carbon dioxide to the from industrial sources at about 20% less cost than other existing techniques.
atmosphere. Moreover, emissions account KAUST’s process cools plant exhaust down to -130°C to extract frozen carbon
for 76% of greenhouse gases. At the same dioxide (dry ice) from other permanent gases. Depending on the fuel source,
time, current methods of capturing carbon the process can also remove other air pollutants, such as the oxides of
dioxide emissions can be costly and often nitrogen and sulphur. The process is energy efficient, and the resulting carbon
produce unusable outputs. dioxide can be delivered in a very high purity liquid form that is ready for
Dr. Mohammed transport and use.
Al Juaied
Adjunct Professor, Clean Combustion
Research Center
Opportunity
Saudi Arabia has set a net zero greenhouse
gas emissions target by 2060. Low-cost Impact
carbon dioxide capture is vital for businesses
to balance competing economic and In partnership with the Ministry of Energy, a pilot-scale facility will be
environmental concerns. When captured in deployed at the new SEC/NEOM power plant at Duba and is expected to
a pure form, carbon dioxide can be used in capture 30 tons of carbon dioxide daily. Most of this captured CO2 will be
many industrial processes, including e-fuels, converted into e-gasoline by NEOM and Aramco. This will be the largest
Christopher Wagstaff
Ph.D. Student, Chemical Engineering food and beverages, the manufacturing of demonstration scale-up and deployment of the cryogenic carbon capture
cement, or it can be stored permanently process in the world and will pave the way for deployment throughout KSA.
underground through mineralization.
Partners

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Energy and Industrial Leadership Energy and Industrial Leadership

LITHIUM POWER
FROM SEAWATER
Mining / Future Energy Technologies

Technology Background Solution

The supply of lithium, which is used in Land-based reserves of lithium are limited, with only 22 million tons known
batteries and other electronics, is running out. to exist. However, the oceans are an untapped source of Lithium that can
Dr. Zhiping Lai By 2028, there will be significant shortages more than meet ongoing demand, with over 230 billion tons of lithium.
Professor Chemical Engineering
due to overwhelming demand. Already, high KAUST has developed a way to harvest this lithium.
demand for lithium is driving price increases
for batteries. Furthermore, land-based lithium
mining is water intensive and damaging to
Impact
the environment.
KAUST’s technology can extract lithium from seawater cost-effectively. This
technology is an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional mining
of metal. The filtered seawater can safely be returned to the ocean without
Opportunity any major environmental impact. Furthermore, the technology holds the
Demand for lithium is surging. Lithium-ion promise of creating novel skills and services while addressing the global
batteries are used in many electronics, demand for lithium as the electrification of ground transport gathers pace.
Kuo-Wei Huang including cell phones, laptops and electric
Professor, Chemistry vehicles. Worldwide, lithium demand is
growing from 250 thousand tons per year
from 2020 to over two million tons per year
Partners by 2030, an 800% increase.

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Energy and Industrial Leadership Energy and Industrial Leadership

HIGH-EFFICIENCY
PHOTOVOLTAICS
Solar/Future energy Technologies

Technology Background Solution

Dr. Frédéric Laquai The high heat and constant direct sunlight Besides improving device performance, KAUST is researching strategies
Professor, Applied Physics, Interim
found in desert climates diminish solar cell to reduce the impact of “parasitic device heating,” which lowers the
Director KAUST Solar Center
performance. The harsh conditions also performance and longevity of solar cells in high-heat conditions.
cause solar cells to fail sooner, requiring Researchers are also looking at different ways of using glass and
replacement. As a result, solar cells generate encapsulation materials to improve reliability. Combined, these efforts will
less energy, leading to increased costs. enhance the cost efficiency of solar cells.

Opportunity Impact

Solar installations in Saudi Arabia are The technology can potentially be developed into ultra-high-performance
growing. In 2019, Saudi Arabia had over solar cells using silicon in combination with perovskite. This could address
one gigawatt of solar capacity. Aligned with many market opportunities to combine solar power with sectors like
Dr. Stefaan De Wolf Vision 2030, there will be a growth to 40 agriculture. KAUST perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells have a certified
Professor, Material Science and
Engineering | Interim Associate GW from solar power alone. To meet this efficiency of 33.7%, which is the current world record.
Director KAUST Solar Center demand, solar cells need to be more energy
efficient and reliable.
Partners

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Economies
of the Future
Economies of the Future Economies of the Future

