Faculty of Engineering Research Areas and Topics

Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE)

Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits and Systems

• Design of integrated circuits for wireless power transfer systems
• Design of low phase noise CMOS oscillators for millimeter wave applications
• Sensors electronics
• Radio frequency transceivers design
• RF-CMOS Front-end (LNA, PA, Mixer, VCO, VGA)
• RFID systems
• Applications of High-Power Microwave Systems
• RF MEMS

Digital and Embedded Systems

• Embedded Systems
• Embedded Machine vision
• Embedded Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Embedded Internet of Things (EIoT) in Industry 4.0
• Embedded Systems for Agriculture Applications
• Application Specific and Reconfigurable Architectures
• Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)
• Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning applications on FPGAs
• System-on-Chip (SoC)
• Hardware/Software co-design
• High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC/H.265)
• Versatile Video Coding (VVC/H.266)
• VLSI Implementation of communication systems
• VLSI Implementation of Wireless Body Area Networks
• High Performance Computing/Processing Systems

Digital Signal Processing

• Image and Video Processing
• Computer Vision
• Vision and Artificial Intelligence
• Speech and Audio processing
• Multi-dimension Signal Processing and Stochastic Processes
• Multimedia Systems
• Pattern Recognition
• Adaptive Filtering Design
• Sparse Signal Processing and Applications
• Compressive sensing
• Bioinformatics
• Biomedical Signal Processing

Wireless Communication Systems

• 5G and B5G Communication System.
• Machine learning for wireless communications
• Quantum Communications
• Coding for Communication Systems
• Aerial and satellite communications.
• Open RAN communications.
• Edge computing and caching.
• PHY Layer Design
• Cognitive and Software-Defined Radio
• PHY Layer Security
• Wireless-Optical Communications
• Broadband Wireless Systems.

Microwave Engineering and Remote Sensing

• Wireless Power Transfer
• Energy Harvesting Systems Using Artificial Intelligence
• Batteryless Internet of Things (IoT) Sensing Systems Using Green RF Energy
• Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) for Wireless and Antennas Applications
• Wireless Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Chargers
• Simultaneously Transmitting and Reflecting (STAR) Intelligent Surfaces
• Artificial Intelligence Enabled Future Wireless Power Transfer
• Microwave Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring
• Antenna and Resonators for Imaging Technologies
• MHz-to-THz devices, circuits, and systems for biological and healthcare applications
• Antenna and Rectennas for IoT Applications
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Electromagnetic Applications
• Reconfigurable Antennas and Arrays
• Novel Electromagnetic Materials
• Remote Sensing and Satellite Observation
• Quantum RF devices, circuits, and systems
• Electromagnetic Transparency of Glass
• MHz-to-THz Sensors for Healthcare Applications
• Nano Electromagnetics
• Wearable Microwave Components, Antennas, and Systems
• Smart Antennas, Digital Beam Forming and MIMO Antennas and Future Networks
• Short Range Wireless Applications, RFID, NFC, IoT, WSN

Biomedical Engineering

• Biomedical Signal Processing
• Biomedical Imaging, Image Processing, and Visualization
• Video Techniques for Medical Images
• Biomedical Engineering and Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Devices, Sensors, and Artificial Organs
• Bio-signal Processing and Analysis
• Biometric and Bio-measurement
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services
• Biomedical Applications of IoT
• Biomedical Applications Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Systems
• Wearable and Implantable Systems
• Lab on a Chip
• Dielectrophoresis, Electroporation, and Electrofusion Healthcare Systems
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
• Robotics in Surgery
• Neuroengineering and Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Telemedicine Technologies
• Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

• Health Care Systems
• Machine Learning in Bioinformatics
• E-Health Technology and Devices
• E-Health Information Processing
• Health Monitoring Systems and Wearable Systems
• Telemedicine/E-Health Application and Services
• DNA and RNA Structure, Function, and Sequence Analysis
• Gene Engineering and Protein Engineering
• Computer Aided Diagnosis
• Genomics and Personalized Medicine
• Proteomics and Metabolomics
• Systems Biology and Network Analysis
• Computational Drug Discovery and Development
• Biostatistics and Data Analysis in Health Care

Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)

Parallel Computing and Computer Architecture

• High Performance Computing
• Heterogeneous Systems/Accelerators
• Parallelizing Compilers
• Quantum Computing
• Neuro-Processing Acceleration
• High Performance Architecture
• Processor architecture
• Multicore / Many–core Processors
• FPGA/ System Implementation

Computer Networks and Cyber Security

• Cloud Computing and Fog/Edge Computing
• Wireless Networks
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Interconnected Vehicles
• Cellular Networks and 5G and Beyond
• Cloud/Centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN)
• Cognitive Radio Networks
• Software-defined networks
• Network Security
• Wireless Network Security
• IoT Security
• Quantum Internet

Cyber-Physical Systems

• Machine Learning
• Autonomous Systems
• Activity Recognition
• Natural Language Understanding
• Wearables
• Embedded Systems and Internet of Things (IoT)
• Learning in Resource-constrained Settings
• Embedded Machine Learning.

