CHASING ANSWERS

An elite group of scientists from around the globe look for answers to the world’s most urgent demands. In this science and technology focused series, scientists tackle energy solutions and climate change. Prof. Derya Baran, Prof. Mani Sarathy, Prof. Mohammed Eddaoudi and their teams spend sleepless hours achieving the almost impossible. From capturing CO2 from air to near invisible solar cells, scientists surprise us with their ground-breaking discoveries. Lead by KAUST President Tony Chan, these passionate scientists look for alternative solutions to help humanity. This is all happening in a unique location…on the shores of the Red Sea.

Our oceans are not just beautiful sources of entertainment and recreation, but they help regulate the climate, are an important source of food and homes to diverse marine life. The dedicated scientists at KAUST work tirelessly to not only preserve marine life but to find solutions to climate change and human intrusion. They have moved their research out of the laboratory and into the Red Sea. Prof. Manuel Aranda is working to master coral spawning and Prof. Boon Ooi works day and night to create an underwater internet faster than WIFI. Too good to be true? Take a dive into this episode and find out how KAUST professors are making waves in the field of marine science and technology.

As the world’s population increases so does the demand for food and water supplies. But feeding the 10 billion is not just about growing more produce but finding innovative technologies to achieve this sustainably for the future of our planet. KAUST Vice president of research Donal Bradley, asks the ever-daunting question of how to feed the worlds growing population. Prof. Mark Tester, Ryan Lefers and Prof. Peiying Hong work endlessly to answer that question. From irrigation with salt water to breakthroughs in plant genetics let’s find out what makes these scientists hungry for solutions.

Scientists are sometimes put under a lot of pressure to deliver solutions. The professors and students at KAUST accept this because they know pressure is the only way to make a diamond. While the Red Sea continues to be an outdoor laboratory for Prof. Zhiping Lai where he mines for Lithium, to power the future, Prof Xiaohang Li looks for ways to sove the worlds chip shortage. Throughout this series we have seen groundbreaking work from scientists. But they don’t stop there. With Prof. Jurgen heading the Artificial Intelligence Initiative at KAUST, he uses futuristic technology to help archeologists uncover our past. One startup at KAUST aims to send its invention to Mars! Now that’s out of this world.