KAUST CUBESAT
Space Technologies

Technology Background Solution

The KAUST satellite collects high-quality, Being space-based, the KAUST satellite offers capabilities that expand
high-resolution data across global well beyond Saudi Arabia, allowing KAUST researchers and international
Dr. Matthew McCabe terrestrial, coastal and ocean ecosystems collaborators to focus their attention on global ecosystems to explore
Professor of Remote Sensing and to help Saudi Arabia observe and diverse landscapes, seascapes and interconnected environments.
Water Security, Director of Climate
characterize its unique natural resources.
and Livability Initiative
The 6U satellite hosts a hyperspectral
camera with advanced on-board
Impact
processing capabilities in combination
with Spire’s Global Navigation Satellite The hyperspectral imager will be used to characterize terrestrial and marine
System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) sensor systems to assess the condition of rangelands, soils, mangroves and other
payload to collect insights on Earth’s plant communities, thus improving our understanding of Saudi Arabia’s
surface, such as the condition of plants, unique ecosystems and our ability to monitor and manage their health.
soils and water.
The project reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasing footprint in the new space
economy, with the development of its space industry as a part of a broader
economic diversification strategy. Through this mission, KAUST aims to
Areej A. Alwahas Opportunity encourage future generations of scientists and engineers to participate in
Ph.D. Student, Environmental Science
The combination of on-board processing Saudi Arabia’s growing space exploration efforts.
& Engineering
with two unique sensors (GNSS-R and the
Partners hyperspectral camera) represents one of
the first in-orbit demonstrations of such
technologies. Data from the satellite can
help advance Vision 2030 goals, especially
those related to protecting and restoring
the environment.

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Economies of the Future Economies of the Future

FREE SPACE OPTICAL

(FSO) COMMUNICATION
FOR MARITIME &
GROUND-AIR-SPACE
NETWORKS IN KSA
Next-Gen Connectivity and
Wireless Sensors
Dr. Mohamed-Slim
Alouini
Distinguished Professor, Electrical Technology Background Solution
and Computer Engineering
Wireless communication is now an integral One solution being pursued at KAUST is FSO wireless communication. This
part of daily life and there is a continuously technology is capable of transmitting an unprecedented amount of data
growing demand for data-based internet over a free space channel at a rate of multi-gigabits per second using the
usage. As a result, the radio frequency abundant and unlicensed optical bands of the electromagnetic spectrum.
(RF) spectrum has become highly
congested, and current RF spectrum-
based infrastructure will not be sufficient
Impact
to meet the future demands of wireless
communication. Projects with Red Sea Global and NEOM are exploring the suitability of the
territory of KSA for FSO communications in terms of availability, reliability
and achievable data rates of high-speed wireless links in various terrestrial,
Fahad S. Alqurashi maritime, aerial and space environments. The study includes experimental
Ph.D. Student, Electrical & Computer Opportunity
Engineering
measurements of atmospheric turbulence on the attenuation (absorption
Free Space Optical (FSO) communication and scattering) and performance of FSO communication systems (signal-
is a range form of wireless communication to-noise ratio, bit error rate, and outage rate).
Partners that can be employed in terrestrial,
maritime, aerial and space links. The primary
transmission principle is similar to optical
fibre communication except that, in FSO
communication, the modulated transmitted
through unguided free space instead of a
guided fibre.

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Economies of the Future Economies of the Future

The City of the Future

project: focusing
on efficient energy
use, renewables
and the use of AI in
combination with IoT
Dr. Shehab Ahmed
Professor, Electrical and Computer
Engineering Chair, Electrical and Technology Background they are to support the needs of their inhabitants. The project also presents an
Computer Engineering Program
opportunity for businesses and organizations to develop innovative solutions
The City of the Future project is focused
that can be deployed at scale.
on leveraging the latest advancements
in technology to create a sustainable and Solution
efficient city. The project combines the
use of renewable energy sources, such as The City of the Future project proposes a comprehensive solution that
solar and wind power, with cutting-edge combines renewable energy sources, IoT, and AI to create a smart
technologies like the Internet of Things and sustainable city. The project involves the installation of IoT sensors
(IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). By doing throughout the city to collect data on energy consumption, air quality and
so, the project aims to reduce energy other environmental factors.
consumption, improve energy efficiency and
lower carbon emissions.
Impact
The City of the Future project has the potential to have a significant impact
Opportunity on the environment and the economy. By reducing energy consumption
The City of the Future project represents a and carbon emissions, the project can help mitigate the effects of
significant opportunity to address some of climate change. The use of renewable energy sources can also reduce
the most pressing challenges facing modern dependence on fossil fuels, improving energy security and lowering costs.
cities. With the world population expected Furthermore, the project can create new business opportunities and drive
to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, cities will need economic growth by promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
to become more sustainable and efficient if

