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UAEGSRC’16 (27-28 April 2016)
UAE University Campus, Al-Ain, UAE
Detailed Program
Tim
e
Atr
ium
, Cre
scen
t B
uild
ing
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dit
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um
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scen
t
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Hal
l, R
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10
03
(Fe
mal
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Ro
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10
05
(Fe
mal
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Ro
om
10
21
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
23
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
27
(M
ale
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e)
Ro
om
10
28
(M
ale
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Ro
om
10
36
(M
ale
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Ro
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10
38
(M
ale
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Ro
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10
58
(Fe
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Ro
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10
60
(Fe
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e Si
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Wednesday, April 27
08:00-
09:00
Registration
(Conference
Reception)
09:00-
09:30
Welcome and
Opening
Ceremony
09:30-
10:15
Keynote:
Communicati
on! Industry,
Innovation
and the 21st
Century
Graduate by
Dr. Alexandra
Bush, Senior
Consultant
ISIS
Innovation of
the University
of Oxford (UK)
10:15-
10:30 Transport: Transport to the College of Information Technology Building (E1)
10:30-
11:00
Projects &
Posters
Exhibit &
Coffee
Break
11:00-
13:00
D1SA1: D1SB1: D1SC1: D1SD1: D1SE1: D1SF1: D1SG1: D1SH1:
Elec
tric
al &
Ele
ctro
nic
Eng
inee
rin
g
Ener
gy
& P
etro
leu
m
Hu
ma
nit
ies
an
d S
oci
al
Scie
nce
s
Mec
ha
nic
al
Eng
inee
rin
g
Co
mp
ute
r &
Info
rma
tio
n S
cien
ce
Hea
lth
an
d L
ife
Scie
nce
s
Eart
h &
En
viro
nm
enta
l
Eng
inee
rin
g
Med
ica
l & H
ealt
h
Scie
nce
s
13:00-
14:00 Lunch
2
Tim
e
Atr
ium
, Cre
scen
t B
uild
ing
Au
dit
ori
um
, Cre
scen
t
Bu
ildin
g
Au
dit
ori
um
, Ro
om
G0
20
(Mal
e Si
de)
, Bu
ildin
g E1
Exh
ibit
Hal
l & L
ob
by
(Mal
e
Sid
e), B
uild
ing
E1
Lob
by
(Mal
e Si
de
), B
uild
ing
E1
Rec
reat
ion
Hal
l, R
oo
m G
03
2
(Mal
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de)
, Bu
ildin
g E1
Ro
om
10
03
(Fe
mal
e Si
de)
Ro
om
10
05
(Fe
mal
e Si
de)
Ro
om
10
21
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
23
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
27
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
28
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
36
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
38
(M
ale
Sid
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Ro
om
10
58
(Fe
mal
e Si
de)
Ro
om
10
60
(Fe
mal
e Si
de)
14:00-
15:40
Forum on
Graduate
Education
in the UAE
(By
Invitation
Only)
D1SA2: D1SB2: D1SC2: D1SD2: D1SE2: D1SF2: D1SG2: D1SH2:
Elec
tric
al &
Ele
ctro
nic
Eng
inee
rin
g
Ch
emis
try
& C
hem
ica
l
Eng
inee
rin
g
Hu
ma
nit
ies
an
d S
oci
al
Scie
nce
s
Mic
ro/N
an
o S
yste
ms
Co
mp
ute
r &
Info
rma
tio
n
Scie
nce
Hea
lth
an
d L
ife
Scie
nce
s
Eart
h &
En
viro
nm
enta
l
Eng
inee
rin
g
Ener
gy
& F
uel
s
15:40-
16:00
Coffee
Break
16:00-
18:00
D1SA3: D1SB3: D1SC3: D1SD3: D1SE3: D1SF3: D1SG3: D1SH3:
Elec
tric
al &
Ele
ctro
nic
Eng
inee
rin
g
Ch
emis
try
& C
hem
ica
l
Eng
inee
rin
g
Info
rma
tio
n S
ecu
rity
Mec
ha
nic
al
Eng
inee
rin
g
Co
mp
ute
r &
Info
rma
tio
n S
cien
ce
Hea
lth
an
d L
ife
Scie
nce
s
Sust
ain
ab
ility
in B
uilt
Envi
ron
men
t
Ener
gy
& F
uel
s
Thursday, April 28
08:00-
09:00
Registr
ation &
Coffee
09:00-
11:00
D2SA1: D2SB1: D2SC1: D2SD1: D2SE1: D2SF1: D2SG1: D2SH1: D2SI1: D2SJ1:
Elec
tric
al &
Ele
ctro
nic
Eng
inee
rin
g
Ch
emis
try
& C
hem
ica
l
Eng
inee
rin
g
Info
rma
tio
n S
ecu
rity
Mec
ha
nic
al
Eng
inee
rin
g
Co
mp
ute
r &
Info
rma
tio
n S
cien
ce
Bio
med
ica
l
Eng
inee
rin
g
Wa
ter
Eng
inee
rin
g
Ro
bo
tics
&
Au
tom
ati
on
Mic
ro/N
an
o S
yste
ms
Ma
teri
als
Sci
ence
11:00-
12:00
Projects &
Posters
Exhibit &
Coffee
Break
3
Tim
e
Atr
ium
, Cre
scen
t B
uild
ing
Au
dit
ori
um
, Cre
scen
t
Bu
ildin
g
Au
dit
ori
um
, Ro
om
G0
20
(Mal
e Si
de)
, Bu
ildin
g E1
Exh
ibit
Hal
l & L
ob
by
(Mal
e
Sid
e), B
uild
ing
E1
Lob
by
(Mal
e Si
de
), B
uild
ing
E1
Rec
reat
ion
Hal
l, R
oo
m G
03
2
(Mal
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, Bu
ildin
g E1
Ro
om
10
03
(Fe
mal
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de)
Ro
om
10
05
(Fe
mal
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de)
Ro
om
10
21
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
23
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
27
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
28
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
36
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
38
(M
ale
Sid
e)
Ro
om
10
58
(Fe
mal
e Si
de)
Ro
om
10
60
(Fe
mal
e Si
de)
12:00-
13:00
Plenary
Session:
Research in
Semiconduc
tor: the
Roles of
Universities
by Dr. Kwok
Ng, Senior
Science
Director,
Semiconduc
tor
Research
Corporation
Research
Triangle,
NC (USA)
13:00-
14:00
Lunch
14:00-
15:40 D2SA2: D2SB2: D2SC2: D2SD2: D2SE2: D2SF2: D2SG2: D2SH2: D2SI2: D2SJ2:
Elec
tric
al &
Ele
ctro
nic
Eng
inee
rin
g
Ch
emis
try
& C
hem
ica
l
Eng
inee
rin
g
Hu
ma
nit
ies
an
d S
oci
al
Scie
nce
s
Ind
ust
ria
l & C
om
mu
nic
ati
on
s
Eng
inee
rin
g
Info
rma
tio
n S
ecu
rity
Elec
tric
al &
Ele
ctro
nic
Eng
inee
rin
g
Aer
osp
ace
En
gin
eeri
ng
Ro
bo
tics
& A
uto
ma
tio
n
Mic
ro/N
an
o S
yste
ms
Civ
il En
gin
eeri
ng
15:40-
16:15 Coffee
Break
16:15-
17:00 Closing
Ceremony
4
Wednesday, April 27
Wednesday, April 27, 08:00 - 09:00
Registration (Conference Reception)
Room: Atrium, Crescent Building
Wednesday, April 27, 09:00 - 09:30
Welcome and Opening Ceremony
Room: Auditorium, Crescent Building
Welcome: H.E. Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, Vice Chancellor, UAEU
Wednesday, April 27, 09:30 - 10:15
Keynote: Communication! Industry, Innovation and the 21st Century Graduate by Dr. Alexandra Bush,
Senior Consultant ISIS Innovation of the University of Oxford (UK)
Dr. Alexandra Bush, Senior Consultant ISIS Innovation of the University of Oxford (UK)
Room: Auditorium, Crescent Building
Abstract:
The topic of the importance of communication between industry and universities is not new, yet still we see more
and more publications on how and why it is necessary to understand each other's needs and outputs. Just as in
building any solid foundation for a fruitful relationship - is the critical need for academics and graduates to
understand the common ground where the research institution of today meets the needs of modern industry. Both
sides have to understand each other and by having two-way communication that is open (while protecting
intellectual property) and honest (realistic) creates the most successful innovation ecosystem. These positive
communications between industry and academic institutions, where today’s graduates are being developed for our
future, are leading to more open innovation, alliances and stronger networks than ever before; delivering impact for
the benefit of society.
About the presenter:
Alexandra has almost 20 years of experience in various organizations, holding a variety of positions in the areas of
product development, business development and commercialization of innovative technologies. She has an in
depth understanding of strategic foresight and planning, including business planning led by strategic objectives and
measurable targets to deliver the plan, business development in private sector global company and in Government
funded organizations, including start-ups and project management of materials testing ensuring profit margins. As
a Senior Consultant in Isis Enterprise, Alexandra provides support in the UK and globally on IP policy issues,
knowledge transfer and innovation management. Her previous roles include working with the Australian Red Cross
Blood Service, InnovationXchange Australia, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, and
5
Johnson Matthey, UK. Alexandra has a PhD in Chemistry from Queen Mary, University of London and did
postdoctoral research at Imperial College London. She gained a Masters in Science and Technology
Commercialization from the Entrepreneurship, Commercialization and Innovation Centre at the University of
Adelaide.
Wednesday, April 27, 10:15 - 10:30
Transport: Transport to the College of Information Technology Building (E1)
Wednesday, April 27, 10:30 - 11:00
Projects & Posters Exhibit & Coffee Break
Room: Exhibit Hall & Lobby (Male side), Building E1
Wednesday, April 27, 11:00 - 13:00
D1SA1: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Room 1003 (Female side)
D1SA1.1 11:00 AC-DC Converter for Energy Harvesting Start-up Systems
Maisam Wahbah (Khalifa University, UAE); Mohammad Alhawari (Khalifa University of Science,
Technology and Research, UAE); Baker Mohammad (Khalifa University, UAE); Hani Saleh (Khalifa
University of Sciente, Technology & Research, UAE); Mohammed Ismail (Khalifa University, UAE)
This paper presents optimized AC-DC converters designed in 65 nm low power process. Two AC-DC
converters have been designed: Bias-Flip rectifier and Voltage Doubler. The design is part of a piezo
electric harvesting system targeting wearable electronics. Voltage doubler and full-bridge rectifier are
fabricated to support start-up mechanism where no control circuit is required, while the bias-flip rectifier
supports higher efficiency for normal operation mode. Experimental results revealed that voltage doubler
is more efficient than full-bridge rectifier by 71%. The experiment uses MIDE piezo electric harvester
with 25 Hz resonance frequency. However, the harvester was used at 4.5 Hz (human frequency) which
degrade the energy extracted from the harvester. If another harvester was designed to tune to lower
frequency, higher energy level can be extracted. The combined bias-flip rectifier and voltage doubler
support energy autonomous system where no start-up power is needed.
D1SA1.2 11:20 Novel PI Controllers Tuning for a Grid-Connected Voltage Source Converter
Wesam Taha and Abdul Rahiman Beig (The Petroleum Institute, UAE); Igor Boiko (Petrolum Institute,
UAE)
Tuning approach stands as a critical issue when dealing with the voltage oriented control (VOC)
topology as it ultimately defines the system performance. This paper proposes a systematic PI-tuning
approach for a grid-connected voltage source converter (VSC) system. The approach involves an analytic
solution based on the approximation of the plant dynamics by first-order-plus-time-delay (FOPTD)
models. It is demonstrated that the system performance using the analytic tuning formulas is similar to
that of the optimal ones and yield a robust system against disturbances. Therefore, analytic PI-controller
tuning rules which yield optimal disturbance rejection, in terms of system parameters, can be formulated.
D1SA1.3 11:40 A 1-V 8-Bit Low-Power Clock Gated SAR ADC for Biomedical Applications
Tasnim Nazzal and Soliman Mahmoud (University of Sharjah, UAE)
In this paper, a 1-V 8-bit 10KS/s low-power clock gated successive approximation register (SAR)
analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is implemented for biomedical (low-frequency) applications. It is
6
based on gating the clock signal in the SAR controller logic when there is no data switching activity.
Therefore, any redundant transitions will be avoided which reduce the power consumption. The proposed
SAR ADC are simulated on LT Spice IV using 90nm CMOS technolgy. According to the simulation
results, the proposed SAR ADC consumes 0.84 uW from 1V power supply. It has signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR) of 56.2 dB, peak spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 49.5 dB, and a signal-to-noise-and
distortion ratio (SNDR) of 46.2 dB for a 250Hz full scale input sine wave. In addition to that, the SAR
ADC has effective number of bits (ENOB) of 7.3-bits, and a figure of merit (FOM) of 0.53
pJ/Conversion step.
D1SA1.4 12:00 Fifth Order Dual-Notch Low Pass Filter Oriented to EEG Detection System
Aisha Alhammadi and Soliman Mahmoud (University of Sharjah, UAE)
This paper presents the design of fifth order dual-notch low pass filter for Electroencephalogram (EEG)
detection system. The proposed filter stems from doubly terminated LC ladder network where inductors
and resistors are emulated using digitally programmable operational transconductance amplifiers
(OTAs). This filter is utilized to diminish the effect of power line interference at 50Hz. Also, it cuts out
frequencies beyond 100Hz, which works as low pass filter for EEG systems. The transconductance value
of OTA is fixed at 3nA/V for designing both inductors and resistors. PSpice results using 0.25µm CMOS
process operating under +/-0.8V voltage supply are given. The dual-notch low pass filter provides total
harmonic distortion (THD) of 1.17% for 20μVpp at 100Hz sinusoidal input, input referred noise density
of 36.971μV/sqrt(Hz) at the passband frequencies, total standby power consumption of 28.583μW, and
notch depth of 45.631dB attenuation at 52Hz and 62.727dB attenuation at 112Hz.
D1SA1.5 12:20 The impact of Emirati household occupants on energy consumption; exploratory investigation
Amna Moh'd Al Gabshi Al Ameri and Kheira Anissa Tabet Aoul (UAEU, UAE)
This paper reports on an exploratory qualitative study that aims to investigate nationals' behavior and its
impact on energy consumption in their detached houses (villa) in Al Ain city (Abu Dhabi Emirate). The
methodology is based on semi-structured interviews, addressing occupants' daily energy usage patterns,
cultural aspects and their awareness level of energy consumption in their homes. Housing data and
electricity bills have been considered. A pilot study with a small number of units was run first and the
main investigation was carried out in 20 units. This paper presents preliminary results of this
investigation, where the expected findings will contribute to a better understanding of Emirati energy
consumption patterns in relation to their culture, way of life and behavior and potentially open
appropriate venues to address energy use reduction in the UAE residential sector.
D1SB1: Energy & Petroleum
Room 1005 (Female side)
D1SB1.1 11:00 Simulating Fracture Initiation and Propagation of Preexisting Cracks in Rocks Subject to
Internal Hydraulic Pressure and Vertical Stress
Oraib Al-ketan (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Rashid Abu Al-Rub (Masdar
Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
This study highlights the effect of varying the hydraulic pressure inside pre-existing cracks on new-crack
evolution for several geometrical crack arrangements using coupled elasto-plastic-damage model. The
model contains two damage evolution laws, and uses a yield criterion that accounts for the distinct tensile
and compressive behavior of rocks. Results show that the ratio of internal hydraulic pressure (HP) to the
vertical load (VL) (i.e., HP/VL) affects both initiation sites and patterns of the newly propagated cracks.
Both the absolute value of HP and VL affect the size, extent of newly formed cracks, and whether
coalescence will occur or not. Both initial crack inclination and bridge angles affect the mechanism of
7
crack coalescence for a certain HP/VL ratio.
D1SB1.2 11:20 Reflection Seismic Data Processing of the Offshore United Arab Emirates: Unveil the
Underground Mysteries
Yi Guo, Mohammed Ali and Muhammad Tanveer (The Petroleum Institute, UAE)
The first deep seismic study was conducted in the offshore United Arab Emirates, aiming to understand
the collision tectonics and ophiolite emplacement mechanism. However, unwanted noise and multiples
cover the real appearance of the underground structure. Seismic processing can increase the confidence
to use the data for subsequent processing and interpretation. With an effective processing sequence, five
seismic lines in northern Fujairah area were processed. Final PSTM stacks indicate some impressive
structures.
D1SB1.3 11:40 Understanding the Complexities of Thick Carbonates Capillary Pressure Transition Zones is a
key to Recovery Optimization
Abdessamia Jebbouri (The Petroleum Institute, UAE); Hadi Belhaj (Hadi Belhaj, UAE)
The aim of this work is supposed to highlight the understanding of the effect of the different rock types
of the addressed transition zone of the carbonate reservoir on fluids saturation distribution and to be later
used for reservoir modeling and to help in optimization IOR techniques.
D1SB1.4 12:00 Optimization of Multilateral Well Productivity in Carbonate Reservoirs
Temitope Ajayi and Mohamed Hossni (THE PETROLEUM INSTITUTE ABU DHABI, UAE)
The merits of the application of multilateral wells are well documented in the literature however, an
understanding of the best operating conditions for the use of multilateral wells is rare thus we answer
cogent questions related to the optimization of multilateral wells under different reservoir conditions and
well design parameters. Design of Experiment (DOE) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was
utilized. Selected factors to be optimized were chosen based on literature search, perceptions and
deliberations while the objective functions are the cumulative oil production and water cut. Several
experiments were conducted using three dimensional numerical simulations and the Box-Behnken RSM
was used to derive the response surfaces. Single effects and interaction plots are made to show the
interactions between parameters and the effect of these parameters and interactions on the objective
function. This study provides a template for decision making in field development operations thereby
reducing uncertainties and maximizing gains.
D1SC1: Humanities and Social Sciences
Room 1021 (Male side)
D1SC1.1 11:00 The impact of classroom density on teachers' performance& students' achievement in Al-Ain
schools
Saif Alamnei (UAE, UAE); Sultan Alsuwaidi (UAEU, UAE)
This research study aimed to investigate the students' and teachers' perceptions about the impact of
classroom density on teacher's performance and student's achievement in Al-Ain Schools. The study
addressed the two research questions (a). To what extent classroom density impact teacher's performance
in Al-Ain Cycle Three Schools? (b) To what extent classroom density impact students' achievement in
Al-Ain Cycle Three Schools? To have an in-depth understanding of whether class density impacted
teaching and learning students, a quantitative method and a causal comparative design were conducted to
collect data via two questionnaires; one for teachers, and another one for grade 12students. The findings
8
revealed that classroom density impacted both the teacher's performance and students' achievement
inappropriately. The study recommended reducing classroom students to foster the effectiveness of
teachers and increase the achievement of students.
D1SC1.2 11:20 The American Canon and Narratives by Enslaved African American Muslims
Muna Al Badaai (UAEU, UAE)
The narratives of enslaved African American Muslims originate between 1734 and 1867. Even though
some scholars recognize similarities between narratives by enslaved non-Muslim and Muslim African
Americans, the latter have not been included in the American canon. This paper aims to review critical
approaches of canonization and advance the argument for including narratives of enslaved African
American Muslims in the American canon. The inclusion of Muslim narratives would reflect the
American multiethnic nature and provide new literary perspectives on the study of the slave narrative. It
also would highlight the contribution of enslaved African American Muslims in the American literary
history.
D1SC1.3 11:40 An Investigation of the Diversity of Cultural Dimensions within the UAE
Abir Ashrafi and Hazim El Baz (American University of Sharjah, UAE)
The UAE, one of the most rapidly developing countries, has been known for its wide cultural diversity
and its ability to preserve its past while working towards the future. The interest in global expansion had
attracted different international organizations, each carrying its own culture. The key success was to
understand the different cultures. For that, this research focused on creating a cultural model consisting
of ten cultural dimensions based on past research. The model was tested against the existing culture of
the UAE through a survey constructed and distributed to employees of different age, gender, working
sector and residency years. From the results, a cultural profile for the UAE was created showing the
similarities and differences in behavior of the local culture against other regional nationalities. All
individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, showed a behavioral change directed towards a common
base and influenced by the local culture.
D1SC1.4 12:00 The Planning System of Sharjah City
Inshirah Shublaq (American University of Sharjah & American University of RAK, UAE)
This paper explores the different aspects of the planning system of Sharjah City. It uses the limited
available publications and manuals that are dedicated for this field of study. Due to the fact that there is a
lack of educational materials and resources that are directed to emphasize the systematic developing
approach of the city of Sharjah, the challenge in writing this paper was the limited resources. This made
the surveys and interviews to be the most reliable pillars to lean on. The main purpose of writing such a
paper was the clear intention for the city to have a published paper that will guide the interested
individuals into the whole planning system in Sharjah. Multiple interviews were taken place with
different employees in different expertise and departments, in both "Sharjah Urban Planning Council"
known as SUPC and "Directorate of Town Planning and Survey in Sharjah" known as DTPS.
D1SC1.5 12:20 How Can Hospital Social Workers Support Families of Children with Disabilities in the UAE?
Nouma Hammach (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
Families of disabled children need psychosocial support to provide their children with better care. An
exploratory descriptive research, using a mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative model) was used to
explore the current situation of these families and the hospital social workers' support to them. Results
revealed that these families face hardships on the psychological, social and financial levels, yet there is
lack of formal support despite the families' desire to have more social services such as counseling,
referral to support groups, home visits, and respite care. So far, there is no hospital service dedicated to
families of disabled children in the UAE. Theoretically, having a hospital family support center that
provides counseling, referral to community organizations, and facilitation of support groups can
9
empower these families and help improve their quality of life.
D1SD1: Mechanical Engineering
Room 1023 (Male side)
D1SD1.1 11:00 Assessment of Variable Refrigerant Flow for Indoor Comfort Control at Masdar City Eco-Villa
Roba Saab (Masdar Institute for Science and Technology, UAE); Mohamed I Ali (Masdar, UAE)
This paper presents the energy and exergy analysis of the variable refrigerant flow air conditioning
systems. The performance of this system is assessed among other conventional systems. Mathematical
and thermodynamic modelling of the system is done on engineering equation solver (EES) software.
Experimental verification of the models is to be carried on the VRF system that will be implemented in
Masdar City Eco-Villa located in Abu Dhabi.
D1SD1.2 11:20 Water Dynamic Behavior in PEMFC Microchannel with Transport through Gas Diffusion Layer
Asif Muhammad Bin Adam Soopee (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Tariq Shamim
(Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, UAE)
A 2D model was implemented to investigate the dynamic behavior of liquid water droplets emerging
from the gas diffusion layer (GDL) into the cathode flow channel of a proton exchange membrane fuel
cell using the volume of fluid method and porous model. Numerical simulations with conclusive
validations were performed by varying two critical parameters; temperature and permeability of the
porous region, representing the GDL. The results demonstrate how diffusion of air through the GDL is
affected by the development stages of the water bubble in the flow channel. The water bubble
deformation is reduced by the temperature increase, which increases the air mass flow rate through the
GDL layer during the early stages of the water bubble development; with the reverse effect in the later
stages. Furthermore, an increase in the permeability of the GDL causes less flooding of the flow channel.
D1SD1.3 11:40 Mechanical Properties of 304 Stainless Steel Under Elevated Temperature
Shaohong Luo and Abdullah Mohiuddin (Khalifa University, UAE)
304 stainless steel is the common material that make up of large-size thin-wall container such as oil
storage tank. It is necessary to perform the research on mechanical properties of 304 stainless steel after
oil storage tank is subjected to fire accident. In this paper, tensile behavior of 304 stainless steel under
elevated temperature is studied. The variance in Young's modulus, yield stress and tensile strength with
the change in temperature is revealed. The relationship between these mechanical quantities and
temperature is represented by using least square fitting method.
D1SD1.4 12:00 Experimental Investigations on the Mechanical Properties of New Type of Interpenetrating
Phase Composites Based on Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces
Fatma AlShowab (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Oraib Al-ketan (Masdar Institute
of Science and Technology, UAE); Rashid Abu Al-Rub (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE); Toufic Mezher (Masdar, UAE)
This research study aims to explore and investigate several forms of advanced architectural multiphase
composites using additive manufacturing technology (3D printing) in an attempt to provide a thorough
experimental analysis of their effective mechanical performance under uniaxial compressive loading. The
composites under study are constructed using the novel mathematically-known triply periodic minimal
surfaces (TPMS) which are used as 3D reinforcements within a matrix, creating new interpenetrating
phase composites (IPCs). The architecture of the TPMS structure and their respective volume fractions
significantly affect the effective mechanical properties of the IPCs under study. Such composites can be
effectively used in damage-tolerant structural systems.
