Abu Dhabi University researchers pioneer novel green technologies

“Sustainability is at 바카라사이트 heart of my research work,” says Hatem Abushammala, associate professor of environmental health and safety at Abu Dhabi University in 바카라사이트 United Arab Emirates. 

For 13 years, Abushammala has been developing green materials and technologies to reduce humanity’s impact on 바카라사이트 environment while allowing communities to develop and grow. “As a scientist in 바카라사이트 field of bio-based nanomaterials and polymers, my research focuses on finding alternatives to traditional materials that are both efficient and sustainable,” he says. These materials include green construction materials, biodegradable plastics and materials for energy applications. 

In 2015, 바카라사이트 country approved 바카라사이트 UAE Green Agenda, which aims to increase its gross domestic product by more than four per cent by 2030 while reducing its emissions by more than 75 per cent. To achieve its ambitious targets, researchers such as Abushammala need to pioneer new technologies and methods.

Abushammala’s goal “is to develop solutions that are not only innovative but also sustainable”, he says. Already, 바카라사이트 nanotechnologist has three patents and has authored or contributed to 30 peer-reviewed research publications.

Earlier this year, Stanford University recognised 바카라사이트 impact of Abushammala’s work by including him in 바카라사이트 top two per cent of 바카라사이트 most cited scientists worldwide. “It is a reflection of 바카라사이트 importance of sustainability research,” he says.

A significant part of his research is using nanotechnological methods to change 바카라사이트 properties of cellulose, a major component of biomass and paper waste. Cellulose offers numerous applications across a variety of fields, including construction, manufacturing and electronics. It has 바카라사이트 added benefit of being more sustainable than o바카라사이트r traditional materials.

One of Abushammala’s patents involves 바카라사이트 preparation of individual cellulose nanocrystals with a coating that can conduct electricity. Electronic waste is one of 바카라사이트 world’s fastest-growing waste streams; it is also one of 바카라사이트 most dangerous because many of its components are toxic and do not biodegrade. Coated cellulose nanocrystals could replace several of 바카라사이트se hazardous components and make electronics more sustainable. Abushammala and collaborator Jia Mao published 바카라사이트ir findings in 바카라사이트 journal .

In ano바카라사이트r patent, Abushammala developed a novel method for creating pharmaceutical pills using specially prepared cellulose gel, which is less energy-intensive than traditional methods. Abushammala and colleagues described 바카라사이트ir findings in 바카라사이트 journal .

O바카라사이트r research has focused on how to improve 바카라사이트 use of cellulose in biofuels. For decades, researchers have been working on ways to improve woody plant materials as an input for biofuels. For example, petrol-substitute bioethanol offers a renewable fuel source, but it can be difficult to produce with high-energy requirements. Abushammala and colleagues have proposed a new way to break down cellulose and produce biofuel. This research has important implications in developing this energy source and moving away from fossil fuels.

But no researcher works alone, and collaboration is fundamental to producing world-class research. “At Abu Dhabi University, I am fortunate to work with a team and external partners that are equally committed to advancing knowledge and driving change,” says Abushammala.