By Batoul Kashوانی.

Sharjah, November 3 (WAM) - The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex, launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah in 2016, has achieved a number of objectives aimed at building a rich knowledge economy in the region, establishing a sustainable complex with world-class infrastructure and services, stimulating various sectors concerned with development and innovation, representing the country as a global destination for research, technology and innovation, providing high quality logistical services, encouraging local innovation, supporting innovators in setting up their own companies, and promoting research ideas that can be turned into tangible products.

The Complex - which is managed by the American University of Sharjah’s Business Development Company - focuses on several key areas in its innovative scientific research, including a range of studies in water management, environmental technology, renewable energy, transport technology, logistics services and smart manufacturing and digitization.

One of the most important projects hosted by the Complex is a large-scale, unique research project at the global level, carried out in partnership with the global company Marlin. The project aims to identify and develop innovative ways for a sustainable future, focusing on key issues such as food, water and housing. It offers many technical solutions to benefit from natural resources, including innovative farming methods (horizontal, vertical and aerial) and devices for desalinating water using solar energy.

     The Green Homes project, developed by Marlen Global Company at its site in the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex, is considered one of its most important innovations. These homes are described as green due to the ideal environment they provide as a place of residence with specifications that are friendly to all components of nature and clean energy. Lightweight structures that can be assembled quickly using high-quality fiber-reinforced polymer technologies are built. A house can be constructed in one day, and these houses can last longer than conventional homes.

     These homes, which are in harmony with their surroundings, have special specifications that provide complete insulation from surrounding climatic conditions such as sound, heat, wind, and other environmental factors. The house also provides its inhabitants with internal agricultural technologies that provide fresh food daily from some types of natural vegetables that also create a natural atmosphere.

    Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex announced the joining of Civil Twin, a leading Spanish company in the field of renewable energy and solar panels. It will deploy and test the latest renewable energy technologies at the complex in collaboration with several government, private, and academic institutions by establishing an experimental photovoltaic plant. This will be done in successive stages to represent a research and testing center for solar energy with new technologies at the complex as a reference for research and development in the region in this type of technology.

    The center includes a field for testing photovoltaic panels to provide independent measurement procedures for the performance, reliability and durability of PV panel models and related technical equipment. It will conduct research on the performance of concentrated solar power under regional climatic conditions.

      The complex unveiled the first product from the Sharjah Open Innovation Labs (SOILAB), the Sulmi EB-ONE electric bicycle, which was designed and manufactured using advanced technologies and futuristic design by the Emirati startup Sulmi, operating at the complex, with the help of Emirati engineers.

     Sulmi is one of the prominent Emirati startups that provides clean energy and mobility solutions in the complex. It works to develop future transportation technologies, including autonomous vehicle driving. The company also manufactures electric vehicles and offers a variety of technical products and services. Its team combines the best skills and expertise to achieve its vision and ambition to provide locally produced transportation products with global quality.

    Clean mobility technology and the use of electric bicycles are part of global efforts to combat climate change, contributing to achieving the goals of COP28 by reducing carbon emissions and improving sustainability in the transport sector.

    In order to promote the concept of green mobility in the future, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex (SRTIC) has started a partnership with Hungary’s John von Neumann University (JvNU) to offer an experimental test for the Megalux race car that runs on both solar and electric power. The unique design of this boat-like vehicle was assembled at the complex by a team from JvNU, which developed the solar vehicle.

  The Hungarian Megalux race car receives energy from a 6 square meter solar panel. The single-track vehicle is equipped with a two-circuit hydraulic braking system and has a weight of approximately 160 kg. It also contains a plastic body and carbon fiber structure, which allows it to reach speeds up to 120 km/h in the experimental phase.

    The complex also unveiled the first model of an electric car that uses solar energy, “Laitier0”. This model has arrived at the complex from Sharjah and is set to be the first test and sales center for the Dutch company Laitier’s innovative electric-solar vehicle in the world. This will strengthen university research exchange programs on electric vehicles equipped with the ability to run on solar power.

      Lite-On is one of the innovative and powerful companies in the world of electric vehicles that can run on solar energy. It has launched its revolutionary car, Lite-On Zero, which can be charged with solar energy or regular household electrical outlets. The vehicle can rely solely on solar power for long distances during driving. The company plans to launch its first test drive and also intends to produce its new car and deliver the first batch of orders to customers in Europe by November 2023.

      The Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Complex hosts one of the largest laboratories and centers for applied scientific research in smart transportation globally. It is home to a major global company specializing in the intelligent transportation sector. The complex serves as its headquarters for developing an innovative solution system that embodies the modern concept of urban mobility within cities. Research, development, and testing of these advanced technologies are conducted in Sharjah before being marketed in major world capitals.

    A global company has started construction on the aerial gondola project in its designated area at the complex, which will be a live model of the strategic partnership between the private investment sector represented by the implementing company and the research academic sector at the American University in Sharjah. The first test phase of the project was completed and the suspended cars began operating for short distances; work is currently underway on the next phase, which will operate over longer distances, making it the first practical application of this type of modern transportation in the region.

     This national project and new global technology offered by the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex aims to transfer and localize knowledge in line with the country's strategy for leading sustainable development and economic growth in all aspects of life, including transportation and logistics, as well as enriching knowledge. It also seeks to achieve the emirate’s academic, scientific, and economic goals of broadening scientific horizons and achieving tangible research and innovation achievements that promote the concept of innovation and scientific progress, while acting as a catalyst for economic growth by connecting major commercial and industrial centers and providing a safe and reliable means of transportation for future generations. This will be achieved through the establishment of a new transport sector in the country. These types of trains will carry passengers and containers between cities, marking a qualitative leap in the world of land freight.

In partnership with the American University of Sharjah, the Center launched a research project on sustainable energy solutions to develop new technologies for producing green hydrogen, which is one of the most promising future technologies. A team of researchers from faculty members and graduate students in the Science and Materials Engineering program are conducting unique experiments and studies to develop low-cost technologies for producing green hydrogen and synthetic fuel through direct electrolysis of seawater. They are also researching the production of new, durable materials for electrolyzers that can reduce the cost of these processes and improve their performance. The team is working on developing other methods for using hydrogen and finding practical solutions for its transportation. One proposed solution is to convert the produced hydrogen into fuels and chemicals that can be transported more easily.

The project aims to turn these research and experiments into an applied reality through integration between the academic sector and the private sector under government sponsorship. There are many advanced research projects being developed by researchers in university laboratories and various sectors and specialties, and the Center's role is to find appropriate mechanisms for applying those research and turning them into investments.