D1SD1.5 12:20 Comparison of Terrestrial and Martian Dust-devil vortices
Abdullah Mohiuddin and Shaohong Luo (Khalifa University, UAE)
Dust devil vortices are the atmospheric vortices, frequently observed in dessert environment. This paper
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initially provides a review of the methods used by researchers to extend the understanding of dust devil
vortices. Researchers performed field observations, laboratory modeling, and numerical simulations for
lab-scale and dust-devil scale. These studies were focused on the investigation of general characteristics
of terrestrial dust devils, such as velocity, temperature fields, dust lifting capabilities and electrostatic
behavior. This paper however includes the results from a numerical model of a lab apparatus that mimics
dust devil vortices. Moreover the ability of this numerical model to incorporate physical conditions of
Martian surface is exploited to make a comparison between terrestrial and Martian dust devil vortices. It
was found that in similar conditions Martian dust devil would be stronger than terrestrial dust devil in
absence of dust.
D1SD1.6 12:40 Analysis of design of Perforated Muffler: Effect of Temperature on Transmission Loss
Shahid Rabbani (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Noise emissions from the auto mobiles have always been a hurdle in making pollution-free environment.
Ever increasing focus on noise reduction and relevant regulations have compelled the automotive firms to
reduce the engine noise. The main parameter which determines the noise reduction capability and
effectiveness of the muffler is Transmission Loss. In order to achieve good Transmission Loss, reactive
type mufflers with perforations have proved to be very effective in damping sound. In this study a
reactive muffler was designed in 3D using CAD software and effect of different parameters on
performance of muffler were investigated numerically. Transmission loss which determines the
attenuation of power intensity of sound, were analysed using COMSOL .Since sound enters the muffler
at inlet temperature depending on the exhaust gases of engine, therefore effect of different inlet
temperature on performance of muffler and determination of Eigen frequency of muffler have also been
included in analysis
D1SE1: Computer & Information Science
Room 1027 (Male side)
D1SE1.1 11:00 Early Features-Fusion over 3D face for Face Recognition
Claudio Tortorici and Naoufel Werghi (Khalifa University, UAE)
In this paper, a novel approach for fusing shape and texture Local Binary Pattern (LBP) for 3D Face
Recognition is presented. Using the recently proposed mesh-LBP [1], it is now possible to compute LBP
directly on a mesh manifold, allowing Features Early-Fusion to enhance face description power.
Compared to its depth image counterpart, the proposed method is distinguished by a) inherits the intrinsic
advantages of mesh surfaces, b) can accommodate partial or rotation matching, c) allows early-level
fusion of texture and shape descriptors. An experimentation of early-fusion techniques over Bosphorus
database is presented.
D1SE1.2 11:20 Peak Demand Minimization in the Smart Grid
Zaid Almahmoud and Khaled Elbassioni (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Smart grid is emerging as the future power grid, with smart techniques to optimize power consumption
and electricity generation. Minimizing the peak power consumption under a fixed delay requirement is a
significant problem in the smart grid. For this problem, all appliances must be scheduled within a given
finite time duration. We consider the problem of minimizing the peak demand under appliances
constraints by scheduling power jobs with uniform release dates and deadlines. As the problem is known
to be NP-Hard, we propose two versions of a greedy approximation algorithm for solving this problem.
Our theoretical analysis and experimental results show that our proposed heuristics outperform existing
methods by providing a better approximation to the optimal solution.
D1SE1.3 11:40 Persuasive Social Influence for Career Attainment in Higher Education
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Eman AbuKhousa (UAEU, UAE); Yacine Atif (University of Skovde, Sweden)
Social influence and persuasive technology have been applied widely in commercial and healthcare
promotions, but not so much for educational purposes. Social context is crucial in educational
environments to define important properties of persuasion power that could lead to increasing retention
of learning and behavioral skills. In this paper, we propose a Behavioral Change Support System for
Career-Adoption (BCSS-CA) to encourage learners in higher education to adopt desired career behaviors
according to current local market needs. We designed a social network analysis (SNA) method to extract
the most influential nodes in a SN using different strategies; which then are used as an initial set for
influence diffusion models to compare their social influence performance. The results revealed that nodes
of highest "coreness" value have the highest impact in influencing other nodes under both models. These
nodes in the are then "hired" as "persuasive agents" in our BCSS-CA.
D1SE1.4 12:00 Convolutional Neural Networks for Detection of Defect Patterns in Semiconductor Wafer Maps
Ghalia Tello (Khalifa University, UAE)
Abstract—Detection of defective chips on wafers is a crucial issue to semiconductor manufacturing
companies in order to track back the root of the failure. Different machine learning approaches have been
applied for detecting defect patterns in semiconductor wafer maps. This paper applies a more advanced
machine learning algorithm (deep learning) using a convolutional neural networks (CNN) to detect the
defect patterns. Moreover, it considers more realistic setting by adding composite or mixed defect
patterns to the dataset. CNN achieves accuracy of 85%, which confirms better performance than the fully
connected neural networks, such as Multilayer perceptron (MLP) and Radial based function network
(RBF).
D1SE1.5 12:20 Comparison of skin detection algorithms for tracking Applications
Emad Ibrahim (Khalifa University, UAE)
Human detection within a scene can be implemented based on an algorithm by Peer et al [1]. This
algorithm detects the skin color in RGB images by checking some pixel conditions, any pixel value
satisfying those conditions will be labeled as skin. Mahalanobis distance [2]; on the other hand, is also
used for skin detection. Mahalanobis distance depends on the mean (m) and covariance (c) of pixel
values representing skin. This paper examine and compares these two methods in terms of methodology
and qualitative assessment.
D1SF1: Health and Life Sciences
Room 1028 (Male side)
D1SF1.1 11:00 Sequence and Structural-functional Bioinformatics Analysis of HA Binding Domain of Human
CD44
Kinana Al Adem and Suryani Lukman (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE)
CD44, a transmembrane protein presented on the surface of many immune cells and cancer cells, plays a
crucial role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The principal ligand for CD44 is the ubiquitous ECM
glycosaminoglycan, Hyaluronic acid (HA). The interaction between CD44 and HA is implicated in
various physiological and pathological processes including inflammation and cancer progression,
respectively. The HA binding domain of CD44 is termed the link module, a domain that is conserved
among HA-binding proteins. This paper investigated the conservation of this domain by conducting
multiple sequence analysis across mammalian species where it was found that this domain is highly
conserved as the similarity between the species exceeded 80%. Moreover, this study addressed the
structural-functional analysis of HA-binding domain of human CD44 by predicting the potential disulfide
bridges and N-linked glycosylation sites and relating it to the tertiary structure of HA-binding domain of
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CD44.
D1SF1.2 11:20 Structural Analyses of Human CD24 and Its Interacting Protein, Lyn Tyrosine Kinase
Sarah Azzam (Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, UAE); Suryani Lukman (Khalifa
University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE)
The CD24 is a small and highly glycosylated cell-surface protein that is linked via glycosyl-
phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. An interacting partner of CD24 is Lyn kinase; an intracellular Src-
Family kinase, which is found to interact with the extracellular CD24 molecule via membrane rafts.
Interaction between Lyn and CD24 in some human mutagenesis highlights the importance of analyzing
Lyn structure. In this study, we have examined CD24, Lyn kinase and their possible interactions.
Furthermore, conservational sequence analysis was computationally conducted for CD24 and Lyn kinase
across species. The unavailability of CD24 structure in Protein Data Bank motivated the use of
bioinformatics tools to predict CD24 structure. We performed visual analyses of Dasatinib-Lyn kinase
complex structure, and proposed a suggestion for Dasatinib-based drug optimization. Understanding
CD24 and Lyn kinase structures can assist in probing the functions and therapeutic strategies in cancer-
linked pathways.
D1SF1.3 11:40 Studies on Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Cleome brachycarpa: The Effect of
Growing Media and Seed Color
Suzan Shahin and Mohammed Salem (United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), UAE)
Seed germination was always a critical topic for propagating desert plants. Such seeds have limited
access to fresh water resources and exposed to harsh environmental conditions (e.g. high temperatures),
which resulted in developing many survival mechanisms; to adapt the surrounding stressful conditions
and to naturally conserve species availability. Seed germination topic is of great interest, especially while
dealing with medicinal crops, that have great economical values (e.g. pharmaceutical and aroma therapy).
The main purpose of this work is to conduct seed germination studies on testing the effect of growing
media and seed color on seedling emergence of Cleome brachycarpa, indigenous to the United Arab
Emirates (UAE).
D1SF1.4 12:00 Anticonvulsant Effects of Novel Histamine H3 Receptor Antagonists In Different Rat Seizure
Models
Ali Saad (UAEU, UAE); Johannes Schwed (Heinrich Heine University, Germany); Nadia Khan and
Dhanasekaran Subramanian (UAEU, UAE); Lilia Weizel (Goethe University, Germany); Holger Stark
(Heinrich Heine University, Germany); Bassem Sadek (UAEU, UAE)
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by repetitive seizures. Available AEDs are effective in 60-
80% of patients but associated with diverse side effects. Pitolisant, a H3R antagonist, was effective in
different animal seizure models and in patients with photosensitive epilepsy. In the current study,
pharmacophores of pitolisant were combined with that of safinamide or phenytoin with different spacer
moieties. These novel ligands demonstrated good affinity and selectivity profiles. These agents were also
investigated in different seizure models. Safinamide-related derivatives with bulky substituents
significantly and dose-dependently reduced or fully protect from MES- and PTZ-induced convulsions
with some in-vivo stereochemical preferences.
D1SG1: Earth & Environmental Engineering
Room 1036 (Male side)
D1SG1.1 11:00 On the formation of bio-improved geomaterials and their deformation characteristics
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Dimitrios Terzis (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne & Laboratory for Soil
Mechanics, Switzerland); Lyesse Laloui (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology & EPFL, Switzerland)
Microbially induced calcite precipitation has emerged as a soil strengthening technique with foreseen
application to a vast range of geo-engineering problems. The technique introduces the bio-cemented
geomaterial which is characterized by a peculiar structure due to the formation of CaCO3 mineral
crystals among the soil grains. This study investigates the effect of the initial porosity and material
intrinsic properties on the formation of the calcite solid matrix which governs the mechanical response.
The same treatment conditions are applied herein to geomaterials of different grain size and porosity. The
obtained bio-improved samples are subjected to drained triaxial shear and improved mechanical
characteristics are obtained. Microstructural observations through scanning electron microscopy and
energy dispersive X-ray analyses are carried out. Results allow obtaining a comprehensive understanding
of the distinct geometrical and spatial characteristics of the newly formed structure and associate these
characteristics with the obtained mechanical response and with the initial material properties.
D1SG1.2 11:20 Long-term Seasonal and Daily Temporal Changes in Horizontal Surface Visibility in Abu Dhabi
Amal Aldababseh (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Marouane Temimi (Masdar
Institute, Tunisia)
Visibility has become an important environmental issue receiving great attention from both the scientific
community and the public. Using hourly long term meteorological data for Abu Dhabi International
Airport from the U.S. National Climatic Data Center, to analyze long-term seasonal and daily temporal
changes in horizontal surface visibility from 1982 to 2015. The months were stratified based on visibility
range to hazy and non-hazy seasons, and to three classes per day (morning, noon and afternoon).
Seasonally, the analysis showed that the averaged range of monthly visibility was the lowest in the
autumn and summer, with 875m visibility range difference between hazy and non-hazy seasons. Low
visibility occurred in the morning and the maximum visibility occurred in the afternoon period. Visibility
range enhanced during the day by 2.6% in hazy-seasons, and by 3.6% in non-hazy seasons.
D1SG1.3 11:40 On the role of Hyper-arid Regions within the Virtual Water Trade Network
James Aggrey and Annalisa Molini (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Sustainable development of arid regions is interlocked with global water availability and distribution.
High growth rate coupled with climate dynamics will affect water availability and consumption which is
an already stressed resource. Virtual Water Trade Network (VWTN) has been proposed as a means of
reallocating water resources. Water-Food-Energy nexus implies the availability of low cost food for
water-scarce regions. VWTN evolution connected with trade policies, socioeconomic constraints and
agriculture efficiency has been studied by many authors. However a systematic analysis of the structure
and dynamics of the VWTN conditional to aridity, climatic forcing and energy availability is still
missing. This study analyzes the role of arid and hyper-arid regions within the VWTN under diverse
climatic, demographic and energy constraints contributing to the ongoing Water-Food-Energy nexus
discussion. Particular emphasis on hyper-arid lands of the Arabian Peninsula, their role and assessment of
their specific criticalities, as reflected in the VWTN resilience.
D1SG1.4 12:00 Trends in extreme daily temperature and humidex in the Arabian Gulf region over 1948-2014
Hao-Wen Yang (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Taiwan); Taha Ouarda (Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology, UAE)
This study analyzes the characteristics of extreme temperature events in the Arabian Gulf region during
1948-2014. Trends in the occurrences of heat spells and the diurnal temperature range (DTR) are studied.
Using Humidex could better estimate the effect of heat to the human. Type-A and Type-B heat spells are
defined respectively by daily maximum and minimum temperatures (Humidex). Type-C heat spells are
defined as the joint occurrence of the Type-A and Type-B. In the region, the occurrences of temperature
Type-B and Type-C heat spells have obviously increased. For Humidex, coherently increased activities
of all types heat spells are observed. Major locations in the region show significantly negative DTR
trends in the summer, but positive in the winter. In the UAE, the warming is stronger in minimum
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temperatures than in maximum temperatures. The UAE has not become hotter, but it has become less
cold during 1948-2014.
D1SG1.5 12:20 Determination of Oil and Ash contents in Karkadeh (Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linn.), Sabar
(Pithecellobium Dulce), Ghaf (Prosopis Cineraria), Neem (Azadirachta Indica), and Ban (Moringa Oleifera)
seeds in Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Saeed AlKhoori and Mette Thomsen (Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, UAE)
Oil content (lipids) and Ash of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linn., Pithecellobium Dulce, Prosopis Cineraria,
Azadirachta Indica, and Moringa Oleifera seeds were determined and Analyzed using GCMS. The oil
content in the milled seeds (25.08% ± 2.23%, 12.74% ± 0.96%, 2.98% ± 0.67%, 28.96% ± 2.11%, and
36.15% ± 0.85%) respectively, was determined using n-hexane as a solvent in Soxhlet Apparatus. The
Ash content (4.22% ± 0.12%, 2.62% ± 0.32%, 3.15% ± 0.18%, 3.82% ± 0.07%, and 2.23% ± 0.99%) was
determined following AOAC official method 942.05.
D1SH1: Medical & Health Sciences
Room 1038 (Male side)
D1SH1.1 11:00 NAT2 phenotyping and genotyping among Emiratis
Mohammad Alahmad (UAEU, UAE); Yousef M. Abdulrazzaq (UAE University, UAE); Bassam Ali
(United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Naheed Amir, Anne John and Salim Bastaki (UAE University,
UAE)
Background and Purpose: Because of Limited studies on NAT-2 polymorphisms among Emiratis, this
study is to determine NAT2 phenotyping and genotyping of Emiratis. Methods: Five hundred subjects
were asked to consume 300ml of a caffeinated soft drink and provide a buccal swab and a spot urine
sample. PCR-RFLP and HPLC analysis were performed to determine the genotype and phenotype status,
respectively. Results: We found that 82.2, 16.4 & 1.4% of the subjects were slow, intermediate and fast
acetylators, respectively, 78.2, 17.6 & 4.2% were heterozygote for 2 mutant alleles genotyping, and
heterozygote and homozygous for the wild type genotyping, respectively. There is a significant
correlation between phenotypes and genotypes with 0.103 value (P value = 0.022; 95% CI of differences
using Spearman's statistical test). Conclusions: There is a high percentage of slow acetylators among
Emiratis which is directly related to the presence of mutant alleles in NAT2 gene.
D1SH1.2 11:20 The role of glutamate signalling in diabetic neuropathy
Nadia Hussain (UAE University, UAE); Khatija Parekh, Eric Mensah-Brown and Chris Howarth
(College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, UAE); Thomas Adrian (United Arab
Emirates University & College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE)
The majority of diabetics develop neuropathy yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are
poorly understood. Previous studies show glutamate, the most common excitatory neurotransmitter, plays
a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. The study's aim was to identify changes in expression
of genes and their protein products that are involved in glutamate signalling in diabetes. In diabetic rats,
there were marked changes in expression in the dorsal root and sympathetic ganglia. The most prominent
changes included marked upregulation of Gria4 (ionotropic AMPA receptor), downregulation of Grik3
and Grik4 (both ionotropic, kainite receptors) and Grin1 and Grin2A (both ionotropic, NMDA receptors),
activation of all of which has been shown to induce hyperalgesia. In light of these results, it is possible
that changes in glutamate signalling can contribute to these other mechanisms and possibly unify the
different theories surrounding diabetic neuropathy. This can pave the way for future therapeutic
intervention.
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D1SH1.3 11:40 Rho Protein Structural Analysis: Similarity of RhoA and Rac1
Khaled Abdel-Raouf Ahmed (Khalifa University, of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Suryani
Lukman (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE)
Rho family of GTPases is a family of Ras superfamily that comprises over a hundred proteins with
diverse and important physiological functions. Physiologically, Rho proteins have been demonstrated to
be involved in cellular polarity, transport, mobility, vesicular trafficking, wound healing, phagocytosis,
cell cycle and division. Pathologically, impaired Rho proteins and/or their signaling are implicated in
neurological diseases and human cancers. Functioning as a molecular switch, Rho proteins control
multiple aspects of intracellular cytoskeleton dynamics, in particular those of actin. To understand their
molecular functions, structural analyses are essential. In this study, we focus on two members of Rho
family: RhoA and Rac1. We hypothesize that both RhoA and Rac1 have similar biochemical properties
and structures, at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Using various bioinformatics tools, we studied
these Rho proteins to examine their evolutionary conservation using multiple sequence alignment, to
analyze their biochemical features, and 3-dimensional structures for functional clues.
D1SH1.4 12:00 Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Component Factors among Female Students at
United Arab Emirates University
Maysm Mohamad, Ayesha Al Dhaheri and Syed Shah (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
This study determined the prevalence of MetS in Emirati females aged 17-25 years and its relation to
overweight and obesity. We enrolled 555 Emirati female college students in a cross-sectional study.
Anthropometric, blood pressure, and biochemical measurements were completed. Of the 555 participants
enrolled, 10.4% were classified as obese. The overall prevalence of MetS was 6.8%. MetS prevalence
was highest among obese participants (34.5%). MetS was significantly associated with overweight
(adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.15-12.52) and obesity (aOR = 11.2,
95% CI; 3.1-40.9), as compared with normal weight.The odds of MetS were significantly higher in
participants with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5% (aOR = 22.5, 95% CI; 6.37-79.42) or 5.6%-
6.4% (aOR = 8.9, 95% CI; 3.4-23.5), as compared with HbA1c <5.6%.The prevalence of MetS among
Emirati female students is highly prevalent, therefore, urgent intervention programs are needed.
D1SH1.5 12:20 Impact of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha on Oxidative Stress and Growth Factors in Kainic Acid
Induced Neurotoxicity
Sara Sharkawi and Abdu Adem (UAE University, UAE)
Oxidative stress has been reported to be a possible molecular mechanism of kainic acid (KA)-induced
neurotoxicity and it is associated with hippocampal cell death. Here, we study the impact of Tumor
necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) on oxidative stress and growth factors levels at several time points in
KA-induced neurotoxicity. KA (40 mg/kg body weight) was given intranasally to TNF-alpha knockout
(KO) mice and wild-type (Wt) mice. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and nerve growth factor (NGF)
and markers of oxidative stress including Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were
measured in the hippocampus. TNF-alpha KO-mice showed significantly higher levels of MDA and
lower levels of GSH compared with Wt-mice. Hippocampal IGF-I levels were significantly reduced
while the levels of NGF were enhanced in TNF-alpha KO-mice compared with Wt-mice. These data
suggest that deficiency of TNF-alpha worsens KA-induced neurotoxicity resulting in uncontrolled
oxidative stress and consequent neuronal death.
Wednesday, April 27, 13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
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Recreation Hall, Room G032 (Male side), Building E1
Wednesday, April 27, 14:00 - 15:40
Forum on Graduate Education in the UAE (By Invitation Only)
Auditorium, Room G020 (Male side), Building E1
The Forum on Graduate Education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will provide an opportunity for leaders of
the higher education community in the UAE (1) to assess the state of graduate education in the country, (2) to
discuss the main challenges it faces as a whole and (3) to propose recommendations for advancing graduation
education whereby addressing needs and opportunities in the national and global contexts.
D1SA2: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Room 1003 (Female side)
D1SA2.1 14:00 A CMOS Variable Gain Instrumentation Amplifier for EEG Portable Detection System with
Digitally Controlled Feature
Aisha Alhammadi and Soliman Mahmoud (University of Sharjah, UAE)
The variable gain instrumentation amplifier (IA) for EEG portable detection system is presented. The
proposed IA is designed using two digitally programmable operational transconductance amplifiers
(DPOTAs) and an operational amplifier (op amp). The results are based on 0.25µm CMOS process with
+/-0.8V. This IA gives gain from 40.053dB to 63.196dB, 1.387μV/sqrt(Hz )input referred noise, 0.52%
total harmonic distortion, and 40.457dB third-order intermodulation.
D1SA2.2 14:20 An Efficient Thermal Energy Harvesting and Power Management for μWatt Wearable
Electronics
Mohammad Alhawari (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Dima Kilani,
Baker Mohammad and Mohammed Ismail (Khalifa University, UAE)
This paper presents an efficient thermal energy harvesting IC (EHIC) that supports a battery-less μWatt
system-on-chips. The EHIC consists of an inductor-based DC-DC converter that boosts a low input
voltage to a suitable output level. Further, a switched capacitor buck converter is utilized to regulate the
boost converter output voltage and support multiple output voltage levels, namely 0.6V, 0.8V and 1V. In
low energy mode and to enhance the efficiency, the EHIC is capable of bypassing the switched capacitor
so that the load is driven directly from the boost converter. The prototype chip is fabricated in 65nm
CMOS and occupies an area of less than 0.46mm2 Measured results confirm an efficiency of 65% at
0.6V output voltage and 42μW. In addition, the end-to-end peak efficiency is 71% at 0.8V output voltage
and 182μW.
D1SA2.3 14:40 A Universal Adaptive Stabilization Based Battery Modeling Technique
Daniyal Ali, Shayok Mukhopadhyay and Habib-ur Rehman (American University of Sharjah, UAE)
This work presents a novel application of a high gain adaptive observer-based technique for Lithium-ion
(Li-ion) battery modelling. The model used in our paper was originally developed by Chen and Mora.
However, in Chen and Mora's original work, the parameters required for the battery model were
estimated through intensive experimentation. In contrast, this work presents an adaptive observer for
estimating the battery model parameters, which results in a reduction of experimental effort required
when the battery parameters are estimated.
D1SA2.4 15:00 Novel Dispatching Techniques for Hybrid Wind and Photovoltaic Power Systems with Minimal
Use of Battery Energy Storage
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Edward Ssekulima (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Amer Al-Hinai (Masdar
Institute of Science and Technology & Institute Center for Energy, UAE)
Power generation from renewable energy resources is on the increase in most countries, and this trend is
expected to continue in the foreseeable future. In an effort to enhance the integration of renewable power
generation from solar and wind into the traditional power network, there is need to address the
vulnerabilities posed to the grid as a result of the intermittent nature of these resources. Variability and
ramp events in power output are the key challenges to the system operators due to their impact on system
balancing, reserves management, scheduling and commitment of generating units. This paper presents a
novel technique based on forecasting to guarantee optimal dispatch of hybrid Wind and Photovoltaic
Power Systems (with minimal use of Battery Energy Storage) based on a case study of the 50 MW Wind
Power Project under development in the Sultanate of Oman.
D1SA2.5 15:20 A Comparative Study of PI versus FO-PI Controller
Adil Khurram, Habib-ur Rehman and Shayok Mukhopadhyay (American University of Sharjah, UAE)
Proportional Integral controllers tuned using classical methods may exhibit poor performance under
external disturbances or sudden load changes. Fractional Order Proportional Integral (FO-PI) controllers
are expected to perform better in terms of load disturbance rejection due to their Iso-damping property.