Intelligent Systems and Computer Vision

• Deep Learning
• Data Mining
• AI and Multi-Agent Systems
• Bioinformatics
• Object/Person/Face Detection
• Optical Character Recognition
• Image Segmentation
• 3D Computer Vision
• Feature Engineering
• Video Surveillance

Computer Science and Engineering Research Main Themes

• Health Care
• Wearables
• Smart City
• Industry 4.0
• Cybersecurity
• Quantum Computing Engineering

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering (MTR)

Bio-Medical-Mechatronic Systems

• Rehabilitation/healthcare robots/ Assistive robots
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Prosthetic Devices
• Bio-Inspired Robots
• Brain-Based Devices
• Upper and lower limbs Assistive Devices
• Surgical Robots

Micro/Nano Electro-Mechanical Systems

• Tactile sensing systems (Tactile sensors & Tactile display)
• Smart Sensor/ Actuators
• Energy Harvesting Devices (Piezoelectric / Electromagnetic, Frequency tuning, Frequency-Up Conversion, 2 and 3 DoF Energy Harvesting devices)
• Microfluidics Systems (Micro droplet formation, micro mixing, micro sorting) for environmental and medical application
• biosensors
• Micro thermal systems (sensors/heater) and its applications
• Land mine detection sensors
• Development of micro pump or medical applications
• Gas sensors for environmental and medical application
• Micro optical sensors/Devices

Artificial Intelligence in Mechatronics and Robotics:

• AI and Robotics integration in Design, Control and Perception
• Human-Robot Interaction/Collaboration
• AI for Machine Vision in Robotics
• Reinforcement Learning for Robotics Control
• Swarm Robotics
• Intelligent Control of Robotics Systems
• Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and Visual SLAM
• Transfer Learning in Robotics and Mechatronics Systems
• Embodied Intelligence in Rigid, Continuum and Soft Robotics Systems
• Deep Learning based Control and State Estimation of Robotics Systems

Bio-Inspired Soft Robotics

• Soft Serial manipulation and Soft gripper
• Soft Artificial Muscle and E-Skin
• Embodied Soft Intelligence
• Soft-folding modular robot
• Modeling of soft actuators
• Morphological computing
• Soft Biped Robots
• Soft ROV

Dynamics and Control Systems:

• Dynamic Modeling of Mechatronics-Multibody System
• Dynamics and Control of Flexible Robots & Flexible Multibody Systems
• Identification of Mechatronics Systems.
• Model Predictive Control of rigid, continuum, and hybrid Robotic systems.
• Sliding Mode Control of Mechatronics Systems
• Robust Control of Uncertain Mechatronics Systems.
• Vibration analysis and Design of Harvesting systems.
• Control applications using FPGA.
• Autonomous Driving and Embedded Systems for Automotives
• Control of Mechatronics-Medical Devices.

Field and Space Robotics:

• Unstructured Terrain Exploration Rovers
• Subsurface Exploration Mechatronics/Robotic systems
• Industrial Plant Inspection Robots
• Climbing Robots
• Light-weight Structural Optimization of Robot Arms/Limbs
• Agricultural Robots

Industrial Engineering and Systems Management (IME)

Applied Operations Research Laboratory

• Production planning and analysis
• Job shop scheduling and Line balancing
• Master production scheduling
• Aggregate planning
• Inventory planning and management
• Agriculture 4.0 application for strategic African crops
• Integrated Energy-based Production and Maintenance Scheduling.
• Outpatient appointment scheduling.

