Current Research

Seawater for Process Cooling:  The proposal addresses the environmental impact of adding anti-biofouling chemicals (a form of biocides) to seawater discharged into the Arabian Gulf.  Seawater-induced biofouling - caused by the build-up of living organisms - of heat exchangers and related equipment is a standard problem that is controlled conventionally by adding a biocide to the flow stream, usually a compound of chlorine.  Chlorine, however, reacts with bromide and other naturally occurring elements of seawater to form oxidants which can, in turn, react with other organic species in the seawater to form toxic halogenated compounds. In principle, such compounds pose an environmental and health threat, especially given the huge amount of treated seawater discharged into the gulf by Qatar’s industrial plants. The proposed work will investigate the chemical, physical, and biological process of the biocide reactions, develop tools to predict their transport and fate in the environment, and suggest regulatory standards for biocide concentrations in seawater cooling systems.

Triple-play Network Protocols:  In telecommunications, a triple play network protocol defines the rules and conventions for communication between high-speed internet access and visualization and telephonic services. The telecom infrastructure is continuously evolving with the emergence of revolutionary internet and related devices contained in one handheld mobile unit.  The project will investigate and develop the network protocols and the traffic management and transmission control procedures that are must be in place to handle the modern telecom infrastructure at reasonable cost to the consumer. The goal is to design delay-based protocols that will be robust in heterogeneous environments and provide low loss rates, low queuing delays and high utilization of network links.

Transmission over Wireless Networks:  There is a demand for ready access to multimedia wireless transmission: to transmit, for example, critical medical information (x-rays, real-time patient video), news and entertainment.  Wireless channels, however, are subject to fading where the signal from the transmitter to the receiver varies with time, location, and other external conditions.  To remedy this, the project will design and develop universal signaling schemes set up to work uniformly on many different channels. The source coding, channel coding and modulation will be designed jointly for the express purpose of transmitting multimedia sources over fading wireless channels. Some specific goals are: (i) to design novel joint source-channel coding schemes for use with multiple transmit and receive antennas, (ii) to investigate recent developments such as compressed sensing for image compression, and (iii) to design appropriate codes and decoding algorithms.

Novel Biodetection Methods:  The object of this project is to find a method to enhance the sensitivity of biological assays. The suggested procedure is to label the molecule of interest – for example, a nucleic acid or protein -with a polymer nanoparticle that contains a huge number of signal producing units that can be detected via fluorescence spectroscopy (a technique that involves using a beam of light, usually ultraviolet light, that excites the electrons in molecules of certain compounds and causes them to emit light of a lower energy, typically visible light).  The work involves the synthesis of polymers that contain luminescent ruthenium and iridium to ultimately form nanospheres and investigates the conditions – solubility, stability, etc – that have to be met if the nanospheres are to act as the biological labels.

Laser Flash Photolysis and Organo-metallic Bonds:  Laser flash photolysis (LFP) is a common method to probe photochemical reactions. If the molecules of a sample of interest can absorb the energy from a short pulse of laser light at a particular frequency they will be activated into excited states. The activation will result in fluorescence and/or the dissipation of heat. The phenomenon is best observed by spectroscopic techniques. This work investigates how LFP can help us understand better the strength and reactivity of metal-aromatic bonds in a variety of organo-metallic complexes formed from an organo-metallic precursor and an appropriate aromatic hydrocarbon (arene).

An HCCI Natural Gas Engine:  This project will design, develop, and test a natural gas combustion engine utilizing the technique known as Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). HCCI is a form of internal combustion in which well-mixed fuel and oxidizer (typically air) are compressed to the point of auto-ignition.  HCCI has the characteristics of the two most popular forms of internal combustion engines: homogeneous charge spark ignition (gasoline), and stratified charge compression ignition (diesel). As in homogeneous charge spark ignition, the fuel and oxidizer are mixed together. Rather, however, than using an electric discharge to ignite a portion of the mixture, the density and temperature of the mixture are raised by compression until the entire mixture reacts spontaneously. The defining characteristic of HCCI means that there is no direct initiator of combustion. But this makes the process inherently challenging to control. With, however, advances in microprocessors and a physical understanding of the ignition process, HCCI can be controlled to achieve gasoline engine-like emissions along with diesel engine-like efficiency. In fact, HCCI engines have been shown to achieve extremely low levels of nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) without an after-treatment catalytic converter. A challenge is that the unburned hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions are still high (due to lower peak temperatures), as in gasoline engines, and must be treated to meet automotive emission regulations.

Quantum Entanglement, Communications:  Quantum entanglement is a characteristic of a quantum mechanical state (for example the distribution of electrons around the nucleus) of a system of two or more objects in which the quantum states of the constituting objects are linked together so that one object can no longer be adequately described without full mention of its counterpart — even though the individual objects may be spatially separated.  This project aims at understanding better how quantum entanglement impacts quantum cryptography communications (a branch of quantum information science).  Quantum cryptography uses quantum mechanics to guarantee secure interactions in that it allows two communicating users to detect the presence of any third party.  This feature arises from a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics, namely that the very process of measuring a quantum system disturbs the system.  Thus any third party trying to eavesdrop on the key must in some way measure it and will introduce detectable anomalies.