This paper investigates the potential of an FO-PI controller for the speed control of an indirect field
oriented (IFO) induction motor drive system with cascaded current control. The motor is first
approximated with a first order plus dead time (FPDT) model and consequently an optimal FO-PI
controller is designed. The FO-PI controller is implemented in both simulation and experimentation and
shows better performance than its integer order counterparts.
D1SB2: Chemestry & Chemical Engineering
Room 1005 (Female side)
D1SB2.1 14:00 Amine-blends screening and characterization for CO2 post-combustion capture
Abdullah Alhinai (Masdaar, UAE); Nabil El Hadri and Mohammad Abu-Zahra (Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology, UAE)
Post-combustion technology of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is highly suitable to reduce the CO2
released from combustion processes into the atmosphere. Alkanolamines have been widely studied for
this purpose and found to have high rate of reaction with CO2 as well as high CO2 loading and low heat
of absorption which are the required properties for an efficient CO2 capture. Results of the experimental
work being reported shows 2MAE as a suitable amine for carbon capture as it has a CO2 loading of 1.35
mole CO2/mole amine. Blends of 2MAE with three selected tertiary amines (2DMAE, TMDAP and
MDEA) were tested at 40oC for a total concentration of 30% weight amines. For the total of 30% weight
of aqueous amines, the 2MAE is varied as 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 30% while the respective tertiary
amine makes the remaining part to make a total of 30%.
D1SB2.2 14:20 Determination of Multiple Pesticides Residues in Imported Tea in UAE Using Liquid and Gas
Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Sarah Al Mulla (UAE University, UAE); Mohammed Meetani (UAEU, UAE); Nasra Ibrahim (Ministry
of Climate Change and Environment, UAE)
Tea, Camellia sinensis, is an agricultural product and one of the most popular and international drinks, so
it attracted an increasing attention to quality and safety. Pesticide residues are major chemical
contaminants found in tea samples. During farming the pesticide may be used to minimize problems of
pests. An accurate, rapid and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of many pesticide
residues in the imported tea to the UAE by liquid and gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass
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spectrometry [LC-MS/MS] and GC-MS/MS will be used. Samples will be purified by a modified quick,
easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method, followed by analysis by LC-ESI (+)-MS/MS
and quantification using internal standards. In this research, in-house validation method will be applied to
the quantification of the pesticide residues contained in real tea samples obtained from local markets,
which greatly improve the detection performance and the range of the pesticide multi-residues.
D1SB2.3 14:40 Chiral separation and quantitation of cathinone related drugs by Gas chromatography - Mass
spectrometry
Rashed Alrumaithi (UAE University, UAE); Mohammed Meetani (UAEU, UAE)
In this work we are developing sensitive and selective method for detection and quantitation of cathinone
related compounds using GC-MS after indirect chiral derivatization with trifluoroacetyl-l-prolyl chloride
(TPC) to achieve enantiomeric separation of some of the cathine and cathinone derivatives. More than 30
compounds of synthetic cathinones are separated to their optical enantiomers successfully by using a 60m
HP5-MS capillary column. Nikethamide was used as internal standard in cathinones quantitation which
has similar chemical structure to cathinones. 12 of cathinones derivatives were separated in one
chromatogram after spiking in urine sample. Calibration curves of selected 12 cathinones derivatives in
urine were constructed for 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 ppm.
D1SB2.4 15:00 PEBAX/HKUST-1 (copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate, Cu-BTC MOF)-1 Metal Organic
Framework Nano-Composite Membranes for Carbon Dioxide Removal - Study of Different Solvents
Sara Al Khoori (The Petroleum Institute & GASCO, UAE)
Different solvents have been tested for dissolving HKUST-1 Metallic Organic Framework and PEBAX-
4533 for the preparation of Mixed Matrix Membranes by Solvent Evaporation Method. An equivalent
ratio of NMP and Ethanol solvents achieved homogeneous solutions of both HKUST-1 and PEBAX-
4533 individually. Although a good dispersion was achieved after adding HKUST-1 into the polymer
solution, the resultant films could not be removed from the casting dish. Dimethyl Sulfoxide was then
tested for PEBAX-MOF mixture but after stirring overnight at 110ºC it contained many chunks and again
could not be removed from the casting dish. greasing the casting dish before casting the solutions helped
in removing the films but they were either ductile or inhomogeneous. Dimethyl Formaldehyde was the
solvent of choice which gave films with very good filler dispersion. The optimum membrane preparation
method such as mixing temperature and duration was established after carrying out several experiments.
D1SC2: Humanities and Social Sciences
Room 1021 (Male side)
D1SC2.1 14:00 Qualitative Differences in Teachers' Enactment of Task-based Language Teaching in United
Arab Emirates Intermediate Classrooms
Shamsa Almagharabi (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
There has been an increasing interest in task-based language teaching (TBLT) as an educational
framework by second language acquisition (SLA) researchers. TBLT is a teaching methodology in which
classroom tasks constitute the main construct of instruction. It is based on ideas issuing from the
philosophy of education, SLA theories, and empirical findings on effective instructional techniques.
While research regarding this area is growing worldwide, there is a very little experimental research in
the Gulf area and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in particular. Accordingly, my study investigates the
qualitative differences in teachers' enactment of TBLT in intermediate English as a foreign language
(EFL) classrooms in UAE, concentrating primarily on the way teachers focus on form (FonF) in a TBLT-
based context. The study also aims to explore teachers' and students' attitudes towards the
implementation of this framework and figure out the properties, complexities, and limitations that evolve
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from such application.
D1SC2.2 14:20 Evaluation of the Bi-literacy Co-teaching Program in UAE Kindergartens
Iman AlAmirah and Saleha AlHarthi (UAEU, UAE)
Bilingual literacy model had been constantly implemented in the kindergartens of Abu Dhabi Education
Council (ADEC) with co-teachers educating children integrated language and subject areas in ways that
assist acquiring English and Arabic languages. This study investigated the quality of the bi-literacy co-
teaching program in terms of its alignment with the National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC)'s standards from the perspectives of Arabic and English teachers and administrative
staff in one of Al Ain city's kindergartens. Following a qualitative design, focus groups and interviews
were the tools used to collect data about the phenomena of the program practices, and then data was
analyzed into themes that reflected the evaluation standards. The discussion resulted in a thorough
understanding of teachers' views and practices at different elements of the educational process as well as
the general strengths and weaknesses of the bi-literacy co-teaching program in kindergarten.
D1SC2.3 14:40 Enhancing the Social Capital of Open Space in Abu Dhabi
Anfal Al Ali (Masdar Institute, UAE); Praveen Maghelal (Masdar Institute, India)
Urban planners propose that open spaces between developments can greatly contribute to enhancing the
quality of life in urban areas. This study concentrates on enhancing social and physical activities at
residential neighborhoods. Survey responses of the residents of an urban block in Abu Dhabi combined
with spatial data was used to conduct the analysis of this study. A population of around 200 volunteer
residents from the study area of Al Zaa'faranah in Abu Dhabi were surveyed for their perception, attitude,
and behavior in the block. The survey measures some features of existing urban blocks such as
accessibility, safety from traffic, safety from crime, easiness of walking and cycling, and social cohesion
and inclusion. The study finds a correlation between these measures and what influence they reflect on
resident's behavior and daily activities. The outcome of the study will help to develop standards and
regulations for future developments in Abu Dhabi.
D1SC2.4 15:00 On Translating Poetry
Wissal Al Allaq (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
The question of preserving the poem's form or content has been a subject of great debate amongst
translation practitioners and scholars. To render a source poem into the target language, the translator
requires certain tools and strategies. It is crucial that the translator of poetry possesses the adequate
discourse (Gee, 1989) that enables him/ her to produce a target text (TT) poem. Poetry is not mere
language; rather it is a reflection of the original poet's style and technique in order to convey a certain
message or theme. It is argued here, that translating poetry must include the form and content to varied
extents, depending on the nature of the poem and the dominant attributes that particular poem possesses.
Regardless of the nature of these characteristics, translating poetry remains a challenging endeavor which
requires great cognitive efforts on the part of the translator in order to produce the 'good poem'
D1SD2: Micro/Nano Systems
Room 1023 (Male side)
D1SD2.1 14:00 A Steady-State Power Supply Chain Model For Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Tuhin Poddar (The Petroleum Institute & ADNOC, UAE); Alberto Betancourt-Torcat and Ali
Almansoori (The Petroleum Institute, UAE)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have emerged as an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based
vehicles. Their fuel flexibility allows for reduced dependency on fossil fuels due to an in-built battery.
Thus, generating lower emissions than traditional vehicles. Little focus has been placed on the potential
utilization of excess power within a power grid for PHEVs. The model was developed in the GAMS®
system. The proposed model can help to determine strategic and operational decisions such as: 1) optimal
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power infrastructure for PHEVs utilizing excess electricity from a regional/national grid; 2) required
upgrades in existing power grids to meet future demands.
D1SD2.2 14:20 Comparison between piezoelectric plate and hollow cylinder-based energy harvesters
Areen Allataifeh (UAEU & Engineering College, UAE); Mahmoud Al Ahmad (United Arab Emirates
University, UAE)
In this work, the design and analysis of two piezoelectric based harvesters are conducted. Piezoelectric
harvesters convert mechanical vibration from ambient to electrical energy. A CoventorWare 3D
simulation tools have been used to simulate the harvested voltage, input impedance, maximum
displacement and mechanical resonance for both structures. It has been found that deflection of hollow
cylinder is higher than the plate and delivers more power to the load under the same applied conditions
and pressures.
D1SD2.3 14:40 Broadband, Low-Power, Fast, 1x2 Electro-Optic Switch in Silicon
Bahawal Haq (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Mahmoud Rasras (Masdar Institute of
Technology, UAE)
We present a design of a compact broadband high-speed silicon electro-optic switch based on wavelength
insensitive directional couplers implementation. The device consists of a three directional coupler stages
separated by constant waveguide phase delay section. An active p-i-n diode phase shifter is embedded in
one arm of both the phase delay sections. The switch is only 154µm long and has two 57µm phase
shifters. The switch maintains the spectral bandwidth of 45nm with lower than -19 dB crosstalk level,
both in the on and off states with a power consumption of only 3.2mW. The switch is capable of
switching within 6ns and has aV π L π of 0.01254 V.cm at 1.51µm and -30dB crosstalk level.
D1SD2.4 15:00 Electro-thermal Modeling of V-Shaped Thermal Microactuators
Shahabeddin Vamegh Estahbanati, Rached Dhaouad and Maher Bakri-Kassem (American University of
Sharjah, UAE)
The experimental observation of the dynamic voltage-displacement relationship for a thermal
microactuator shows a complex characteristic indicating the simultaneous existence of electrical/thermal
energy storage and mechanical energy dissipation mechanisms. To completely characterize these
mechanisms and yet have a simple representation for control, a new electro-thermal model using lumped
modeling based on circuit elements is developed. The interaction between the non-electronic and the
electronic phenomena of the system can be easily modeled using this approach. The Lumped-Element
electro-thermal dynamic model accounts for both conduction and convection losses. Experimental results
along with numerical simulations with MATLAB and ANSYS are used to validate the accuracy of the
proposed modeling approach.
D1SD2.5 15:20 Process-aware Modeling and Design of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters
Wajih Syed, Alabi Bojesomo and Ibrahim M Elfadel (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
In this work we present a process-aware modeling based design flow for unimorph piezoelectric energy
harvesters (EH). We demonstrate the device geometry optimization on a simple cantilever EH with a
proofmass and the electrode placement optimization on a doubly clamped EH device. The devices were
realized using a CMOS-compatible SOI MEMS technology with a wafer-level vacuum-package
employing AlN as the piezoelectric material.
D1SE2: Computer & Information Science
Room 1027 (Male side)
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D1SE2.1 14:00 Verification and Comparison of MANET routing protocols
Maha Kadadha (Khalifa University for Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Hadi Otrok (Khalifa
University of Science, Technology & Research (KUSTAR), UAE); Aamenah Siddiqui (Khalifa
University of Science Technology and Research, UAE)
The emerge of Internet of Things (IoT) led to a wide spread of infrastructure-less networks called Ad
Hoc Networks, where new protocols were needed to adjust to the new requirements of such a network.
The Cluster-Based Quality of Service Optimized Link State Routing protocol has shown to be the best
multimedia protocol for it. This paper verifies and validates the assumption about Cluster-Based QoS-
OLSR protocol and its impact on the network in terms of MPRs percentage and number of alive nodes
after a period of time. A comparison is shown to illustrate the improvement of the network when
applying Cluster-Based QoS-OLSR instead of OLSR on the same network.
D1SE2.2 14:20 High-ISO Image De-noising
Nour Abura’ed (Khalifa University, UAE)
International Standards Organization (ISO) is a camera setting that enables professional photographers to
take pictures under poor light conditions by controlling the sensor's sensitivity. This is achievable under
the expense of introducing noise in the image that is caused by the camera's sensor. The noise has a
random nature, and its characteristics differ between chrominance and luminance channels. In this paper,
the noise that results from high ISO will be investigated by filtering these two channels separately. The
results quantitatively using Structural Similarity (SSIM) and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).
D1SE2.3 14:40 Smart Meter: Toward Client Centric Energy Efficient Smartphone Based Solution
Salam Khanji and Asad Masood Khattak (Zayed University, UAE)
Smart city applications are developed to provision the urbanization streams and the massive development
all over the world. This can be achieved by offering real time responses to new challenges faced by
different sectors as in health, transportation, water and energy. Smart meter is one of the smart city
applied solutions which facilitate to overcome the increased demand on electricity. This paper examines
smart meter in the context of energy sector to exploit its related features in the process of Demand Side
Management (DSM) to facilitate energy efficiency. It studies the future of integrating client in DSM
through developing a client centric and energy efficient Smartphone based application. The feasibility of
such application is reflected on the smart meter business model adopted in Abu Dhabi. Consequently,
fundamentals are established to initiate cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the rolling-out of advanced
metering infrastructure.
D1SE2.4 15:00 Video CAPTCHAs: A DoS Trapdoor-Based Visual Client Puzzle
Mohamed Al Dhanhani, Bader Al Rasebi and Mansoor Al Buainain (Zayed University & MSIT, Cyber
Security, UAE); May El Barachi (Zayed University, UAE); Monther Aldwairi (Zayed University &
Jordan University of Science and Technology, UAE)
This paper examines the feasibility of implementing video trapdoor-based client puzzle in the current
Internet protocol as a strategy to reduce or eliminate the severity of DoS attacks. The study attempts to
determine whether trapdoor-based client puzzle is computationally efficient and applicable to the current
Internet protocol, and to investigate the security, practicality, and feasibility of visual trapdoor-based
client puzzle scheme. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed model considering the
computation cost, security, and implementation in existing infrastructure.
D1SE2.5 15:20 Review on IEEE 802.11 MAC Misbehavior in ad-hoc networks
Doaa Al-Terri (KUSTAR, UAE); Hadi Otrok (Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research
(KUSTAR), UAE); Hassan Barada (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE);
Mahmoud Al-Qutayri (Khalifa University, UAE); Raed Shubair (MIT, USA); Yousof Al-Hammadi
(Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research, UAE)
In non-cooperative environments such as ad hoc, nodes may deviate from following the standard medium
access protocol CSMA/CA to obtain an unfair bandwidth share. This will severely degrade the
performance of the normal nodes and the performance of the network as well. In this paper, we define the
MAC layer misbehavior in IEEE 802.11 in ad hoc networks. We also conduct a simulation in order to
22
show the impact of adopting such behavior in a network. Moreover, a review of several detection
schemes proposed in the literature to detect the selfish nodes is highlighted.
D1SF2: Health and Life Sciences
Room 1028 (Male side)
D1SF2.1 14:00 Adsorption of Dyes on Activated Carbon from Agricultural Wastes
Maliha Parvin (631/1 West Kazi Para, Dhaka- Bangladesh, Bangladesh); Ahmed Soliman (United Arab
Emirates University, Egypt); Thies Thiemann (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
Adsorption of dyes as a remediation technique for dye-loaded wastewater remains an area of interest.
Adsorption using bio-derived, renewable sorbent materials can be seen as environmentally friendly,
trouble-free, commercially cheap operation. The main objective of this work is adsorption of Crystal
Violet (CV) and Nile Blue (NB) dyes on activated carbon derived from date palm leaf wastes. For this
purpose, activated carbon was prepared via chemical treatment of palm leaf wastes with H2SO4, H3PO4,
and HNO3, respectively, with subsequent carbonization through thermal treatment. Dye adsorption
studies were carried out under different conditions, and the influence of different parameters such as
temperature, time, pH, dye concentration, dose and particle size of activated carbon (AC) was
investigated in batch experiments. Furthermore, dynamic sorption experiments were performed
successively. The present study found AC from date palm leaves to be a promising low cost adsorbent to
remove CV and NB from aqueous solutions.
D1SF2.2 14:20 Beneficial Effects of Microwave-Assisted Heating versus Conventional Heating in 2-
Mercaptopyridine Glycosides Synthesis
Hany Abdel Aziz Eldeab (Taif, Saudi Arabia)
Microwave assisted synthesis methods guided by the principles of green chemistry has been employed to
synthesize a series of 2-mercaptopyridines (3a-j) and their related glycosides (9a-j). By comparison with
traditional conditions, microwave irradiation provides a powerful tool that leads to rise yields and
minimize reaction time. Chemical structures of the new products were confirmed on the basis of their
elemental analysis and spectroscopic data (FT-IR, 1D, 2D-NMR) as well as alternative synthetic routes.
The activity against a verity of cancer cells and different bacteria strains has been studied.
D1SF2.3 14:40 Differential degradation of a Thiazole pollutant by different peroxidases
Aysha Al Neyadi (United Arab Emirets University, UAE); Syed Ashraf (United Arab Emirets University
UAE, UAE)
Enzyme-based degradation of organic pollutants is a promising remediation approach due to the
promiscuous nature of the technique and the wide range of available enzymes. Oxidoreductases,
specifically, peroxidases are the most popular class of enzymes that have been used for the degradation
of organic pollutants. However, it is generously assumed that all peroxidases behave similarly and
produce similar degradation products. In the present study, we have carried out detailed degradation
studies on a model thiazole compound (Thioflavin T dye) using two of the most commonly used
peroxidases - Soybean peroxidase (SBP) and Chloroperoxidase (CPO). Our studies show that these two
enzymes have very different optimum conditions for the decoloration of Thioflavin T such as their needs
to redox mediator, H2O2 tolerance and thermal stabilities. The results show that the two peroxidases
have different optimum reactions conditions, suggesting that SBP and CPO behave differently in organic
pollutants degradation.
D1SF2.4 15:00 Genetic differentiation analysis between western and eastern populations of Socotra cormorant
(Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) in the UAE
23
Salama Al Mansouri, Sofyan Alyan, Sabir Muzaffar and Rabah Iratni (UAE University, UAE)
Habitat loss and, increased predator and hunting, threats, negatively impact the populations of Socotra
cormorants, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, in UAE islands. Habitat loss and fragmentation reduces
connectivity among wildlife populations and ultimately could drive populations to extinction. Such
isolated populations are known to suffer from reduced genetic diversity that can limit the species'
evolutionary potential resulting in inbreeding depression. The dearth of information, increased threats,
and reduced breeding colony size, warrants an urgent investigation of the Socotra Cormorant population
in the UAE. The aim of this research is to investigate the subpopulation structure of this regionally
endemic seabird in the UAE, using molecular population genetic analysis. Understanding the genetic
structure of the cormorants' subpopulations could (i) improve the conservation management efforts
and(ii) help to predict future population status and viability.
D1SG2: Earth & Environmental Engineering
Room 1036 (Male side)
D1SG2.1 14:00 On the Analysis of the Climatology of Cloudiness of the Arabian Peninsula
Latifa Yousef (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology & National Center of Meteorology and
Seismology, UAE); Marouane Temimi (Masdar Institute, Tunisia)
This study aims to determine the climatology of cloudiness over the Arabian Peninsula. Time series of
total, high, middle and low cloud amounts from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project
(ISCCP) database from 1983 through 2009 are analyzed. Initial results show significant decreasing trends
in the total and low cloud amounts, at a 95% confidence interval. Significant correlations are found for
the cloud amounts and total column water vapor. Inferred cloudiness data is compared to in situ rainfall
measurements across the UAE, for the same time period. Significant correlation is present for average
rainfall over the UAE and total, middle and low cloud amounts. Total cloud amounts over the UAE in the
seasons of fall, winter and spring exhibit decreasing trends, at a 95% confidence interval.
D1SG2.2 14:20 Meta-Analysis of biofouling Desalination membranes
Muhammad Syafiq Kamarul Azman (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Muhammad
Zohaib Anwar (Masdar Institute, UAE); Andreas Henschel (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE)
Desalination plays a central role in the UAE's economy and water security aspects. Membrane based
Desalination techniques are a promising alternative to conventional flash distillation, but are afflicted
with biofouling, which is currently not fully understood. Recent advances in biotechnology have enabled
the characterization of biofouling biofilms through marker gene (16S rRNA) profiling. We here strive to
see an emerging pattern in biofouling processes through a multi-study meta-analysis of 16S rRNA
profiles. For the first time we compare microbial communities in biofouling in the region and
contextualize by global samples. As a result, we observe a strong variance amongst Reverse Osmosis and
other biofouling membranes across different studies, suggesting that biofilm formation in desalination is
driven by complex environmental and random forces. Yet, we could identify the least common
denominators for biofilm formation, which in turn can inform anti-fouling strategies.
D1SG2.3 14:40 Mapping of Coral Reef Environment in the Arabian Gulf Using Multispectral Remote Sensing
Haifa Ben-Romdhane and Prashanth Marpu (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Hosni
Ghedira (Masdar Institute & Earth Observation and Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory, UAE);
Taha Ouarda (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Coral reefs of the Arabian Gulf are subject to several pressures, thus requiring conservation actions.
Well-designed conservation plans involve efficient mapping and monitoring systems. Satellite remote
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sensing is a cost-effective tool for seafloor mapping at large scales. Multispectral remote sensing of
coastal habitats, like those of the Arabian Gulf, presents a special challenge due to their complexity and
heterogeneity. The present study evaluates the potential of multispectral sensor DubaiSat-2 in mapping
benthic communities of United Arab Emirates. We propose to use a spectral-spatial method that includes
multilevel segmentation, nonlinear feature analysis and ensemble learning methods. Support Vector
Machine (SVM) is used for comparison of classification performances. Comparative data were derived
from the habitat maps published by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. The spectral-spatial method
produced 96.41% mapping accuracy. SVM classification is assessed to be 94.17% accurate. The
adaptation of these methods can help achieving well-designed coastal management plans in the region.
D1SG2.4 15:00 Observing Land Deformation Phenomena with Conventional SAR Interferometry in Al Ain,
UAE
Nikolaos Liosis (Masdar Institute & Masdar Institute, UAE); Prashanth Marpu and Taha Ouarda (Masdar
Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Kosmas Pavlopoulos (Paris-Sorbonne University of Abu
Dhabi, UAE)
Ground deformation phenomena occur in many regions due to groundwater resources depletion caused
by their excessive exploitation. For the past fifteen years groundwater is massively extracted in the Al
Ain region, but the aquifer is also artificially recharged. SAR interferometry is one of the few techniques
that can provide estimations of the land surface displacements with millimeter accuracy in large scales. In
this study the two-pass interferometry method was applied in the city of Al Ain with the use of
ENVISAT satellite images by composing interferometric pairs based on the perpendicular and temporal
baselines of the scenes. From these pairs a series of Line-Of-Sight displacement maps were produced
depicting the surface displacements at independent time intervals with the use of NEST/Sentinel1-
toolbox/SNAP software. Using the same criteria small single-reference stacks were implemented in order
to estimate the surface LOS movement velocities with partial elimination of noise and atmospheric error
components.
D1SG2.5 15:20 Change Detection of Coastline using Multi-temporal Remote Sensing Images
Essa Basaeed and M. Sami Zitouni (Khalifa University, UAE)
Coastline, defined as the instantaneous divide between water and land regions, often provides crucial
information on complex dynamics of the sea level, tide/wave energy and coastal erosion. Coastline
detection and monitoring can serve important applications including but not restricted to: coastal resource
management, coastal environmental protection and sustainable coastal development and planning. The
proposed solution is an innovation in the combination of morphological operators, an interest point
detector, a water index, distance transform, and geometric transform for coastline change detection. It is
also completely autonomous that requires no intervention from the user, efficient with real-time
performance in most stages, flexible as the end-user can fine tune parameters, and platform-independent.
