The Physics Department organized a student scientific visit to King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology (KAIN) on Monday, 01/16/1438 AH, corresponding to 10/17/2016 AD. The visiting delegation included a group of outstanding students of the Department and was accompanied by selected faculty members from the Department; Dr. Raed Hussein Al-Hathlool, Vice-Dean of the College of Science for Development and Quality and Director of the Research Center, Dr. Osama Abdulrahman Al-Daghri, Vice-Dean of the College for Administrative and Financial Affairs, and Professor Lassaad El Mir.
To fulfill the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in encouraging scientific research in the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Saudi universities, King Saud University established a program of Nanotechnology. This program was developed into an institute. KSU Council approved the establishment of "Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Nanoresearch" on 03/26/1428 AH. The approval of the Higher Education Council was obtained on 06/02/1428 AH, for the establishment of what is called today "King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology (KAIN)."
At the beginning of the visit, Dr. Ahmed Mohamed El-Toni, a researcher in KAIN, presented an overview about the Institute and its various sectors. Dr. El-Toni explained in a detailed presentation the Nanotechnology and its applications in various scientific, industrial, medical, engineering, and other fields.
The program included a visit to the advanced research laboratories in the Institute, namely:
Central Laboratories
· Electron Microscopy Laboratory: It contains the most important electron microscopes in imaging and surface analysis of nanomaterials prepared in the Institute. This Unit contains specifically the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Focused Ion Beam Microscope (FIB).
· Optical, Structural, and Electrical Properties Analysis Laboratory: It contains the latest technologies for the study of optical and structural properties of the nanomaterials, such as optical emission spectrometer, Raman spectrometer, infrared spectrometer, spectrophotometer, X-ray diffractometer, and electrical measuring equipment.
· Pulsed Laser Deposition System laboratory: It makes nanometer solid chips for various applications.
· Clean Room Facility: It aims to provide the necessary devices and technologies for advanced micrometer and nanometer manufacturing in pure manufacturing environment. The Clean Room Facility currently contains Spin Coater Device, Ultraviolet Sculpting Device, Chemical Precipitation Powered by Plasma, and Chemical Sculpting Device.
Research Laboratories:
· Chemistry Laboratory: to manufacture nanomaterials using chemical methods.
· Membranes Development Laboratory: to manufacture and test water purification membranes and examine their permeability and mechanical properties.
· Solar Cells Laboratory: to manufacture dye-sensitized solar cells and measure their efficiency and advanced characteristics.
· Nanomedicine Laboratory: to manufacture and test the toxicity of nanomaterials and their vital impact on diagnosis and treatment.
The researcher then presented the areas of work at the Institute. They are divided into the following:
· First: Research, development, and applied fields in the areas of energy, water treatment, telecommunications, medicine and pharmacy, food and environment, and manufacturing and study of nanomaterials' properties.
· Second: Modeling and stimulation of nanostructures.
· Third: Educational and training fields in various areas of Nanotechnology.
· Fourth: Economic, industrial, and social fields related to Nanotechnology industry.
Eng. Osama Muhammad Abaza, KAIN Website Supervisor, indicated that the vision of KAIN is represented in excellence and leadership in Nanotechnology research and applications. In order to achieve this vision, KAIN has specific objectives to meet, namely:
· Developing the areas of excellence in Nanotechnology.
· Encouraging and organizing scientific research in multiple areas of Nanotechnology.
· Disseminating scientific awareness of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies.
· Building strategic partnerships in the field of application and development of Nanotechnology.
· Promoting national knowledge economy through the outputs of applied Nano research.
It is worth mentioning that the mission of the Institute is: to develop, localize, and conduct research in Nanotechnology applications through preparing and qualifying specialized academic personnel and building effective community partnership with the various bodies of the government and the private sector.
At the end of the visit, Dr. Raed Hussein Al-Hathlool thanked KAIN, Dr. Aws Ibrahim Al-Shamsan, Dean of KAIN, and all the staff of KAIN for receiving the delegation of the Physics Department and giving the students the opportunity to learn about scientific and research fields in this scientific and research edifice. The focus was on the importance of this visit as it allowed students to discover many practical and professional aspects in which Physics graduates can work after graduation. The visit was also of great importance in strengthening collaboration among the members of both institutions in the field of training and research and conducting graduation projects.
The delegation also thanked Dr. Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Hazza, Deputy Dean of the Institute for Technical Affairs, for receiving the delegation in his office and discussing joint cooperation aspects between KAIN and the Physics Department.
This activity is part of the Physics Department activities, which aim to introduce leading national institutions, contribute to the development and promotion of the scientific level of students, and enhance their engagement and knowledge about their academic specialization. These activities also aim to open up broad prospects for students, whether scientific or practical, before and after graduation to prepare them to be distinctive individuals in order to build a constructive society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The group of students who participated in the visit are: Khalid Mansour Al-Otaibi, Ali Saeed Al Kanad, and Rakan Al-Qahtani.
The participating students expressed their happiness and gratitude for organizing this visit and commended the level of benefit they gained and the great impact of this visit, which would reflect positively on their academic performance and develop their future perspectives after graduation.
It is noteworthy that the Physics Department thanked both Dr. Raed Al-Hathlool and Mr. Khaled Al-Khar'an, Secretary of the Physics Department, for their concrete efforts in organizing and coordinating this successful visit.
For previous scientific visits of the Physics Department during last year: Click here
