5^th World Congress on Smart and Emerging Materials April 19-20, 2018 Dubai, UAE

Nazrin Abdullayeva is currently a PhD student in the Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering Department at the TOBB University of Economics and Technology (TOBB ETU), Ankara, Turkey. She has graduated from the Department of Chemical Engineering of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey in 2015. She has received her Master’s degree in Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering from TOBB University of Economics and Technology (TOBB ETU), Ankara, Turkey in 2017. She has carried out researches in the field of conductive polymers and ionomers, photovoltaic devices, semiconductor materials and thin film solar cell applications.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) constituting a large space in the electrochemical systems used in energy storage purposes are best known for their long-lasting life services, simple manufacturing, low cost and safety properties. Li-flow batteries being a representative of aqueous RFBs has a potential of becoming one of the major used battery types for its suitable and higher voltages in contrast to other RFBs based on proton chemistry. In Li-flow batteries, membrane acts as the separating layer between two electrolyte compartments that prevents the crossover of the charged molecules. The suitable membrane selection is a crucial factor that strongly affects the efficiency of the device. As far as we know, NafionTM has been widely used in the flow battery systems, so far. However, there is no significant study performed in the field of membrane optimization for Li RFBs. Herein, for the very first time we introduce disulfonated poly (arylene ether sulfone) (BPSH) copolymers as an alternative membrane for Li RFBs. Sodium form of copolymer has successfully been converted into acid and lithium forms. Fundamental material characterizations such as FTIR), Raman, TGA, AFM, H+ and Li+ conductivities, cyclic voltammetry and performance evaluations have been widely studied to identify chemical, electrochemical and structural properties of the membranes. Additionally, the influence of basic membrane properties such as water uptake, proton conductivities and the ion exchange capacities on the Li ion transport has been investigated. It has been shown that a correlation exists between the conductivity of lithiated membranes and molarity of conducting solution. The highest lithium conductivity was measured as 39.07 Scm-1 at 1M LiClO4 solution. Moreover, the degree of the chemical interaction of Li+ ions with the sulfonate functional groups has been demonstrated by several methods such as FTIR and RAMAN studies. The FTIR peak shift at 1140 cm-1 and Raman shifts at 1155 cm-1 corresponding to the S=O symmetric stretching represent the interaction taking place between Li+ ions with the membrane. AFM studies has revealed that hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains have been well defined for acid and salt (Li+ and Na+) form of the membranes.

Fatima Al Hameli has completed her graduation from Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi UAE with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2012. She has worked as a Senior Lab Technician for 3 years in the Microscopy Department of Borouge Ptv. Ltd. Innovation Center, which focused on developing new polymeric material for the market. Currently she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Khalifa University (Masdar Institute branch) in Materials Science and Engineering Department.

Solar energy is one of the most readily accessible sources of renewable energy that may be utilized in the United Arab Emirates. Yet at the same time the UAE has one of the most severe weather conditions as it has a harsh desert climate with high amounts of dust, and temperatures may reach up to 50 °C in the summer. Sand and tiny pebbles accumulate on solar panels forming small scratches on the coating surface resulting in reduction of its mechanical and optical properties, therefore reducing the potential maximum energy output. A proposed solution is the application of an epoxy coating with self-healing properties. Self-healing materials are commonly classified as either autonomic or non-autonomic materials. To benefit from both approaches this project will aim at utilizing both capsule based and intrinsic self-healing. The project also aims at utilizing the high temperatures of the UAE to act as the external stimulus to activate the intrinsic self-healing. The proposed self-healing coating is achieved by adding cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) as the intrinsic healing agent and using halloysite nanotubes (HNT) to sequester healing agents as the capsule based approach. Various concentrations of CAB in epoxy are tested to obtain the best concentration for complete healing. Multiple healing temperature and time are also tested to obtain the optimum healing conditions. Samples were tested in outdoor conditions to study the effect of the weather and dust on the samples. Based on thermal and mechanical tests for complete healing of the material the optimum composition is an epoxy composite with 3 vol% CAB and 1 vol% HNT and the optimum healing temperature is 110 °C. Outdoor testing was carried out for three months during winter until the samples failed due to delamination. The addition of CAB provided improvement to the epoxy material to withstand weather conditions.