D1SH2: Energy & Fuels
Room 1038 (Male side)
D1SH2.1 14:00 2D TCAD simulation of planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells
Aaesha Alnuaimi (Masdar Institute Of Science And Technology, UAE); Ibraheem Almansouri (Masdar
Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Ammar Nayfeh (Masdar Institute of Science & Technology,
UAE)
Over the past few years, hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells have emerged as an attractive
technology within the photovoltaic (PV) community. Perovskite is considered a promising material for
high efficiency solar cells due to its ease of fabrication, low cost of production with excellent electronic
25
and optical properties. In this paper, we investigate perovskite planar heterojunction solar cells using 2D
Physics Based TCAD simulation. The perovskite cell is modeled as an in-organic material with physics
based parameters. A planar structure consisting of TiO2 as electron transport material (ETM),
CH3NH3PbI3-xClx as the absorber layer and Spiro-OmeTAD as the hole transport material (HTM) is
simulated. The simulated results match published experimental results indicating the accuracy of the
physics based model.
D1SH2.2 14:20 Performance Assessment of Gas Turbine Using Alternative Biofuels
Patroula Christopoulou (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Mohamed I Ali (Masdar,
UAE)
Majority of the current energy sources in the world are based on fossil fuels, which will someday be
depleted. In addition, greenhouse emissions are exponentially increased with the augmented energy
demand from the high carbon fossil fuel. The current research interest is to determine the sustainable
alternative biofuels that would provide environmental benefits. In this study, the effects of the
implementation of alternative fuels on the operation of an industrial gas turbine are investigated using
performance models. Considering the case of Abu Dhabi, the impacts of the atmospheric conditions, such
as ambient temperature, pressure and relative humidity on the engine's performance have been analyzed.
In a hot climate, the performance of a gas turbine deteriorates drastically during the high temperature
hours.
D1SH2.3 14:40 Modelling of Exergy and Efficiency Evaluation for Melting Furnace in Aluminum Smelters
Energy Consumption and Green House Gas Emissions
Adesola O Ajayi, Xiaomeng Chen and Mouhamadou Diop (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE); Mohamed I Ali (Masdar, UAE)
In this paper, we explore the opportunities in aluminum smelter to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
(GHG) and save energy and in ways that reduce cost and confer substantial competitive advantage to
companies that embrace them. This belief is inhibiting the eagerness of companies to join the Chicago
Climate Exchange (CCX) and the European Climate Exchange (ECX), which is one of the easier ways to
initiate a program to capture these opportunities. The opportunities for Greenhouse Gas Reduction
provide evidence to refute this limiting belief, demonstrating that deep cuts in GHG reductions can be
achieved with profit. Clearly, improvements in aluminum industry can offer a significant energy savings
as well as reduced emissions. The present study will present the achievements in the thermodynamics
exergy analysis and its capability in determining the energy and hence gases savings and emission
reduction by preheating metallic scrap before melting process in plant.
D1SH2.4 15:00 Thermodynamic analysis for biomass gasification integrated with chemical looping combustion
for hydrogen and electricity cogeneration
Peng Jiang and Abdallah Sofiane Berrouk (the Petroleum Institute, UAE); Kean Wang (The Petroleum
Institute, UAE)
in this work, pine-based gasification integrated with iron-based chemical looping combustion process is
proposed to investigate hydrogen and electricity cogeneration from a thermodynamics perspective. The
whole process is modeled using Aspen Plus. The effects of key parameters on the thermodynamics
performance, such as the hydrogen yield and energy efficiency of the process, are separately evaluated.
The variables assessed herein include steam to biomass mass ratio(S/B) for the gasifier, oxygen biomass
mass ratio (O/B), iron to carbon mole ratio in the fuel reactor (Fe/C) and iron to steam mole ratio in the
steam reactor (Fe/S). The results show that at optimum operating parameters, namely, S/B=0.07,
O/B=0.25, Fe/C=0.5 and Fe/S=0.40, the hydrogen yield is 85.41%, the CO2 capture efficiency is 99.9%,
and the energy efficiency is 63.28% which is at least 10% higher of the one of the most efficient
conventional technologies.
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D1SH2.5 15:20 Analysis of Soot Emissions Produced During the Combustion of Diesel Blended with Biodiesel
Mujeeb Kareem (The Petroleum Institute, UAE); Abhijeet Gupta (Petroleum Institute, UAE)
In this study, the effect of using blends of diesel and biofuels on harmful pollutant emissions, which
result from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels like diesel, is explored. The smoke point experiments
for the blends of diesel with biodiesel is conducted using ASTM D1322 technique to observe the sooting
tendencies of blended fuels. The smoke point is found to increase with increasing percentage of biodiesel
in the blend, which indicates a reduction in the sooting tendency of diesel upon the addition of biodiesel.
To study the physical and chemical characteristics of the emitted soot particles during blended fuel
combustion, soot particles are collected using a vacuum-filter system, and are analyzed using several
techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-
ray diffraction. Their reactivity and nonstructural properties that define their toxicity are reported.
Wednesday, April 27, 15:40 - 16:00
Coffee Break
Room: Lobby (Male side), Building E1
Wednesday, April 27, 16:00 - 18:00
D1SA3: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Room 1003 (Female side)
D1SA3.1 16:00 Memristive Networks for Pattern Recognition: A Survey
Yasmin Halawani, Baker Mohammad and Mahmoud Al-Qutayri (Khalifa University, UAE); Said Al-
Sarawi (The University of Adelaide & Director of Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Australia);
Nicolas Christoforou (Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research, UAE)
A neuromorphic computing architecture combining the emerging memristive synapses with neural
learning algorithms promises an efficient bio-inspired computing paradigm. Software and hardware
based approaches were carried by researchers in an attempt to model the human brain cortex. Software
simulations were found to consume high power and occupy a large area. Moreover, previous CMOS
based architectures were hindered by the lack of a component accurately mimicking the synaptic
plasticity and learning behaviours. The invention of Memristor by Leon Chua and its physical
implementation by Hewlett-Packard has opened the doors widely for researchers to investigate its power
in bio-inspired applications. Its analog operation, low power consumption, high switching speeds and
CMOS compatibility makes it a good option as a synapse device. Hence, in this paper different
memristive-based structures of artificial neural networks implemented to learn and recognize real world
patterns are described.
D1SA3.2 16:20 Amplitude Optimization for Semi-Coherent M-ASK Detection
Lina Bariah (KUSTAR, UAE)
In this paper, we derive a closed form expression for the symbol error rate (SER) for 4-ary ASK semi-
coherent detection receiver. Then, optimum amplitudes for the adopted detection scheme were found.
Simulation result shows that the system performance using the optimum amplitudes is better than the
system performance using equally spaced amplitudes.
D1SA3.3 16:40 Comparative Study of Speech Morphing Algorithms
Abdulqader Nael Mahmoud (Khalifa University, UAE); Luis Weruaga (Khalifa University of Science,
27
Technology & Research, UAE); Raed Shubair (MIT, USA)
The paper presents two different algorithms to change the pitch of a speech signal in the time domain.
The first algorithm is pitch modification without preserving the vocal tract while the second algorithm is
with preserving the vocal. The aim is to preserve the humanity nature on the voice and to implement
them on the real time. The two algorithms have been implemented and tested on different audio files and
then implemented on a DSP board in the real time with the aid of Simulink and Code Composer.
D1SA3.4 17:00 Channel Characterization in Human Body Communication for Wearable Biomedical Systems
Hadeel Elayan (Khalifa University, UAE); Raed Shubair (MIT, USA)
The emerging intra-body communication (IBC) and networking system is a prospective component in
advancing health care delivery and empowering the development of new applications and services. Using
the human body as a transmission medium unfastened the research perspective towards Human Body
Communication which has been introduced by the IEEE as a third physical layer. In this paper, the
concept of galvanic coupling is first discussed as an approach for wireless transmission inside the human
body. Then, the channel characteristics of the HBC based on the IEEE 802.15.6 standards are addressed
where we focus on both the frequency response and the noise characterization. The results obtained are
necessary for developing a realistic human-body channel model capable of estimating the performances
of wearable systems using HBC technology.
D1SA3.5 17:20 Enabling High Data Rates in Visible Light Communication Systems with OFDM
Sarah S. Bawazir and Sami Muhaidat (Khalifa University, UAE); George K. Karagiannidis (Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki, Greece); Yousof Al-Hammadi (Khalifa University of Science Technology
and Research, UAE)
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is an important enabler of high-speed transmission
in wired and wireless communication systems. The increasing popularity and accessibility of bandwidth-
demanding indoor applications such as real-time video streaming and gaming make it imperative for
indoor communication technologies to support high transmission speeds. visible light communication
(VLC) is a promising technology that offers a wide and an unregulated bandwidth. The employment of
OFDM techniques in VLC is the perfect combination to answer for bandwidth demanding applications.
However, the implementation of OFDM in VLC requires modifications in the nature of the waveform.
This paper discusses the different methods that exist in the literature to facilitate for the application of
OFDM in VLC. Each scheme is briefly explained displaying its concept, pros and cons.
D1SA3.6 17:40 Silicon Nanoparticles for Scattering and Downshifting of Light to Improve Thin-Film a-Si:H p-
i-n Solar Cells Performance
Farsad I Chowdhury (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology & Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE); Munir Nayfeh (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA); Ammar Nayfeh
(Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, UAE)
A simple and low-cost method for enhancing the efficiency of a-Si solar cells is reported. By coating
2.85 nm silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) on the top of the solar cells, efficiency improvement above 6% is
observed, with respect to the uncoated reference cells. The efficiency enhancement can be attributed to
scattering and photo luminescent (UV absorption followed by red re-emission) properties of Si NPs. Spin
coating technique was used to integrate Si NPs on the cells. Compared to uncoated solar cells, Si NPs
coated solar cells show an average improvement of 5.68% and 6.4% in short circuit current (Jsc) and
efficiency respectively.
D1SB3: Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
28
Room 1005 (Female side)
D1SB3.1 16:00 A Kinetic Study on Destruction of BTEX and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Claus
Furnace by Oxygen Enrichment
Ramees Rahman and Salisu Ibrahim (The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE); Abhijeet Gupta
(Petroleum Institute, UAE)
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are aromatic feed contaminants known to cause
catalyst deactivation by soot formation in the catalytic section of Claus process. At high temperature,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are known to form soot, are also formed inside Claus
furnace. Both BTEX and PAH reduce Claus process efficiency and increase operational cost. In this
work, we develop a detailed reaction mechanism based on the existing ones in literature, to improve the
quantitative predictions of aromatics decomposition/formation in Claus furnace. This mechanism was
validated successfully using different sets of experimental data from previous works and used to
investigate suitable Oxygen enriched feed conditions that mitigate the impact of BTEX and PAH in
Claus process. The results proved that use of oxygen enriched air in Claus process enhances destruction
of BTEX and PAH, while more of carbonyl sulfide (COS) was formed.
D1SB3.2 16:20 Effect of ethanol in water coagulation bath on PVDF hollow fiber membrane employed for CO2
absorption
Abdul Rahim Nihmiya (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Nayef Mohamed Ghasem (UAE
University, UAE); Mohamed Al-Marzouqi (UAEU, UAE)
The main objective of this work was to investigate the effect of ethanol composition in water coagulation
bath on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane (HFM) structure and performance.
Thermally induced phase separation method was employed to fabricate HFMs at four different ethanol
compositions in water coagulation bath. It was found that the increase in ethanol composition in water
coagulation bath increased the membrane pore size and porosity and mechanical strength. In contrast it
reduces the hydrophobicity of the membrane and significantly reduces the LEPw. From the CO2
absorption experiments it was observed even though the membrane with high ethanol composition have
high absorption flux its long stability was very poor and membranes made with ethanol wet easily. In
conclusion, as addition of ethanol to the coagulation bath reduces the performance of the membrane
PVDF HFM made with ethanol in water coagulation bath is not suitable for GLMC application.
D1SB3.3 16:40 Solubility of Benzene and Hexane in the Ionic Liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium
Tricyanomethanide ([bmim] [TCM])
Ismaila Shittu, Mamoun Althuluth, Maaike Kroon and Cornelis Peters (The Petroleum Institute, Abu
Dhabi, UAE)
The potential application of the ionic liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Tricyanomethanide ([bmim]
[TCM]) as absorption solvent in de-aromatization of natural gas is the main focus of this research. The
unique properties of ILs include their non-volatility, high thermal stability, high absorption capacity and
low regeneration energy compared to conventional amine based solvents, which are the most common
solvents used for the removal of various natural gas contaminants such as aromatic hydrocarbons.
Solubility measurements of the hydrocarbons were performed in a jacketed liquid-liquid equilibrium cell
and samples from the ionic liquid rich phase were analyzed by gas chromatography with a flame
ionization detector. The ionic liquid [bmim] [TCM] was very effective for BTEX absorption because the
solubility of benzene was about 99.5 mol% in this IL at room temperature and generally, benzene showed
a higher solubility in the aforementioned ionic liquid than hexane at the same temperature.
D1SB3.4 17:00 Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and MOF/Graphene Oxide (GO) composites for Natural
Gas Sweetening
Jeewan Pokhrel, Nidhika Bhoria, Stavroula Anastasiou and Georgios Karanikolos (The Petroleum
Institute, UAE)
29
Metal Organic Framework HKUST-1 and Graphene oxide composites were synthesized using
solvothermal process for acid gas removal. XRD confirmed that the basic structure of MOF is preserved
in the MOF/GO composite while GO is fully exfoliated. SEM revealed uniform dispersion of MOF
crystallites in the MOF/GO composites. The BET of the HKUST-1 and HKUST-1/GO composite was
434 and 369 m2/g, respectively. The HKUST-1/GO composite showed enhanced H2S sorption kinetics
(mg H2S adsorbed/ mg MOF*min) as compared to the parent MOF. The results indicate that the
MOF/GO composites hold positive prospect for further study towards industrial gas sweetening
applications.
D1SB3.5 17:20 Investigation on Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Laminated Composites Characterization
Omar Ayad (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Ashfakur Rahman (United Arab Emirates
University, Bangladesh); Mohamed Al Mansoori and Ahmed Mohamed Gafar (United Arab Emirates
University, UAE); Maryam Al-Kuwaiti (United Arab Emirates University & STRATA Manufacturing,
UAE); Abdel-Hamid Ismail Mourad (Unietd Arab Emirates University, UAE)
This work is concerned with the synthesis and characterization of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube
(MWCNT) reinforced Kevlar KM2Plus composites with various MWCNT contents (0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%,
0.5%, 0.6%, 0.8 wt. %), by the wet lay-up technique. These samples were experimentally investigated for
their thermo-mechanical properties using Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning
Calorimetry (DSC) and tensile testing. The mechanical properties showed remarkable improvement with
increasing MWCNT wt.% up to certain content.
D1SB3.6 17:40 Fly ash based sorbent development for CO2 capture
Abdallah Dindi, Dang Viet Quang and Mohammad Abu-Zahra (Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE)
In the past years, there has been a growing interest in the use of cheaper adsorbent materials for CO2
capture process which has been recognized as an important technology for sustainable energy generation.
Fly ash is a cheap solid material that has attracted a lot of interest recently. Although its adsorption
properties are limited, it can be modified through various means to achieve better performance. This
work looks at amine impregnation as a method to improve fly ash performance. The impact of the amine
solvents will be investigated using a micro reaction calorimeter which also provides information such as
specific heat capacity and heat of desorption that will be used to evaluate the energy requirement of the
fly ash based CO¬2 capture process. The results obtained from this work will be used as basis to develop
more effective methods for the synthesis of cheap CO2 sorbents from fly ash.
D1SC3: Information Security
Room 1021 (Male side)
D1SC3.1 16:00 A New Dynamic Trust Model for Mobile Agent Systems
Dina Shehada, Chan Yeob Yeun, Jamal Zemerly and Mahmoud Al-Qutayri (Khalifa University, UAE);
Yousof Al-Hammadi (Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research, UAE)
Mobile agents (MAs) are an important element in the creation of efficient distributed applications in
many fields. The motivation behind interest in MAs is derived from the various advantages they offer.
However, the dynamic behavior of agents and hosts in MASs is considered a serious issue. Moreover,
maintaining good performance is an important feature that affects MASs and the provided services.
Addressing both of these issues, we propose a new dynamic trust model for MASs. The proposed trust
model provides users with the means to assess service providers and base a decision on who to interact
with.
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D1SC3.2 16:20 Multi-Layered Clustering Model for Intrusion Detection and Prevention Tasks
Omar Al-Jarrah (Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, UAE); Sami Muhaidat (Khalifa
University, UAE); Yousof Al-Hammadi (Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research,
UAE); Kamal Taha (Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research, UAE); Mahmoud Al-
Qutayri (Khalifa University, UAE)
Due to their powerful generalization ability while maintaining model flexibility, ensemble Machine-
Learning (ML) models have been well accepted for Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPSs).
However, such models require high computational cost to find an optimal model. The problem is further
exacerbated by the new forms of large-scale data (i.e., big data). As such, not only the detective accuracy,
but also the scalability and efficiency are important. In this paper, we propose a Multi-Layered Clustering
Model (MLCM) based on data clustering. In addition, a novel Imbalance Ratio (IR) analyzer is designed
and used to identify the prior probability at which cluster labeling does not degrade the detection
capabilities of the classifier, leading to lower model's complexity. Theoretical analysis and experimental
results on a real intrusion detection and prevention data as well as paired significance t-test prove that the
proposed MLCM outperforms other well-known ensemble ML models in the literature.
D1SC3.3 16:40 Preliminary Assessment of the Security for Cyber-Physical and Industrial Control Systems
Syed Dabeeruddin and Tao-Hung Chang (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
We live in a smart society that tremendously relies on the smooth and secure functioning of the critical
infrastructure and its services and the crucial processes in the critical infrastructure are in turn, reliant on
the cyber-physical and the industrial control systems that the infrastructure is comprised of. For the past
decades, securing the cyber-physical and industrial control systems has been of top priority as few attacks
have been reported publicly. The main fact to take note of is that these systems were deployed over
decades ago and were developed with the sole intention of monitoring and controlling processes in
critical infrastructure without considering the security requirements. So there is an urgent need of
protecting the cyber-physical and industrial systems from external vulnerabilities. Also, the systems are
prone for various cyber threats that could compromise their functions and jeopardise the framework of
the critical infrastructure.
D1SC3.4 17:00 Security Health Assessment of Wi-Fi Environment
Aysha Al Kharoossi (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Khaled Salah
(Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR), UAE); Joonsang Baek (Khalifa
University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE)
In this paper, we demonstrate how to assess the security health of a given Wi-Fi hotspot. We accomplish
this by using HosTaGe honeypot for mobile devices which has the ability to detect various malicious
activities. In this paper, we show how HosTaGe can be configured to catch and report abnormal and
suspicious activities, or simply alerting users of Android smartphones when there are imminent threats in
the wireless network.
D1SC3.5 17:20 Automated recovery and reassembly of fragmented video files for forensics file carving
Khawla Alghafli (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Thomas Martin
(Khalifa University, UAE)
In digital forensics, carving of video files is an important process to recover video evidence of several
criminal cases. The traditional carving techniques recover video files based on their file structure.
However, these techniques fails in the cases if the file is split into several fragments over storage media.
In this paper we present the fragmented video file carving Framework. This framework consist of three
stages which are Identification, weight assessment and reassembly. The identification component
presents a method to recover fragmented video. The purpose of weight assessment is to assign weight of
adjacency between video fragments. Using these weights we propose to adopt a greedy to reassemble
these fragment into correct sequence that produce playable video file.
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D1SD3: Mechanical Engineering
Room 1023 (Male side)
D1SD3.1 16:00 Effects of Interaction Parameters in the Simulation of the Behavior of Iron-based Shape Memory
Alloys
Cheikh Cisse (Kustar, UAE); Wael Zaki (Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research, UAE)
This paper presents the influence of interaction parameters in the simulations of the thermomechanical
behavior of Iron-based shape memory alloys. Such parameters account for the interactions between
martensite variants, between plastic slips, and between martensite variants and plastic slips. The
constitutive equations of the model were derived within the framework of generalized standard materials.
The model parameters were first calibrated at different temperatures.The effects of their variation in the
macroscopic stress, inelastic strain recovery and nonlinearity of the model were then explored. The
simulation results exhibited steeper slope of the stress-strain curves for higher values of the hardening
parameters, and increasingly linear curves for higher value of the interaction exponents.
D1SD3.2 16:20 Numerical Modelling of Sonicated, Continuous Transesterification and Evaluation of Reaction
Kinetics for Optimizing Biodiesel Reactor Design
Mohammed Hussain (Masdar Institute, UAE); Tala El Samad (Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE); Mohammed Daqaq (Masdar Institute, UAE); Isam Janajreh (Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology, UAE)
Biodiesel is an alternative and sustainable fuel that can reduce the dependence on fossil diesel. It is being
promoted even in developing counties like Indonesia, Brazil. Production of biodiesel through
transesterification is a slow reaction which is conventionally carried out in a mechanically stirred batch
process. An advanced method to achieve high yield quality in less time is sonication of the reaction in an
integrated continuous process. In this work, a cylindrical reactor is considered in which reactant mixture
will be circulated and sonicated by a sonotrode type ultrasound equipment. To simulate the sonication
effect the linear, time independent wave equation is solved using a complex wave number for bubble
attenuation. To account for the chemical reactions, laminar reacting flow is solved using Navier-Stokes
equations and transport equation for dilute species. A logical reaction rate coupling model evaluates the
kinetics of the reaction, used for judging the reactor design.
D1SD3.3 16:40 Effect of Specularity and Restitution Coefficients on Hydrodynamics of an Annular Fluidized
Bed Reactor
Mohammed Nazeer ul Hasan Khan (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Tariq Shamim
(Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, UAE)
Hydrodynamics in annular fluidized bed (AFB) reactor is very complex as there are two wall surfaces
with which the particles interact and fall along. Therefore, in this study the effect of wall boundary
condition i.e. the specularity coefficient and restitution coefficients of interaction between particle-wall
and particle-particle is investigated. Simulations are performed using an open source code MFiX by
employing the two-fluid model which considers solid and gas as the interpenetrating continua where the
solid viscous stress tensor is calculated using the kinetic theory of granular flow. A circumferential core-
annulus structure is observed in the reactor. The hydrodynamics of AFB is very sensitive to all the
coefficients. Lower specularity coefficient values produce higher particle velocities in the bed as there is
reduced loss of tangential momentum to the walls. Particle-wall restitution coefficient has a very minor
effect on the solid particle velocity consistent with the previous studies on cylindrical reactors.
D1SD3.4 17:00 Characteristics of 90°Water-Air-Water Impinging Jets Atomizer
32
Yakang Xia and Lyes Khezzar (The Petroleum Institute, UAE)
Impinging jets disintegration is a widely used process in various applications like propulsions, especially
in propellant rocket engines. However, no complete agreement has been reached about liquid jets
breakup mechanisms. This research involves a novel air assisted atomizer configuration consisting of two
water jets and an impinging air jet, which has scarcely been investigated. High speed camera was used to
visualize the disintegration phenomena. The effects of water and air jets velocities on the breakup
performance were studied. The breakup phenomena were analyzed and the spray angle was obtained.
Besides, Phase Doppler Anemometry (PDA) was utilized to measure the size generated droplets 75mm
downwards the impinging point. The results indicated that the existence the air jet improved the
atomization performance significantly. In conclusion, this study showed the performance of the novel
atomizer, and provided information for related simulation works.
D1SD3.5 17:20 An experimental and numerical study in prediction of weld quality in similar ultrasonic spot
welding of aluminum sheets
Shamsa Awes and Shadi Balawi (Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research (KUSTAR),
UAE); Wael Zaki (Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research, UAE); Zuheir Barsoum
(Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research (KUSTAR), UAE)
Ultrasonic metal welding (USMW) is a solid-state bonding process highly applicable to join lightweight
alloy materials. The strength of parts welded using this process varies depending on the used control
parameters such as welding time, power, clamping pressure, etc. This study is an experimental and
numerical investigation of the ultrasonic welding process for aluminum sheets with thickness of 1.4 mm.
Experiments were conducted to test the effect of welding time and power on the weld quality and weld
strength while measuring the temperature distribution. As a future step it is possible to use the
experimental measured temperature as an input to heat flux models in finite element analysis (FEA) to
simulate the USMW process and to develop a model that would evaluate the weld quality by predicting
the maximum failure load under lap-shear test.