Natural Gas Fuel Cell:  A fuel cell turns oxygen and hydrogen into electricity in the presence of an electrically conductive material. Unlike a battery, it never loses its charge and will generate electricity as long as there is a source of hydrogen and oxygen. A fully instrumented modular fuel cell system is to be installed at TAMUQ as part of this project. The research focuses on all aspects of fuel cell power production, including the power conditioning unit which converts direct current (DC) produced by the cell to usable alternating current (AC).

Wireless Personal Area Networks:  This project will investigate 60GHz WPANS (wireless personal area networks).  Emphasis is given to communication problems when two terminals are connecting via other relay terminals. Topics to be addressed include strategies to minimize the number of relays needed to achieve the necessary end-to-end quality of service and, in general, improve the reliability and performance of 60GHz WPANS. It is anticipated that the research will contribute to the world’s principle communication fabric.

Lipophilic Metathesis Catalyst:  Metathesis is an organic reaction, catalyzed by metals such as nickel, tungsten, ruthenium and molybdenum, which redistributes fragments of an organic molecule to make a desired alternative. The procedure is now an essential polymer chemistry tool.  Current work emphasizes the synthesis of a catalyst most suitable for a particular process, for example the production of polyethylene.  The project will investigate a new generation of metathesis catalysts, related to hydrocarbon based systems that promote the carbon ring opening and ring closing of parent cyclic organic molecules.

Nonlinear Photonics and Telecommunications:  The project is concerned with the relationship of nonlinear photonics (the emission, amplification, transmission, manipulation and detection of light) in optical telecommunication technology involving, especially, the behavior of laser light in crystal media. Topics include studies of wave guides and light beam control systems and the effect of optical instabilities on transmission. Particular emphasis is given to the study of the space-time behavior of laser beams in various crystalline media and configurations.

Cobalt Catalysts for GTL Studies:  The objective of the proposed research is to explore the effect of novel and non-traditional activation (pretreatment) procedures on the performance of supported cobalt catalysts during Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. The use of these activation procedures may result in improved catalyst performance (enhanced activity and/or selectivity to desired products) and therefore have positive economic impact on gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology. We will attempt to develop a better understanding of the factors which effect catalyst performance and thus provide a scientific basis for a design of improved catalysts for the GTL conversion process.

Commercial Air Conditioning:  The project investigates commercial air conditioning using variable air volume (VAR) systems with fan powered terminal units (FPTU). A recent trend is to control the fans with variable speed electronically commutated motors (ECM) as opposed to control with conventional fixed speed devices. The work will undertake a systematic study of the efficiency of the ECM’s, suggest optimal operating parameters, and compare with the conventional set up with respect to the extreme Qatar climate. An output will be algorithms and codes that can be integrated into public and private software packages, especially those relevant to the Middle East.

CO2 Injection in Oil Reservoirs and Water Aquifers:  Qatar’s enormous production of natural gas and LNG has the unfortunate byproduct of producing large amounts of CO2.  The selection of practical economic procedures to sequester CO2 is of paramount importance. This work intends to revisit the standard procedure of using CO2 injection for enhanced oil recovery. Emphasis is given to studying and simulating new injection techniques and how the influence the sequestration process.  This work also will study the physical mechanisms of CO2 dissolution in water aquifers as another method for CO2 sequestration. This work will especially focus on Qatar oil fields and water aquifers.

Multiscale Nonlinear Modeling:  Multiscale modeling is the field of solving physical problems which have important features at multiple scales, particularly over length and time. Chemical process control relies on models that coordinate the process data and variables. Models, however, based on real data suffer from inaccuracy and noise in the data that can vary over time. This work will call on multiscale nonlinear techniques to develop the prediction models and investigate ways to best apply them to real process data. The project will include studies on the influence of measurement noise and prefiltering of data on the accuracy and prediction of particular nonlinear models. Selected models will be refined and applied and tested using experimental process data.

Multimedia Wireless Technology:  Sophisticated multimedia devices are common: camera phones, video internet, ipods, etc. Optimizing these devices is a challenge in wireless multimedia technology. The project will develop the necessary technologies to enable the efficient implementation of multimedia services in telecommunication networks. The work requires novel applications of sophisticated, but standard, electronic and computational applications. The main thrust of the proposal is interdisciplinary research via synergistic integration of techniques in signal processing (e.g., source coding, multiple description coding and joint source channel coding), networks (e.g., resource allocation) and digital communications (channel coding, multiuser detection, space-time coding and frequency-division multiplexing).

Gas Reservoir Modeling:  Achieving high gas production rates with minimum cost is the crucial economic factor controlling  Qatar’s giant gas fields. The aim of this project is to develop an integrated gas reservoir and well model that can include some modern technologies such as horizontal and multilateral wells. These new tools can be used for optimum development of gas fields in Qatar. Although the application of these technologies in oil reservoirs are now relatively standard industry procedure, their performance in gas reservoirs needs further investigation.

Nobel Gas Tracers:  The project will investigate and develop techniques to detect isotopes of the noble gases – for example, argon, krypton, xenon) using laser beam spectroscopy and hence explore the capability of the gases to act as tracers to probe the structure of gas and oil deposits.  The project will further investigate procedures to inject and extract the tracers from a given oil/gas reservoir.