Anumol Thomas is currently a 4th year student of B.Arch in Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, UAE. Her dissertation topic was focused on illusions in architecture, where she studied the different techniques used to create illusions. She has also focused on different smart materials which brought in kinetism such as interactive movements into architecture.

Visual disruptions are the future of modern designs through illusions in architecture. Optical illusions have long been a useful tool for architects. Perhaps most famously, the ancient Greeks used them in the construction of the Parthenon. The interactive movement in architecture through kinetics is also one method to explain about illusions. The motion of small parts together can largely obtain the concept of kinetic architecture. The current lack of extension in the actual movement application in architecture refers to the complexity of the design and the high cost and difficulty of execution; however the evolution in smart materials makes it simpler and easier. The evolution of architecture from static and stability to dynamic and movement has been accompanied by changes in the architectural thought. The interactive material with wind using kinetics has been explained. Inspired by the beauty of grass blowing in the wind, Super Cilia Skin has become the tactile and visual system. An array of computer-controlled actuators (Cilia) is connected to an elastic membrane. These actuators represent data by changing their physical alignment. It has the potential to replay dynamic gestures over time and to communicate remote gestures; this makes it a potentially important tool for tactual communication and education. These cilia move in response to computer-controlled magnetic fields created under the membrane, allowing them to represent information by dynamically changing their physical orientation. The device is designed to sense physical gestures on the cilia and to replay those gestures by fluttering the same cilia that were tapped. On an architectural scale, a facade superimposed with Super Cilia Skin could represent the “wake” of a local wind pattern blowing up and down the surface during the day generating energy. The entire surface of the facade responds to wind via thousands of 9-inch squares of perforated aluminium mounted on low friction hinges. A photographic mosaic of sand dune images is formed from the perforations of the moving panel. Intricate shadow images of the dunes are projected onto the walls and floor of the building lobby, when sunlight passes through the screens. The optical qualities of the skin alter fiercely with the weather and the time of day.

Aishwarya Thomas is currently a 4th year student of B.Arch program at MAHE, Dubai campus. The mentioned smart technology including a kinetic energy system and pavagen tiling system, has been referred to for use in her undergraduate thesis project which focuses on creating a sustainable campus, reducing levels of inactivity amongst the youth and young adults and the community as a general in the UAE by establishing certain principles of sustainability within the campus and connecting it to the built environment.

Physical inactivity is a major health threat to the global population and in recent years, there has been an increasing body of literature about the fact that the people in Dubai are not getting enough physical activity. According to a disease study report, the obesity rate in the UAE is double the world average more than 2.1 billion people; close to 30 per cent of the global population are overweight or obese, the World Health Organization says. This project plans to research the relationship between physical inactivity and architecture. It is essential that architectural design be re-thought to increase the physical activity levels within the built environment. An alternative approach needs to be looked at, when talking about the design framework and it should definitely focus on convenience without reducing activity with the increase of physical activity levels. A smart approach to achieve this would be a range of considerations to increase the amount of physical behaviors within an individual to produce energy expenditure by individuals in Dubai. The concept of interaction with buildings where change and response could be connected with the physical movement alongside the building is an interesting concept. A kinetic energy system where pedestrian foot fall could be used to power a digital screen so the building can interact with the physical act of walking past could be thought off. It could create a fun and innovative environment that encourages people to enter a space. With potential uses being, passive walker past or even urban street dance competitions or events. Pavegen tiling systems is a tile based urban design feature that captures the kinetic energy from a pedestrian’s footfall and harvests and/or reuses it to power certain off the grid electrical devices. They will be used throughout the design but mainly with relation to an interactive wall. The kinetic energy from foot fall is stored and used to power the LED lights in the wall to create an interactive relationship between the architecture and the physical activity powering it.

