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Masdar delves into printed electronics
Masdar delves into printed electronics Staff Reporter / 29 May 2013 Researchers at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology have taken the initial steps towards printed organic optoelectronics, placing the UAE firmly on the global map of this promising sector. Printed electronics is a combination of the technologies employed in printing, electronics, chemistry and material science. Industries across the world are embracing this nascent sector for commercial implications. New innovations are much sought after because this technology can offer benefits such as low cost, high throughput, ease of manufacturing and use in new applications. Dr Samuele Lilliu, a post-doctoral fellow working at the Nano-Optics and Optoelectronics Research (NOOR) Laboratory under Dr Marcus Dahlem, Assistant Professor, Microsystems Engineering, is leading a major project on organic photodetectors, including solar cells and photodiodes. Novel research strategies and innovative concepts are also being developed to make Masdar Institute a strong player in the printed electronics arena. A current study by IDTechEx, a consulting company for printed electronics, shows that the market for printed and potentially printed electronics is already worth $9.4 billion. A study by Silicon Valley-headquartered business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan predicts the market for organic and printed electronics will increase by more than 100 per cent to around $25 billion by 2015. Tracking the global trend, the Masdar Institute recently installed Fujifilm Dimatix DMP2831, one of the most flexible tools for ink development in inkjet-printing. The application of inkjet-printing as a fabrication tool for organic devices shows the potential of these organic materials for low-cost third-generation electronics and optoelectronics. “Dr Lilliu fabricated the first high-quality inkjet-printed organic photodiodes at Dr Sandro Tedde’s labs in Siemens AG, Germany, which currently holds the largest patent portfolio on organic photodiodes. His experience holds the key and his research project brings value to Abu Dhabi and the UAE,” Dr Dahlem stated. Training programmes on operating the Fujifilm Dimatix DMP2831 for graduate students are currently being scheduled. Students will also learn to print polymers on (Indium Tin Oxide) ITO-coated glass and flexible substrates such as paper, textiles and plastics. “Organic semiconductors are highly attractive for electronic applications thanks to their ease of processing and tunability, which offers great potential for low fabrication costs. Bulk-heterojunction organic photodetectors based on semiconductive polymers and small molecules are currently among the best performing organic electronic devices,” Dr Lilliu said. The development and the optimisation of semiconductor and nanoparticle inks is an essential step for the commercialisation of low-cost organic photodetectors. Since organic solar cells can be coated on flexible transparent substrates, their potential applications range from self-powered electronic newspapers to building-integrated photovoltaics. The combination of organic photovoltaics with inkjet-printing also offers interesting opportunities in the field of multi-colour aesthetic solar cells, a field that is currently unexplored and that could be highly attractive for designers and artists. olivia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
FNC okays new Company Law
FNC okays new Company Law Nissar Hoath / 29 May 2013 Private firms will soon have to employ more Emiratis after the Federal National Council finally passed Company Law 2013 after a long debate on Tuesday. It will now be presented to the Cabinet for consideration. A key article of the draft law refers to the requirement of private companies to employ a larger workforce. A clause in the article stipulates that company boards must comprise 50 per cent Emiratis. According to the article, if the number of Emiratis on the board is below this number, it will be asked to appoint them within three months. The draft law was discussed and approved in the presence of Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy. The session was chaired by Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr and attended by Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for FNC Affairs, and senior economy ministry officials. The council reviewed a committee report on the bill. The house was informed that the panel had held 23 meetings to discuss the draft law before its submission to the council. The committee also held meetings with government officials and the minister. Some of the members suggested further amendments to the draft, and changing the name from Company Law to Company and Trade Law. However, the minister had his reservations. “If the name of the law is changed, I will refer it to the Cabinet and I will raise my objections to that,” said Al Mansouri. The minister said the term Company Law was perfect was commonly used worldwide. “A change in the name of the draft law restricts its jurisdiction. This particular draft law gives space to many trade and economic activities that serve and boost the economy of the country,” he said. Al Mansouri also said the draft law, after it was finalised and implemented, could further be improved and expanded to cover more comprehensive economic activities. The council has been discussing the 383-article draft law for more than four sessions. The bill has been drafted to regulate the establishment, management and governing of private companies in the country in a way that they serve the national economy. To a question from a member about industrial growth, Al Mansouri said industries played a vital role in the country’s economy. “Industries are important to the country’s economy and development. Industries as at now contribute 9.1 per cent to the GDP. We are planning to increase it further and soon the industries contribution to the GDP will be 20 per cent,” the minister said. He also said the draft bill had been thoroughly reviewed and amended several times and hopefully it would be soon approved by the Cabinet and would receive Presidential assent and be implemented to help further improve the country’s economy. The draft law, once implemented, will be applied to all local and international companies with branches operating in the country. It also has articles that govern the operations and business of international companies that come here for temporary period under agreements with local partners. – nissar@khaleejtimes.com A member raises an issue at the Federal