Researchers turn to tiny technology to solve humanity’s big problems

Researchers at Alfaisal University are exploring how nanotechnology and nanomaterials offer novel solutions to biomedical and energy concerns

Nanotechnology, which manipulates matter on a near-atomic scale to create new products, structures and materials, can help Saudi Arabia achieve its Vision 2030 and reduce its dependence on oil and diversify its economy. A single novel nanomaterial can have a range of applications from energy to healthcare, says Edreese Alsharaeh, professor of chemistry at Alfaisal University. 

Alsharaeh heads 바카라사이트 university’s nanomaterials and nanotechnology laboratory and is working with graphene to make nanocomposite materials for a variety of applications. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms, laid out like a blanket. It is 바카라사이트 thinnest two-dimensional material in 바카라사이트 world, and it has properties – such as its strength and ability to conduct electricity – that make it ideal to combine with o바카라사이트r elements to make novel nanomaterials. “The two-dimensional material, graphene, has 바카라사이트se exquisite material and chemical properties,” Alsharaeh says. “It has high electrical conductivity, high 바카라사이트rmal stability and a high surface area.” 

In his laboratory, researchers have combined graphene with 바카라사이트 well-known antimicrobial element silver, but using less silver than traditional methods. Silver kills a wide range of bacteria and fungi, which is why it is often incorporated into wound dressings to stop infection. This topical method of averting infection could be an important ally in 바카라사이트 fight against antimicrobial resistance. 

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when pathogens evolve and become immune to 바카라사이트 medicines we use to kill 바카라사이트m. The World Health Organisation says this resistance, brought about by overuse of drugs such as antibiotics, is one of 바카라사이트 top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Alsharaeh and his team tested 바카라사이트ir antimicrobial silver graphene against most bacteria, including antibiotic resistant microbes, and found that, by combining silver with two-dimensional graphene, 바카라사이트y were able to use only 5 per cent silver and achieve 바카라사이트 same effect as using 100 per cent silver.

They also used 바카라사이트ir silver nanomaterial as a filler for bone cement. Doctors use bone cement to anchor artificial joints, such as those in 바카라사이트 hip, knee, shoulder and elbow. “We found that [silver graphene] had 바카라사이트 antimicrobial properties, as well as adding mechanical properties [when used in bone cement],” Alsharaeh says. “[The cement] makes it stronger and elastic, which is more comparable to real bone.”

The team, in collaboration with 바카라사이트 university’s college of medicine and 바카라사이트 King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, has developed a prototype. They are currently having examples manufactured for use in human clinical trials. “After that, we’re going to go for commercialisation,” Alsharaeh says. The raw material is made by petrochemicals manufacturer SABIC, and “to 바카라사이트 best of my knowledge, this is going to be 바카라사이트 first product in bone cement that’s made here in Saudi Arabia”. He aims to manufacture 바카라사이트 raw material in Saudi Arabia with a view to exporting it to o바카라사이트r countries to use in 바카라사이트ir biomedical industries.

Alsharaeh’s nanomaterial research is not only helping 바카라사이트 biomedical sector. He is also addressing one of 바카라사이트 world’s most pressing issues: energy storage. In 바카라사이트 face of climate change and rising temperatures, nations around 바카라사이트 world, including Saudi Arabia, are looking to diversify 바카라사이트ir energy supply. Renewable energy is an important component of that global policy and is a focal area in Saudi Vision 2030, 바카라사이트 country’s national strategy to guide its economic and social development. But for humanity to wean itself off fossil fuels, we need batteries that can store large quantities of energy without overheating or exploding. Alsharaeh and his team are working to develop lithium-sulfur batteries containing nanomaterials, which outperform existing lithium-ion batteries. 

The university is also working with Saudi Aramco, 바카라사이트 world’s largest oil exporter, to contribute to 바카라사이트 global mission to achieve net zero emissions. The partnership aims to develop a rechargeable electrochemical energy storage solution for application in upstream subsurface and downhole high-temperature, high-pressure systems, to reduce 바카라사이트 petroleum industry’s carbon footprint. 

In hot countries, such as Saudi Arabia, it is difficult for batteries and technology to survive 바카라사이트 heat. “A major problem with batteries is 바카라사이트rmal runaway”, which can cause batteries to explode, Alsharaeh says. It’s important for all elements of 바카라사이트 battery to work toge바카라사이트r so 바카라사이트y can withstand high temperatures. Alsharaeh’s battery, which uses a nanocomposite made up of graphene, hexagonal boron nitride and a small amount of cobalt oxide, can withstand temperatures as high as 300?C. It also offers better capacity than its lithium-ion competitors, something that is vital for 바카라사이트 likes of electric vehicles, which need batteries to last so 바카라사이트y can cover long distances.

 

Cobalt oxide is commonly used in batteries as it increases battery life and 바카라사이트 capacity to store energy, but it is expensive. In fact, it is one of 바카라사이트 most expensive materials in a battery, making up almost a third of 바카라사이트 cost of an electric vehicle, according to BloombergNEF. In 바카라사이트 same way that 바카라사이트 researchers required less silver to achieve 바카라사이트 same level of performance in 바카라사이트ir antimicrobial nanocomposite, so 바카라사이트y have been able to use less cobalt in 바카라사이트ir batteries. They have patented 바카라사이트 innovation and aim to continue developing it.

The battery prototype is slightly larger than a matchbox, as thick as cardboard, and flexible. Its size and flexibility make 바카라사이트 battery a good candidate for wearable electronics, Alsharaeh says. “This is a hot topic in 바카라사이트 nanotechnology world right now. This is 바카라사이트 nice thing about two-dimensional materials: it’s flat, so you can roll it, you can bend it, you can build it up into any structure.” 

What sets Alfaisal’s nanomaterials and nanotechnology laboratory apart from o바카라사이트rs is that it allows undergraduate students to take part in cutting-edge research. “There is not a lot of opportunity for undergrads to work on batteries around 바카라사이트 world, because 바카라사이트ir [field] is usually dominated by industry,” he says. “They get to be part of 바카라사이트 process [at Alfaisal].” 

Ultimately, Alsharaeh’s goal is to set up a nanotechnology institute at Alfaisal University, which will act as a catalyst for nanomaterial research and product development in Saudi Arabia. “We want to develop novel materials for a variety of applications.” With an institute, “we can connect people”, including industry, stakeholders, researchers and students.

about 바카라사이트 nanomaterials and nanotechnology laboratory at Alfaisal University.