Research Centers

Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC)

The Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC) at KAUST draws on multiple engineering and science disciplines, all of which contribute to the improvement of existing combustion technologies, while allowing to pursue novel and innovative solutions. A key goal of the Center is to develop simple, cost-effective processes for supplying clean energy by combustion, partial oxidation, or other means relying on chemical energy conversion. The Center research agenda includes the improvement of less conventional processes such as hydrocarbon fuels gasification in order to obtain hydrogen or hydrogen-rich fuels, while capturing the carbon for sequestration or use in high value-added materials.

Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC)

Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC) will develop innovative knowledge discovery and data integration platforms for the biomedical field through graduate-level research in systems and integrative biology. In so doing, it will build human capacity for a knowledge-based economy through the training of future leaders in Computational Biology, by challenging them with novel solutions to difficult problems. It will provide a leading role in the Kingdom in the search for bioactive molecules for use in agriculture, aquaculture, medicine, as well as the biotechnology and bioprocess industries, and will facilitate utilization and conservation of local ecosystems. As the pivotal force for international collaborative computational life science research in the Kingdom, and following a core concept of KAUST, the Center will unite academic and commercial partners through collective local and international projects of significance.

Geometric Modeling and Scientific Visualization Center (GMSV)

The Center possesses top expertise and performs fundamental and application-oriented research in a variety of areas of visual computing, such as: geometric modeling and geometry processing, scientific visualization, virtual reality, rendering, simulation, computational geometry and topology, computer vision, and imaging science. There is a strong focus on novel applications with a high potential for the advancement of science and technology. In particular, the Center provides a unique interactive environment that cultivates multidisciplinary collaborations among KAUST researchers and students as well as industry researchers and collaborators interested in exploring the mathematical properties of systems in pure sciences and engineering.

KAUST Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center (AMPM)

The Center will develop innovative graduate-level research programs in various multidisciplinary areas including nanotechnology, materials science, and chemical, biological and environmental engineering. The Center will play a leading role in the search for advanced polymeric and inorganic membrane structures and devices for economic and environmentally benign processing of natural gas and oil resources in the Kingdom, as well as more efficient desalination of seawater and wastewater treatment. These challenging goals will be carried out in collaboration with KAUST academic and industrial partners. The Center will strive for fundamental academic excellence with the mission of providing ideas for development of commercial membrane products for domestic and international use.

KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)

The center will develop new catalysts, new catalytic reactions, and new catalytic technologies which are crucial to meet these future challenges. The center will move from "catalyst discovery" to "catalysis by design."

Red Sea Research Center (RSRC)

The primary focus of the Red Sea Research Center is developing a scientific basis for sustaining and conserving coral reef environments along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.

Solar and Photovoltaics Engineering Research Center

The Center’s mission is to have a direct impact not only on the science and engineering discoveries in the area of renewable energy, but also on preparing the future workforce in this exciting field. According to a recent report by the United Nations Environment Program, alternative energy employment is projected to rise noticeably in the renewable energy sector - more than eight million jobs will be created by 2030. Our mission also will involve an active engagement with local and non-local communities in the Kingdom in order to raise the awareness about benefits of alternative energy to the quality of life and economy in the Kingdom, and the world. The mission will be accomplished by adopting an aggressive Center outreach plan as detailed below.

Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC)

The mission of the KAUST Center for Water Desalination and Reuse is to contribute research and development toward the integrated and sustainable exploitation of impaired-quality drinking water sources with a minimization of energy use, chemical use, waste residuals, environmental impact and carbon footprint. This mandate will serve Saudi Arabia, deprived of sufficient fresh water supplies and already heavily involved to desalination, as well as the proximate region spanning the Arabian Gulf/Peninsula, the Middle East, Northern/Eastern Africa, and South Asia. The Center will help thrust Saudi Arabia to the global forefront of desalination/reuse technology research, development, adaptation, and dissemination.