KAUST develops new cooling technology to improve efficiency and lifespan of solar panels

KAUST develops new cooling technology to improve efficiency and lifespan of solar panels
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KAUST researchers have discovered new cooling technology to enhance the efficiency of solar cells and prolong their lifespan. (Supplied/KAUST)
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Updated 26 June 2025
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KAUST develops new cooling technology to improve efficiency and lifespan of solar panels

KAUST develops new cooling technology to improve efficiency and lifespan of solar panels
  • New technology has the potential to cut down the maintenance cost of solar cells
  • Experiments were conducted in cold and rainy regions of the US to test effectiveness in different climate conditions

RIYADH: The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has made a notable research breakthrough, developing a new composite material that improves the efficiency and lifespans of the cells used in solar panels through cooling.

The new technology has the potential to cut down the maintenance cost of solar cells, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Results of the study, carried out in partnership with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, were published in the journal Materials Science and Engineering.

The study targeted the issues of commercial solar panels, which only convert around 20 percent of sunlight into electricity, while the remainder is absorbed as heat or reflected away. Other problems include high temperatures, which reduce the efficiency and performance of the cells, shortening their lifespan and demanding more frequent replacement.

This means that cooling is essential, yet traditional cooling systems such as fans and pumps consume electrical energy; passive cooling, on the other hand, requires no electricity.

Prof. Chiaochiang Gan, lead researcher at KAUST, explained that the nanomaterials used in the passive cooling process are thin substances that can be applied to multiple systems that demand cooling, such as solar cells and agricultural greenhouses, without affecting their performance.

He said that the study, conducted through the Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, led to the creation of a material that absorbs moisture from the air at night and releases it during the day.

Covering solar cells with this material, when deployed in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia for weeks, helps keep them cool.

The passive cooling technology also helps reduce the cost of generating electricity from these cells by 18 percent.

Experiments were also conducted in cold and rainy regions of the US to test its effectiveness in different climate conditions; the results proved the technology effective in all environments.

Preliminary studies also show that other applications for the material include light-emitting devices, which typically suffer from reduced efficiency at higher temperatures.

Abdullah Al-Muqbil, researcher at the Institute of Microelectronics and Semiconductors, director of the Optics and Electronics Center of Excellence at KACST, and co-author of the study, noted that these findings also open up potential for application in lighting and laser technologies.

The research team at KAUST achieved a record-breaking performance in solar cell efficiency due to their specialized designs, showcasing the diverse expertise at the university, according to SPA.

The Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies is one of four research centers of excellence run by KAUST. It aims to support the Kingdom’s national goals in fields such as artificial intelligence, food security, renewable energy and storage technologies and smart health.


Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors
Updated 15 sec ago
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Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

Hail heritage festival draws 27,000 visitors

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail has attracted more than 27,000 visitors from the city, across the Kingdom, and from Gulf and international destinations.

Running from 6 p.m. till 1 a.m. each evening, the 30-day Beit Hail Festival offers a rich blend of cultural, artistic, and heritage experiences, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse array of live performances and interactive heritage displays, recreating scenes from the past and presented by skilled male and female artisans.

Exhibits give younger generations a glimpse of how their ancestors transformed natural materials into functional items, showcasing the ingenuity and authenticity of Saudi heritage.

More than 40 activities allow visitors to explore traditional crafts such as wickerwork, sadu weaving, crochet, hand-woven textiles, and distinctive Najdi and Hail door making.

Other highlights include traditional clothing, Thamudic embroidery, wood and leather beading, fiber arts, resin art, and soap making, the SPA added.

Visitors can also savor a variety of traditional folk foods. At the heart of the festival, an artistic theater hosts performances, including the Hail Samri and Saudi Ardah.

The festival also provides a platform for local craftspeople to showcase their work directly to the public.


Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week
Updated 4 min 12 sec ago
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Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Kingdom arrests 21,058 illegals in one week

Riyadh: Saudi authorities arrested 21,058 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A total of 12,558 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 5,500 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 3,000 for labor-related issues.

The report showed that among the 2072 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 52 percent were Ethiopian, 47 percent Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities.

A further 28 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 37 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators, the SPA reported.

The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($267,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.

Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.


Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer
Updated 12 min 55 sec ago
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Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer

Jeddah Season brings diverse entertainment to celebrate summer
  • Shopping festival, water sports, live music light up coastal city for 90 days of fun

JEDDAH: As part of this year’s Jeddah Season, summer events under the theme “Jeddah is Different” launched on Friday night at Jeddah Art Promenade, coinciding with the opening of several new zones for the summer vacation.

The program offers entertainment, culture and tourism across several main destinations, including the city’s iconic landmarks and key facilities.

The opening night featured drone shows, roaming performances and interactive characters, creating an engaging experience for families and visitors.

Throughout the summer, the season includes cultural experiences, entertainment shows, water activities, live music, shopping and other attractions, providing residents and visitors with diverse activities over 90 days.

It supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals by diversifying entertainment options and enhancing quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.

Among the main attractions is the Jeddah Shopping Festival, combining traditional and modern markets, along with promotions and discounts at malls, hotels, airlines, car rentals and restaurants. The festival will run until Aug. 31.

This year’s season also features the West Coast zone in Obhur, offering entertainment on Jeddah’s coast, women-only beaches, and both day- and night-time activities.

Visitors can enjoy water sports and games at public and private beaches, relax at retreats like Kashta Beach and attend musical performances by the sea.

The Perfume Exhibition showcases a wide range of local and international perfumes, specialized workshops and exclusive launches, with experts and celebrities taking part.

The enclosed, air-conditioned Forest Wonders area offers interactive experiences, including live animal encounters, theatrical and roaming performances, and jungle-themed restaurants until Aug. 30.

Art enthusiasts can attend concerts and art events featuring Arab and Gulf stars, adding a creative dimension to the season.

Events remain open past midnight to avoid the summer heat. More events are expected to be announced later this year, spanning the cultural, artistic and tourism fields.


Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide
Updated 12 July 2025
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Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide

Saudi communications minister urges decisive action, global cooperation to address AI divide
  • World faces ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies: Abdullah Al-Swaha 
  • Urgent action needed as next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides, he said at ITU event

GENEVA: Saudi Arabia’s minister of communications and IT has called for “decisive international collaboration” to address the inequality in computing infrastructure that could leave other nations behind in the era of artificial intelligence.

In a keynote address at the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Abdullah Al-Swaha cited the “concentration of computing power in a few regions, the lack of AI infrastructure in many countries, and the limited participation of the Global South in shaping governance frameworks and regulatory policies.”

“Today, the world faces an ‘existential gap’ due to alarming disparities in access to AI technologies,” the minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Alswaha said that the world could learn lessons from the past phases of technological transformation: The analog era, which took more than a century to connect 800 million people, and the digital era, which linked 5.5 billion individuals in just 50 years but still left 2.6 billion unconnected.

Minister Al-Swaha said Saudi Arabia under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had positioned the Kingdom as a global leader in the age of AI through a series of bold initiatives. (SPA)

In the AI era, he said, current gaps exist in computing infrastructure, data availability, and algorithms that could slow the advances needed to support human progress.

Al-Swaha reiterated Saudi Arabia’s ”unwavering commitment” to support and lead international efforts to close the emerging technological divides.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to address these gaps, citing the digital empowerment of women in the Kingdom — who now have a participation rate of about 35 percent — and the Kingdom’s top global rankings in digital competitiveness for two consecutive years.

He also noted that researchers at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology rank among the top one percent globally in scientific citations, offering hope for the future of AI.

Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha and his delegation. (SPA)

He likewise underlined the Kingdom’s progress in data protection regulations and the development of ”language models that promote inclusive access to technology for diverse communities.”

Al-Swaha further cited the HUMAIN project launched by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman “to provide the full spectrum of AI capabilities, from advanced processors to top talent, and to position the Kingdom as a global AI pioneer.”

“The Kingdom’s efforts are a direct response to urgent global challenges,” he said.

Al-Swaha emphasized that the next 10 years will be critical for bridging the divides. He called for multination “partnerships under the umbrella of the ITU to build a fair, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem that supports sustainable development and enhances human well-being.”


Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert
Updated 12 July 2025
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Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert

Shaddad: Traditional invention reflecting human ingenuity in conquering the desert
  • Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment

RAFHA: The “shaddad” stands as one of the oldest artisanal innovations in the Arabian Peninsula, serving as an essential tool in Bedouin life, SPA reports.

Used for riding camels and transporting supplies across deserts, it embodies the deep heritage and ingenuity of early communities in adapting to the harsh desert environment.

Crafted from curved wood and fixed to the front and rear of a camel’s back, the shaddad is supported by a cushion placed between the wooden arcs, ensuring balance and comfort during long journeys. It served as a vital companion during nomadic travel, trade expeditions and the transportation of passengers and goods over vast, rugged terrain.

Its design varies based on function, with one type designated for riding and another for carrying heavy loads — underscoring the bond between humans and camels, the indispensable icons of desert life.

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad endures as a unique heritage icon. (SPA)

Despite the evolution of modern transportation, the shaddad remains a fixture in cultural and heritage displays, often featured as a decorative piece in guest areas and traditional markets. It serves as a symbol of authenticity and a tangible link to ancestral roots, SPA reports.

This artisanal innovation reflects the resourcefulness of ancient communities in using local materials to create practical tools that reflect sustainability, innovation and a cultural identity centered on the camel as a symbol of endurance, strength and adaptability.

Today, the shaddad endures as a distinctive heritage icon, carrying a powerful message about the importance of preserving folklore and honoring its symbols in cultural forums, reinforcing values of self-reliance and harmony with nature, SPA reports.