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Health and
Wellness
Health and Wellness Health and Wellness

NOORDX GENOMICS
PLATFORM
Applied Genomics

Technology Background
Genetic insights can help people live Solution
Dr. Pierre Magistretti healthier lives, while genetic testing
Vice President for Research, The solution by NoorDx, a KAUST startup, has succeeded in many areas,
can reveal an individual’s risk profile
Distinguished Professor, Director including building a genomics platform for individual access to genome-
KAUST Smart Health Initiative for cancer, heart disease, and more.
informed health and wellness insights, creating precision testing based
However, genetic testing in Saudi Arabia
on the genetics of a regional population and developing robust and rapid
can be expensive and is often outsourced
pathogen screening.
for testinginternationally, resulting in
complicated logistics.

Impact

Opportunity NoorDx is building a hub for genetics capabilities for Saudi Arabia. It offers
genetic testing services that are inexpensive with low turnaround times.
Billions of SAR are spent annually on genetic
Overall, NoorDx provides an end-to-end value chain of services, including
testing in Saudi Arabia, with over 60,000
clinical diagnostics, research services and education.
tests being sent abroad for processing,
ceding “ownership” of the genetic insights
Dr. Sharif Hala about Saudi populations to international
General Manager NoorDx
labs. Building genetic testing and innovation
capabilities in Saudi Arabia taps into this
growing market and protects vital health
data for Saudi Arabia.
Partners

33 34
Health and Wellness Health and Wellness

USING ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE (AI)
FOR ACCURATE
PNEUMONIA
DETECTION
AI Technology

Dr. Xin Gao,

Professor Computer Science, Interim
Director of Computational Bioscience
Technology Background Solution
Research Center
Pneumonia causes 2.5 million deaths KAUST researchers have recently advanced their AI models by limiting
worldwide every year. Over 50% of those scanner-specific noise to increase CT scan image resolution. They also
who die are aged 70 or older. Pneumonia invented an AI algorithm to segment blood vessels and the trachea to fine
Partners also accounts for 15% of all child deaths – resolution. These innovations are part of a pipeline leading to automatic,
making pneumonia the leading cause of accurate and rapid pneumonia diagnosis.
childhood mortality.

Impact
Opportunity Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, KAUST developed a rapid and accurate
There are more than 30 types of method for COVID-19 detection. Researchers developed an AI system that
pneumonia, but they are often hard processes CT scans of patients. The image processing takes less than one
for doctors to distinguish. This difficulty minute and correctly detected COVID-19 almost 100% of the time.
leads to mistreatment and avoidable
deaths. Adding AI to the diagnosis
framework can limit human errors and
improve patient health outcomes.

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Startups Exhibition Startups Exhibition

RED SEA FARMS

Founded by world-renowned plant scientist
Mark Tester, agriculture engineering expert
Ryan Lefers and material scientist Derya Baran.

Startups Exhibition RDIA Sector

Sustainable Environment and Supply of
The startup ecosystem’s alignment with the Essential Needs / Energy and Industrial
new strategy aims to achieve KAUST’s goals Leadership.
of driving entrepreneurship and economic Dr. Jana Hubbard
Head Of Brand Development,
development in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Red Sea Farms Market Barrier
Production of sustainable organic food
utilizing climate control greenhouse
technology in water-scarce, hot climates.
Technology selection criteria:
Solution
• RDIA Sector
Roof-to-root innovations for sustainable
• Market Barrier food production in hot climates that reduces
• Solution freshwater and energy consumption.
• Current Investors Innovations include: 1) iyris: heat-absorbing
• Key Customers nanomaterials for greenhouse roofs, 2) Kairos:
precision sustainable climate control for
AbdulRahman bin greenhouses and poultry barns, 3) Coretex:
Mahfuth
R&D Engineer, Red Sea Farms
intelligent greenhouse monitoring systems,
and 4) Volcano Plant Genetics: salt, heat,
and drought tolerant rootstocks and the
production of fresh organic produce).

Current Investors
Investors Cumulative investment, USD $36.4M.
Currently negotiating a USD $20M Series A.

Key Customers
Company present in KSA, UAE, USA, Egypt.

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Startups Exhibition Startups Exhibition

WAYAKIT TERRAXY
Founded by two KAUST international RDIA Sector
students who live in Saudi Arabia Sustainable Environment and
Supply of Essential Needs
RDIA Sector
Environment and sustainability Market Barrier
How to address a burgeoning societal pain-
Market Barrier point (i.e., landfilling of millions of tons of
97% of cleaning and disinfection products organic waste per year) to unleash a national
still contain compounds that negatively Dr. Luisa Javier HIMANSHU MISHRA
Co-founder and CEO, Wayakit ambition (i.e., giga-scale desert rehabilitation
impact our health, planet and productivity. Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer
for food production and greening)?