Supply Chain Management and Applications

• Green Vehicle Routing Problem/Pollution Routing Problem
• Electric vehicle related problems: charging stations location allocation problem.
• Ride Hailing/Sharing Models
• The Joint Replenishment Problem and supply chain coordination
• Blockchain technology implications on supply chain dynamics and performance.
• Supply chain digital twin applications

Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering

• Applied Workspace Ergonomics
• Design of household tools and kitchenware
• Psychological workload assessment.
• The association between Work factors and health outcomes.
• Impact of long hours usage of handheld devices, mobile phones, and tablets on user's health. Work load (mental and physical) study for worker which is dealing with IT systems.
• Motion and GAIT analysis in Orthopaedics and Sports.
• Eye tracking application in GUI design.
• Man-machine system design for higher level automation
• Touch panel usability for children and elderly people.
• Movement/gait analysis for special needs

Conventional Machining Laboratory

• Modelling and Simulation of Metal Cutting Processes.
• Ultrasonic-Assisted Machining (Milling or Drilling).
• Machinability of Hard-to-Cut Materials (Milling or Drilling)
• The application of green cutting fluids in machining processes
• Nanotribology using advanced nano materials as cutting fluid additives.

Machine-Tool / Cutting Process Interaction

• Multi-Directional Ultrasonic-Assisted Milling of Hard-to-Cut Materials.
• Chatter Occurrence and Prevention in Milling of Thin-Walled Parts.
• Machine-Tool / Milling Process Interaction.
• Dynamic Interaction between Feed Drive Systems and Cutting Process in Milling Machines.

Machinery Condition Monitoring and Fault Diagnostics

• Early Fault Detection and Diagnosis of Rotating Machinery Components
• Modelling and Simulation of Rotating Machinery Components Dynamic Behaviour

Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)

Nano-materials for energy, sensing, environmental and electronic applications

• Carbon Nanostructured Materials (Graphene, Carbon Nanofibers and CNTs): Synthesis, Characterization and Device Engineering in Supercapacitors / Batteries/Fuel Cells applications.
• Nano-Piezo Electronic Materials: Approaches to Energy Scavenging.

Mechanics of materials: Modeling, Simulation and characterization (properties, stress, strain and displacement)

• Electrical and Mechanical Properties of engineering materials and Biological Materials and Hydroxyapatite.
• Mechanics of superplastic forming and Micro-forming, Micro-Laser machining.
• Modelling and Simulation of smart materials in Multi-Physics and Multi-Scale Analysis Techniques.
• Fracture mechanics using finite element and Boundary Element techniques
• Material Models on Macro and Micro Levels for logical and biological materials and nanocomposites
• Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Composites and Nano-Composites
• Die and mold design for micro-injection forming
• Evaluation of damage and Fatigue Performance of New High Strength Materials for Structural Engineering Application
• Stir casting of metal matrix composites, Laser welding of similar and dissimilar materials
• crashworthiness and impact analysis of high strength alloys and composites, Modeling and Simulation.

<AFMM>Advanced Functional Metallic Materials (Design, Processing and Characterization)

• High Entropy Alloys, Ultra-High Strength, and Super-Alloys for Structural, Nuclear and Power Plants Applications (Design, Production and Characterization)
• Shape Memory and Superelastic Alloys for Structural, Biomedical, And Sensing Application
• Natural fibre extraction and advanced paper production technologies
• Green composites and natural fibre for engineering applications
• Dental, Bio-Implants, And Bio-Degradable Metallic Materials
• Micro/Macro laser and advanced processing of metals
• Materials for Energy Storage (Thermal and Battery)
• 3D printing of ceramics, metals, and alloys (printability and characterization)
• Metal Forming, Bulk-Nanostructure Materials and Severe Plastic Deformation
• New Casting Technologies and Alloy Design Methodologies (including machine learning)
• Nanomaterials for biomedical, energy and structural applications (Production, Characterization and Applications)

Polymeric and Composites materials

• Nanofiber formation technologies (electrospinning, solution blown, centrifugal spinning) and its applications (medical, energy, filtration…etc)
• Sustainable or green composites for industrial applications

Impact and dynamics properties of materials

• Dynamic fracture properties of composite materials
• High speed machining using split Hopkinson pressure bars.
• Measuring dynamic sliding Friction using split Hopkinson pressure bar
• Designing of new friction material composite for engineering applications
• Mechanical characterization of biomaterials
• Bulk molded composites and sheet molded composites enhancement for engineering applications
• Stir welding of dissimilar materials with pre and post treatment techniques
• Designing of special concrete composite for dynamic loads resistance application
• Dynamic properties of cellular and foam material
• Design and characterization of Function graded materials

Energy Resources Engineering (ERE)