National Council on Tuesday. — KT photo by Nezar Balout FNC defers 7 questions In a rare event, the Federal National Council (FNC) went without the Question Hour on Tuesday. The council deferred seven questions for the forthcoming session on the request of the Federal Government. “The council today will not be able to take up the seven pending questions on the request of the government,” FNC Secretary-General Dr Mohammed Al Mazrouei told the House as it was about to start the Question Hour. He also told the members that the issues raised by the members in their written questions will be raised with the ministries and authorities concerned. However, some members raised their voices and regretted that the important questions concerning public interests have been deferred several times. The meeting chaired by Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr was also attended by Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of FNC Affairs, and Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy. Responding to the criticism, Dr Gargash explained the reasons behind the delay in taking up the questions that have been pending for the last several sessions. “This has happened because the ministers concerned who could better elaborate on these issues could not attend the recent and this meeting due to important engagements. But let me assure the House, the government always cooperates with the council to help it exercise its legislative role,” he said. Member Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, in his deferred question, raised the issue of and profession of mosque imams (prayer leaders) and muezzins (those calling for prayers). He asked the House and the authority concerned what was the policy for Emiratis getting into this dignified profession. “What are the results of the council’s recommendations for the recruitment of Emiratis as imams and muezzins?” the member asked. Another issue raised was about increment in salaries and other financial benefits, including pensions of Emiratis. In his question addressed to Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, who was absent, member Hamad Ahmed Al Rahoumi demanded: “Retired Emiratis should be given a pension of more than Dh9,000,” he demanded. The other issues raised in the written questions were about an amendment in the policy pertaining to pensioners, and benefits for the elderly and women, increase in the grants for civil servants and reconsideration of the system of early retirement for women. nissar@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Deadline for Syria peace
Deadline for Syria peace Silvia Radan / 29 May 2013 Even while the European Union decided they could provide weapons to the rebels, Britain said on Tuesday it does not consider a military intervention in Syria. However, Alistair Burt, UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said in Abu Dhabi that a political transition of power must happen before the end of the year. Alistair Burt, UK Minister for Middle East and North Africa and Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs at the Press briefing in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer The 10 th working group meeting between the UAE and the UK took place in the capital this week and both parties felt they had reached stronger common ground when it came to regional crises, trade and bilateral relation. “There is no military solution to what is going on in Syria. The only solution is a political transition of power and the UK’s intention is to put pressure on the regime,” Burt said. However, he said no option was off the table. Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, the UAE Minster of State for Foreign Affairs, stressed that renewed pressure would be placed on the Syrian regime, which has no option but to give in. The alternative would be a unified entity representing all of Syria’s political, religious and community groups that ideally should be able to take over power by the end of the year. “The UAE tries to give great importance to the Geneva Convention and we prefer a political solution,” said Dr Gargash. The EU move late on Monday lifting an arms embargo on Syria sparked broad political fallout. Russia, which has been a strong supporter of the Syrian government, criticised the decision and acknowledged its anti-aircraft missile sale to Syria. Israeli answered Russia’s pledge by warning that it would be prepared to attack any such missile shipments. In London, Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement that the EU move to end the arms embargo on the rebels would send a clear signal to the Assad regime that it had to negotiate seriously, and that all options remained on the table if it refuses to do so. Regarding the Lebanese militant group’s decision to intervene in Syria, Dr Gargash said: “Hezbollah’s decision sheds light on the real conviction of this organisation, which claims its only purpose is to keep Israelis out of Lebanon. “Hezbollah’s arms are sectarian, directed towards countries like Syria and Lebanon. These intentions were known, but now they were just made public by Hezbollah’s declaration of interfering in Syria,” he explained. Syrian rebel chief Salim Idriss warned on Tuesday that if Hezbollah fighters do not stop their aggression in Syria, where they are backing government troops, “we will take all measures to hunt” them, “even in hell”. Hezbollah’s fighting in Syria would drag Lebanon into the conflict, Dr Gargash said. “Syria has become a safe heaven for jihadists. We have reached a very complex situation and now we are trying to create an agreement to end the crises through Geneva Convention, but it is a mine field,” stressed Dr Gargash. One worry is Russia, but minister Burt thinks that the country should use its influence with the Syrian regime to bring changes, rather than oppose a political power transition. “The urgency of the situation is so dramatic that by the end of the year there would be 10 million plus people displaced if Syria doesn’t end its crises,” said Burt. Other topics of discussion between the two nations were Iran-UAE relations which, according to Dr Gargash, would greatly improve if Iran followed the international law and returned the three occupied islands to UAE ownership. “Our position when it comes to the occupied islands is the same as it was 24 years ago. We want to solve the relations problems between the UAE and Iran and the solution is for Iran to give back the three islands or an international arbitrage,” said Dr Gargash. He also announced a renewable energy agreement to be signed “very soon” with the UK. silvia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