Hazadous Waste Treatment:  Our work concerns the hazardous chlorinated organics found in industrial waste discharges that are a potential threat to the environment. It is well known that a chemical reduction/oxidation process can convert chemically hazardous contaminants to non-hazardous or less toxic compounds that are more stable, less mobile, and/or inert.  We, however, introduce a new class of a treatment process – named the ARP or Advanced Reduction Process - which is a combination of chemical reduction and activation. It is our contention that this approach will lead to the production of highly reactive reducing free radicals for rapid and effective reductive dechlorination and that the ARP will be cost-effective and competitive.  The first task of the proposed work is to set up and develop the appropriate analytical and experimental procedures. The second task is specific to Qatar; we will screen potential ARPs and identify those that are most effective in degrading target compounds detected at Qatar industrial sites (most probably 1,2-dichloroethane and vinyl chloride). The third task will obtain the fundamental data on the stoichiometry and kinetics of contaminant degradation in general and hence allow us to suggest the optimal conditions for applying promising ARPs.
 

Mobile Systems for E-Advertising and E-Tourism:  At present, advertising and tourist information comes from newspapers, pamphlets, internet sites and information points.  But the information is often too general and frequently out-of-date.  This project aims to provide specific location-dependent personalised information to tourists or consumers. Their visit to a city or a mall will be made more pleasant and more productive if we can give them, for example, up-to date detailed traffic and transportation information, cultural and tourist information, and the location and the type of restaurants. The object of this work is to transform the consumer’s mobile phone into a transactional and interactive proximity communication device. The project is a collaborative effort between Texas A&M at Qatar and the Ecole Sperieure, Tunis.  We intend to develop localization algorithms and scheduling schemes for mobile users to allow access to multiple services and local information while ensuring good quality of service. The project will investigate the utility of different technologies: for example, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMAX, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS protocols.  We will also investigate the scheduling and dynamic resource allocation such as frequency bands, transmission rate, power loading, in broadband wireless systems.

DNA-Mimetic Polymers:  The term molecular recognition refers to the specific interaction between two or more molecules through noncovalent bonding such as hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, hydrophobic forces and van der Waals forces.  Molecular recognition is the significant characteristic of DNA with its defined sequence of reactive sites. Constructing a synthetic DNA-like (DNA-mimetic) molecule has been a goal for many years since the ability to have a molecule that can template a sequence of controlled sites would be a most powerful tool in synthetic and polymer chemistry. Conventional synthesis of DNA-mimetic molecules, however, face many challenges because it is a laborious procedure and the products are unstable. This proposal, however, describes a new method to copy the information contained in DNA onto fully synthetic polymers, using a combination of molecular recognition, self-assembly and synthetic polymer chemistry. Hence we construct an entirely novel class of “DNA-mimetic” polymers which show the specificity and monodispersity of the parent DNA molecule, yet possess the desirable properties of synthetic polymers, such as stability, ready synthesis, facile functionalization and improved processibility. Specifically, this method involves the assembly of monomeric units on their complementary positions on a DNA or peptide nucleic acid backbone, followed by locking the monomeric units into a new synthetic polymer. Many applications are anticipated. Unlike conventional polymers, these molecules present the opportunity to precisely position materials into monodisperse, well-defined and programmable structures. Thus, challenges in the creation of devices for solar energy conversion, light-emitting diodes, data storage or patterning of electronic components can be addressed. And there are biological applications: the synthesis of stable, inexpensive and cell permeable gene regulating drugs and DNA delivery agents are examples. On a fundamental level, this work is the first study of the DNA-templated access to fully synthetic polymers, and is expected to significantly expand the field of synthetic polymer chemistry. Thus, the proposed research is predicted to have far-reaching fundamental and practical impact.

Olefins and Nickel Dithiolenes:  There is an enormous industrial demand for developing an industrial technology that will reduce significantly the cost of production of olefin feed stokes, the most important of which is ethylene. Typically, olefins are produced from petrochemical sources which are contaminated and thus require purification. Experiments have indicated that the reaction of olefins with nickel dithiolenes (a nickel sulfur organic molecule complex) is a purification route with several significant benefits, such as resistance to acetylene poisoning as well as simple electrochemical control, making it a potentially critical new technology. In particular, an efficient electrochemical route for the purification of olefins based on their reactions with nickel dithiolene has been proposed in the literature, specifically that a mixture of olefins and impurities could be separated through selective olefin binding by the nickel dithiolene 1CF3. It was shown experimentally that the olefins are bound by the nickel structure, while various common impurities (H2O, CO, acetylene, etc.) are not. The newly formed complexes could then be separated from the impurity-bearing mixture, and the olefin subsequently released through electrochemical means, providing purified olefins. However, further research into this reaction is required before it can be converted into an industrial technology. This is what we propose to do. This project will have two primary goals. First, it will elucidate the mechanism of this technologically important reaction through quantum mechanical wave function and density functional theory methods. Second, it will provide a critical evaluation of new density functionals’ efficacy in modeling a difficult problem and develop further techniques for studying these types of systems.

Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis with a Cobalt Catalyst:  The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) converts syngas (H2 and CO) obtained from a feedstock (e.g.  natural gas, coal or biomass)  to hydrocarbon liquids. We propose to develop a kinetic model for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and determine the necessary parameters from experimental data using a stirred tank slurry reactor over a wide range of process conditions. Rational reactor design is based on a detailed knowledge of reaction kinetics, coupled with mass, energy and momentum balances for a reactor system under consideration. The existence of a reliable comprehensive kinetic model for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) would likely facilitate improvements in design of commercial reactors. Quantum mechanics calculations (UBI-QEP and TST) will be used to provide initial values for some of the model parameters in order to speed up convergence of optimization methods for final parameter estimation. Model parameters will be estimated from experimental data using regression methods, and their importance will be based on statistical testing and physico-chemical criteria.  The proposal also addresses the fact that the FTS process requires a catalyst, the selection of which is determined by the external conditions - the nature of the feedstock, the temperature, the pressure, for example. Accordingly, we will investigate the effect of reduction promoters on catalyst performance (activity, product selectivities, and stability).  Particular effort will be paid to determine which, if any, of the reduction promoters (Pt, Pd, Re, or Ru) form alloys with cobalt, and whether such alloying is beneficial. Catalyst characterization studies will provide insight on interactions between cobalt and promoters, as well as between cobalt and the alumina support at the atomic level. The kinetic model developed in this study, coupled with the appropriate conservation equations and transport properties for a given reactor configuration (fixed bed or slurry bubble column), would be a valuable tool for optimizing product yield, simulating the plant design, and evaluating the economic cost benefits. Catalyst characterization studies will provide insight on interactions between cobalt and promoters, as well as between cobalt and the alumina support at the atomic level.

Optimal Field Development for Qatar Gas Reservoirs:  In petroleum engineering ‘flow units’ refer to correletable and mapable regions of a reservoir. For optimum petroleum/gas extraction the regions need to be defined and their general characteristics identified. Our objectives in this proposal are threefold. First, we will develop novel techniques capable of identifying highly detailed flow units in heterogeneous gas reservoirs. Second, we will develop upgridding methods to combine and optimize the number of flow units of the gas pay zone for rapid flow simulation. Third, novel upscaling technique that considers both static and dynamic parameters of the reservoir will be used to assign properties to the upgridded (coarsened) model. The highly detailed flow units identified from characterization technique will be grouped through an upgridding process for fast flow simulation. Our algorithm will group the flow units in such a way that the heterogeneity measure of an appropriately defined ‘static’ property is minimized within the flow units and maximized between the flow units. The optimal number of flow units is then selected based on an analysis resulting in the minimum loss of heterogeneity because of upgridding. Finally, novel upscaling technique that combines both static and dynamic information will be explored and compared with existing methods. The outcome of this research is expected to have a real impact in improvement of gas production from Qatar gas reservoirs through better characterization and field development strategy. We plan to demonstrate this through an actual field application.

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Modeling:  Efficient numerical codes for solving problems of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes by alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding are almost non-existent due to the complexity of the problem. But they are needed if the maximum output from a well is to be realized.  Our project is related to the development of such "smart" codes and related experimental studies. Specifically, EOR processes with ASP flooding will be modeled by a system of elliptic, hyperbolic, and parabolic partial differential equations which will then be solved using fast numerical algorithms specially designed for such purposes.  Modern numerical techniques will be developed using MATLAB AND C++.  Full-fledged numerical simulation studies on several unconventional EOR-by-ASP flooding processes in heterogeneous porous media will be carried to gain a fundamental understanding of the role of species (polymer and surfactant) diffusion and capillary forces on the complex fluid flows in porous media, and on the sweeping efficiency of the enhanced oil recovery processes.

Linguistic Sexism in Qatari Schools:  Sexist language and gender role stereotyping not only disparage, but also lower the dignity of one group of people, usually women or girls. If left unchecked, these negative norms of behavior and attitude could be institutionalized and gradually become part of the social and cultural code. In many parts of the world, recent research findings indicate a strong presence of gender bias and linguistic sexism in the language and content of educational materials such as textbooks and practice books. This research project addresses linguistic sexism and gender role stereotyping in Qatar English Language learning resources. Specifically, the project asks if sexism is inculcated very early in life, what form does it take and how is it introduced? Do the school learning resources indirectly and unconsciously function as a conduit for the indoctrination and enforcement of sexism and sex role conformity among the younger generation in Qatar? We particularly explore the extent of gender bias and linguistic sexism in the English Language learning resources of Grades 1 to 12 in the Qatari school system.

Acid Gas Mixtures and EOR:  Acid gas is the term given to complex hydrocarbon mixtures containing the compounds H2S, CO2 and SO2: H2S and CO2 occur naturally in oil and gas reservoirs, while the combustion of natural gas contaminated with H2S produces CO2 and SO2.  Acid gas is a problem. It can be toxic, it is an environmental hazard, and can foul gas processing equipment.  Practical interim solutions for its clean-up or removal have been suggested: for example, the gas can be sequestered in depleted reservoirs, or used as a miscible flooding agent in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Recently, in fact, gases with high CO2 and H2S concentrations have been re-injected via compressors into reservoirs resulting in a 25% increased production.  This route thus shows considerable promise, but the injection processes occur at pressures to 800 bar and the equipment must be designed and operated appropriately. This, in turn, requires that the complex fluid behavior and properties be well understood. Our proposal addresses this issue.  Needed are accurate mathematical models - equations of state – to predict the properties and behavior of acid gas mixtures over a wide range of temperature and pressure. But the form of an equation-of- state and its parameters have to be based and validated from accurate input data.  Based on our experience, we have determined that a combination of densities, speeds of sound, and vapor-liquid equilibria measurements provide the optimum robust and sensitive data set.  Specifically, therefore, the purpose of this work is to measure these thermophysical properties for a series of natural gas mixtures containing defined amounts of CO2, H2S, SO2, and H2O. We first intend to measure the corresponding densities and speeds of sound over a range of temperatures and pressures that replicate realistic industrial operating conditions.  Then, given an equation-of-state optimized with this data, we will calculate the vapor liquid equilibria of the mixtures and compare with experiment. Iteration of the model and its parameters will give a final working product.  It is noted that the mixtures selected for study are unusually toxic and corrosive.  Accordingly the experimental work requires a detailed attention to equipment design, and a rigorous enforcement of safe laboratory operating procedures and practice.

