King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has given his go-ahead for the establishment of the King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology at Riyadh Techno Valley. The institute, which has been designed according to the latest international specifications, is being financed by Saudi businessman Muhammad Bin Hussein Al-Amoudi. Dr. Abdullah Al-Othman, President of King Saud University (KSU), has praised the King's support for King Saud University and the King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology. He said the initiative to set up the institute comes in the wake of personal donations from King Abdullah for nano-research at a number of Saudi universities including KSU. He said King Saud University has developed the nano-program into a specialist institute, in appreciation of King Abdullah's support for this technology, which is considered to be part of a scientific and industrial revolution currently taking place. He said the importance of this sophisticated technology can be seen in international sales, expected to be over $3.7 billion in 2015. He said the institute at the university has been able to establish advanced infrastructure for nano-research. The university has succeeded in attracting 30 researchers and post-graduate students in the field. He said the researchers are mainly engaged in research to meet the Kingdom's requirements in the fields of desalination, renewable energy and medicine. The university has also formed a scientific council at the institute consisting of 12 members including prominent scientists from five different countries, including three Nobel laureates. He said the establishment of the institute reflects the national need for applied research in areas of water and energy. This also includes medicine which focuses on chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia such as cancer and diabetes. – Okaz/SG Al-Othman said the construction of a special building for the institute will boost the quality of research because it will bring everyone together in one place. This takes into consideration that the nature of nano-technology research is distinguished by team work. He said the institute will be equipped with the latest laboratories and facilities designed according to the latest international specifications. The institute will be constructed on an area of 8,000 square meters. He said the institute will be equipped with four kinds of laboratories: For the manufacture of nano materials and equipment; the study and measurement of nano substances; nano bio-laboratories; and for the generation and design of nano products.