D1SD3.6 17:40 Numerical and experimental investigation on the effect of the electric field on non-premixed
counterflow methane-air flames
Abdul Rahman Farraj and Ahmad AL-Naeemy (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and
Research, UAE); Ashraf N. Al-Khateeb and Dimitrios C. Kyritsis (Khalifa University, UAE)
Results of a computational and experimental study of laminar, non-premixed counterflow methane
diffusion flame under the effect of the electric field are described. The flame position could be
manipulated experimentally through control of the applied electric field independently of variations in
the momentum of the reactant stream. The governing equations were solved using the ANSYS-Fluent
platform by implementing the GRI-Mech 3.0 mechanism that was complemented by three reactions
generating three chemi-ions: H2O+, HCO+ and e-. The electrostatic effect was coupled with the
governing equations by introducing the appropriate terms to the momentum, species evolution, and
energy equations of ANSYS-Fluent solver.
D1SE3: Computer & Information Science
Room 1027 (Male side)
D1SE3.1 16:00 Comprehensive Evaluation of Univariate and Multivariate Models for Forecasting Mean and
Volatility of Short-term Wind Speed
Aamna Al-Shehhi (Masdar Institute, UAE); Zeyar Aung (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE)
Wind power becomes an increasingly significant source of generation in power systems and clean energy
33
initiatives. Consequently, wind speed forecasting plays an important role in the wind energy industry in
terms of wind turbine operation, wind energy scheduling, wind energy project design and assessment,
efficient energy harvesting, and so on. In this work, we will approach different univariate and
multivariate parameter estimation models for the discrete-time wind speed. Comprehensive evaluation of
the different models for forecasting the mean and volatility of Abu Dhabi International Airport, UAE
wind speed is undertaken.
D1SE3.2 16:20 Real-time pricing in electricity markets: When Everyone Uses Adaptive Automation
Ghaneya Al Darei (Masdar Institute, UAE); Jacob Crandall and Khaled Elbassioni (Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology, UAE)
Consumers of electrical power are charged with an average price that does not reflect the consumption of
electricity at the time of usage, which could cause allocative inefficiency. The idea of real-time pricing
(RTP) is to allow real-time changes in the prices. RTP works as an economic incentive to control
consumers behavior. RTP algorithms try to predict the consumer demand in the future and set the prices
accordingly. Here, we consider two types of consumers; the price takers and adaptive consumers. For
price takers, we give a procedure that computes the operating price, as a fixed point computed by a
randomized version of the bisection method, resulting in a relatively flat consumption. On the other hand,
adaptive consumers who predict the prices in the same way may render the market unstable; however,
our experiments show that when there is a slight difference in the prediction, such instability can be
reduced.
D1SE3.3 16:40 Arabic reCAPTCHA Service: Architecture and Design Challenges
Hanin B. Abubaker (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Khaled Salah
(Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR), UAE); Hassan Al-Muhairi
(Khalifa University (KUSTAR), UAE); Ahmed Bentiba (University of Sharjah, UAE)
reCAPTCHA is a security measure that guards web applications against automated abuse by presenting a
random auto-generated challenge to the unknown user to solve. These challenges typically are hard to be
solved by computers, yet easy for humans. In this paper, we present a brief overview of an Arabic
reCAPTCHA service architecture and discuss key design challenges of Arabic reCAPTCHA service.
These design challenges primarily include the extraction of individual word-images from the scanned
pages and handling multiple users at the cloud-based server side. We show how our design addresses
both of these challenges.
D1SE3.4 17:00 Dynamic Textures Based Background Modeling and Foreground Detection
M. Sami Zitouni (Khalifa University, UAE); Harish Bhaskar (Khalifa University of Science Technology
and Research, UAE); Mohammed Al-Mualla (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research,
UAE)
In this paper, a dynamic background modeling and hence foreground detection technique using a
Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) of spatio-temporal patches of dynamic texture (DT) is proposed.
Existing methods for background modeling cannot adequately distinguish movements in both
background and foreground, that usually characterizes any dynamic scene. Therefore, in most of these
methods, the separation of the background from foreground requires precise tuning of parameters or an
apriori model of the foreground. The proposed method aims to differentiate between global from local
motion by attributing the video using spatio-temporal patches of DT modeled using a typical GMM
framework. In addition to alleviating the aforementioned limitations, the proposed method can cope with
complex dynamic scenes without the need for training or parameter tuning. Qualitative and quantitative
analysis of the method compared against competing baselines have demonstrated the superiority of the
method and the robustness against dynamic variations in the background.
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D1SF3: Health and Life Sciences
Room 1028 (Male side)
D1SF3.1 16:00 Does Growth Factors and Oxidative Stress Play a Role in Survival of Hippocampal Neurons?
Ahlam Abi Issa (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Naheed Amir (UAE University, UAE);
Naserddine Hamadi (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Abdu Adem (UAE University, UAE)
Glucocorticoid (GC) levels cause degenerative changes to hippocampal neurons. Growth factors and
antioxidant molecules have potent neuroprotective role on hippocampal neurons. However, the role of
growth factors and oxidative stress on hippocampal neurodegeneration after GC removal is not clear. We
study the time-dependent effect of adrenalectomy (ADX) on glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde
(MDA), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF). Hippocampus
samples were collected from bilateral adrenalectomized and sham operated male Wistar rats at 0.5, 2, 4,
12 hours also 1, 3, 7, 14 days. Samples were used for measuring IGF-1, beta-NGF, Glutathione and
MDA levels. IGF-1 was significantly reduced at 12hr and remained consistent while beta-NGF showed a
significant decrease at 14 days in ADX compared to Sham. GSH significantly decreased whereas MDA
showed a significant increase from 7 days compared to controls. ADX may increase susceptibility of
hippocampal neurons to degeneration through early changes in IGF-1 levels.
D1SF3.2 16:20 Halofuginone Induces a Non-genetic Drug Resistance Phenotype in Plasmodium Falciparum
Lola Fagbami and Jonathan Herman (Harvard University, USA); Amy Deik and Clary Clish (Broad
Institute, USA); Ralph Mazitschek and Dyann Wirth (Harvard University, USA)
Halofuginone (HFG) is a derivative of the active ingredient of the Chinese medicinal plant Dichroa
febrifuga, which has been used for millennia as a traditional remedy for malaria. We have identified the
cytoplasmic prolyl tRNA synthetase (cPRS) in Plasmodium falciparum as the long-sought biochemical
target of HFG and further discovered a novel mechanism of drug tolerance through the modulation of
proline homeostasis. We found that a non-genetic adaptation to HFG precedes mutation or amplification
of the target cPRS gene. The specific upregulation of proline levels in response to HFG treatment
constitutes an unprecedented mode of drug tolerance and is necessary for the development of genetic
drug resistance. We now seek to identify the primary source of increased intraparasitic proline using
mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling.
D1SF3.3 16:40 Role of sequences at the 5' end of the MMTV genome in nucleocytoplasmic transport and
translation of unspliced RNA
Shaima Akhlaq (UAEU, UAE); Farah Mustafa (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Pretty Phillip,
Lizna Ali and Tahir Rizvi (UAEU CMHS, UAE)
Retroviral genomes contain untranslated regulatory sequences at both the 5' and 3' ends of the genomic
RNA (gRNA) implicated in critical aspects of virus replication. The mouse mammary tumor virus
(MMTV) has been hypothesized to contain a putative second 5' Rem responsive element (RmRE) at the
5' end of the viral genome, overlapping the packaging signal (psi) and may play a role in both gRNA
nuclear export and translation. To address this hypothesis, several mutations were introduced into the
MMTV psi RNA and tested in stable transfections to determine their effect on nuclear export of Gag
mRNA and protein expression. Our data suggest defects in both RNA transport and expression of Gag
proteins in some mutants. If confirmed, these data reveal that MMTV contains sequences at the 5' end
which regulate gene expression by facilitating the nuclear export and/or stability of unspliced RNAs.
D1SF3.4 17:00 Role of Epstein-Barr Virus Small RNAs (EBERs) in Inhibiting Apoptosis
Waqar Ahmed (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Pretty Phillip (UAEU CMHS, UAE); Gulfaraz
Khan (UAEU, UAE)
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic herpes virus implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of
human malignancies. Latently infected cells express around a dozen latent gene products, two of which
35
are the non-protein coding small RNAs (EBER-1 and EBER-2). These RNAs are highly expressed (>106
copies per cell) in all forms of EBV latencies, but their function remains unclear. A growing body of
evidence suggests that EBERs can inhibit apoptosis, increase cell proliferation and induce tumorogenic
properties. To investigate the molecular steps that may be involved in bringing about these biological
changes, we have created EBER1/2 expression plasmids and established stable EBER expressing cell
lines. These cells express EBERs in the nucleus as well as excreting detectable levels of EBERs into the
supernatant. Our data suggests that EBER transfected cells are resistant to apoptosis and have an up-
regulation of some of the genes involved in apoptosis.
D1SG3: Sustainability in Built Environment
Room 1036 (Male side)
D1SG3.1 16:00 Investigation Form-related Regulations Vs. Form-Based Code in Abu Dhabi Urban
Neighborhoods
Arwa Sabri and Khaled Galal Ahmed (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
Form-Based Code is a sustainable planning tool that helps realize sustainable urban form and sustainable
communities from different perspectives including mixing of land uses, diversifying housing types,
achieving walkability and cycling as well as permitting for community involvement in design processes.
Locally, Abu Dhabi lacks FBC which could help in promoting its sustainable identity. Accordingly, this
research aimed at reviewing the form-related regulations for developing Abu Dhabi new urban
neighborhoods to investigate to what extent they coincide with the components of FBC as a universal
practice. It has been found that the form-related regulations in Abu Dhabi are fragmented and they lack
some essential components from FBC applications. There is a need for adding requirements to reflect the
urban local identity of Abu Dhabi. The research ended up with developing a proposed FBC model for
Abu Dhabi. Further research is planned to investigate the applicability of adopting this model
D1SG3.2 16:20 Axiomatic Design Approach to Building Retrofitting for Energy Efficiency
Mouza AlKaabi (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
This paper proposed Axiomatic Design approach to systematically build a retrofitting scheme for an
office building in the climate of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the retrofitting scheme is to reach the most
energy efficient solution. The retrofitted building is treated as a large fixed system, because it includes a
number of high level requirements and number of layers of decomposition necessary to generate a
complete set of required retrofits, as well as, a great number of physical components. Furthermore, the
components are fixed within the system, to satisfy a fixed set of requirements that do not change with
time. The architecture of the system was mapped using the FR/DP dual hierarchy method of representing
Axiomatic Design, the dual hierarchy is represented using Axiomatic Design Design matrix.
D1SG3.3 16:40 Integrating Building Performance Simulation in Agent-Based Models
Sokratis Papadopoulos and Elie Azar (Masdar Institute, UAE)
Building Performance Simulation (BPS) is an established method used in the design phase of buildings to
predict energy consumption and guide design choices. Despite their advanced abilities to model complex
building systems, BPS tools fail to account for different and changing energy use characteristics of
building occupants, leading to important prediction errors. In parallel, Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) has
emerged in recent years as a technique capable of capturing occupants' dynamic energy actions and
behaviors in buildings. However, ABM lacks the building simulation capabilities of traditional BPS
tools. This research proposes a new modeling framework that integrates BPS in ABM using trained
regression surrogate models, hence levering their "technical" and "human" modeling capabilities. The
framework is tested on a prototype office building, showing an excellent fit between the BPS and the
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trained surrogate model, with an adjusted R-squared of 0.975 and a mean absolute percentage error of 2.2
percent.
D1SG3.4 17:00 Smart Building: IoT Implementation Based on Human Behavior Pattern
Chien Chen, Tao-Hung Chang, Fatma AlShowab and Jiin Baek (Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE)
Based on the behavior pattern of users in both office and residential buildings in Abu Dhabi, we
discovered a huge amount of energy waste. In order to achieve the sustainable lifestyle, we proposed an
implementation which combines the idea of IoT(Internet of Thing) and Smart building. Moreover, we
will conduct a survey to discover the user behavior pattern in Masdar Villas residential area as a case
study to estimate how much energy and money we can save by applying our implementation.
D1SG3.5 17:20 Potentials and Benefits of Building Integrated Photovoltaics
Daniel Attoye (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Kheira Anissa Tabet Aoul (UAEU, UAE);
Ahmad Hassan (UAE University, UAE)
Buildings are a main source of global energy consumption and CO2 emission; accounting for about 40%
of earth's energy consumed yearly [1]. Advancements in photovoltaic (PV) technology have birth an
innovative strategy leading to more energy-efficient buildings. This paper aims to investigate the
possibilities and potentials of this strategy; along with its unique benefits and challenges; highlighting
also possible research opportunities.
D1SH3: Energy & Fuels
Room 1038 (Male side)
D1SH3.1 16:00 Validation of a Ray-Tracing Model of the Beam Down Optical Experiment at Masdar Institute
Solar Platform
Miguel Diago, Juliana Beltran Torres, Benjamin Grange, Victor Gutierrez Perez and Peter Armstrong
(Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Alexander Slocum (Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, USA); Nicolas Calvet (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
A ray-tracing model of a beam down solar concentrator available at the Masdar Institute Solar Platform is
validated. The solar reflection of operative heliostats on a lambertian target at the top of the tower is
compared to the solar flux density distribution predicted by the ray-tracing model. Each image is
captured by a CCD camera installed at the base of the tower, and processed to derive the solar flux
density concentration distribution on the target. The ray-tracing model is implemented in TracePro 6.0.2,
following the geometrical specifications of the beam down facility. The results indicate that the model is
able to capture the shape of the reflection, although significant deviations are noticed between the
experiments and the predictions.
D1SH3.2 16:20 Performance of Organic Rankine Cycle for Waste Heat Recovery Using Different Working
Fluids
Anas Alkhazaleh (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Mohamed I Ali (Masdar, UAE);
Peter Armstrong (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Heat recovery using organic Rankine cycle is a widely used technique. Rankine cycle usually uses water
as working fluid, but for heat recovery purposes especially low grade heat source, organic fluids are used.
The heat source in this paper is the aluminium melting furnaces' flue gases. This paper presents the
performance of organic Rankine cycle using different working fluids and its impact on the amount of fuel
recovered and CO2 emission reduction. It also shows how changing heat source parameter such as flue
gases' mass flow rate and temperature would impact the output power and the performance of the cycle.
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D1SH3.3 16:40 Activation Methods of Carbon Paper Electrodes for use in the Positive Half Cell of VRFBs
Ibrahim H. S. Mustafa, Ali Al Menhali, Ayoob Al Hammadi and Saif Almheiri (Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology, UAE)
Owing to their high porosity, low density, and low electrical resistance, carbon paper materials embody
important characteristics for use as high performance electrodes in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
(VRFBs), yet only little has been done to investigate the methods and effects of their activation and
enhancement. In this work, thermal and electrochemical treatment methods are investigated in an attempt
to enhance and unlock the potential of carbon paper electrodes. The respective electrochemical
performance is characterized by employing cyclic voltammetry and tafel plot electrochemical techniques
to understand the effects induced on reversibility and performance. Significant improvements of
performance have been attained by the different treatment methods employed, of which the most
significant is the thermal treatment method.
D1SH3.4 17:00 Hybrid petri network sliding mode control of wind turbine for maximum power point tracking
Aghiles Ardjal (Mouloud Mammeri University, Algeria); Maamar Bettayeb (University of Sharjah,
UAE); Rachid Mansouri (Mouloud Mammeri University, Algeria)
This paper describes a new synthesis of hybrid Petri net sliding mode control (PNSMC) applied to reach
the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of a variable speed wind energy conversion system. To solve
the main and major undesired phenomenon faced by conventional sliding mode control, the high
frequency oscillations known as chattering, the design of a hybrid controller based on Petri network
sliding mode control (PNSMC) is proposed, in which a Petri network controller replaces the
discontinuous part of the classical sliding mode control law. The new hybrid controller law has been
tested in Simulink/Matlab environment. Simulations results of the proposed control theme present good
dynamic and steady-state performances compared to the classical SMC from aspects of the reduction
chattering phenomenon.
D1SH3.5 17:20 Genetic Algorithms vs. Particle Swarm Optimization in the Parameter Identification of PEM
Fuel Cell's Models
Reem I Salim (UAE University, UAE); Hassan Noura and Abbas Fardoun (United Arab Emirates
University, UAE)
Fuel cell systems are considered to be very complex systems that are very difficult to model. This is
because their models consists of thermal, electrical, mechanical, chemical, and fluidic phenomena that
are inter-acting with one another. The use of Evolutionary algorithms (EA) proved to be successful in
approximating solutions to various types of problems in vast areas such as since, art, mathematics,
biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. In this paper, the ability of two famous EAs to correctly
identify the parameters of two PEMFC systems will be explored and compared to one another.
Thursday, April 28
Thursday, April 28, 08:00 - 09:00
Registration & Coffee
Room: Lobby (Male side), Building E1
Thursday, April 28, 09:00 - 11:00
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D2SA1: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Room 1003 (Female side)
D2SA1.1 09:00 Simultaneous Microalgae Lipid Content and Cell Quantification Using Electrical Parameters
Leena Saqer and Mahmoud Al Ahmad (United Arab Emirates University, UAE)
In this work, the lipid content and the count of microalgae cells suspended in a cultivation medium are
quantified electrically without the need for any preprocessing. The proposed technique is based on
finding the cell effective dielectric constant which is directly related to the cell composition and can be
used as figure of merit to be correlated with the lipid content. The electrical measurements of the
capacitance voltage concept is employed to determine microalgae cells counts, suspended in a cultivation
medium without any sample treatment or pre-processing steps. In the proposed technique, the microalgae
cells are considered as dopants embedded inside a relevant medium. The cells count is then estimated by
subtracting the intrinsic impurities of the medium from the effective ensemble impurities of the
suspension inside a defined volume.
D2SA1.2 09:20 Autoscaling of Cores in Multicore Processor using Power and Thermal Workload Signatures
Rupesh Karn (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology & Mubadala Company, UAE); Ibrahim M
Elfadel (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Autoscaling of virtual machines based on real-time dynamic workload variation on cloud clusters are
well known. These techniques can be applied on dynamic scaling of cores in mega-core servers.
Frequently known performance metrics such as CPU utilization and latency are used to estimate the
scaling of the number of cores irrespective of the type of workloads. It results into excess power
consumption and chip temperature resulting in performance degradation. In this work, the hardware
performance counters (PCs) of the processor are used to predict the characteristic of workload executing
on multicore processors. It includes only those PCs that are most correlated with the workload power or
thermal behavior. Such PC subsets are considered as workload signatures and it is used to trigger core's
scaling in real-time. Experiments are performed using workloads from the SPEC CPU 2006 and
PARSEC benchmark suites.
D2SA1.3 09:40 Speech enhancement using extended Kalman filter to train multi-layer perceptron
Tarek Mellahi (Badji Mokhtar University, Sidi Amar, Annaba, Algeria); Rachid Hamdi (Badji Mokhtar
Annaba University, Algeria); Mounir Bousbia-Salah (University BADJI Mokhtar Annaba, Algeria)
In this work, we are concerned by non-linear Kalman filtering scheme where the extended Kalman filter
(EKF) is used to train multi-layer perceptron (MLP) to be applied to noisy speech. However, when only
noise-corrupted speech is available, our enhancement experiments use a NOIZEUS corpus where the
proposed method achieves higher Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) score and better
subjective tests than the basic scheme of Kalman filter as well as other enhancement methods.
D2SA1.4 10:00 Dynamic Voltage Restorer Application for the Voltage Compensation of Sensitive Industrial
Loads
Aram Kirakosyan (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Mohamed El-Moursi and Vinod
Khadkikar (Masdar Institute, UAE)
Significant economic impact may be caused by the deterioration of the power quality supplied to the
sensitive and expensive industrial loads. Monetary losses can be in the form of decrease in production as
well as damage to industrial equipment caused by voltage related problems. Dynamic Voltage Restorers
(DVR) are considered as one of the most efficient and advisable solutions that can alleviate the dynamic
power quality problems. In this paper comparison of various topologies of DVR is made, with the further
implementation of DVR with energy storage unit. Elaboration of the relevant control technique for
voltage compensation is carried out. The results of extensive simulations in MATLAB/ SIMULINK are
provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the DVR for ensuring the power quality in response to grid
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disturbances.
D2SA1.5 10:20 Development of a Quantitative Performance Index for Optimization of Controllers in the
Frequency Domain
Baraa Mohandes (The Petroleum Institute, UAE); Igor Boiko (Petrolum Institute, UAE); Youssef Abdel-
Magid (The Petrleum Institute, UAE)
This paper proposes a new mathematical tool to optimize controllers in the frequency domain. The new
tool is much faster and less computationally intensive compared to time-integral criteria (i.e ITAE). The
outcome of this research is a set of mathematical formulae that calculate optimal PID settings as a
function of plant's parameters. Finally, the obtained tuning rules are tested in an application study.
D2SA1.6 10:40 Full-order sliding mode control of a nonlinear suspension system
Mohamed Serry (American University of Sharjah, UAE)
In this paper, one of the recent techniques of sliding mode control (SMC), namely full-order SMC, is
applied to a nonlinear quarter car suspension model that belongs to a class of second-order nonlinear
uncertain systems. The governing equations of the model are derived based on force analysis. Moreover,
the full-order control law is designed to satisfy the design requirements of preventing damage and
providing human comfort. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control is illustrated through a
numerical example.
D2SB1: Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
Room 1005 (Female side)
D2SB1.1 09:00 Titania-based thin films deposited by e-beam evaporation
Corrado Garlisi (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Gabriele Scandura (Masdar, UAE);
Giovanni Palmisano (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
TiO2 and Cu-TiO2 thin films were deposited by e-beam evaporation and then annealed at 350 and
500°C. Film properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The catalytic activity was tested by
monitoring the discoloration under visible light of methylene blue (MB) pre-adsorbed on the films and
degradation of 2-propanol under simulated solar light in a gas phase batch reactor. Cu-doped films
resulted the most reactive samples during the degradation of MB under visible radiation, whereas the rate
of photodegradation of 2-propanol was the highest in pure TiO2 films due to the greater crystallinity and
less electron-hole recombination phenomena.
D2SB1.2 09:20 Solubility of CO2 in amine based deep eutectic solvents
Idowu Adeyemi (Masdar Institute & Masdar Institute, UAE); Mohammad Abu-Zahra and Enas Muen
Nashef (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
In this study, we measured the solubility of carbon dioxide in three deep eutectic solvents (DES),
(Choline chloride + Monoethanolamine, Ch-M), (Choline chloride + Diethanolamine, Ch-D) and
(Choline chloride + Methyldiethanolamine, Ch-MD), for three different choline chloride:amine molar
ratios of 1:6, 1:7 and 1:8. The CO2 absorption was conducted with a solvent screening set-up (SSS) and
the CO2 loading was measured with a total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer. The solubility experiments
were performed based on the conditions of the absorber in the post-combustion capture process (PCO2 =
15kPa and T = 40oC). Thereafter, qualitative and quantitative analysis with FTIR and HPLC were
conducted to determine the extent of chemical and physical CO2 absorption. Results revealed that amine-
based DESs have absorption capacity that is comparable to pure amines . The solubility of CO2 was
found to increase as the molar ratio of the amine in the DES increased.
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D2SB1.3 09:40 Formation and Growth of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Claus Process
Evgenia Georganta (PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, UAE); Abhijeet Gupta (Petroleum Institute, UAE)
Elemental sulfur is recovered through Claus process in oil and gas industry from gas streams rich in H2S.
Several contaminants in H2S Claus feed, lead to large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and
soot formation causing catalyst deactivation. Catalyst replacement increases sulfur production cost. Thus,
PAHs and soot formation should be inhibited by understanding more the reactions responsible for them.
In this work, a detailed reaction mechanism for PAHs growth through its armchair site mediated by
methyl radicals' addition is studied. The reaction is modelled using phenanthrene with an armchair site as
the reactant and pyrene as the product. The chemically accurate energetics and molecular parameters for
all the species involved are determined through quantum calculations. The rate constants are evaluated
using transition state theory. Based on these calculations and potential energy diagrams, the energetically
favored pathways for the formation and growth of aromatic hydrocarbons in Claus furnace are presented.