Alternative Energy Systems Laboratory

• Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV/T) systems-Design and fabrication-Performance analysis
• Thermal regulation of Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV/T) systems using Nanotechnology
• Hybrid Concentrator Photovoltaic/Thermoelectric power generator (CPV/TEG/T)-Design and performance evaluation- Modeling & Experiments
• Wind turbine aerodynamics - Modeling & Experiments
• Fuel Cell Technology (PEMFCs, DMFCs, and SOFCs)- Modeling & Experiments
• Solar Hydrogen production via Photoelectrochemical cells or Concentrator Photovoltaic/ Photoelectrochemical cells - Modeling & Experiments
• Thermal Hydraulic of nuclear reactors- Modeling & Experiments
• Geothermal energy in industrial applications- Modeling & Experiments
• Membrane desalination systems- Modeling & Experiments

Fluid Science and Engineering Laboratory

• Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
• Micro-and Nano scale flows- Modeling, simulation, and Experimentation
• Flow in porous media- Modeling, Simulation, and Experimentation
• Complex fluid dynamics-Modeling & simulation
• Spray and liquid atomization systems - Design and characterization- Modeling, Simulation, and Experimentation.
• Multi-phase flows- Modeling, simulation, and Experimentation
• Multiscale Computations (Continuum-Meso), Molecular Dynamic Simulation
• Blood flow- Modeling, simulation, Experimentation
• Respiratory fluid mechanics- Modeling, Simulation, and Experimentation

Renewable Energy Systems Laboratory

• Renewable energy systems
• Renewable-energy-based multigeneration systems.
• Renewable energy- driven seawater desalination
• Thermal energy storage application in renewable energy system
• Renewable energy resources applications
• Design of solar energy system
• Solar systems for energy-efficient buildings
• Photovoltaics systems thermal management
• Wind Energy systems
• Solar-driven adsorption cooling systems
• Solar-driven multigeneration systems
• Hybrid adsorption desalination-cooling systems
• Solar energy utilization in water harvesting from atmospheric air
• Solar systems for energy-efficient housing
• Renewable energy-based hybrid adsorption-vapor compression refrigeration systems
• Thermoelectric System
• Heat Pipe
• Heat and mass Transfer

Fuel and Combustion Engines Laboratory

• Nanoparticles Synthesis using CI engines and Flames
• Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Burners
• Combustion and Co-combustion of Conventional and Green Fuels (H2, and Nh5)
• Morphology and Nanostructure of soot
• Biomass Gasification and Carbonization
• Spray and Liquid Atomization
• Droplet Heating and Evaporation
• Performance of Compression Ignition Engines
• Alternative, Cleaner and Low-Grade Fuels

Energy Storage Systems Laboratory

• Energy storage systems including thermal, mechanical, electrochemical, and hydrogen storage.
• Passive and active cooling storage systems using innovative heat sink designs.
• Applications of energy storage in energy systems.
• Thermal energy storage in energy systems
• High-performance, cost-effective, and safe energy storage systems to power the next generation of electric-drive vehicles.
• Ground energy storage systems for energy efficiency in buildings.
• Ground Source Heat Pump Systems (GHP) for energy storage in residential and commercial buildings.

Energy audit and Management

• Energy management strategies for Power Battery Packs, electronic components, and aerospace applications.
• Energy Audits, Energy Efficiency and Energy Managements in industrial societies
• Energy efficiency and energy management in buildings.
• Ground Source Heat Pump Systems (GHP) for energy management in residential and commercial buildings.
• Energy applications in buildings
• Zero energy buildings
• Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning systems management.
• Performance evaluation of Buildings

Environmental Engineering (ENV)

Waste Treatment and Management Laboratory

• Wastewater Treatment Technologies
• Industrial Waste Treatment and Management
• Biofuels, chemicals and bio-fertilizers production from solid wastes
• Hydrogen and Methane Generation from Waste Materials
• Waste Recycling and Management
• Applications of Nanotechnologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment
• Sludge Treatment
• Advanced Oxidation Processes
• Application of water chemistry and microbiology for treatment of organic and
• inorganic pollutant
• Sustainability and sustainable development
• Environmental impact assessment
• Sustainable cities
• In-plant Control
• Cleaner Production
• Climate change Related to SDGs 2030
• Policy, strategy, control and management aspects of water quality.
• Artificial intelligence and smart wastewater management systems.
• Water 4.0 digital revolution.
• Municipal solid waste management.
• Hazardous waste management.

