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Welcome to the Physical Science and Engineering Division of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
The mission of the Physical Science and Engineering Division is to advance science and technology through education, interdisciplinary research, and innovation. Our goal is to contribute to the preservation of the planet and accelerate the impact on the Saudi economy.
Our educational programs and research initiatives are aligned with Saudi national RDI priorities and Vision 2030. We aim to provide the Kingdom with the next generations of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs capable of understanding and devising innovative solutions to global challenges. These challenges are encapsulated in the four RDI Pillars: Sustainable Environment & Essential Needs, Health and Wellness, Energy and Industrial Leadership, and Economies of the Future.
PSE research areas contributing to the Kingdom RDI Pillars and Vision 2030
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Within this strategic framework, PSE fundamental and applied research addresses environmental protection, climate change, energy, and smart cities. We strive to achieve this by developing green fuels and renewable energies, creating novel materials and health applications, and providing solutions for better utilization and protection of our natural resources.
Chak Chan
Dean, Physical Science and Engineering Division
Atom-thin insulator grown into perfect films
27 November, 2024
Hexagons of hexagonal boron nitride join up to form two-dimensional insulator for next-generation electronic devices.
A method that can grow a useful insulating material into exceptionally high-quality films that are just one atom thick and is suitable for industrial-scale production has been developed by an international team led by Xixiang Zhang from KAUST.
The material, called hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), is used in semiconductor devices and can also enhance the performance of other two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs).
Researchers can combine 2D materials to build tiny electronic components for quantum computing, electronic communications and other applications. While most 2D materials conduct electricity, hBN is one of the few that is an insulator, making it an indispensable component within many of these devices.
In the laboratory, hBN flakes are often peeled from bulk samples of the material, a time-consuming and size-limiting approach that is unsuitable for mass manufacturing. Alternatively, an industrial process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD) can produce hBN by decomposing a precursor called ammonia borane. Boron and nitrogen atoms released from the precursor then form triangular islands of hBN on a copper foil, and these islands gradually grow larger until they join together into a continuous honeycomb lattice.
The team has improved this process by growing hBN from hexagonal islands instead, producing a higher-quality film. “Hexagonal islands have fewer defects, making the final film more uniform and reliable,” says Zhang. The method depends on adding a trace of oxygen during the growth process.
Read more at KAUST Discovery.
Upcoming Events
Dec 2024
Jan 2025
Chemistry Seminar
Three-dimensional van der Waals open frameworks
PSE Post-graduate Programs
Welcome to the PSE post-graduate studies area!
At PSE, students embark on a journey of discovery as they pursue careers in science, industry, and academia. Surrounded by cutting-edge facilities and supported by our international team of faculty and staff, KAUST is today's best destination for students to explore the leading edge of science and earn a post-graduate diploma recognized worldwide.
Our division currently offers seven programs at the post-graduate level, including both Master's and Ph.D. options. Under expert advisors' guidance, students can design personalized course paths and research projects tailored to their career goals. Each program combines lectures, seminars, and laboratory classes, empowering students to transform their ideas into research projects independently.
Beyond academic pursuits, PSE students at KAUST enjoy a LEED-certified campus situated on the shores of the Red Sea, enveloped in pristine surroundings. The campus hosts a rich program of scientific and business events organized by KAUST and its top-tier industrial partners like ARAMCO, Sabic, Dow, Boeing, Bruker, Hewlett Packard, and more. This lively atmosphere provides students with ample networking avenues and the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities, while maintaining a well-balanced personal life.
KAUST is an exceptional place to study, work and thrive.
If you aspire to a career in science and technology, our programs provide an excellent starting point. Both Master's and Ph.D. programs are fully funded by the university, covering tuition fees and providing a monthly stipend for the duration of the degree. Please explore the links below to learn more about our programs and begin your journey toward a fulfilling career in your chosen field of expertise.