Applications of Quantum Interferometry:  The objective of this project is to explore and advance novel techniques for precision measurement and sensing using the notion of quantum interferometry and coherence. Such techniques have found important applications in both fundamental and applied sciences. For example, on the one hand, the quantum eraser sheds new light on the foundations of quantum mechanics. On the other hand, techniques based on quantum interference lie at the foundations of quantum microscopy, quantum state measurement and quantum lithography. In this project, we propose to extend many of these techniques and analyze practical systems and devices. In particular, we shall investigate the applications of quantum interferometry and coherence in precision imaging devices based on quantum lithography, sensing of weak signals such as gravitational waves, design of time-delay devices for information storage and optical devices for sub-wavelength patterns over large areas on photosensitive substrates. This proposal addresses certain fundamental issues, the first of which  relates to the precision with which one can resolve two objects such as two atoms. This problem lies at the heart of microscopy (or more precisely nanoscopy) with applications in quantum computing and informatics. Conventional methods provide a resolution limit of #/2 where # is the wavelength of light used to probe objects. We have proposed a scheme where this resolution can be improved up to #/500. In this project we shall consider experimentally viable schemes that should make our scheme realizable. A resolution of the order of #/500 should have a substantial impact in the field of nano technology. This is also most relevant to the question of how precise patterns can be drawn using lithography which, again, is at present limited to a resolution of #/2.  Our eventual aim will be to propose viable experimental systems for the time-delay devices.

Codes for Multiterminal Communication Networks:  This proposal contributes to information theory, the branch of applied mathematics and electrical engineering that involves the quantification of information. Historically, information theory was developed by Claude E. Shannon to find fundamental limits on compressing and reliably storing and communicating data. The proposal discusses and develops the codes or procedures required for the coding and decoding of transmitted electronic data. A background is the Slepian-Wolf theorem which deals with the lossless compression of two or more correlated data streams. (Lossless compression means that the source outputs can be constructed from the compression version with arbitrary small error probability by suitable choice of a parameter in the compression scheme.)  In detail the work proposed here discusses multiterminal (MT) communication networks which can transmit data from multiple sources over multiple channels, offering potentially untethered communications, coordination and collaboration among different terminals. The networks will introduce new ways of collecting, disseminating, and analyzing observational or experimental data without the need for an infrastructure.  The basic approach generalizes Shannon’s classic information theory and promises strong potential gains over conventional point-to-point communication techniques. However, most results in network information theory have remained at the theoretical level and the lack of practical code designs has limited the potential applications of the theory in practice. Aiming to change this situation, this proposal focuses on tackling the hard problems of practical code design for MT communication networks. Specifically, we propose to: 1) start with the general Slepian-Wolf code design problem and explore scalable code design; 2) devise limit-approaching Wyner-Ziv codes before addressing distributed video coding; 3) study the more general problem of MT source code design problem; 4) focus on near-capacity dirty-paper code design before applying it to coding for Gaussian MIMO (multi-input, multi -output) broadcast channels; and 5) start from compress-forward relaying before migrating to cooperative diversity, for which we will design Wyner-Ziv codes for receiver cooperation and dirty-paper codes for transmitter cooperation.

Downhole Mechatronics:  Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering , control engineering , systems design engineering, and computer engineering to create useful products. This project aims to pursue the development of subassemblies and systems geared towards downhole technology. Extreme temperature and pressure conditions, as well as component wear, are among the main challenges faced by systems operating in a downhole environment.  The project will quantify experimentally the interaction between downhole components and the formation.  It will develop subassemblies and systems suitable for operation under extreme conditions.

Enhanced Convection Heat Transfer Using Nanotechnology:  Fluids with dispersed nano-particles are known as nanofluids: colloidal solvents containing dispersed nanometer (~5-200 nm) sized particles are examples. We can also define a term nano-fluidics which describes fluid flow in and around nanometer-sized objects which have at least one characteristic dimension below 100nm. At such length scales the surface-to-volume ratio is high and the corresponding surface-fluid phenomena and fluid-wall interactions can give rise to very unusual phenomena. In fact, recent research has shown that fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics with nanofluids and/or with nano-fluidics are significantly altered compared to those of macro systems. Our proposal addresses this. We propose an experimental research to study heat transfer and fluid velocity characteristics in micro fluidic systems where the fluid and/or the channels are modified to the nano-scale. We will discuss investigations of the near wall flow field, temperature characteristics, and heat transfer for a) nanofluids in a micro channel with smooth surfaces, and b) a micro channel with nanostructures on the channel wall. Experimentally, we will construct a microfluidic apparatus integrated with precisely calibrated surface nano-structures.  We will use novel optical detection techniques (e.g., total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy) with quantum dot nano-tracers to perform experiments to measure the alterations in the near wall transport properties – such as flow field, temperature, mass transfer and heat fluxes: (a) in the presence (and absence) of these engineered surface nano-structures, and (b) for smooth surfaces using nanofluids that are precisely doped with various nano-particles at various concentrations. The obtained fluid velocity and temperature data will lead to a better understanding of these flows which will lead to a more reliable modeling scenario.

