Al-Bairaq, a non-traditional educational project by Qatar University (QU), which focuses on high school students, will represent Qatar with two student projects at the 31st International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) 2020. The exhibition will take place from 8-10 June 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ITEX is an international platform for researchers and innovators to present their researches and inventions. This will mark the second time Al-Bairaq represents ITEX. In 2018, Al-Bairaq participated in ITEX and won second place for research in the environment category.
One of the projects participating in ITEX 2020, titled “Development of Lightweight Al-SiO2 Nano-Composite for Automotive Applications – Qatar Electric Cars 2022,” proposes a composite material, applicable in manufacturing electric cars in Qatar in 2022. The objective of this project is to enhance the properties of the aluminum by combining it with silicon dioxide, fabricating the ultimate composite material. This project won first place in the material science category in the National Science Research Week 2019.
Another project, titled “Value Added Sensors from Environmental and Industrial Waste,” will also be showcased at ITEX 2020. The project team synthesized sensors from solid waste such as plastic and industrial wastes. The synthesized sensor proved to be economical when compared to the currently available sensors in the market. This project also participated in the INTEL ISEF 2019 competition, which took place in the USA, winning third place in the environmental engineering category, allowing Al-Bairaq further international recognition.
President of Al-Bairaq and Head of Communication and Outreach at QU, Dr. Noora Jabor Al-Thani commented saying, “Youth are the leaders of the future and Al-Bairaq aims to engage them in scientific research to develop a knowledge-based economy towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. We are proud of Al-Bairaq student’s successes in achieving numerous national and international awards and we will continue to support and encourage them in achieving more.”
Finally, Dr. Noora Al-Thani showed her gratitude towards Al-Bairaq sponsor Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Programme (RLIC-COP) for their continuous support and towards the overall benefits of the country and the youth of Qatar.