Sundara Vadhana Gurushev is currently a 4th year undergraduate student in the B.Arch. program at the School of Design and Architecture at Manipal Academy of Higher Education-Dubai Campus. She is currently working on her design dissertation and thesis on the topic “Archetypes and Identities in Architecture”, that looks at the transition in Emirati Architecture from its vernacular form to the contemporary form. As President of the Conservation and Environment Team at MAHE-Dubai, she has actively been a part of various sustainability initiatives and has led the team to being winners of the Sustainable Campus Initiative by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi. She is also a part of the UNGC Local Network as a Youth Ambassador.

Archetype, in Jungian theory, is a primitive mental image inherited from the earliest human ancestors and supposed to be present in the collective unconscious. Identity refers to one’s unique façade, so to speak, in this case, a country’s history or culture. Vernacular Architecture is referred to as ‘Architecture of the People’. It becomes a language of form and culture which gives rise to identities unique to its context. Architectural identities, however, do not necessarily mean monuments or magnificent structures. The architectural identity of a region can be found in the most basic houses of the region. This study focuses on the vernacular design elements that can be reinterpreted and adapted into present day architecture of the gulf. Sudare, the famous Japanese bamboo blinds and Uchimizu, a Japanese air-cooling technique that uses water-spray to cool the surroundings. These were the foundations of the BioSkin Facade system, developed by Nikken Sekkei for the Sony Tower in Osaka back in 2011. The reinterpretation of two ancient techniques by infusing them with existing technology, won the company the CTBUH 2014 award for Innovation. The system uses ceramic pipes which have rainwater harvested on the rooftop running through them. These pipes are exposed to the heat of the buildings surroundings which lets the water evaporate, thus, cooling the immediate surroundings. This second skin facade of Sony Tower reduces its cooling load while also eliminating Urban Heat Island Effect. The concept is similar to that of a Mashrabiya found in the gulf region. The Mashrabiya in olden times was an intricately carved screen that sometimes had a pot of water that cooled the hot air passing through the screen. Applying a similar concept to the gulf region, the BioSkin Facades could be applied in this region as well. Although the system uses rainwater, something that is not found in the gulf; the water could instead be replaced with grey water, which is found globally and can be sourced from the building itself. This would mean the existence of a second skin system that can be adapted and used globally, even in regions where rainwater harvesting is not feasible.

Saigeethalakshmi is a student of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, U.A.E. Her current thesis project focusses on designing a textile factory which will show the industrial architecture and the concept of the free flowing concrete texture on the building façade. The probable conclusion that would come in the future is to challenge and show that factory, industrial architecture and design also has to narrate its own story.

When we think of factories or any industrial buildings, beauty’s usually not the first thing to come to mind, but apparently think of dirt, mud, toxic waste, impurity contamination, dim and dull box like warehouse structures with no sunlight entry inside. But this is not the truth. Factory buildings repeatedly offer a chance for architects to experiment with form, materiality, and structural techniques. Beauty in industrial architecture conveys various factors including exterior design, interior functionality, environmental efficiency and landscape layout. All of them have to narrate their story. The product named “Crushed wall” is the latest architectural installation designed by British artist Walter Jack (Pic: 1 & 2) which tells how the texture and the form of textiles can be used to create architecture. This material is designed at the entrance of the heartlands project in Cornwall, UK, the expansive 40-metre long, 3-metre high wall utilizes concrete in such a way that it appears as soft and malleable, partially wrapping around the perimeter of a building. The product being concrete has tried to reflect the fluidity of textile. Material used is Bardon Cemflow A, a free flowing, self-compacting mix of concrete of an architectural grade, used for finishes, a sheet of rubber and plywood. Concrete isn’t known for its tactile qualities also not noted for its fluid softness. And yet it is a liquid. The challenge of this concrete material is to retain continuity of the fluid form of concrete and mirror it with the textile texture accuracy to ensure continuity of form. Benefits of the material: Reduced labour requirements and lower site noise levels, flexible placing options and reductions of placing and finishing time and improved output in precast environments.

