As a continuation of the success achieved by the Physics Department in conducting graduation projects outside the University, eight students from the Department completed their academic research and training at Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). They started working at the organization at the beginning of the second semester of the academic year 1436/1437 AH, under the supervision of Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool, Vice-Dean of the College of Science for Development and Quality and Faculty Member in the Physics Department.
This project is the third of its kind at the Department and College level after the success of the Department first project where ten female students from the Department completed their graduation projects in the first semester of this academic year 1436/1437 AH at the National Center for Nanotechnology at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), under the supervision of Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool from the Physics Department and Dr. Marzouk Al-Shammari from KACST (News Link). at the same time a second project of six female students from the Department was underway at the Research Centre at King Faisal Specialist Hospital .These students carried out their graduation projects, under the supervision of Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool (News Link) .
The preparation for this project began in the first semester of this year, at the initiative of Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool, where a delegation from the Department headed by Dr. Ahmad Al-Qaoud, Head of the Physics Department, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Hamarneh, Deputy Head of the Department, and Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool, Vice-Dean of the College of Science for Development and Quality and Faculty Member in the Physics Department, x visited the Hospital the previous semester (News Link). This was followed by bilateral meetings between Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool, representing the College and Physics Department, and Dr. Masad Al-Mutairi, Supervisor of the Research and Studies Center at SASO. These efforts were successful thanks to Allah.
In an interview with Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool by the College Website, Dr. Al-Hathlool thanked Dr. Muhammad Babtain, Dean of the College of Science, and Dr. Ahmad Al-Qaoud, Head of the Physics Department, for encouraging and supporting this project. He also thanked Dr. Saad Othman Al-Qasabi, Governor of SASO, and Dr. Masaad Al-Mutairi, the Supervisor of the Research and Studies Center at SASO, for their support and help to overcome the obstacles for the success of this project which will benefit students of the Department.
It is worth mentioning that this project lasted throughout the second semester of this academic year 1436/1437 AH. Eight students of the Department participated in it. The total training hours spent by the students in the Organization were about 50 hours of training, as well as additional educational hours outside the Center.
The students from the Physics Department who participated in this project, the third batch of the graduation projects to take place outside the University, were: Ahmad Abdulmohsen Al-Maliki, Sultan Saleh Al-Duribi, Salah Marzouq Al-Rashidi, Abdulhadi Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, Issa Salman Al-Mutiri, Fahd Nasser Al-Qurini, Muteb Turki Bin Rubai'an, and Wael Hamed Al-Anzi.
Dr. Al-Hathlool indicated that the research topics conducted at the Research Center were:
1. Effect of the Ambient Temperature Change on the Accuracy of Calibrating Gauge Blocks.
2. Time Interval Measurement.
3. Effect of Different Cleaning Methods on the Weight Mass Measurement.
4. Testing and Calculating the Energy Efficiency of Home Appliances (Air Conditioners, Washing Machines, and Refrigerators).
It is worth mentioning that the student researchers received training in security and safety of research laboratories before working on the projects in order to ensure their safety and that of researchers and research laboratories equally.
On the other hand, the application (Google – Classroom) was used to monitor the progress of the researchers in their projects on the academic level, as well as to coordinate between the Physics Department and SASO. Among the programs included in the training to analyze the results and charts and solve mathematical equations: Excel and Origin. As well as training on how to write scientific research and research reports. In addition, Endnote program was used to write, manage, and index the references.
On the other hand, the aim of this project as set up by the Physics Department is to have a great positive impact on the academic and practical experiences of the students, along with other obvious benefits. Some of which are:
· Increasing knowledge of physics and applying it in the real world.
· Caring about time and project management professionally.
· Gaining experience in dealing with members of the research team and teamwork.
· Working collectively in a team consisting of two students for each project, who collaborate to complete a specific work. This is the most distinctive feature of the graduation projects.
· Learning new technical skills, such as research writing skills and presentation skills.
· Gaining experience by dealing with advanced research devices at SASO laboratories, unlike theoretical projects which usually characterize graduation projects within the University, due to the weak research capacity.
· Learning to read scientific papers and use data analysis programs.
Members of the Physics Department showed their admiration for this rich and beneficial experience for everyone. It has given the students the experience which will open great prospects for them after graduation and give the opportunity for other students to join similar projects in subsequent semesters. The Department also thanked all those in charge of the program and those who contributed to the success of this initiative, especially Dr. Ahmad Al-Qaoud, Head of the Physics Department, and Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool, Supervisor of the project, for their encouragement, support, and efforts to overcome the obstacles for the success of this unique experience. Thanks are also due to the supervisors from SASO, especially Dr. Masad Al-Mutairi, Supervisor of the Research and Studies Center at SASO, for his outstanding contribution to the success of this project.
Finally, the Department thanked the Physics researchers for their tangible efforts to represent the Department and the seriousness and discipline they showed from the first day of the project. The Department also wished them a bright future.
Below is a brief overview of the four research projects:
1. Effect of the Ambient Temperature Change on the Accuracy of Calibrating Gauge Blocks
Purpose of the experiment: To calibrate gauge blocks in a specific way and study the effect of temperature on the accuracy of measurements.
Knowledge gained by the student:
· Getting acquainted with the principles and concepts of measurement and calibration.
· Training the student in the method of performing calibration to gauge blocks practically in more than one method.
· Studying the effect of ambient temperature on the accuracy of the measurements.
· Making necessary calculations, analyzing the results, and issuing calibration certificate.
2. Time Interval Measurements
Purpose of the experiment: To determine the accuracy and consistency of measurement and impact of using different measuring devices on the results.
Knowledge gained by the student:
· Getting acquainted with the principles and concepts of measurement and calibration.
· Getting acquainted with the method of measuring time and determining the national time scale.
· Being introduced to the mechanism of comparing time scales of different countries and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
· Performing uncertainty calculations, analyzing the results, and issuing calibration certificate.
Scientific Methods Used:
· HD oscilloscope 50GHZ.
· Digital electronic measuring device.
3. Effect of Different Cleaning Methods on the Weight Mass Measurement
Purpose of the experiment: To calibrate a number of weights in a comparative manner and study the effect of cleaning method on the accuracy of measurements.
Knowledge gained by the student:
· Identifying some of the basic concepts in the science of measurement, such as (Metrology and its sections, Traceability, Uncertainty Calculations, Types of Standards, and others).
· Getting acquainted with different methods of weight calibration.
· Getting acquainted with weight classifications according to international standards.
· Identifying the best practices in conducting measurements and calibration.
· Performing necessary calculations, analyzing the results, and issuing calibration certificate.
4. Testing and Calculating the Energy Efficiency of Home Appliances (Air Conditioners, Washing Machines, and Refrigerators)
Purpose of the experiment: To calculate energy efficiency of home appliances using standard specifications.
Knowledge gained by the student:
· Identifying the concept of energy efficiency of home appliances.
· Getting acquainted with how to use standard specifications.
· Identifying the mechanism of conducting measurements and analyzing results to calculate the energy efficiency of appliances.
· Calculating uncertainty values in the measurements and issuing test reports.
