PSE Hero Bar Orientation April-May 2025 (765 x 475 px)

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

 

PSE Research Aligning with Vision 20230's RDI pillars

 

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


The new PSE Report 2024 is out!

New cooling technology raises power and longevity of solar cells

26 June, 2025

  • Saudi institutes create composite material that increases the power output of solar cells in Saudi Arabia by 12.9%
  • Composite material keeps solar cells cool using air moisture and no electricity to extend solar cell lifetime more than 200%

A team of international researchers led by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and including researchers from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has developed a new composite material that enhances the performance of solar cells. Solar cells with the material functioning for weeks in the Saudi Arabia desert showed higher power output and a longer operation time than solar cells without. Additionally, the material is cheap to fabricate and reduces the cost of maintaining solar cells. The study can be read in Materials Science and Engineering: R.

Solar energy is a major part of Saudi Arabia's commitment to a net carbon economy but comes with major challenges. Commercial solar panels convert about 20% of the sun's rays into electricity. The rest is absorbed as heat or reflected. Moreover, the heat reduces the performance and lifespan of solar cells, meaning the cells must be replaced sooner than otherwise. Cooling the solar cells, therefore, is necessary, but cooling systems like fans and pumps themselves need electricity. Passive cooling, on the other hand, does not.

"We specialize in nanomaterials that enable passive cooling. These materials are thin and can be placed on different systems that require cooling to operate, like greenhouses and solar cells, without affecting performance," said KAUST Professor Qiaoqiang Gan, who led the study.

In the new study, which was done through the KAUST Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, Gan and his colleagues prepared a composite material that absorbs air moisture at night and releases it during the day. The scientists found that adhering the material to solar cells operating in coastal Saudi Arabia for weeks keeps the cells cooler while increasing their power output and lifespan. Plus, passive cooling reduced the cost of electricity generation by the solar cells by 18%.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, experiments were done in some the coolest parts of mainland United States under rainfall to prove that that the passive cooling technology works in any environment.

Gan tested the composite material on solar cells provided by KAUST Professor Stefaan De Wolf, whose research team has regularly achieved world records in solar cell performance through their customized designs.

"This work is an excellent example of combining different expertise at KAUST. We tested the new cooling technology on top performing solar cells in multiple environments and saw excellent results in every case," said De Wolf.

Read more at KAUST News.

Upcoming Events

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Aug 2025

ErSE Ph.D. Candidate Miguel Corrales, Supervised by Prof. Hussein Hoteit

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.