Research Matters

I hope you and your families are doing well and keeping safe. I welcome you to the eighth edition of QNRF’s newsletter, ‘Research Matters’, providing you with a glimpse into the cutting-edge and innovative research funded by QNRF.

When QNRF was established in 2006 by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), one of the first tasks it embarked on was to create a program to help nurture a research culture in Qatar, one that could identify and unlock the potential of budding future scientists and researchers. As a result, the first program offered by QNRF was the Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP).

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems are increasingly becoming popular as a renewable source of energy because they provide an alternative to traditional, non-renewable energy sources and are better for our health and environment. However, PV systems can be serious fire hazards and if a PV system catches fire, the risk it poses outweighs the benefits, as the fire can not only disrupt power supply but also cause considerable human and monetary loss.

There are more than 12 million kilometres of pipeline spanning the globe to meet the world’s gas and oil needs. Since these pipes are constructed from ferrous materials, they are prone to cracks and corrosion. There is also a high chance of a major failure occurring at any time in the vast network spread across various environments and terrains. These failures can endanger populations, damage the environment, and disrupt the supply of oil, gas, and other materials, which will have far-reaching consequences for various industries, and commercial and economic activities.