Christy Paul Joseph is a student currently enrolled in the 4th Year of the Bachelors in Architecture (B.Arch) Program in MAHE Manipal, Dubai Campus, UAE. His research largely revolves around the interpretative planning and schematic implementation of a design that echoes the character of a renowned genius, Leonardo Da Vinci. The design aims at complementing the tropical climate in its site of inception, while incorporating parametric façade skins that envelope the organic framework while generating a daylit illuminance in the exhibition space.

Eco-Panelling is about the development of building envelope solutions for tropical humid climates involving passive control of thermal gains on their surfaces, allowing for better internal conditions and thermal comfort without the use of thermal machine. Environmental principles, design and technological aspects are specifically defined based on the peculiar conditions (ego climatic, technological of biodiversity and economic) present in the Middle Eastern low altitude regions, marked by constant high temperatures. Thermal and CFD simulations orient the process of experimental verification through parametric design. Within the design component presented here; different stages of development can be defined. It involves a wide literature review and the analysis of various façade configurations, placing emphasis on those solutions of a local nature and responding to the climatic conditions of the particular case of interest i.e. hot and humid climates. A number of designs were compiled and 3D modelled for the purple of analysis. Following that, a general structure was proposed guided by 3 main determining factors: functional, technological and environmental. Each group had specific factors and was translated into design possibilities but the changing parameters, their relative values and simulation based evaluations producing a conceptual parametric structure. Having defined and developed the parametric design structure the final stage looks for a particular implementation of such model where the generic values given to materials nad design technologies will be replaced by commercially available, low embedded and energy components that showed high performance levels in pre evaluations of their environmental and functional behaviour.

Polyurethanes (PUs) are one of the vastly studied synthetic polymers in tissue engineering applications due to their diverse compositions and tunable physiochemical properties. A series of novel poly ethylene glycol/poly lactic acid (PEG-PLA) diols are synthesized. The success of synthesis and the structure of the block copolymers are demonstrated by FT-IR and H NMR analyses. The aim of this study is to develop a series of diols as soft segment for biodegradable urethane products. Making alteration to PEG:PLA ratio results in different degradation rates and mechanical properties of the urethane products. Briefly, PEG was reacted with lactic acid through a ring-opening polymerization using Sn(Oct)2 as catalyst at 180 ℃ under a N2 atmosphere to obtain a PLA-PEG-PLA block copolymer. The produced polymer was then precipitated successively in n-hexane/ethyl acetate solution. It shows the FT-IR spectra of PEG, PLA and PEG-PLA product. The characteristic absorption at 1753 cm-1 (C=O stretching) is observed, demonstrating the formation of ester linkage connecting PEG-PLA components. 1369 cm−1, 1456 cm−1 are respectively attributed to methyl and deformation vibration of C-H. The absorption peak at 2882 cm-1 indicates the presence of the alkyl C-H (stretching) bond in PEG spectra which agrees with the same peak in the PEG-PLA spectra. In conclusion, PEG-PLA block copolymers were prepared successfully. A series of PEG-PLA block copolymers were synthesized by ring opening polymerization of lactic acid and poly ethylene glycol. Copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared spectroscopy (IR), which confirmed that those were synthesized successfully. This synthetic diol can be used as soft segment for degradable polyurethane products in tissue engineering.

Nujood Saeed Ali AlShehhi is currently pursuing her Master’s graduation in Khalifa University (Masdar Institute branch) and working on her Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering. Her research focus is on developing a polymer coating material with anti-reflective and anti-soiling properties as part of the project of a super coating.

