Masdar Institute patents puts it among key contributors to Abu Dhabi's economic diversification

Abu Dhabi (WAM): Within five years since its inception, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has earned the distinction of obtaining three approved patents with an additional 39 patent applications pending and over 60 invention disclosures. These achievements are in addition to over 400 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, as well as 280 conference proceedings, 19 book chapters, and two full books. But even more significant are the start-up companies established by two Masdar Institute students. The start of these companies based on student research is a result of Masdar Institute's drive to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. In addition, there are several negotiations currently under way with some national and international companies to explore current commercial opportunities that will be based on the technology innovations achieved by faculty members. This list of achievements shows how Masdar Institute is working to help establish ‘Silicon Valley-style' technology parks in Abu Dhabi to help it achieve its knowledge economy transformation targets.. As part of its efforts, Masdar Institute has developed core capabilities in its research and academic programmes that underlie the complex systems solutions that are critical to the development of technology-based industries in Abu Dhabi. Five Masdar Institute Research Centres (iCentres) and a number of sponsored research centres work to focus its research activities into areas of importance to Abu Dhabi and its industries. Masdar Institute announced during the World Future Energy Summit 2014, the launch of the five iCentres - Institute Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iInnovation), Institute Centre for Energy (iEnergy), Institute Centre for Water and Environment (iWater), Institute Centre for Microsystems (iMicro) and Institute Centre for Smart and Sustainable Systems (iSmart). Currently, these five iCentres are collectively inspiring Masdar Institute's continued evolution into a regionally-focused but globally-recognised university that produces knowledge and technologies across the sustainability spectrum. The iCentres also reflect the outcome of more than 40 successful research collaborations Masdar Institute has entered into with government and private sector organisations over the last few years. More recently, iMicro marked the first anniversary of the ATIC-SRC Centre of Excellence for Energy Efficient Electronic Systems (ACE4S), one of the key sponsored research centres at Masdar Institute, by gathering an array of industry stakeholders. At the gathering several Masdar Institute faculty affiliated to iMicro gave research presentations reiterating Masdar Institute's role in driving research in semiconductor sector. ACE4S was set up last year by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) and the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC). Earlier in the academic year, Masdar Institute announced a far-reaching regrouping of its eight academic programmes under four departments. They are: the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Department of Engineering Systems and Management (ESM), Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) and the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (CEE). The new structure has successfully created a strong synergy amongst the programmes and new opportunities for interdisciplinary research. The departments have helped in fostering research in core domains aligned with the UAE's evolving research and human capital needs. Additionally, the launch of a new Master's programmes in Sustainable Critical Infrastructure further amplifies Masdar Institute's pledge to continue driving innovations while developing human capital in clean energy and advanced energy areas. Currently, a total of 428 students are enrolled in Masdar Institute's eight Master's and one PhD programmes. They are guided and supported by a globally acclaimed faculty numbering 81. – Emirates News Agency, WAM