D2SB1.4 10:00 A Novel Improved Oil Recovery approach for increasing capillary number by enhancing depth
of penetration in Abu Dhabi Carbonate reservoirs
Arsalan Ansari (The Petroleum Institute & ZADCO, UAE); Mohammed Haroun and Mohammed Motiur
Rahman (The Petroleum Institute, UAE); George Chilingar (University of Southern California, USA)
Electrokinetic Low-concentration acid IOR (EK LCA-IOR) is one of the emerging IOR technologies,
which involves the application of the Low-concentration acidizing integrated with electrically enhanced
oil recovery (EK-EOR).This research focusses on analyzing the effectiveness of the EK LCA-IOR
process in Abu Dhabi carbonates, improving the capillary number and enhancing depth of penetration.
Core-flood tests were conducted at reservoir conditions and correlations have shown that the application
of EK LCA-IOR, provided an additional 17-28% oil recovery as compared to waterflooding. In addition,
EK LCA-IOR also improves the capillary number by 500%-1500%, mainly due to a decrease in
interfacial tension. SECTS results indicate that EK LCA-IOR precisely delivers the acid front to
penetrate 60% of core-length. This study takes one step forward towards the development of EK Low-
concentration acid IOR method feasible for Abu Dhabi oil fields in order to make smart waterfloods
applicable for complex fractured reservoirs of UAE.
D2SC1: Information Security
Room 1021 (Male side)
D2SC1.1 09:00 Cloud Forensics: Towards a Unified Solution for Meeting Technical and Legal Challenges
Rima Masri, Haneen Hassan and Farkhund Iqbal (Zayed University, UAE)
Cloud computing is a very promising technology. It became popular at a short period of time since it can
serve people, organizations, companies, institutes, governments and much more. At the same time,
technology doesn't stop as it keeps improving every single day. As a result digital crime became popular
due to this improvement. Despite cloud computing advantages, it can represent a challenge and cause
problems if it suffers a breach. Cloud forensics is a new forensic filed that apply the digital forensics in
cloud computing, and due to its new age, cloud forensics encounter different types of challenges that can
be categorized into technical, legal, and organizational challenges. This paper proposes solutions to both
technical and legal issues that cloud forensics is facing.
D2SC1.2 09:20 Forensic Analysis of Gaming Console Engine
Salam Khanji, Raja Jabir, Farkhund Iqbal and Andrew Marrington (Zayed University, UAE)
The rapid technology evolution dramatically changed the users experience and reshaped the current
electronic systems functionality. Gaming consoles are categorized as small scale digital devices and have
41
evolved from just being restricted to gaming to perform computing functionality such as storing images,
creating videos, accessing Internet, and watching movies. With this dramatic change in functionality, the
usage of gaming console devices in criminal activities have increased; however it's still considered a
vague area for today's forensic examiners. This paper highlights the challenges faced during gaming
console forensic analysis and exemplifies the lack of reliable specialized forensic tools. A framework
was developed to examine the current state of existing forensic acquisition and analysis tools, by
exploring their applicability to gaming console engines, employing two gaming consoles Xbox-one and
PlayStation-4; validating the acquired images, comparing retrieved artifacts before and after restoring the
console to the factory settings, and conducting network analysis.
D2SC1.3 09:40 Cloud Storage Forensics in Tablets: Dropbox, OneCloud and Google Drive as a case study
Liza Ahmad and Farkhund Iqbal (Zayed University, UAE)
Cloud Storage services keep increasing in popularity as users are increasingly depending on storing data
in the cloud using small scale digital devices due to the: ease of access and cost effectiveness of those
services, as a consequence, an expansion is occurring in the field of cloud forensics. As a case study,
three Cloud storage applications were used: Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive to investigate and
analyze artefacts remaining on iPad and Samsung tablets from accessing those applications. It was found
that the artefacts recovered are of significant forensic value and can be used as potential evidence in the
cloud forensics process concerning the client side.
D2SC1.4 10:00 Android Forensics against Man-in-the-Middle Attack
Khulood Al Zaabi and Farkhund Iqbal (Zayed University, UAE)
Due to the increased usage of social-networking application's built-in Android devices via Wi-Fi
connections, cyber-attacks are also increasing which has resulted in privacy issues. Several studies have
been conducted to investigate Android devices; however, none of these studies have proposed a
comprehensive Android investigation method, which begins with a man-in-the-middle attack and ending
in a criminal investigation. The purpose of this research is to propose an Android forensics framework
against such Wi-Fi attacks using advanced forensic extraction and analysis tools. We believe that such a
framework is needed to implement guidelines for forensic examiners, especially for those who are new in
the field of forensics. Furthermore, we have evaluated the employed forensic tools in terms of their
effectiveness, advantages, disadvantages and limitations, and then recommended the best data extraction
methods designed for Android devices.
D2SC1.5 10:20 Investigation on Digital Forensic Requirements of Cloud Based Snapshots
Sameera Almulla (Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research (KUSTAR), UAE); Youssef
Iraqi (Khalifa University, UAE)
This abstract paper discusses part of a research on digital forensics investigation of cloud based
snapshots. An overview and results of both practical and theoretical assessment will be discussed.
D2SD1: Mechanical Engineering
Room 1023 (Male side)
D2SD1.1 09:00 Simplified Thermal Model for Thermal Management of a Secondary Solar Concentrator
Radia Lahlou (Masdar Institute, UAE); Nicolas Calvet (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE); Tariq Shamim (Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, UAE)
A simplified thermal model is developed for a secondary concentrator integrated with a high-temperature
open volumetric solar receiver. The secondary concentrator allows the reduction of thermal losses from
the receiver by reducing the tank aperture. It is exposed to high solar fluxes, a part of which is absorbed
42
by the reflecting material leading to elevated wall temperatures. Proper thermal management is hence
required. The thermal model describes the passive cooling behavior under most extreme conditions, and
is intended to help design the active cooling system. It shows a substantial reduction of active cooling
requirements by the use of high-emissivity paint on the concentrator outer wall. Based on the results,
suitable locations of temperature measurements are determined for the first prototype tests, which will be
used for model adjustment.
D2SD1.2 09:20 Energy Cost of Architectural Walls Around A Cooling Tower
Omer Qureshi (Masdar Institute, UAE); Peter Armstrong (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE)
This work estimates excess energy usage when cooling tower fan operates at higher speeds to
compensate for the entrainment and recirculation of exhaust air caused by architectural walls around a
cooling tower. Air properties (i.e. temperature and relative humidity) for both near the cooling tower,
inside the walls, and away from it, outside the walls, (i.e. air properties of free stream air) were
monitored and analyzed. Results show that 9% excess energy was used to overcome this increase in
entering air humidity.
D2SD1.3 09:40 VAWT Performance Prediction - Investigation of Different Models
Sayyad B. Qamar and Isam Janajreh (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Vertical axis wind turbine has potential advantages for small domestic application, as they can be
effectively used in urban areas where wind is intermittently unsteady and turbulent. This work highlights
the progress made in the development of aerodynamic models for predicting the performance of straight
bladed fixed pitch vertical axis wind turbines blade profile. An improved low fidelity blade element
momentum algorithm using a hybrid database is built to investigate the performance of the turbine. This
is followed by 2-D numerical investigation to compare the performance prediction capability of the CFD
and mathematical model. The results show good match between the models and experimental work.
D2SD1.4 10:00 Design and Performance of Passive Radiative Cooler under Direct Sunlight
Afra Alketbi, Jin You Lu and TieJun Zhang (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Exposure to strong solar radiation can easily result in a significant increase in temperature. However, a
proper design of selective surfaces helps dissipate the absorbed heat and lower the surface temperature.
This work presents an optimized design for a one-dimensional photonic structure that is capable of
passive radiative cooling under direct sunlight to temperatures below ambient. An imbalance between the
heat absorbed by the object and the heat emitted within the atmospheric transparency window (8 to 13
micrometers) enables the cooling. A perfectly sealed structure can achieve a net cooling power of
approximately 208 W/m2, leading to a steady state temperature of 38.6°C below ambient temperature.
D2SD1.5 10:20 Near Perfect Broadband Absorber Based on Random Metal Nanoparticles with Varied Spacer
layers
Sumaya Noor Ullah, Jin You Lu, Aikifa Raza and TieJun Zhang (Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE)
Introducing an absorber having patterned surface with tens of nano-meters in the feature size, can
enhance the absorptance, but the fabrication process is usually complicated and cost effective for large
area and mass production. Recently, an alternative approach was proposed by introducing randomly
distributed nano-particles on the absorber structure to achieve similar effect due to localized surface
plasmon resonance. In this study, we propose a broadband absorber by combining the ultra thin film
absorber with nano particles randomly deposited on the absorber surface, where the ultra thin absorber
composed of an ultra thin semiconductor layer and the metallic substrate. The absorber is premeditated
by utilizing 3D simulation of FDTD. The design will be fabricated using the sputtering and thermal
evaporating processes, and it will be characterized using the UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer and
43
Variable Angle Ellipsometer.
D2SD1.6 10:40 Numerical Simulation of Solar Assisted Gasification for Glycerol Byproduct
Tala El Samad (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Mohammed Hussain (Masdar
Institute, UAE); Isam Janajreh (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Transesterification of waste oil into biodiesel is a reversible multi-reactions process which yields in a
byproduct, crude glycerol. The cost of biodiesel production can have a 6.5% decrease if appropriate
employment of glycerol is adopted. An option would be using the byproduct as an energy source either
by direct combustion, blending, steam reforming or gasification. Syngas, Carbon Monoxide (CO) and
Hydrogen (H2) can be produced from gasification of glycerol. Solar assisted gasification can enhance the
enthalpy of the reaction by restoring solar heat. In this work, a solar assisted gasifier is designed whereby
the residual glycerol can be converted thermo-chemically into syngas. The solar energy substitutes the
partial combustion that is needed for gasification; this inhibits the release of emissions resulting in
cleaner syngas. Temperature, species and velocity distributions are analyzed. Results show that glycerol
depletes completely almost instantly to form H2 and CO2 without a high solar irradiation.
D2SE1: Computer & Information Science
Room 1027 (Male side)
D2SE1.1 09:00 An Empirical Study of Contributors Diversity and Software Quality in GitHub Projects
Muhammad Syafiq Kamarul Azman and Khawla Masood Al Dhaheri (Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE)
Contributors on GitHub are diverse in terms of demography and technical level across different projects
but are highly transient. Previous works have suggested that diverse communities are more productive
but does not take into account the quality of the software that is produced. This paper provides an insight
into the quality of software that is available using quality metrics suited for open source software (OSS)
on various large projects on GitHub with high developer diversity. This study investigated more than 100
releases of 5 different Python projects and between 6800 - 20000 commits per project were validated
against the more than 1300 contributor details. It was found that diversity measures were partially
positively correlated to software quality. Employment diversity projected loss in software quality as
diversity increases. There was good evidence that increase in location diversity and commits diversity
showed an increase in software quality.
D2SE1.2 09:20 On Testing and Evaluation of ECG Bio-Sensor Algorithms
Hussam Al-Hamadi (Khalifa University for Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Amjad
Gawanmeh and Mahmoud Al-Qutayri (Khalifa University, UAE)
The use of bio-sensors, be it attached or embedded inside a human body, to monitor various
physiological parameters is increasing at a significant rate due to continued advances in miniaturizations
and materials. Testing and verification of the algorithms used in processing the physiological parameters
of concern is essential, given the sensitivity of their usage. Simulation is a technique that is widely used
to achieve this. However, proper test cases are required in order to carry out the simulation process.
ElectroCardioGram (ECG) is one of the most commonly used and studied physiological signal, yet,
algorithms that handle ECG recorded data are not being tested and verified thoroughly due to the lack of
proper test cases. This paper presents a test case generation algorithm that can be used to provide ECG
records for testing purposes.
D2SE1.3 09:40 Extraction of Abu Dhabi Downtown Road Network from Satellite Images using Ensemble
Machine Learning and Graph Theory Approach
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Prajowal Manandhar, Zeyar Aung, Prashanth Marpu and Sameh El Khatib (Masdar Institute of Science
and Technology, UAE)
This paper presents two-level ensemble machine learning approach to identify and update roads from
satellite images with the help of graph theory approach. The proposed framework consist of two main
stages. In the first stage, we create a model based on One Class - Support Vector Machine which helps to
extract the first impression of the road using central road line pixels, as initially we only have data for a
single known class. And then in the second stage, we use the output of the first stage to model both road
and non-road classes. The model based on ensemble Random Forest approach is used to get more proper
estimation of roads and non-roads. As with additional information of non-roads, we expect the second
model to be better than first one in distinguishing roads and non-roads. Further, we use the concept of
graph theory to generate the road network.
D2SE1.4 10:00 Evaluation of Cooperative Localisation Algorithms under realistic indoor environments for IEEE
802.11 WLAN Systems
Ebtesam Almazrouei (Khalifa University, UAE); Nayef Alsindi (Etisalat-British Telecommunications
Innovation Centre (EBTIC), UAE); Saleh R Al-Araji (Saleh Engineering, USA); Nazar Ali (Khaifa
University, UAE)
Localisation for indoor environments has gained considerable attention over the past decade. There are
many localisation techniques with varying degrees of accuracy and complexity. However, it is more
convenient to take advantage of an existing wireless network infrastructure in indoor environments, such
as WiFi/wireless local area network (WLAN)Access points (APs). Recently, the IEEE 802.11v standard
was proposed to enable accurate Time Of Arrival (TOA)-based distance measurements between WLAN
devices. Thus, one promising approach to providing accurate localisation in indoor environments is to
integrate IEEE 802.11v with Cooperative Localization (CL) in WLAN networks. The main challenges
facing WiFi CL in indoor/urban environments are the multipath and Non Line Of Sight (NLOS)
problems. Hence, the main contributions of this research are to 1)integrate TOA-based ranging models
into well-known centralised CL algorithms; and 2)evaluate the performance of the centralized CL
algorithm in realistic indoor environments for IEEE 802.11 WLAN Systems.
D2SF1: Biomedical Engineering
Room 1028 (Male side)
D2SF1.1 09:00 A 138 dB-CMRR Low Power Instrumentation Amplifier with Programmable Gain for EEG
Mohamed Elamien and Soliman Mahmoud (University of Sharjah, UAE)
In this paper, a design of current feedback instrumentation amplifier (CFIA) for EEG detection systems
has been presented. The proposed CFIA consists of two digitally programmable operational
transconductance amplifiers (DPOTAs) and a two-stage CMOS operational amplifier. The DPOTA
circuit utilizes class AB voltage buffers to provide low standby power consumption. The proposed CFIA
achieves 138 dB common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) with total power consumption of 9.4 μW. The
design can provide a digitally programmable gain varies from 34.4 dB to 54 dB with a constant lower
cutoff frequency of 330 Hz. PSPICE simulation results are carried out using 0.25 μm CMOS technology.
D2SF1.2 09:20 Multifunctional Gold Nanoparticles for Breast Cancer Treatment
Nahla Rizk and Sung Mun Lee (Khalifa University, UAE)
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Abu Dhabi and it poses major health problems to people
worldwide. Currently, cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These
treatments can prolong life or permanently cure cancer, but most treatments have side effects such as
pain, blood clots, and infection. The main goal of the cancer treatment is to remove cancer completely
45
without damaging the rest of the body. Thus, research has been conducted to find new treatment methods
that reduce these side effects. Recently, gold nanoparticles are being used for cancer therapy. The
multifunctional properties of gold nanoparticles allows them to be coated with anticancer drugs and
targeting molecules, to treat cancers efficiently. The goal of this project is to investigate the optimum
ratio of conjugating folic acid, methotrexate, and TGF-β1 antibody to gold nanoparticles to cause the
highest uptake by breast cancer cells and the highest toxicity.
D2SF1.3 09:40 Acoustic Triggered Drug Release from Estrone and RGD-Targeted Liposomes
Najla Salkho, Christian Christian Momah, Shaima Suwaidi, Mohamed Elkhodiry, Dina Gadalla and Rute
Vitor (American University of Sharjah, UAE); Hesham Moussa (AUS, UAE); Ana Martins and
Mohammad Al-Sayah (American University of Sharjah, UAE); Ghaleb Husseini (AUS, UAE)
Estrone and RGD-targeted liposomes are promising nanocarriers for the delivery of doxorubicin to
specific cancer cells. In this study, these liposomes were synthesized and characterized as large
unilamellar vesicles by dynamic light scattering. Low- and high- frequency ultrasound were used to
trigger the release of the model drug calcein from the liposomes in vitro. Calcein release was monitored
by measuring the fluorescence changes, and the results showed that release from both estrone and RGD-
targeted liposomes was positively correlated with power density at low frequency. The total release
percentages from both types of targeted liposomes were statistically similar to that of the control non-
targeted liposomes, when using low and high-frequency ultrasound. Keywords— Cancer treatment, drug
delivery, ligand targeting, liposomes, trigger, ultrasound.
D2SF1.4 10:00 Utilization of DSPE-PEG-p-nitrophenylcarbonyl (pNP) as the Lipid of Choice for the
Conjugation of Proteins in Preparation of Proteoliposomes Used in Ultrasound-Triggered Drug Delivery
Pierre Kawak, Renad Turki, Fatehia Banamah, Rute Vitor, Ana Martins and Mohammad Al-Sayah
(American University of Sharjah, UAE); Ghaleb Husseini (AUS, UAE)
Proteoliposomes can significantly improve liposomal structures and make them more effective drug
delivery structures with good affinity towards diseased areas. Once there, ultrasound can be used as a
stimulus, allowing the temporal control of the drug release. In this study, DSPE-PEG-pNP was studied as
a liposome component that is appropriate for protein conjugation on the surface of liposomes. Two
proteins were utilized for the test, human serum albumin and human plasminogen. The sizes of both
targeted and control liposomes were determined by dynamical light scattering, and while control and
albumin liposomes were not significantly different diameter-wise, the plasminogen ones were
significantly larger than the control. Release experiments using low-frequency ultrasound with optimized
parameters were conducted. Calcein release was monitored by the increase in fluorescence as a function
of time and it was observed that all three liposomal formulations had similar behavior once exposed to
ultrasound.
D2SG1: Water Engineering
Room 1036 (Male side)
D2SG1.1 09:00 Photocatalytic treatment of waste water under visible radiation
Diego Toledano Garcia and Giovanni Palmisano (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
During the last years, extensive investigation has been done regarding photocatalysis and its applications.
Photocatalysis enables the process of degradation of organic and inorganic species with the action of an
irradiated solid, most commonly TiO2 and its derivatives, to simple harmless components such as
inorganic oxidized ions and CO2. This research project aims to apply this technology to the treatment of
synthetic and real waste water. The expected outcome of the research is to assess the application of
photocatalysis activated by solar light in an environmentally friendly fashion to treat waste water in a
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rather unselective way and get rid even of trace amounts of pollutants, which are recalcitrant to biological
treatments.
D2SG1.2 09:20 UV254 Treatment of Cooling Water from an Oil Refinery
Haolat Jimoh, Kean Wang and Abdul Rasheed Pillanikath (The Petroleum Institute, UAE)
The cooling water from a local oil refinery was sampled, analyzed and experimentally treated with UV
light irradiation at a wavelength of ~254nm. Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Chemical Oxygen Demand
(COD) and absorbance at 254nm were analyzed for the water samples over years to monitor the water
quality. The experimental results showed that: 1) The degradation of biocides and chemicals by UV were
observed over the treatment period; 2) The UV treatment was not highly effective for the complete
photodegradation of natural organic matters (NOM) in cooling water. Within a 120h a 30% reduction
was observed in the COD with an insignificant decrease in TOC. For a rapid photodegradation in NOM
use of photocatalyst is recommended.
D2SG1.3 09:40 Monitoring Water Resources From Space In An Arid Watershed Of Al Ain City
Dawit Ghebreyesus (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Marouane Temimi (Masdar
Institute, Tunisia)
Water storage variation over Al Ain city was determined from 2005 to 2014 by calculating the difference
between monthly inflows and outflows. The outflow included evapotranspiration and discharged
wastewater after treatment. A series of Landsat images were used to monitor the changes in Zakher lake
extent and infer total water volume using a high resolution (15m) digital elevation model.
Evapotranspiration was estimated from NCEP reanalysis data over green areas in the watershed that were
delineated using Landsat images. The inflow included precipitation, desalinated water supply, and water
reuse. Time series of GRACE observation over the study area were used to assess the inferred water
storage variation. The inferred water storage and GRACE anomalies were in phase and showed
reasonable agreement as the obtained correlation coefficient was 0.53. Both time series showed a
significant decreasing trend suggesting that water storage in the study area is being excessively depleted.
D2SG1.4 10:00 Modeling of groundwater flow for management strategy in the coastal aquifer of Wadi Ham,
UAE
Modou Sowe (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Sathish Sadhasivam, Mohamed Mohamed and
Mohsen Sherif (UAEU, UAE)
The UAE has limited groundwater resources due to its arid environment and harsh climatic conditions.
The study area; coastal aquifer of Wadi Ham in the emirates of Fujairah is facing severe groundwater
decline due to increased agricultural activities and many production wells and farms have been
abandoned. Hence this study was carried out to investigate the vulnerability of groundwater resources
and suitability of artificial recharge in the coastal aquifer of Wadi Ham. This study employed numerical
simulation of groundwater flow to assess the impacts of pumping and recharge of groundwater. An
increase in groundwater level under various rate of artificial recharge was analyzed. The simulated
results is expected to improve groundwater levels in the study area. Hence, the present modeling of
groundwater flow can be considered as effective method to control groundwater decline in the study area.
D2SG1.5 10:20 Climatology of Precipitation and Water Storage and their Interactions in the Arabian Peninsula
Youssef Wehbe (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology & Mubadala Company, UAE); Marouane
Temimi (Masdar Institute, Tunisia); Mijael Vargas and Haile Woldesellasse (Masdar Institute of Science
and Technology, UAE)
Understanding the spatio-temporal characteristics of water storage changes is crucial for the arid region
of the Arabian Peninsula which is facing many challenges in water management inflicted by
anthropogenic impacts and climate variability. Additionally, the scarcity of in situ measurements of soil
moisture and groundwater, combined with intrinsic ''scale limitations'' of traditional methods used in
47
hydrological characterization are limiting the ability to assess the region's water resources. The data used
in this study includes; monthly gravity data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment
(GRACE) mission and rainfall data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The
objective of this study was to apply remotely sensed data for the Arabian Peninsula to analyze the inter-
annual and seasonal variability as well as changes in total water storage and precipitation, before finally
exploring their spatially distributed - time lagged correlations which were directly related to drainage
conditions, topography, and climatology.
D2SH1: Robotics & Automation
Room 1038 (Male side)
D2SH1.1 09:00 Inspection of Large Geometrically Complex Structures Using Quadrotors
Randa Almadhoun and Tarek Taha (Khalifa University, UAE); Lakmal Seneviratne (KURI, UAE); Jorge
Dias and Guowei Cai (Khalifa University, UAE)
In this paper, we propose a coverage planning algorithm for inspecting large complex structures using a
quadrotor platform. Inspecting structures (e.g. bridges, buildings, ships, wind turbines, aircrafts) is
considered a hard task for humans to perform, and of critical nature since missing any detail could affect
the structure's performance and integrity. Therefore, the proposed method follows a model based
coverage path planning approach that generates optimized path passing through a set of admissible
viewpoints to fully cover a complex structure. The algorithm predicts the coverage percentage by using
an existing model of the complex structure as a reference. We developed an optimized coverage path
planning algorithm with a reward function that exploits our knowledge of the structure model, and the
quadrotor's onboard sensors' models to generate optimized paths that maximizes coverage. Preliminary
experiments were conducted on a simulated environment to test the validity of the proposed algorithm.
D2SH1.2 09:20 Haptic Teleoperation System for Indoor Environment
Reem Ashour and Shafiqul Islam (Khalifa University, UAE); Lakmal Seneviratne (KURI, UAE); Jorge
Dias (Khalifa University, UAE)
In this paper, we propose using Virtual impedance force as a haptic feedback in a haptic based
teleoperation system for remote navigation, tracking and control of robotics system in indoor
environments. The proposed method can increase the remote operation capacity of the robotics system in
an uncertain environment. The system estimates the pseudo environment force that acts on the slave
reflects it back to the control device for collision avoidance system. The designed and developed UAV
platform is equipped with a laser range finder and an on-board computer that can communicate with the
autopilot using MavLink protocol for multi channel communication. Experiment results on laboratory
illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for real-time applications.