This research paper focuses on the fabrication of antireflection and anti-soiling polymer composite by means of spray coating, which can be applied for solar panels. Due to the frequent sandstorms within the region dust accumulates on the panels reducing their efficiency in the absorption of solar radiation and because of scarcity of water sources in the Middle East in general the frequent cleaning consumes a lot of money and water. The objective is to fabricate and develop a coating for solar panels with anti-soiling and anti-reflection characteristics. The composite material chosen is the mineral material halloysite nanotube (HNTs). HNTs are chemically non-toxic and can be found in large amounts at low prices. The proposed method involves spray coating a polymer composite followed by plasma etching the surface to generate the necessary roughness. The first step is to etch the surface by exposing the samples to varying types of plasma with certain condition, varying time and concentration to obtain a rough surface and to make the etched surface suitable for the air refractive index. The second step is functionalization of the etched surface by CF4 plasma surface treatment. The Scanning Electron Microscope image shows how the different types of etching can affect the surface roughness, how HNTs are exposed to enhance the light transmission and to reduce/increase the wettability between the surface and the contact angle to achieve anti-reflection and self-cleaning properties. Optical and surface properties are further studied using spectroscopy and goniometer testing. From the results the optimum HNT concentration is 20 wt.% and the optimum etching conditions are etching with CF4 gas at 2 Pa and high power for 10 minutes. Finally, the spray coating can be developed with multi-characterization, long stability and low-cost coating that can easily be scaled up and applied onto current solar cells.

Aman Ullah received his PhD in Chemical Sciences and Technologies in 2010 at the University of Genova, Italy by working together at Southern Methodist University, USA. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow before accepting an Assistant Professor position at the University of Alberta. He has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals and three patents/patent applications. His research is focused on the development of biochemicals, biopolymers/biomaterials from lipids and other renewable resources.

Biodegradability and renewability has led renewed interest in protein based films reinforced with nanoparticles. Bionanocomposites have gained attention because of their enhanced material properties with the aid of nano-reinforcements. The effects of two different nanoparticles, montmorillonite (MMT) and cellulose nano-crystals (CNCs), at different loading contents (0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 10%) were studied as a reinforcement material in modified chicken feather keratin. Compression molding was employed to prepare bionanocomposites films thermo-plastically. The effect of CNC and MMT addition, their disposition and impact on the final material properties was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The morphology of in situ modified keratin-based nano-composites and the extent of nanoparticle dispersion was observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), respectively. The molecular level interactions of CNC’s and MMT’s with keratin biopolymer were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Results indicated improved thermal stability and shift in glass transition temperature for both nano-reinforced bio-composites. Tensile strength was enhanced significantly with the addition of MMT; however, increased percent elongation was observed in case of CNC-reinforced biomaterials. The changes in the chemical bonding of keratin biopolymer reinforced with MMT/CNC compared to neat keratin biopolymer were observed by XPS spectra. These results suggest that high performance bio-nanomaterials can be developed from feather keratin through in situ dispersion of MMT and CNC nanoparticles, followed by compression molding.

Arun M Umarji had pursued his PhD from IIT and held Postdoctoral positions at Argonne National Laboratory, USA and at TIFR in Mumbai. He has been a Faculty Member of the Materials Research Centre since 1987. He was a Visiting Faculty Member at the Ceramics and Materials Engineering Department, Rutgers University, USA.