Organotrifluoroborates:  Developing new synthetic methods is central to advancing synthetic organic chemistry, which in turn enables chemists to make a wide range of organic molecules relevant to, for example, medicine, biochemistry, catalysis, materials science, and polymer science. This proposal aims to create an entirely new approach to synthesize compounds with elusive carbon-carbon bonds. The approach is based on some features of organotrifluoroborate chemistry that were recently discovered by Professor Gary Molander’s group at the University of Pennsylvania.   In collaboration with Professor Molander, the research project will seek to explore the best methods to prepare certain organotrifluoroborate compounds and, subsequently, investigate how those compounds relate to carbon-carbon bond forming reactions. If, indeed, a synthesis with organotrifluoroborates can be shown to be both high yielding and broad in scope, this novel approach will have a significant impact on the scope of modern organic synthetic chemistry.

Condition Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis of Electric Machines:  Condition monitoring and fault diagnostics play a key role in the proper operation of electrical machinery. The failure of critical equipment such as transformers, generators, milling machines, motors, fans and pumps, costs millions of dollars in reduced output, emergency maintenance costs and lost revenues. And, especially in the utility industry, a machine malfunction is unacceptable not only because of its financial damage but also because of the possible physical threat caused by a sudden component failure. This work proposes to design and develop a system to detect incipient failures of electrical machinery before a malfunction leads to a breakdown. The condition of machines will be monitored at all times, and the incipient detection and predictive maintenance system will provide an accurate prediction of any potential failure on demand. Specifically, it is proposed to develop a technique based on pattern recognition. We first characterize the profile of selected electric machines to establish a baseline signature. Then, at regular intervals, and particularly if a possible failure is suspected, the pattern recognition technique will be applied and the profile compared with the baseline. Additionally, other diagnostic methods, such as artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic incipient failure detection, is envisioned in this project. Clearly the result will determine if any corrective action is needed.

Stress Monitoring with Non-Linear Dynamical Models and Wearable Sensors:  We know that chronic stress is one the leading risk factors for heart diseases, diabetes, asthma and depression and clearly it would often be beneficial to monitor it over extended periods of the every-day environment.  Such information would allow physicians to assess precisely how stress is affecting our health and determine the most appropriate treatment.  It is, however, unfeasible for physicians to continuously check our stress levels throughout the day. Nor is it practical to maintain logs on how our internal states vary in relation to daily events. But advances in ubiquitous computing make it now possible to develop wearable, intelligent monitoring systems that can record a variety of the key physiological and environmental signals. Prior work has focused on recognizing emotions (e.g., from physiological sensors) and detecting events (e.g., from audio, accelerometers). However, little research has been done on the relationship between the two. This is our objective. We propose to develop a real-time wearable system to monitor physiological and environmental variables, and develop algorithms to estimate stress levels in relation to daily events. We will focus on minimally-obtrusive sensors (e.g., heart rate monitors, respiration bands, accelerometers) because of their potential for widespread adoption, and on non-linear dynamical models of cardiorespiratory regulation. Finally we will perform a systematic validation of the wearable system on a number of subjects undergoing mental stress and relaxation tests.

Phase Transfer Activation of Catalysts:  The aim of this project is to develop and apply a new protocol for catalyst activation, termed "phase transfer activation." The protocol will apply to the numerous catalyst precursors from which a group or ligand must first dissociate before the catalytic cycle can be entered. Initial studies will target olefin metathesis catalysts, which are used to: (1) optimize propene vs. ethylene/butene ratios from refineries; (2) manufacture polymers from cyclic olefins; and (3) prepare many pharmaceutical intermediates. Efforts will then be directed at new nickel ethylene polymerization catalysts.

Metal Oxides and Metal Oxide Interfaces:  Currently almost all electronics are silicon based, although the search for materials which have novel properties and/or are more efficient is ongoing. For example, systems of complex oxides - particularly the heterointerfaces between different oxides - have been suggested as successors to silicon.  Indeed we know that complex oxide interfaces have a number of unique properties which have been measured experimentally, but the theoretical underpinning of their behavior is still under discussion; hence this proposal.  In our work we will consider the compound lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3), which can form a conductor when grown on the surface of strontium titanate (SrTiO3), as a possible building block for a metal oxide generation of electronics. We propose to elucidate the behavior and properties of this system via computational modeling. We will, in particular, carry out calculations employing periodic boundary conditions with screened hybrid density functional theory. Other techniques, such as adaptive numerical thresholds and techniques for efficiently modeling defect structures are to be developed as part of the project.