D2SH1.3 09:40 Multi Objective Optimization of Planar 3PRR (Prismatic-Revolute-Revolute Joints) Mechanism
for 5-Axis Hybrid Kinematics Manipulators
Abdur Rosyid, Bashar El-Khasawneh and Anas Alazzam (Khalifa University, UAE)
This paper proposes a multi objective optimization of a novel hybrid kinematics mechanism using planar
3PRR kinematics mechanism, to improve the mechanism performance. Workspace area, minimum
eigenvalue across the workspace, and stiffness condition number across the workspace were chosen to be
the objectives in the optimization based on their relevancy to the application of the mechanism. The multi
objective optimization has been conducted by using multi objective genetic algorithm. It is shown that
the multi objective optimization compromises the improvement of all objectives by providing non-
dominated solutions.
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D2SH1.4 10:00 Trajectory Analysis of Endoscopic Capsule Images: A Feasibility Study
Yasmeen Abu-Kheil (Khalifa University, UAE); Marco Mura and Gastone Ciuti (Scuola Superiore
Sant'Anna, Italy); Lakmal Seneviratne (KURI, UAE); Paolo Dario (Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy);
Jorge Dias (Khalifa University, UAE)
Standard endoscopy is a screening method that allows the detection of GI tract lesions. However, it
suffers from a significant miss-rate for cancer detection. Therefore, there is a need to establish a standard
protocol that can quantify the quality of endoscopic procedures, assist physicians in analyzing their
performance and train them on how to select navigation techniques that result in different levels of
quality inspection. In this paper, we propose a method to evaluate the performance of endoscopists by
analyzing the trajectory produced by the endoscopic camera. The proposed method consists of three
major modules: i) the image analysis module for estimating camera positions; ii) Kalman filter for
estimating velocity and acceleration profiles; and iii) analysis module to analyze the trajectory based on
the density of observed images and the acceleration profile. The approach was preliminary tested with
images collected from an ex-vivo experiments, with porcine tissue.
D2SI1: Micro/Nano Systems
Room 1058 (Female side)
D2SI1.1 09:00 Design and Simulation of 1-axis MEMS Capacitive Accelerometer
Zakriya Mohammed (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Mahmoud Rasras (Masdar
Institute of Technology, UAE)
MEMS Accelerometer based on capacitive sensing principle is designed and analyzed using MEMS+ and
Matlab. The design focuses on high sensitivity, linearity and low cross axis sensitivity. Preliminary
results shows excellent displacement sensitivity of 0.0076μm/g and differential capacitive sensitivity of
55fF/g. The cross axis sensitivity is calculated to be 0.015fF/g.
D2SI1.2 09:20 Optimal Finger Design for Low Concentration Thin-Film c-Si Solar Cells
Hiba Riaz (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Ammar Nayfeh (Masdar Institute of
Science & Technology, UAE)
Here we investigate the optimal finger design for low concentration thin film c-Si solar cells using 2D
TCAD simulation. The Si cell studied has a 2μm absorber layer and 1μm emitter layer with 185μm finger
spacing. We confirmed the TCAD model by matching 1 sun simulation to experimental data. The solar
concentration studied is from 1 to 60 suns and the finger spacing is from 185μm to 1000μm. We observe
that there is an optimal number of suns and finger spacing where the efficiency is maximized. Results
show efficiency is maximized at 15 suns and 700μm finger spacing and with this design the efficiency
increases from 14.68 % to 17.37%.
D2SI1.3 09:40 InN Nanoparticles and Graphene Nanoplatelets for Charge Trapping in Non-Volatile Memory
Devices
Nazek El Atab (Masdar Institute Of Science And Technology, UAE); Ammar Nayfeh (Masdar Institute
of Science & Technology, UAE)
In this work, non-volatile MOS memory devices with two different charge trapping nanomaterials are
studied. 16-nm InN nanoparticles and 4.4-nm graphene nanoplatelets are embedded in a ZnO charge
trapping layer and their effect on the memory performance is analyzed using high-frequency C-V,
retention and endurance measurements. The memory with InN nanoparticles showed enhanced retention
characteristic due to the larger electron affinity of InN, however, the memory with graphene
nanoplatelets showed larger memory window which indicates that graphene provide larger charge
trapping states density. Moreover, the results show that the tunneling mechanism in the memory devices
49
dictates the needed operating voltage.
D2SI1.4 10:00 Nanotip radius estimation using spherical crystal ball model
Ahmed Ali (Khalifa University, UAE)
The rapid advance in microscopy in the past few decades had enabled researchers to fabricate,
manipulate and characterize materials in nano-scale. The fabrication of ultra-sharp tips with an apex of
few nanometers (thus called nanotips) had remarkably optimized the image resolution of Scanning Probe
Microscopes and Electron Microscopes to reach the level of atomic resolution. With this advance,
nanotip characterization using the conventional ring counting method had shown some limitation in
terms of its accuracy and reliability. In this paper, we present the crystal ball models of nanotips to show
the limitations of the ring counting method.
D2SJ1: Materials Science
Room 1060 (Female side)
D2SJ1.1 09:00 Characterization of cerium dioxide using co-percipatation method with different solvents
Aseel Hussien and Kyriaki Polychronopoulou (Khalifa University, UAE)
Nanomaterials have a promising future in various industries. However, the inadequate knowledge on the
effects of these nanomaterials on humans and the environment has led scientists to further investigate
these materials. One of the most abundantly used nanomaterials in the petrochemical industry is cerium
dioxide (ceria). This report uses different solvents to synthesize ceria and then uses XRD and TPR to
characterize cerium dioxide.
D2SJ1.2 09:20 Weaving As a Strategy to Make A Covalent Organic Framework
Yuzhong Liu (University of California Berkeley, USA); Omar Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley,
USA)
A three-dimensional covalent organic framework (COF-505) constructed from helical organic threads,
designed to be mutually weaving at regular intervals, has been synthesized by imine condensation
reactions of aldehyde functionalized copper(I)-bisphenanthroline tetrafluoroborate, Cu(PDB)2(BF4), and
benzidine (BZ). The copper centers are topologically independent of the weaving within the COF
structure and serve as templates for bringing the threads into a woven pattern rather than the more
commonly observed parallel arrangement. The copper(I) ions can be reversibly removed and added
without loss of the COF structure, for which a ten-fold increase in elasticity accompanies its
demetalation. The threads in COF-505 have many degrees of freedom for enormous deviations to take
place between them, throughout the material, without undoing the weaving of the overall structure.
D2SJ1.3 09:40 Assessing the stability of inkjet-printed CNT films for scale sensing applications
Khalid Marbou (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Hammad Younes (Masdar Institute
of Science and Technology & Masdar, UAE); Irfan Saadat (Faculty - Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE); Amal Al Ghaferi (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Scale formation in pipelines presents a serious problem in gas and oil industry. Our approach to tackle
this issue relies on the use of real-time sensing of specific Ions in brine. In order to do so, electrochemical
sensors based on Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) were developed, taking advantage of their unique properties
facilitated by various fabrication methods. One of these promising methods is inkjet printing of CNT
films, which is relatively new. This method indeed seems to be a very promising. Overall, it offers
unique advantages over other methods of depositing the CNT films. It does not require prefabrication of
templates, and allows for rapid process at significantly lower cost. As scale sensors are exposed to hostile
environment, the stability of the CNT films is of great importance, as it undergoes continuous exposure
50
to brine. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation of the stability of CNT surfaces upon
exposure.
D2SJ1.4 10:00 From sewing thread to sensor: Strain/Pressure sensing from slightly modified Nylon® fibers and
fabric
Yarjan Abdul Samad (Khalifa University of Science Research and Technology, UAE); Yuanqing Li
(Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Kin Liao (Khalifa University of
Science Technology and Research, UAE)
Commercially available Nylon® fabric and fibers are modified with non-destroyable and smooth
graphene coating. The graphene coating induces electrical conductivity as well as piezo-resistivity in
Nylon®. Due to its piezo-resistive functionality the modified Nylon® fibers sense both pressure and
strain. When a Nylon® fiber is bent with a bend radius of 3mm, the resistance of the fiber changes about
300 kilo ohms relative to its original resistance. With the help of a read-out circuit it is also demonstrated
that a grid of modified Nylon® fibers sense both position and pressure. Therefore, advanced force touch
laptop trackpads can be made using these simple fibers.
D2SJ1.5 10:20 Effective Young's modulus modulus of multiwall carbon nanotubes
Nguyen Viet (Khalifa University, UAE); Quan Wang (Khalifa University, Canada)
This study develops a formula based on the viewpoint of Rule of Mixtures to identify the effective
Young's and shear modulus of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The identified effective
Young's modulus based on theoretical analysis is calculated and found a good agreement with that of
other experimental studies. Results indicate that effective Young's modulus of MWCNTs is observed
lower than that of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Also, it is found only when the ratio of
half CNT length to outermost radius is higher than 500, the effective Young's modulus of five-walled
CNTs can reach the maximal value as equal as that of SWCNTs. The load transfer efficiency is also
found to play a significant role to improve the Young's modulus of MWCNTs. The influence of layer
number, aspect ratio and interlayer shear modulus on the MWCNT's Young's modulus is investigated in
detail.
D2SJ1.6 10:40 Controlled Synthesis of Graphene on Roughened Copper Surface for Improved Heat Transfer
Sohail Shah (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Hammad Younes (Masdar Institute of
Science and Technology & Masdar, UAE); Md Mahfuzur Rahman, TieJun Zhang and Amal Al Ghaferi
(Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Graphene is a 2-D allotrope of carbon which has ultrahigh electron mobility and exceptional mechanical
properties. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) synthesis yields high quality (monolayer) and large size
graphene used for multiple applications. This is synthesized to maintain uniform transparent nature of
graphene which has less thermal resistance. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, and since copper is
hydrophilic and graphene hydrophobic keeping into account the hydrocarbon impurities present on it, the
surface wetting nature can be changed. To reduce the surface energy of copper and bring about drop wise
condensation, copper surface be coated with monolayer graphene which is mechanically/chemically
stable compared to long chain fluorocarbons or fatty acids. This enables better heat transfer by allowing
drop wise condensation as to film wise on copper. Graphene is synthesized on another substrate which is
transferred onto a second roughened copper surface as a comparison to study the wettability.
Thursday, April 28, 11:00 - 12:00
Projects & Posters Exhibit & Coffee Break
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Room: Exhibit Hall & Lobby (Male side), Building E1
Thursday, April 28, 12:00 - 13:00
Plenary Session: Research in Semiconductor: the Roles of Universities by Dr. Kwok Ng, Senior Science
Director, Semiconductor Research Corporation Research Triangle, NC (USA)
Dr. Kwok Ng, Senior Science Director, Semiconductor Research Corporation Research Triangle, NC (USA)
Auditorium, Room G020 (Male side), Building E1
Abstract:
The semiconductor industry is unique in that it has been enjoying tremendous prosperity and having huge impacts
on the society. This comes about because of the non-stop technological progress year-over-year, characterized by
the Moore's Law. In order to keep the industry healthy, continuing progress is a must. The burden and requirements
of semiconductor R/D is shared and helped by the expertise and resources in academia. This talk examines the
critical roles played by university research in this industry. A brief introduction to different areas in semiconductor
research is also presented.
About the Presenter:
Kwok Ng received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1979 and B.S. from Rutgers University in 1975, both in
Electrical Engineering. He joined Bell Laboratories of AT&T in Murray Hill, New Jersey in 1980, and continued
in its spin-offs Lucent Technologies and Agere Systems until 2005. He was with MVC in San Jose, California
during 2005-2007. Since then he has been with Semiconductor Research Corp. (SRC) in Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina, serving as Sr. Director in areas of devices and nano-manufacturing.
Thursday, April 28, 13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
Recreation Hall, Room G032 (Male side), Building E1
Thursday, April 28, 14:00 - 15:40
D2SA2: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Room 1003 (Female side)
D2SA2.1 14:00 In-Vivo Terahertz EM Channel Characterization for Nano-Communications in WBANs
Hadeel Elayan (Khalifa University, UAE); Raed Shubair (MIT, USA)
This paper presents an analytical study concerning nanoscale networks operating at the THz frequency.
Both the path loss and absorption coefficients of a simplified human body model are investigated. From
the results, it has been concluded that with the rise of distance and frequency, the path loss increases.
Actually, the path loss difference across the THz band ranging between 0.1THz and 10THz at a distance
of 1mm is around 40dB for the various body parts. This value is acceptable especially in the context of
in-vivo communication. At 1 THz, the path loss between 1mm and 1.5mm ranges between(36dB−40dB)
for the different body parts. Thus, it can be seen that even though the distance is in the order of
millimeters, it is enough for the electromagnetic communication among nano-devices since the path loss
is not significantly high.
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D2SA2.2 14:20 Physics Model of Memristor Devices with Varying Active Materials
Heba Abunahla, Dirar Homouz and Baker Mohammad (Khalifa University, UAE)
This paper presents a physics-based model for memristors with different active layer materials. The
model predicts the effect of changing the active material on the electrical characteristics of the devices. It
captures the essential characteristics of the memristor such as coupling between ion mobility and electron
current in addition to the nonlinear effects of electric fields. The parameters in the model depend on
material (metal-oxide) properties that have impact on the device behavior. In this work, the effect of each
parameter is highlighted and explained. In addition, the physics-based Matlab model is used to analyze
the electrical characteristics of simulated memristor device using the following oxide materials; ZnO,
TiO2 and Ta2O5. The simulation results of the model are validated with experimental data reported in
the literature. The value of this contribution is to enable the selection of suitable oxide materials for the
target memristor using correlated mathematical models.
D2SA2.3 14:40 Differential Dual-Hop System Over Asymmetric Rayleigh-Weibull Fading Channels
Sara Ahmed AlMaeeni and Sami Muhaidat (Khalifa University, UAE); George K. Karagiannidis
(Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece)
Multi-hop relaying technology is a promising technology for future wireless communication. It provides
high data-rate coverage with low transmitting power. In this paper, novel analytic expression derived for
the bit-error-rate (BER) in dual-hop system based amplify-and-forward (AaF) relaying strategy. The
proposed system is considered over asymmetric Rayleigh-Weibull fading channel.
D2SA2.4 15:00 Study of Frequency and Voltage Regulation of Distribution System using Demand Response
Samrat Acharya (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Amer Al-Hinai (Masdar Institute
of Science and Technology & Institute Center for Energy, UAE)
It is evident that increasing penetration of renewables has been the matter of interest in deregulated
power industry. This is leading the world to clean and sustainable energy. However, the issues of power
quality, control, and coordination is still challenging. The issues of voltage regulation, and frequency
control is not satisfactorily achieved by conventional control techniques in the power system after the
penetration. Thus, demand response (DR), a new control strategy for frequency regulation is studied in
this paper. This paper presents the study of DR for frequency regulation in microgrids with distributed
generation (DG). Simulation studies in Power Analysis Toolbox (PAT) in MATLAB is carried out on
IEEE 13-bus standard industrial system. Simulation based results proved effectiveness of DR to regulate
the system frequency at various conditions of frequency deviation. It is observed that on regulating
frequency of the studied distribution system, voltage is also found to be regulated.
D2SA2.5 15:20 Electrode-Electrolyte Interface Studies on Porous LiFePO4 Electrodes by means of AC
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Lama Mahmoud and Boor Lalia (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Raed Hashaikeh
(Masdar, UAE)
In response to the increased demand on high power electronics and more efficient energy storage devices,
this article is dedicated to investigate the performance of a range of Lithium-ion batteries. The main
scope of this work is to provide an insight about how much surface porosity and conductive additives
could enhance electrode-electrolyte interactions by means of AC electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy (EIS) test. For this purpose, bare LiFePO4 as well as a range of LiFePO4/CNS porous
composite films were fabricated and tested as a cathode electrodes. While porosity levels as well as
LiFePO4 vs. CNS composition are sequentially changed, solution resistance, charge transfer resistance,
Warburg resistance and double layer capacitance are recorded. This work suggests that electrodes with
73% porosity and 30% composition of the active material showed best performance and therefore could
be witnessed as promising candidates for next generation power-hungry portable devices.
53
D2SB2: Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
Room 1005 (Female side)
D2SB2.1 14:00 Investigation of Using Ionic Liquids in Pre-treatment of Saline Water in Desalination
Anaam Abu-Sharkh (Masdar Institute of Technology, UAE); Shadi Hasan and Enas Muen Nashef
(Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
The use of Ionic Liquids (ILs) offers the opportunity to revolutionize the way we do business and opens
the door for many processing options that are already available to us using the conventional organic
solvents. ILs have unique properties, such as low volatility and melting point, and have a large variety of
applications in the chemical industry. This research is dedicated to evaluate the potential of using ILs in
desalination plants as a pre-treatment technique, to reduce the load and energy use in the plants. We
hereby investigated the ability of selected hydrophilic and hydrophobic ILs to dissolve the salts that are
present in seawater to decrease the salinity of the feed before the desalination process. The solubility of
sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride in ILs was measured at different
temperatures. It was found that both the structure of IL and temperature affect the solubility.
D2SB2.2 14:20 Validating high value chemicals production from organic solid waste using Aikan Technologies
percolation reactor concept for UAE
Usama Javid, Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyendel and Jens Ejbye Schmidt (Masdar Institute of Science and
Technology, UAE)
This study is done to verify the potential of producing lactic acid using Aikan Technologies percolation
reactor concept, as Aikan currently only focuses on producing high purity methane using this concept. In
Emirates of Abu Dhabi the market value of methane is as low as 4.4 AED/kg compared to 913, 134,
~200 and 3966 AED/kg of lactic, acetic, butyric and propionic acid respectively. The research team
successfully managed to construct a labscale garage type waste management sprinkler system inspired by
Aikan Technologies. The system constructed is a combination of a percolation unit along with a
fermenter. Initial results after 48 hours showed 1.08ml, 0.381ml, 0.41ml, and 0.234ml of lactic, acetic
propionic and butyric acid respectively. After 72 hours the results showed a percentage increase.
D2SB2.3 14:40 Nanoflower-like Bi2WO6 encapsuled in ORMOSIL as a new photocatalytic ecofriendly
antifouling and foul release coating
Gabriele Scandura (Masdar, UAE); Giovanni Palmisano (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE); Rosaria Ciriminna and Mario Pagliaro (Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR,
Italy)
In this work, a coating based on ORMOSIL thin films doped with nanoflower-like Bi2WO6 have been
prepared and tested under visible light in water. Significant amounts of H2O2 have been produced via
photocatalytic oxidation of water. This result allows for the degradation of (bio)organic pollutants
adsorbed on the film. The thin films have been characterized by means of different techniques, i.e. SEM,
EDX-SEM, and UV-vis spectroscopy.
D2SB2.4 15:00 NaBH4, CH3CO2H, Pd/C as a reagent system to hydrogenate activated alkenes without O-
debenzylation
Nuha Alsoom (UAEU University of Testing, UAE); Thies Thiemann (United Arab Emirates University,
UAE)
NaBH4, CH3CO2H, Pd/C has been described as a reagent system to hydrogenate alkenoates and
alkenones. Here, we show that O-debenzylation does not occur under the conditions, making it possible
to hydrogenate a double bond under Pd/C catalysis without O-debenzylation.
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D2SB2.5 15:20 Nitrogen-doped Brookite Rutile Nanocomposites as efficient Catalysts under Visible Radiation
Oluwadamilola Aderemi and Corrado Garlisi (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE);
Gabriele Scandura (Masdar, UAE); Giovanni Palmisano (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology,
UAE)
TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared from titanium butoxide using the sol-gel technique. CH4N2O,
C3H5N, NH3, NH4NO3 and C2H8N2 were investigated as nitrogen doping sources. Prepared catalysts
were thermally treated at 400 °C to ensure crystallinity. Photoreactivity experiments were performed
under visible light and the decrease in the concentration of 4-nitrophenol was monitored as a function of
its absorbance at a wavelength of 315 nm. The most effective nitrogen source was identified and weight
percentage of doping was varied until the optimal value was achieved. Characterization of the TiO2
catalysts was carried out by UV/vis diffuse reflectance, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray
diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and BET surface area and porosity analysis. The results show that
N-doping improves the photoactivity of TiO2 and the crystal phases of the prepared TiO2 powders are
brookite and rutile.
D2SC2: Humanities and Social Sciences
Room 1021 (Male side)
D2SC2.1 14:00 Attitudes About Privacy Among Social Network Sites (SNS) Users in the UAE: What affects do
personality traits and culture have on the concept and practice of privacy?
Fatema Al Jawder (Zayed University, UAE)
This study investigates the influences of personality and culture upon perceptions of privacy in social
media usage in the UAE. Survey research will be conducted exploring social media user personality traits
and compared across cultural dimensions. Results will compare cultural influences on Internet privacy
relative to intrinsic personality traits, within the context of a common online media environment.
Implications will assist social media sites in tailoring online experiences across cultures.
D2SC2.2 14:20 Strategies for Developing Spoken Language Skills by Teaching Emirati Sign Language to Deaf
Preschoolers
Rabab Abdelwahab (Zayed University & Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, UAE)
This research study draws attention to education programs intended for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (H/H)
children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of the study is to explore learning of Emirati
Sign Language (SL) for three Deaf preschoolers and possible influence this has on learning Arabic
spoken language skills. Following a qualitative research design, a case study of three students took place
during autumn quarter 2015 in a kindergarten for the Deaf H/H in Sharjah, UAE. Data was collected
through classroom observations, and student reports. Data analysis indicated important themes: social
interactions, SL learning, and spoken language skills development. I show how spoken Arabic language
skills improved while students continued learning Emirati SL. This study is an exploratory study
providing an impetus for Deaf H/H education practices in the UAE. Further research should consider
different research designs and a larger number of participants to obtain generalizable results.
D2SC2.3 14:40 Common Denominators in Counterinsurgency Strategies among Coalition Forces in Iraq and
Afghanistan A Comparative Case Study of Selected Coalition Countries in Iraq and Afghanistan
Ahmed Al Ghaithi (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE)
Terrorism and insurgencies have evolved and this has called for an evolution in how they are fought.
Counterinsurgency has emerged as an effective counter-terrorism strategy and a key component of the
whole of government approach to national security. The ethnic and religious roots of insurgents, ease of
collaboration between insurgent groups across national boundaries due to advancement in technology,
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elusiveness and invisibility of insurgents altogether render a complex and multifaceted security challenge
to governments. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have much to learn from the counterinsurgency
strategies of the Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. A comparative assessment of
counterinsurgency strategies among key members of the coalition will reveal commonalities against
which counterinsurgency strategies of UAE will matched to reveal gaps for improvement.
D2SC2.4 15:00 The impacts of the high exposure to liberal dress on Emirati`s attitudes toward their conservative
dress code
Hessa AlYasi (University of Sharjah, UAE)
This study highlights the impacts of the high exposure to foreigners' liberal dress code, on Emiratis'
attitudes toward their conservative dress code and quest potential changes. To measure how Emirati
females perceive their dress code with the presence of diverse styles of dressing in the U.A.E, a
questionnaire with 26 items was developed. The sample included 179 females from Dubai. Results show
relevant changes in the attire style through generations with only (3%) of young females wear face veil,
compared to (43%) of mothers and (62%) grandmothers. Besides, 43% of young females don't wear
traditional clothes when they travel abroad. Based on the findings, the dress code in the U.A.E is
witnessing a progressive evolvement rather than a complete a direct change. This raises several questions
about the future of Emirati dress code with around (46%) predicting that it will be totally different in the
future.
D2SD2: Industrial & Communications Engineering
Room 1023 (Male side)
D2SD2.1 14:00 Enhanced Electric Vehicle Adoption Scenarios For Abu Dhabi Road Transportation
Deema Allan and Toufic Mezher (Masdar Institute, UAE); Amro M. Farid (Thayer School of
Engineering at Dartmouth, USA)
Electrified transportation has emerged as a trend to support energy efficiency and CO$_2$ emissions
reduction targets. Electric vehicles aim to reduce the use of non-renewable vehicle's fuel resources
(Petrol, Diesel, etc.) and depend on renewable energy. However, EVs interact with three interconnected
systems: the transportation system, the electric power grid, and their supporting information systems
often called Intelligent Transportation Energy Systems (ITES). Therefore, the true success of electric
vehicles depends on their successful integration with the infrastructure systems that support them. This
research aims to assess how can EV integration be systematically evaluated while preserving the quality
of service and ensuring the reliability and security of the power grid within an enhanced ITES within
Abu Dhabi context? A new methodological assessment based on hybrid dynamic model is proposed to
evaluate the technical feasibility of EVs adoption within Abu Dhabi island.