Solution Solution
Wayakit is specialized in the development Terraxy’s CarboSoil™ technology is produced
of hygiene products for cleaning and from the pyrolysis of organic waste, such
disinfection through applied biotechnology. as chicken manure, food waste and
Wayakit’s cleaners are sustainable, sewage sludge. When added to sandy soil,
organic, biodegradable, nontoxic, organic, CarboSoil™ acts as a sponge for nutrients
multipurpose and environmentally friendly. and prevents their leaching and volatilization.
CarboSoil is stable in the soil for hundreds of
Current Investors
years. Terraxy’s SandX™ technology (USPTO
Cumulative investment, US $2 M.
#11,497,177 B2) reduces the evaporative loss
Sandra Medina Adair Gallo
Key Customers Co-founder and CMO, Wayakit Co-founder and CEO
of water from the soil by up to 80% under
Presence in KSA and Mexico. Saudi conditions.

Current Investors
KAUST Innovation Ventures US $1 M.
Investors Investors
International presence:
Company present in KSA and has
appeared and won several international
platforms/competitions (World Economic
Forum’s Uplink Platform, ITAS Arab Youth
Competition, Prototypes for Humanity,
InFlavour’s Expo)
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KRRI KRRI

A- In-situ nurseries
KAUST Reefscape A key goal of the project is to develop underwater nurseries capable of

Restoration Initiative sustaining the production of up to 100,000 corals per year. To achieve
this goal and to develop efficient methods of out-planting corals, KRRI

Initiative Major Elements has initiated a Trial Phase in 2023, which has the following major goals; (1)
to develop and evaluate a range of in-water coral nursery structures to
identify the most promising culture methods for large-scale cultivation; (2)
to test and evaluate methods of out-planting that can improve efficiency,
1- Reefscape reduce diver’s coral planting duration, and leverage the capacity of the
The reefscape was divided into operational grids to facilitate efficient planning land-based nursery facilities; (3) develop and test reef enhancement
and execution. The grids enabled a systematic approach to the restoration structures that provide suitable habitat in areas that lack substrate for coral
strategy across the 100 ha. growth; (4) collect information on coral spawning to guide future initiatives
in the employment of sexual reproduction for diversifying and improving
Each grid underwent a detailed assessment of its ecological condition (e.g., coral resiliency at larger scales; (5) develop methods to efficiently monitor
coral cover, species diversity and habitat) and the need for restoration or and track corals in the nurseries and coral out-plants at scale.
enhancement. The zonation plan also includes areas for various uses, such as
areas suitable for coral nurseries, KAUST research and visitor experiences. B- Marine Operations
KRRI is preparing for extraordinary marine operations. Over five years,
the Initiative aims to deploy an unprecedented number of corals—
targeting over 5,000 asexually produced corals daily, alongside millions
of sexual recruits per year, and thousands of carefully designed habitat
enhancement structures. This involves 50+ divers, with several small to
large vessels on a daily basis operating from our base at Haddah Beach.

2- Monitoring, Visualization and Data Management

Monitoring is critical in tracking the project’s success, impact and progress.
KRRI is committed to developing the tools to effectively monitor, visualize and
manage the data of a large-scale coral reef restoration project, the largest in
the world to date. KRRI will be designing and employing innovative methods
to monitor both the reefscape and the Development and Primary Nurseries—
steering away from diver/person-based data collection to semi-and fully-
automated/ autonomous collection and processing.

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KRRI KRRI

3- Land-based Nursery 4- Research Center

This center aims to create a space dedicated to improving the understanding
A-Development Nursery of the coral reef ecosystem in the region through data collection and sample
Covering an area of 1,000 square meters, the KAUST Development Nursery at analysis. Equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge
Haddah Beach in NEOM serves as a pilot facility for testing different methods research facilities, the Research Center will enable researchers to conduct
and technologies before being implemented on a larger scale through the pioneering studies in various fields, including oceanography and geology.
Primary Nursery. This testing process allows for optimizing operational plans,
propagation techniques and strategy, including essential Life Support Systems
(LSS) and the refinement of methodologies ensuring the effective execution of
marine and dive operations.

The Development Nursery will be essential to the training of personnel

engaged in aquaculture, and later, in marine and dive operations. It also
represents a critical step to developing fully integrated operations between the
land- and ocean-based elements of the project, such as coral transportation.

B-Primary Nursery
KAUST is building a pioneering land-based coral nursery at Haddah Beach.
This facility aims to be the world’s largest and most advanced, producing up to
400,000 corals annually. By incorporating innovative techniques and cutting-
edge technology, KAUST ensures efficient and effective coral production. This
nursery supports broader restoration efforts, providing an ideal environment for
diverse coral species to grow. It revolutionizes cultivation through automation
and industrialization, optimizing production with advanced LSS. This facility
enhances the preservation of coral biodiversity by elevating the standard for
coral nurseries.

43 44
KRRI KRRI

hands-on experience in coral restoration. Participants advance through a

specialized curriculum and hands-on training modules, applying their gained
knowledge within the KRRI coral nurseries. Throughout this transformative
journey, they benefit from mentorship by expert instructors, ensuring a holistic
and impactful learning experience.

National Talent Development Program’s mission: Our mission is to equip Saudi

fresh graduates with the expertise needed in coral conservation, enhancement
and restoration. By the end of their journey, they’ll be poised to play a pivotal
role in the growth and development of the Kingdom, safeguarding its natural
treasures for generations to come.

5- National Talent Development Program About the Program:

Background: • The program aims to cultivate professionals in alignment with KRRI’s

In 2023, the Reefscape Restoration Stream, a training program, was launched mission and the Saudi 2030 vision.
through a collaborative effort between the KRRI team and the KAUST HR
• Offering a one-year training program to selected talented Saudi candidates
department as part of the HR Elevate program. This training program served as
in the World’s Largest Reefscape Restoration Initiative.
a unique avenue for KRRI to impart education and training to Saudi Nationals,
igniting their interest in coral restoration and simultaneously addressing the • Integrating practical experience with theoretical knowledge.
imperative of enhancing local expertise in the field as part of KRRI’s social
responsibility. • Providing holistic training covers a spectrum of subjects ranging from
basic coral biology and marine life identification to hands-on coral reef
Designed for high-potential recent graduates, the program provides an restoration operations. This includes land-based nursery training, exposure
unparalleled opportunity to kickstart their technical careers within the ambit of to various restoration techniques, establishment of ocean-based coral
the world’s largest coral restoration initiative. Beyond bridging the knowledge nurseries, utilization of micro-fragmentation techniques, maintenance
gap between higher education and the dynamic demands of the labor market, procedures, out-planting methods, data collection, photomosaic capture,
the program is crafted to deliver the theoretical knowledge and required image analysis, monitoring techniques, and more.

45 46
KAUST Semiconductor Initiative KAUST Semiconductor Initiative

• Neutral stimulation and sensing device

KAUST Semiconductor Sahika Inal

Initiative • Flexible in-memory light sensors for neuromorphic

vision application
Nazek El-Atab
Semiconductors are materials with electrical conductivity between
conductors and insulators. Over the past 70 years semiconductors have • VO2 Switches and mm-Wave SoC
emerged as a foundational technology and a cornerstone for our information Atif Shamim
age. Since the invention of the point-contact transistor in 1947, semiconductor
technology has become the electronic brain and muscle of almost every • 10 Vertically-stacked Transistor Logic
hightech product. These technological breakthroughs have not only redefined ICs for Moore’s Law
the way we work and communicate, but also how we shop, educate and Saravanan Yuvaraja/Xiaohang Li
entertain ourselves.
• Micro-LEDs for Novel Displays
This remarkable technological progress is the result of continuous innovation Kazuhiro Ohkawa
in the electronics industry and in particular advances in the science and
technology of semiconductors. Recently, semiconductors have once again
• 3D printed Conductive composites for electronic skin
Derya Baran
entered the spotlight because of the global shortage of chips that threatens
to impact the livelihoods of millions of people by crippling key industries • KAUSTat—A Compact Reconfigurable
worldwide. These recent events highlight the strategic importance of Electrochemical Station
semiconductors globally but also the emerging opportunities for further Jose Ilton/Khaled Salama
transformative impact.
• Portable gas sensor system for pollution
In this booth we exhibit several pioneering and leading semiconductor monitoring Jose
technologies developed at KAUST. Since its establishment in 2009, KAUST Ilton/Khaled Salama
has become a hotbed of innovation clustering more than 25 world-leading
faculty and hundreds of researchers developing cutting-edge semiconductor • Examples from the Nanofabrication Core Lab
technologies for a plethora of applications. The world-class nanofabrication Kenneth Kennedy
and characterization facilities located on the campus are dedicated to
advancing the scientific ambitions of the University while breaking new • Flexible ultrawide bandgap devices for power
ground. KAUST semiconductor research has enormous impact on a variety of electronics and sensing
technologies, including digital, energy, environment, health and food. Yi Lu/Xiaohang Li

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