GTL from Near-Critical and Supercritical Media:  The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) converts syngas (H2 and CO) obtained from a feedstock such as natural gas, coal or biomass) to hydrocarbon liquids. Simplistically, a supercritical fluid is a fluid above its critical point with a liquid-like density but a relatively low viscosity.  The fluids are good solvents and hence are attractive as reaction media.  Our objective is to design an advanced reactor system for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis – the underpinning of Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) technology - that utilizes these features, particularly that the synthetic hydrocarbon liquid mixture is the medium in the supercritical state. We will concentrate on reactor configurations that employ a pressure drop to separate and recycle unreacted syngas and the supercritical solvent (the light hydrocarbon fractions). We will simultaneously evaluate and optimize the contribution of the reaction parameters (such as the temperature, pressure, the composition of the solvent) to both the phase behavior of the reaction mixture and the underpinning reaction kinetics. The overall process design will be optimized using an advanced process integration technique coupled with a sophisticated dynamic control system. The performance of the designed systems will be evaluated and tested experimentally.

Sulfur Deposition in Sour Gas Reservoirs:  In this work we intend to carry out experimental and simulation studies of hydrogen sulfide and elemental sulfur deposition in porous media with the objective to identify the important parameters which control sulfur deposition in gas reservoirs and its removal. We note that although numerous petroleum engineering studies have concentrated on the production and/or deposition of sulfur in the gas/oil wellbore holes, very limited research has focused on the precipitation in oil reservoir rocks.  This is illogical since elemental sulfur deposition in porous medium reduces rock permeability and hence retards well productivity.  The proposed study will be conducted in seven phases: (1) development and analysis of phase diagrams for solutions of hydrogen sulfide and various formation brines; (2) characterization of reservoir rocks using Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence; (3) core flood tests using actual gas and rock samples,(4) simulation of sulfur deposition in reservoir rocks under different flow conditions; (5) screening of various organic solvents to efficiently remove sulfur deposition; (6) a study of various methods available to mitigate sulfur deposition; and (7) simulation of sour gas re-injection into the gas reservoir and simultaneous injection of hydrogen-sulfide/water into water zones to maintain reservoir pressure. A three-dimensional simulation model of sulfur deposition will be developed and validated using the experimental data generated in our laboratories.

Photovoltaics and Their Grid Integration – a Plug and Play Concept:  The proposed research aims to address the limitations in the current state-of- the- art photovoltaic (PV) technology on both the component and system sides. Individual panel power collection and harvesting on a common DC current bus is presented. This will be based on compact high temperature packaging and electronics along with simple power line communication. The benefits this brings are modularity, higher power harvested per panel, hot plug-in panel capability, vendor independent panel use and simple system diagnostics. On the system side, an effort to create opportunities on both sides of the meter will be addressed. System studies that show the benefits and design criteria of a distribution system with embedded inverter based distributed generation providing implicit control of the active power sharing between multiple inverters without communication between units, assuring reliable and safe operation of electric loads will also be performed.  The project will address five main tasks: 1) module integrated converter (MIC) topology simulation, design and testing including inter-module communication; 2) rugged high temperature electronic circuits and packaging development; 3) grid interface converter development and grid interactive control along with development of real time models of the developed system for use in hardware in the loop (HIL) and power hardware in the loop (PHIL) system design utilizing state of the art real time simulators; 4) inverter based distributed generation power system studies will be conducted for distribution systems with a high degree of distributed PV generation; and 5) incorporating our results into the TAMUQ roof top PV power system, and comparing energy harvest with the existing string based approach.

The Effect of Spent Acid on Rock Wettability in Carbonate Acidizing:  Carbonate acidizing is the treatment of a reservoir formation with a stimulation fluid containing a reactive acid. In carbonate formations, as in Qatar, the acid dissolves the entire formation matrix and thus enhances the production of reservoir fluids. This project is aimed at improving the efficiency of the matrix acidizing process by studying the effect of spent acid on the wettability of the reservoir rock and the consequent effects on the recovery of the spent acid and the well productivity. The problem arises because, after acid is injected into a carbonate reservoir, wormholes are created and the spent acid penetrates deeper into the reservoir beyond the immediate acidized region. Clean up time and expense depends on the permeability and particularly the wettability of the reservoir formation, which is the focus of study here. For example, wettability will be investigated with respect to acid additives and changes in irreducible water saturation in the reservoir. Also, laboratory experiments on gas productivity and acid cleanup will be performed simulating field processes of acid injection and recovery.

Prediction of Asphalt Pavement Performance:  Asphalt pavement is a complex composite that comprises mineral aggregates and a binder which is a by-product from the distillation of crude oil. Its mechanical properties vary significantly depending on the mineral content, the proportions, size, and distribution of aggregates, and the thermophysical and mechanical properties of the constituent materials. The current methods used in the design of asphalt pavements in Qatar are empirical and employ simplistic assumptions in describing material properties and loading conditions that are not appropriate for the current and the estimated high traffic loads in the future. Sophisticated design and characterization tools are needed if long-lasting roads capable of supporting the future transportation infrastructure are to be adequately constructed. Accordingly, this proposed project involves the development of multi-scale computational models for simulating asphalt pavement performance under realistic loading conditions. The asphalt pavement behavior will be represented by advanced constitutive models that span over micro, meso, and macro length scales. The computational models will include the application of realistic loading configurations based on experimental measurements of tire-pavement contact stresses and interactions. The model’s parameters will be determined through extensive laboratory testing of asphaltic materials used in Qatar. The developed model will be validated with field data. A feature of our work is the use of nondestructive imaging techniques to describe the microscopic features of asphalt concrete under various loads and external conditions.

