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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
Beating the dark current for safer X-ray imaging
26 December, 2024
Cascade engineering suppresses background noise to boost the sensitivity of X-ray imaging detectors
A detection technology that can create sharp images from ultra-low X-ray doses could improve the safety of X-ray medical imaging. The invention achieves high sensitivity using a novel arrangement of perovskite single crystals as X-ray detecting materials.
Although X-ray machines remain a key form of medical imaging, X-rays are a high energy form of ionizing radiation and high doses are associated with an increased risk of cancer. Keeping X-ray exposure to within safe limits curtails medical use.
An intense search is underway to identify materials that could increase the sensitivity of X-ray detectors, enabling high-quality medical images using very low X-ray doses.
“In recent years, many perovskite single crystal materials have demonstrated excellent X-ray detection performance,” says KAUST researcher Xin Song, a member of Omar Mohammed’s research group, who led the research.
When an X-ray photon strikes a perovskite semiconductor crystal, it generates a pair of electric charges, one positive and one negative. When these charges reach electrodes at the perovskite edges, they create a photocurrent from which X-ray images can be generated.
To push the performance of perovskite X-ray detectors further, the team has targeted the materials’ ‘dark current’. “The dark current of an X-ray detector semiconductor refers to the electrical current that flows through the device when it is not exposed to X-rays,” says Song. Dark current is primarily caused by heat-generated charge carriers and leakage currents within the device, she says.
Read more at Kaust Discovery.
Upcoming Events
Jan 2025
Chemistry Seminar
Three-dimensional van der Waals open frameworksJan 2025
Chemistry Seminar
Reticular Nanoscience: Bottom-Up Assembly NanotechnologyJan 2025
Mechanical Engineering Seminar
Lysis of microthrombi in a multi-scale model of coronary microvascular obstruction
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.