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The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) recently granted a license to the Al Hameli International Group to make use of two patents to recycle carbon residues using nanotechnology. This agreement is for 12 to15 years. The two parties signed a licensing agreement while participating in the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) on Wednesday 25^th of Februray, 2015.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, Vice Chancellor of UAEU, signed the agreement on behalf of the university with Mr. Salem Mohammed Al-Hameli, the Chairman of the Al Hameli International Group.

His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of UAEU, noted that this agreement is the first of its kind for a UAE university and is in keeping with the directives of the UAE’s leadership, headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Such initiatives are also supported by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Such agreements help to promote the UAE’s vision of inculcating leadership, excellence and innovation in line with the UAE Vision 2021.

He added that UAEU embodies the vision of the country’s leadership towards finding renewable solutions in strategic areas of interest, whether locally, regionally or on a global level. This is especially important as the country seek to encourage innovation by adopting suitable policies and initiatives that will attract innovative talent. UAEU also seeks to develop talent and innovative ability by providing a supportive environment that encourages the pursuit of knowledge, research, innovation and a continuous renewal of efforts that contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and technology. All of this supports efforts to diversify the UAE’s economy and promotes the aspiration to build an intellectual, developmental, research-driven and sustainable community. This is reflected in the UAE’s status within the Arab World. The UAE economy ranks third in West Asia and North Africa and 36^th out of 143 countries worldwide, according to the Global Innovation Index compiled by New York based, Cornell University in 2014.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Noaimi pointed out that the technology licensed to the Al Hameli International Group is based on innovative ways to convert carbon waste to new and eco-friendly nano-carbon compounds. It has a high commercial value yet is produced at a low cost. It can be used in many industries whether military or civilian, such as in producing high-speed computer chips, solar cells, TV screens, bullet-proof vests and equipment as well as many other important industrial applications. Licensing the intellectual property rights to this technology to a national company supports the national economy and opens the door to the development of many other advanced industries, which were hitherto limited to major industrialized countries. There is also the possibility of exporting large quantities of these nano-carbon compounds.

The Chairman of the Al Hameli International Group mentioned the company’s interest in the production of ultrafine carbon pipes in large commercial quantities. These pipes consist of carbon atoms arranged in a cylindrical diameter of 20 nm with a length of one millimeter. They are characterized by excellent electricity and heat conduction and a high level of durability: greater than that of steel. These pipes are traditionally produced in small quantities where each does not exceed the weight of one gram. The production technique requires high-purity black carbon and large amounts of energy. Conversely, Professor Yousef Haik’s innovative technique makes use of new technology and is very cost-effective for large volume production.

Professor Ghaleb Ali Alhadrami, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, explained that Professor Yousef Haik had worked on the recycling of carbon waste technology during his time as a professor in the College of Engineering at UAEU. He conducted his experiments in UAEU’s state-of-the-art laboratories to produce this new eco-friendly technology without any side effects on public health. He also noted the role of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office at UAEU who negotiated for over a year with the Al Hameli Group regarding both technical and legal aspects of the franchise, taking into account the policies and regulations of the university as regards the granting of intellectual property licenses. He also appreciated the collaboration of the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee.