Funded Research
Vitamin D Treatment Monitoring for Osteoporosis Patients using Microwave Imaging Techniques
Abstract: Microwave imaging is a non-invasive modality that uses low-power non-ionizing electromagnetic signals to estimate the bulk electrical properties of human tissues. These properties are the permittivity and conductivity. The electrical properties vary for different types of tissues within the human body. A microwave imaging system can be developed to measure the electrical properties of bones, which are highly correlated to the bones’ density. Using this system, the effectiveness of Vitamin D treatments for osteoporosis can be monitored regularly and safely without exposing patients to harmful ionizing radiation.
Investigators: Dr. Amer Zakaria, Prof. Nasser Qaddoumi
Project Status: On-going
Estimation of bones' electrical properties using microwave imaging techniques.
Millimeter Wave Propagation Characterization in Common Building Material used in the UAE
Abstract: Fifth generation (5G) mobile radio systems are being explored by the wireless community to support the new and advanced applications that need faster data rates, lower latency, higher reliability and availability, along with supporting a huge number of connected devices. However, for proper deployment of wireless systems using millimeter waves (mmWaves), it is very important to have accurate estimates for the propagation losses of these signals through buildings to allow for predicting the coverage and performance of these systems. Within the proposed 5G frequency range, most of the work was done to characterize the propagation of signals through building materials such as glass, bricks, and plywood. Nevertheless, limited work was done to understand the propagation of signals through concrete walls with different specifications, which is the most common material used in building in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this research, the investigators plan to develop and implement an experimental setup to measure the propagation characteristics through various building materials commonly used in the UAE.
Investigators: Prof. Mahmoud H. Ismail, Dr. Amer Zakaria, Prof. Sherif Yahia
Project Status: On-going
Measurement setup at millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies at MINEL in AUS.
RF Front-End for S-Band Nanosatellite Systems
Abstract: This research aims at developing high performance radio frequency front-end for nano-satellites (CubeSat) operating in the S-band. The S-band which corresponds to frequencies spanning between 2 GHz and 4 GHz is used for various satellite applications such communications, broadcasting (XM radio for example), earth observation, scientific research and amateur satellite operations. The use of S-band in micro-satellite offers a trade-off between from one side the simplicity and the low data rate of VHF/UHF bands, and from the other side the complexity, cost, and very high data rates of X-band satellites. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in designing satellite systems operating within the S-band.
Investigators: Prof. Oualid Hammi, Dr. Amer Zakaria
Project Status: On-going
Nayif-1: First UAE CubeSat designed by AUS students and sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).