Semiconductor to metal transition (SMT) in metal oxide is the most fascinating field of research in materials science. This transition can be triggered by thermal, electrical, strain, etc. where oxides show a drastic change in resistivity. Large number of oxides are known to show this kind of transition but VO2 shows this transition near to room temperature (TSMT ~68 ºC). It undergoes a change in crystal structure from monoclinic phase (M1, P21/c) to tetragonal phase (R, P42/mnm). Due to this phase transition it has been used for various applications like smart windows, metamaterial, bolometers, etc. Herein, we report the synthesis of device quality VO2 thin films. Various methods like home-built Ultrasonic Nebulized Spray Pyrolysis of Aqueous Combustion Mixture (UNSPACM), Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) and DC Reactive sputtering have been employed to synthesize the thin films. The structural characterization of the thins films have been carried out by XRD and Raman measurements which confirms the M1 phase of VO2 at room temperature followed by high temperature measurements to study the phase change to R phase. A temperature dependent resistance measurement confirms the SMT transition at 68 ºC with a three-four order of magnitude change in resistance. Temperature dependent IR measurements show ~80% change in reflectance across the phase transition where the thin film acts as an IR reflector (T>TSMT). Effect of substrate, synthesis process, post-annealing on SMT have been studied.

Janah Shaya is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Instructor with the CNRS at the IPCMS of Strasbourg (Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg) in collaboration with Kyushu University, Japan. He had obtained his PhD degree with honor distinction and medal from University of Nice, Sophia Antipolis in France. His work was peer-reviewed and selected for filming for the ACS website at the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia. His principal axes of research are material sciences, biosensors, organic synthesis, photophysics electrochemistry and applications (energy storage systems and CO2 valorization). He is currently the Co-Editor of two books on carbon dioxide and cross couplings with Interchopen publisher.

Dumbbell-shaped molecules containing large pi-stacking platforms at the molecular termini were found to be of high interest for solution-processable low band gap donor molecules for efficient bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell. Different types of pi-stacking platforms were already reported (e.g., Pyrene, Perylenedimide, Triazatruxene) leading to molecular self-assemblies, ultimately leading to good photovoltaic performances. Metal phthalocyanines are large and functionalizable aromatic platforms which constitute promising pi-staking units in the design of novel molecules for organic photovoltaic applications. In this line, we have developed a series of dumbbell-shaped molecules, containing Zinc Phthalocyanine as the terminal pi-staking platforms and a Dithieno benzothienothiophene derivative as the central connecting moiety. In this presentation we will describe the synthesis and characterization of the molecules. It will be shown in particular, that the chains substituted to the Phthalocyanine platforms is of high importance, as the chain density controls the molecular organization and the nature of the linking groups (OR, SR, SO2R) can be used to control the absorption and energy levels of the molecules.

Manoj Gupta is a former Head of Materials Division of the Mechanical Engineering Department and Director designate of Materials Science and Engineering Initiative at NUS, Singapore. He has received his PhD (Materials Science) from University of California, Irvine, USA (1992), and Postdoctoral Research at University of Alberta, Canada (1992). He has published over 475 peer reviewed journal papers and owns two US patents. He has also co-authored five books and serves as Chief Editor and Editorial Boards of many international journals.

In search of high performance metallic alloys, high entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as a new class of alloy system. In traditional metal alloys, minor addition of alloying elements to the principal metal is made for property improvement. HEAs are fundamentally different from the traditional metal alloys in which they are composed of five or more principal elements with equiatomic or near equiatomic concentrations. The use of five or more elements at near equiatomic compositions contributes to high configurational entropy in HEAs which leads to the possible formation of disordered, single phase solid solution in equiatomic HEAs. Recently, research efforts have been made on the development of non-equiatomic HEAs to further explore the new alloy systems. In the current investigation, the lightweight high entropy alloys (LWHEAs) were designed based on the strategy of non-equiatomic composition, high entropy of mixing coupled with low density. A series of non-equiatomic HEAs containing light metals such as Mg, Al, Li and Si were synthesized with primary aim of reducing the density below 3 g/cc. The technique of disintegrated melt deposition (DMD) was used to synthesize the high entropy alloys. Following synthesis, characterization studies were done on the as-cast alloys. Particular emphasis was placed to examine and understand the microstructural development and resultant influence of microstructure on mechanical properties such as hardness. Given the continual demand of lightweight materials for weight critical applications such as in transportation sector, the efforts have been made to develop light weight, high performance HEAs targeting lightweight applications to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.