From aquaponic agriculture and solar-powered "rain-making" panels to energy saving eco-homes – the latest environmental projects at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park offer a glimpse into the future of the UAE.
Water and environmental technologies are two of the six key research projects attracting collaborations between scientists, researchers and students from the American University of Sharjah.
Transport, construction, big data and renewable technologies are other key areas of research, but it is the park's farm and eco-estate that are attracting the most attention.
We have a fully indoor growing area of vertical farms to allow us to grow crops year round, even at the height of summer
Anshu Santosh, a farm manager from India at the park, specialises in managing sustainable agriculture.
“We mainly grow lettuce, leafy greens, tomatoes, chillies and beetroot,” she said.
“We have a fully indoor growing area of vertical farms to allow us to grow crops year round, even at the height of summer.
“Strawberries and tomatoes flourish in the grow beds, with special lights used to replicate the role of sunlight so the photosynthesis process can happen. The temperature is controlled by air conditioning, all powered by solar.”
Aquaponics is a more sustainable way of farming, using fish waste to fertilise crops without using soil.
The fish release waste that drains into a swirl filter tank. The water rotates and deposits sediment. The clean water then re-circulates back to the plants.
The process allows natural bacteria to convert the ammonia from the fish waste into nitrates to add nutrients to the plants.
“We do not add anything artificial like potassium, nitrogen phosphate or other chemicals you may see with conventional soil-based farming,” said Ms Santosh, who supplies markets and online stores with the farm’s produce.
“The water is re-circulated. It is not thrown away, so the process requires much less. The fish and plants grow together.”
Cooling pads on the wall control the temperature and humidity to help the plants grow in a controlled environment during summer.
Solar panels generate energy to the aquaponic system to ensure the entire process is environmentally sound.
Produce grown in the farm uses 90 per cent less water than traditional agriculture and has a 40 per cent smaller energy footprint.
Merlin Rainmaker panels, a solar-powered desalination and purification tool, are also on the farm.
The three square-metre sheets provide clean, drinkable water without the need for expensive filters, membranes or chemicals.
The system moves pure water by gravity or pump into a feeder pipe at the top of the unit. From there it drains along a solar evaporator, where it is evenly dispersed.
Solar energy heats the water to create condensation and droplets of naturally purified, desalinated water run into a collection point.
The process eliminates all bacteria and pathogens to prevent water-borne diseases.
As the rainmaker only uses the Sun's energy and has no moving parts or electronics, it is easy to operate with minimal maintenance costs.
Meanwhile, homes made from fibre-reinforced polymer are covered in vines or Bermuda grass and resemble something from science fiction.
Inside, the domes are cool in summer and warm in winter because of the natural insulation provided by nature.
They are surrounded by a series of bio-spheres where agriculture is reaping rich rewards, without the chemicals, soil and irrigation of conventional farming.
An indoor chamber with special grow lights, powered by solar and wind, is another of the farm's agricultural attractions.
“In the summer, we find it difficult to cultivate crops in the aquaponic chamber as it is too hot and humid,” said Ms Santosh.
“That is where the indoor vertical farms come in.
"The liveable domes are used year round and remain cool even at the height of summer with minimal use of air conditioning.
“Even that is powered by the wind and solar. All these ideas could be used on a larger scale in the UAE in the future to reduce our environmental impact.”
Since 2016, the site has attracted academics and scientists to develop innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental concerns.
It ties in with the UAE's pledge to slash carbon emissions by a quarter before 2030 and it rubber stamps the nation's commitment to meet the objectives of the Paris agreement on climate change.
Many of the latest projects born in the Emirates and further afield will be on show during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, an online conference that begins on January 19.
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
UAE SQUAD
UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards
Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