D2SD2.2 14:20 Dynamic Precoding for VLC
Hanaa Marshoud (Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research (KUSTAR), UAE)
Motivated by the recent advances in light-emitting diode (LED) technology and the scarcity of spectrum
resources, visible light communication (VLC) has gained great interest over the past few years. One of
the key challenges in VLC is the limited modulation bandwidth (BW) of the light sources, which
typically spans a few MHz. Recently, multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) techniques have
demonstrated great potentials in VLC, as they overcome the modulation BW limitation and offer
significant improvement in link reliability. However, in such scenarios, multiple LEDs (i.e., transmitters)
and multiple photo detectors (i.e., receivers) share the same communication medium, thus resulting in
mutual interference among different data transmission channels. This paper proposes a new dynamic
precoding scheme that makes use of the constructive interference and eliminate the unwanted
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interference
D2SD2.3 14:40 Dynamic Construction Facilities Planning Model for Large Scale Projects in UAE
Alaa Alhawarneh, Salaheddine Bendak and Firas Ahmed (University of Sharjah, UAE)
Construction site layout planning process is controlled by allocating site facilities to minimize the
movement of laborers and equipment. Due to the complexity of modern construction projects, dynamic
allocation was proposed as a solution for site layout planning problems. In this study, a safety based
dynamic optimization model is used to account for the planning changes throughout the construction
process. A comprehensive survey is done to investigate other qualitative aspects that may affect site
layout process in large construction projects in UAE, while Fuzzy TOPSIS will be used as a multi criteria
decision making approach to quantify and order those aspects. Safety relationship approach will be used
in the site layout model which will be prepared in a grid layout system. The facilities will be allocated
using a Binary Linear Optimization Model considering availability, overlapping and safety constraints.
This model is then validated through a real-life case study in UAE.
D2SD2.4 15:00 A joint AHP- Fuzzy Goal Programming approach for multi-criteria procurement and logistics
decisions
Azhar Rashid, Abdulrahim Shamayleh and Malick Ndiaye (American University of Sharjah, UAE)
A Firm can accomplish competitiveness by reducing total logistics costs through integration of its various
activities of procurement process. The objective of this research is to develop a mathematical model that
integrates a joint decision of supplier selection; order allocation; carrier selection and warehouse
selection which result in maximum attainment of cost and quality goals. The total cost would include
procurement related costs, transportation costs and warehousing costs. The model will be formulated by a
joint AHP-Fuzzy Goal Programming approach under conditions of multiple products being procured
from multiple suppliers in multiple periods under discount environments and where target goal values are
fuzzy. In the multi-objective formulation, net rejected items, net costs and net late delivered items are
some of the considered objectives that have to be minimized over the decision horizon. An illustration
would be provided in a fourth party logistics provider context to show the model's effectiveness.
D2SD2.5 15:20 The simulation of nitrogen removal by cryogenic distillation process from natural gas using
Aspen Plus
Peng Jiang (the Petroleum Institute, UAE); Kean Wang, Xiaoqian Huang and Mingxuan Du (The
Petroleum Institute, UAE)
natural gas with high nitrogen content will lower the gas heating value, and increase the gathering and
transportation power consumption. In regard to this problem, a nitrogen removal from natural gas process
using single-column cryogenic distillation method is established based on Aspen Plus. An expanding
refrigeration process using N2-CH4 is selected to provide the needed cold energy for this plant. The
effect of feedstock natural gas properties, the nitrogen content of the refrigerant, and the operation
pressure of distillation column on the plant evaluation indicators such as energy consumption, nitrogen
removal efficiency, and methane recovery ratio, are conducted. Moreover, at the optimization condition
of the above variables, the exergy analysis method is employed to evaluate the exergy loss distribution of
each unit in the plant.
D2SE2: Information Security
Room 1027 (Male side)
D2SE2.1 14:00 Big Data Privacy in the IoT
Tasneem Salah (Khalifa University, UAE)
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Individuals data collected from various sources are stored in data sets which can be vulnerable to some
attacks resulting in violating the privacy of those individuals. Also, due to the fact that connected devices
are increasing which lead more data to be generated, big data privacy has become one of the major
concerns in the Internet of Things (IoT). This paper gives an overview about the issue of privacy in big
data including data collected from IoT. Then one of the most common privacy solutions is studied which
is the technique known as Anonymization. However, vulnerabilities of anonymization are listed and
studied which mainly focus around Re-Identification attacks. Finally, a fast encryption technique is
suggested to be used on the data which found to be non-critical in order to prevent from the re-
identification attacks.
D2SE2.2 14:20 Detecting Malware Domains: A Cyber-Threat Alarm System
Khalifa Alroum, Abdulhakim Alolama, Rami Kamel and May El Barachi (Zayed University, UAE);
Monther Aldwairi (Zayed University & Jordan University of Science and Technology, UAE)
Throughout the years, hackers' intentions' varied from curiosity, to financial gains, to political statements.
Armed with their botnets, bot masters could crash a server or website. Statistics show that botnet activity
accounts for 29% of the Internet traffic. But how can bot masters establish undetected communication
with their botnets? The answer lies in the Domain Name System (DNS), using which hackers host their
own domain and assign to it changing IP addresses to avoid being detected. In this paper, we propose a
multi-factor cyber-threat detection system that relies on DNS traffic analysis for the detection of
malicious domains. The proposed system was implemented, and tested, and the results yielded are very
promising.
D2SE2.3 14:40 Cyber Threat Intelligence
Khulood Al Zaabi (Zayed University, UAE); Omar Alfandi (University of Goettingen & Zayed
University, Germany)
Cyber-attacks are becoming more prevalent across the globe, and organizations need to stay abreast of
the latest threats and risks that are occurring. Several studies have been conducted to demonstrate how to
counterintelligence cyber-threats (CT), in specific Advanced Persistent Threats. However, none of these
studies have proposed a comprehensive Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) program, beginning with the
initial threat, creating an attack profile based on the threat's behavior, and ending in a forensic
investigation. This proposal is aimed to mitigate the security breaches to ascertain how these attacks are
carried out. The researcher believes that such a CTI program is needed for the following reasons: 1. To
demonstrate the CTI issues and challenges; 2. To implement guidelines for CT analysts and therefore,
enhance it's features, and 3. To establish the advantages of a CTI program over traditional solutions.
Furthermore, we have identified and recommended the most effective CTI sub-types.
D2SE2.4 15:00 Survey of Visual Cryptography Schemes
Maya AlHemeiri and Ernesto Damiani (Khalifa University, UAE); Stelvio Cimato (Università degli
Studi di Milano, Italy)
Visual cryptography is based on dividing a binary image (the secret) into shares and distributing these
shares among n participants. The original image can be recovered by stacking together the shares. This
paper provides a survey for different Visual Cryptography Schemes (VCS) techniques.
D2SE2.5 15:20 Design of a Multi-Stage Authentication
Rima Masri and Haneen Hassan (Zayed University, UAE); Monther Aldwairi (Zayed University &
Jordan University of Science and Technology, UAE); May El Barachi (Zayed University, UAE)
This paper designs and implements a three-stage more secure authentication system. In the first stage, the
user's username coupled with the device serial number are required to complete the registration process.
In the second stage, the user must select m squares out of a grid with n squares. In the final stage, the user
must select s out of i images in the same exact order. This paper discusses the advantages and
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disadvantages of the proposed system and we intend to experimentally prove that the proposed system is
very secure and immune to most of today's common attacks.
D2SF2: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Room 1028 (Male side)
D2SF2.1 14:00 A Versatile Hardware Platform for the Development and Characterization of IoT Sensor
Networks
Shahzad Muzaffar and Ibrahim M Elfadel (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
We present an FPGA hardware platform for the prototyping and analysis of ultra-low power IoT sensor
networks using single-channel communication protocols. This FPGA-based IoT network platform is
based on three fundamental ingredients: a full HDL implementation of ultra-low power TI MSP430
microcontroller; a novel ultra-low power single-wire communication protocol that does not require any
clock and data recovery, the protocol is called pulsed-index communication (PIC); embedded C
implementation of the PIC transceivers within the TI MSP430. In one of our bus network analysis, we
have used the Virtex-7 FPGA environment to instantiate the TI MSP430 a number of times equal to the
number of IoT sensors to implement high-throughput, ultra-low power network communication between
the IoT sensors. The platform is also scalable in that the resources used for a two-sensor, point-to-point
communication link is less than 1% of the Virtex-7 available hardware.
D2SF2.2 14:20 Fractional wiener system identification using Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm
Lamia Sersour (University M. Mammeri, Algeria); Tounsia Djamah (University M.Mammeri of Tizi-
Ouzou, Tizi- Ouzou, Algeria); Maamar Bettayeb (University of Sharjah, UAE)
This paper presents the identification of fractional Wiener nonlinear systems. Such systems, consist of a
linear dynamic block followed by a static non-linear subsystem. In this work, Polynomial Non Linear
State Space(PNLSS) models are used to describe them. A non linear optimization algorithm in occurence
Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is developped for the fractional wiener non linear system. Numericul
simulations test the efficiency of the method for various signal to noise ratios.
D2SF2.3 14:40 Breast Tumor Reconstruction Using Photoacoustic Imaging and Compressive Sensing
Umber Umber Mahrukh (UAEU, UAE); Hanan Al-Tous and Imad Barhumi (United Arab Emirates
University, UAE)
Compressive sensing (CS) is a rapidly evolving field in biomedical signal processing. Our objective is to
design low-cost photoacoustic system, which can be used to reconstruct Photoacoustic images of good
quality. In this work, photoacoustic simulations and compressive sensing are used to reconstruct
Photoacoustic images based on different number of sensors, different sensor locations and simulation
durations. Simulation results show that Photoacoustic images of better quality around the tumor can be
reconstructed using non-uniform sensor distribution based on CS framework compared with equal
number of symmetrically distributed sensors around the tumor.
D2SF2.4 15:00 Ultra-Low Power ECG Processing Architecture for Wearable Electronics
Temesghen Tekeste (Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Hani Saleh
(Khalifa University of Sciente, Technology & Research, UAE); Baker Mohammad and Mohammed
Ismail (Khalifa University, UAE)
Electrocardiography (ECG) represents the hearts electrical activity and has features such as QRS
complex, P-wave and T-wave that provide critical clinical information for detection and prediction of
cardiac diseases. This paper presents an ECG processing architecture for extracting ECG features. These
features are utilized to define intervals in order to detect or predict a heart failure. The architecture is
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optimized for ultra-low power applications. The architecture is based on Curve Length Transform (CLT)
for the detection of QRS complex and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) for the delineation of TP
waves. Moreover ultra-low power design techniques such as clock gating and voltage scaling are
implemented so as to minimize the overall power consumption. The architecture is implemented on chip
and has a power consumption of only 4.2uW when operated from a supply voltage of 1V.
D2SG2: Aerospace Engineering
Room 1036 (Male side)
D2SG2.1 14:00 3-D printing of INCO 718 Nickel Superalloy
Ignacio Rubio (Research Assistant & Masdar Institute, UAE); Mamoun Medraj (Masdar Institute, UAE)
High temperature compression samples were manufactured by 3-D printing and tested to investigate on
the high temperature deformation behavior of Inconel 718 manufactured by 3-D printing in a laser
powder bed system.
D2SG2.2 14:20 Dynamic Modeling of a Tilt- Tri- rotor Hybrid UAV
Adnan Saeed, Guowei Cai, Ahmad Bani Younes and Tarek Taha (Khalifa University, UAE)
Hybrid UAVs combine the advantages of fixed-wing and VTOL UAVs where they have the ability of
vertical takeoff and landing as well as high cruising speed and enhanced endurance. In this paper, a
comprehensive high-fidelity model that considers rotor and propeller aerodynamics as well as coaxial
effects is constructed using first-principles approach for hovering mode. The overall model validity is
examined by practical flight experiment.
D2SG2.3 14:40 Pulse Doppler Spectral Moment Estimation by PCA Approach
Zineb Benchebha (Aeronautical Science Laboratory, Algeria); Mohand Lagha (University SAAD
DAHLAB Blida 1 - Algeria & Aeronautical Sciences Laboratory, Algeria); Maamar Bettayeb
(University of Sharjah, UAE)
This report relates to the pulse Doppler weather Radar digital signal processing field and especially about
the estimation of the spectral moments of weather Doppler echoes in severe meteorological situations
such as wind shears, tornadoes, We will analyze in first place the most known algorithms in the literature
such as pulse pair, and Fourier algorithm. We will develop an algorithm based on the Principal
Components Analysis which is a data reduction method. This PCA method will be paired with one of
spectral estimation algorithms. pulse pair in this report.
D2SG2.4 15:00 Effects of Outflow Boundary Location to Sweeping Jet Actuator Performance
Bartossz Jurewicz (KUSTAR, UAE); Kursat Kara (Khalifa University of Science Technology and
Research, UAE)
Innovative aerodynamic technologies will play a key role in improving the next-generation aircraft's
performance. Active flow control using the Sweeping Jet (SWJ) actuators is one of the most promising
technologies to solve critical problems of aerospace industry such as drag and weight reduction, flow
separation, and noise. The performance of SWJ actuator depends upon many parameters such as, flow
rate, size, geometry of feedback channels, design of Coanda surfaces, exit nozzle angle, etc. The main
objective of this paper is to understand internal flow physics, jet oscillation process, and pressure drop
mechanism using Two-Dimensional-Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes simulations. This
understanding will help to the development of design methodologies for the sweeping jet with minimum
pressure losses, controllable sweeping frequency, and a more efficient flow control actuator for required
conditions.
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D2SH2: Robotics & Automation
Room 1038 (Male side)
D2SH2.1 14:00 Human Motion Decoding for Robot Imitation Based Learning Using EMG Signals
Maha Hindi (Khalifa University, UAE); Shaikha Abdulmajeed and Enas Osman (Biomedical Engineer,
UAE); Jorge Dias (Khalifa University, UAE)
As the gap between robots and humans comes closer it is of utmost necessity to have efficient human-
robot control interfaces. The challenge is to build the bridge between observation and execution, the
mapping between human motions and motor programs. In this project, electromyographic (EMG) signals
from muscles of the human upper limb are used as the control interface between the user and robotic
platform which consists of the Mitsubishi arm and Barrett hand. The root mean square (RMS) method is
used to classify and analyze the object's hand gesture into either an open or closed grasp based upon
EMG signals. While the motion capture system is used to capture arm position which is then decoded
into robot motion. Those techniques are then mapped to the two platforms enabling the robot with
dexterous and intelligent manipulation skills through the continuous generalizations of human
demonstrations.
D2SH2.2 14:20 Unsupervised Learning of Behaviors for Virtual Robots using Neural Evolution
Abdullah Abduldayem (Khalifa University, UAE)
One of the challenges in robotics is the optimization of a controller to achieve a given task. With
improvements in simulation technology it has become possible to test behaviors virtually and rapidly
before attempting them on hardware. A method for automatically learning desired behaviors is presented
through a process that mimics biological evolution. The system was able to automatically discover a
variety of viable strategies that optimize a given fitness function. The system was also able to accept pre-
existing strategies and improve them through this process.
D2SH2.3 14:40 Modeling of Novel Passive Variable Stiffness Joint (KURI-PVSJ)
Mohammad Awad (Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research, UAE); Dongming Gan
(Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, UAE); Jorge Dias (Khalifa University, UAE);
Lakmal Seneviratne (KURI, UAE)
In this paper we present the mathematical model of a novel passive variable stiffness joint, the Khalifa
University Robotics Institute Passive Variable Stiffness Joint (KURI-PVSJ). The main feature of PSVJ is
its capability of varying the stiffness from zero (transparent to the user) to infinity (rigid for the user)
condition with a simple mechanical system. More than that, the joint can rotate freely at the zero stiffness
case without any limitation. The stiffness varying mechanism consists of two torsional springs, mounted
with an offset from the PSVJ rotation center, and coupled the joint shaft with an idle roller. The variation
of the resulting output stiffness is obtained by changing the distance of the roller-springs contact point
from the joint rotation center (effective arm).
D2SH2.4 15:00 Identification and PID tuning of quadrotor pitch channel using MRFT
Mohamad Chehadeh (The Petroleum Institute, UAE); Igor Boiko (Petrolum Institute, UAE)
In this paper, we present a novel method for quadrotor modeling and tuning of PID gains using the
Modified Relay Feedback Test (MRFT). We show how to obtain the transfer function for the pitch
channel of the quadrotor and how to design the PID such that they minimize the ITSE performance
index. The proposed method provides several advantages over classical modeling approach.
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D2SI2: Micro/Nano Systems
Room 1058 (Female side)
D2SI2.1 14:00 Microfluidic DEP separation device for detection of cancer cells in blood
Nicholas Hallfors, Anas Alazzam and Bobby Mathew (Khalifa University, UAE)
Here we describe the development of a novel microfluidic device for separation of cancer cells from
diluted blood by Dielectrophoresis (DEP). The separation is based on the balance between
dielectrophoretic and hydrodynamic forces. A microfluidic platform is fabricated using standard
microfabrication techniques. The device consists of a glass substrate and a PDMS block. The present
technique could be applied to find incident cancer at any stage and size that is not yet detectable by
standard diagnostic techniques. The AC signals used in the separation are 20 V peak-to-peak with
frequencies of 10-100 kHz.
D2SI2.2 14:20 GaAs0.7P0.3/Si Dual Junction Tandem "Step-Cell" Under Solar Concentration
Sabina Abdul Hadi (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE); Eugene A. Fitzgerald
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA); Ammar Nayfeh (Masdar Institute of Science &
Technology, UAE)
In this work we present performance of a GaAs0.7P0.3/Si tandem step-cell under concentration. Step-cell
is a multi-junction solar cell with bottom cell partially exposed to direct sunlight in order to boost current
in the bottom cell. Results show that optimum solar concentration is 50 suns with efficiency increasing
from ~31.5% under 1 sun to ~34.5% under 50 suns. This work shows that relatively low concentration
provides maximum efficiency boost for III-V/Si dual junction step-cell and that optimum step-cell design
does not change significantly with solar concentration.
D2SI2.3 14:40 Aluminum Doped ZnO as Anti-reflective Coating for Solar Cell Applications
Muhaira Al Eghfeli (Masdar Institute, UAE)
Simulation and fabrication of Aluminum doped Zinc Oxide (AZO)) as Antireflective coating (ARC) for
thin film-Si solar cell has been studied. Results showed that optimum performance is for absorber doping
NA = 1016 cm-3 and ZnO ARC thickness of 70 nm. 14.78% efficiency and 83% FF is reported for the
modeled device in this work (with ZnO ARC). 90-nm thick ZnO layer is found to have the lowest
reflectance that reaches less than 5% in the wavelength range from 2000 to 3000 nm. In addition, we
fabricate a-Si solar cells with AZO ARC using Atomic Layer Deposition.
D2SI2.4 15:00 Structural and electrical properties of (MOS) structures prepared by electrophoreses deposition of
gold nano-particles on Aluminum/ Hafnium oxides
Ghada Dushaaq (UAE, Abu Dhabi & Masdar Institute of Science & Technology, UAE); Mahmoud
Rasras (Masdar Institute of Technology, UAE); Ammar Nayfeh (Masdar Institute of Science &
Technology, UAE)
Aluminum/ Hafnium oxides on p-type Si substrate with embedded gold (Au) nanoparticles (GNP) were
prepared using Atomic layer deposition (ALD) and electrophoreses deposition (EPD) methods. Ultra
high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) has been used to study the GNP distribution on
Al2O3/HfO2 thin films as a function of samples dipping time. Layers of GNP at the Al2O3/HfO2 /Si
interface were formed with approximately (6-9) nm thickness, thick films of GNP can be achieved for
longer time of deposition. Capacitive-Voltage measurements have been carried out on the metal-oxide-
semiconductor structures under high frequency (1MHz) and the results show wider hysteresis loop for
MOS capacitor with higher time of deposition.
D2SI2.5 15:20 Evaluation of Piezoresistive Sensors for Shoe-Integrated Weight Measurements
Nisrein Sada (Masdar Institute of Science and Techonolgy, UAE)
Congestive heart failure(CHF) affects 10% of the world's population above 65 years . One of the main
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symptom of CHF is edema and recent studies have shown that it can be detected from weight increase up
to two weeks before hospitalization. In this work, we explore the use of shoe-mounted pressure sensors to
continuously, automatically and remotely estimate the weight. We have conducted an experimental study
of various pressure sensors. Our study has revealed that the pressure sensors used in wearable
applications exhibit undesirable properties for precise weight measurements. Specifically, we have
measured and characterized creep, repeatability and noise problems that limit the accuracy and reliability
of weight estimates. Our experimental study includes force sensitive resistors, flexiforce, Velostat,
Neoprene, and semi-conductive polymer composite materials. Different materials have been evaluated
for sensor electrodes and packaging such as copper plates, neoprene and conductive fabrics in order to
reduce noise and creep.
D2SJ2: Civil Engineering
Room 1060 (Female side)
D2SJ2.1 14:00 Sustainable High-Performance Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Ceramic Waste Powder
Sama Aly (United Arab Emirates University, UAE); Amr El-Dieb (United Arab Emirates University &
College of Engineering, UAE); Mahmoud Taha (University of New Mexico, USA)
Various regulating actions were imposed by governments and environmental organizations all over the
world to seize the negative impact on the ecosystem resulting from huge amounts of solid waste materials
being dumped in landfills causing major environmental problems. Recycling of industrial by-products is
a step forward towards sustainable waste management. Utilization of ceramic waste powder (CWP) in
the construction and building industry as a partial replacement for cement will play a significant role in
energy conservation and generation of CO2. This study will focus on determining the optimum
percentage of CWP to yield high-performance self-compacting concrete (HPSCC) with acceptable fresh
and hardened characteristics. The inclusion of CWP as an alternative constituent material will be
evaluated through various tests (i.e. slump flow, J-ring, column segregation test, strength, and durability).
D2SJ2.2 14:20 Identification of factors affecting cost overruns in UAE's road projects
Ihsan AlHosani and Senthilkumar Venkatachalam (University of Sharjah, UAE)
Cost performance is a concern particularly for critical infrastructure projects such as road projects. The
UAE's road projects too suffer from cost overruns. Hence, there is a need for a study substantiation to
identify the causes and its possible solutions. Literature on cost overruns was reviewed to understand
global perception and its major causing causes. With this background, the study focuses on identifying
the main reasons of cost overruns in UAE road projects. The data were collected through structured
questionnaire survey from various project participants and it was analyzed in term of frequency, severity
and importance indices. Investigation on causes of cost overruns with respect to the identified 44
common factors was done. Based on analysis, the top five reasons causing cost overruns are delays in
decisions making by approval authorities, changes in client requirements, construction cost
underestimation, poor site management and frequency of variation orders and additional works.
D2SJ2.3 14:40 Regional Frequency Analysis based on New River Network Information in Arid and Semi-arid
Regions
Kichul Jung, Taha Ouarda and Prashanth Marpu (Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, UAE)
Regional frequency analysis procedures are generally used to provide information to design hydraulic
structures such as irrigations, recharge dams, and reservoirs at ungauged locations. In this analysis, the
proper use of river network characteristics plays an important role in obtaining hydrological variable
estimation. The objective of the present work is to present new physiographical and meteorological
variables associated with the drainage network features by improving the accuracy of flood quantile
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estimation in arid and semi-arid regions, USA. The 105 stations including streamflow records are used
for the analysis. The model to estimate flood quantiles consists of artificial neural networks and canonical
correlation analysis. The tenfold cross-validation approach is applied to assess the model performance.
Based on the study, it is observed that the new physiographical and meteorological variables affect the
performance of the proposed models by enhancing the accuracy of flood quantile estimation.
D2SJ2.4 15:00 A closed form solution for pull-out strength of variable modulus post-installed anchors
Mohd Khan and Kumar Shanmugam (MIST, UAE)
Stress transfer through the interlayer of the adhesively bonded post installed anchors with spatially
varying adhesive stiffness is predicted using a shear-lag model and hence will be used in determining the
pull-out strength of these anchors in comparison with homogeneous bondline anchors. A closed-form
solution is presented for the arbitrary distribution of shear stiffness of the bondline considering both
bonded and debonded embedded-end conditions. For validation, the distribution of shear stress along the
bondline is compared with that of equivalent axisymmetric Finite Element (FE) models and the results
are found to be in good agreement. The theoretical solution developed can be readily used to evaluate the
pull-out performance of post-installed adhesive anchors. Variable stiffness adhesive interfaces deserve an
interest in practical applications to estimate the effect of loss of interface stiffness due to degradation of
the adhesive material.
Thursday, April 28, 15:40 - 16:15
Coffee Break
Room: Lobby (Male side), Building E1
Thursday, April 28, 16:15 - 17:00
Closing Ceremony
Auditorium, Room G020 (Male side), Building E1
Closing Remarks
Best Paper Awards