Genomic signal processing:  The long term goal of this research program is to improve the low success rate of current cancer therapies by applying engineering methods. Specifically, the work attempts to adapt ideas from Control Theory to develop improved methods for treating cancer. An important secondary objective is to involve and train the Qatar-based team of Hazem and Mohammed Nounou so that they can then introduce this fascinating research area into the Qatar research spectrum. Our specific research objective here is to develop the theoretical foundations of stochastic inference, modeling, and control in a cohesive way to enable intervention in the regulatory system of a cell. The practical accomplishment of such intervention in genetically pathological cells, such as cancer cells, would be a major step in the transformation of medicine to a modern mathematically grounded engineering discipline based on dynamic molecular interaction. Our objective is not simply to develop the theory but also to employ it to alter the dynamics of living cells during the lifetime of this proposal. To accomplish this goal, we will tailor the theory to experiments being carried out with independent funding by biologists at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, Arizona. It is our belief that, by the completion of the funding period for this proposal, we and our biologist collaborators will have achieved the most fundamental goal of translational genomics, the therapeutic alteration of cell behavior based on dynamical modeling. If cellular behavior alteration via interventions dictated by particular molecular biological states can be achieved, then it may be possible to develop individualized therapies for genetic diseases such as cancer that are likely to achieve much higher success rates than those currently achievable.

Signal Intelligence for Wireless Communication Systems:  Future wireless communication systems including cognitive radio (CR) will be very dependent on a concept called signal intelligence. Signal intelligence is a theoretical framework with which future wireless communication systems achieve adaptation, awareness, and learning. Signal intelligence consists of identifying transmitted waveforms and specific features/parameters of the transmitted signals, extracting propagation channel characteristics from the effective received signal, identifying interference and other impairments coupled to the received signal. This proposal aims at discovering how signal intelligence can be achieved by taking the four paradigms defined above into consideration. Specifically, the research objective of this proposal is to construct a theoretical background and build a framework to achieve signal intelligence in wireless communications systems. The extensive growth of demand for wireless communication services led to new paradigms for optimum satisfaction of user requirements:(i) effective spectrum allocation (ii) adaptive and complex modulation, error recovery, detection, channel estimation, diversity, and code design techniques to allow high data rates while maintaining desired Quality of Service (QoS) (iii) reconfigurable and flexible air interface technologies for better interference and fading management.

Supercritical Fluid Hydraulics:  This project will investigate, at both the fundamental and applied levels, the thermal hydraulic - heat transfer and fluid dynamics - behavior of supercritical fluids. Although such fluids are currently being considered for advanced heat exchangers their thermal hydraulics characteristics are not very well known.  A summary of the proposed work to be conducted is as follows: develop a database of heat transfer for two selected supercritical fluids - water and CO2 - by measuring the axial, radial and turbulent velocity under a variety of flow, temperature and heat flux conditions; simultaneously measure the mean and fluctuating density variation using a newly designed high speed Raman scattering technique, and use these techniques to study the boundary layer at a heated surface; design and develop a new super critical-CO2 loop facility at the Texas A&M Qatar campus equipped with modern high-fidelity diagnostics; obtain the values of local velocity and density fluctuations in the flow field for various operating conditions of the loop. Finally the data will be inputted into wall function models.

Wind and Ocean Surface Waves:  The gas and oil industry in Qatar is entirely offshore but vulnerable to strong oceanic environments such as those found during the winter shamal season. During these events, the shamal traverses the longitudinal axis of the Gulf and the relatively long fetch length can lead to high wave conditions which have the potential of endangering offshore facilities.  Wave conditions are usually predicted with numerical spectral wave models that include terms to dictate the growth and decay of surface waves due to wind. But the models are relatively simple and empirical. Sudden shifts due to wind gusts, for example, or small local variations, have not been considered. We propose a thorough study of the physics of air-sea interaction based on careful atmospheric measurements of instantaneous velocity, vorticity, and the temperature of air flowing at different heights over the ocean surface. The resulting measurements will then be subjected to a detailed analysis (spectral and wavelet) of the resulting measurements to formulate a wind wave generation mechanism that will include short scale wind effects and thermal instability information.

Electrocardiograph and Wireless Skin Electrodes:  There is clearly a need for an intelligent wireless cardiac signal recording/processing technology to monitor continuously a potential high risk cardiac patient.  Our proposal recognizes that modern medical telemetry and signal processing can monitor and process a patient’s physiological parameters over a distance between a transmitter attached to the patient and a central monitoring station via a radio frequency (RF) communication. The objective of this proposal is to design an intelligent cardiac monitoring system which is based on wireless skin electrodes. Each skin electrode consists of an ultra-miniaturized extremely low-power telemetry unit which transmits the cardiac signal to the central unit. The central unit collects the signals from all wireless electrodes and transfers the information to a processing unit to detect any cardiac arrhythmia using intelligent signal processing. The specific aims of this proposal are: 1) explore techniques for optimal design of ultra-low power transceivers, sensor interfaces and miniaturized antennas; 2) propose alternative approaches for system integration and packaging; 3) devise enhanced cardiac signal processing algorithms; and 4) perform tests on patients to study cardiac patterns with respect to gender and age.