Natural Resources Management Laboratory

• Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)
• Applications of Remote Sensing and GIS In Water Resources, Sewer Systems, and
• Coastal Issues.
• Sustainability of Water Supply Systems.
• Coastal modeling, Sediment transport, Sediment yield, and Beach erosion Studies
• Impact of Climate Change on water resources /groundwater/ coastal regions
• Coastal Hazards Management and disaster risks
• Innovative coastal engineering/technologies to mitigate saltwater intrusion based SLR
• Environmental Change Risk Analysis and assessment (storm surges, high waves, and flash floods)
• Economic evaluation of coastal hazards and coastal adaptations to SLR

 Environmental Assessment and Management Laboratory

• Environmental Management for Sustaining a Green Environment
• Sustainable buildings and cities
• Greening the Built Environment
• Passive architecture and urban environment
• Building energy efficiency
• Impact of climate change on the design of energy efficient buildings
• Adapting urban planning for climate change
• Thermal mitigation effects of urban vegetation
• Natural ventilation efficiency of houses by using computational techniques
• Remote sensing and its applications in urban planning.
• Satellite images analysis to assess the surface thermal distribution in urban areas.
• Building materials for hot and humid climate

 Air Quality Laboratory

• Air Pollution Assessment and Control
• Implementation of Nanotechnology for Pollution Control and Detection
• Sensors and Detectors Technology
• Assessment of Industrial Emissions
• Climate Change and Sustainability (Greenhouse Effect)
• Indoor Air Quality Improvement Techniques
• Air Pollution filtration and treatment

Chemicals and Petrochemicals Engineering (CPE)

Desalination using solar Energy

• Design of new solar collectors using nanofluids and its applications in water desalination.
• Desalination Using Capacitive Deionization Techniques.

Membrane fabrication and modifications and its applications

• Desalination and Ultrafiltration processes.
• Membrane Distillation
• Fuel cells and Hydrogen production
• Separation processes.

Design of wastewater treatment units and its applications

• Advanced Oxidation Techniques such as Plasma for Water Purification.
• Photocatalysis and its applications in water treatment
• Using New materials as ion exchange for water treatment
• Preparation of New electrodes and it applications for wastewater treatment by electrooxidation techniques.

Catalysis and its applications

• Photocatalysis and its applications in wastewater treatment, Production of new chemical and petrochemical materials.
• Electrocatalysis and its Applications in Supercapacitors, Batteries, Sensors and Biosensors.
• Enzyme-catalysis and its applications in wastewater treatment, production of foodstuffs and pharmaceutical materials.

Preparation of Nano-materials and its applications

• Ion exchange
• Electrocatalysis
• Fuel cells
• Supercapacitors and energy storage materials.

Synthesis and development of Nanofluids for different applications

• Chemical Enhanced oil recovery, cooling and other applications

Corrosion Protection

• Preparation of New Smart Materials and its applications for corrosion control.

Design of Micro-reactor and its applications such as:

• Preparation of fine chemicals, foodstuffs and pharmaceutical drugs, etc.

 Development of new polymeric materials:

• Composites, insulators, fibrous materials and conducting polymers, etc.

Biodiesel production from agricultural and oil wastes.

• Separation processes development
• Distillation, liquid extraction, gas absorption, crystallization, adsorption, and many other separation techniques performance and productivity improvement

Oil, Gas, Petrochemical and related chemical processes

• Chemical enhanced oil recovery.
• Synthesis and development of new gaseous and liquid fuels and related chemical processes.
• Carbon dioxide capture, utilization, storage, transportation, and sequestration.
• Conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and chemical products.
• Development of separation and liquefaction processes.
• Development of hydrogen production and storage.
• Chemical and Petrochemicals industrial processes, operation development and performance improvement.
• Simulation and development of different industrial processes

Electrical Power Engineering (EPE)

Power System Planning, Operation and Control

• Power system stability
• Power system reliability
• Power system flexibility
• Power system resilience
• Power system security
• Flexible alternating current transmission systems (FACTS) applied to power systems.
• Application of optimization methods to power systems
• Power system protection
• Monitoring and online diagnosis
• Control of power system

Networks for Renewable Generation

• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Microgrids and active distribution networks
• Virtual power plants and demand response
• Security assessment and risk analysis in renewable energy
• Assessment and the impacts of high penetration of renewable energy
• System side technologies/controls for renewable energy integration
• Demand side technologies/controls for renewable energy integration
• Grid modelling, simulation, and data management
• Energy Management Systems
• Wide Area Protection, Communication, and Control in Energy Systems

Smart Grid

• New Trends and Technologies for Smart Grid
• Novel energy conversion studies in smart grid systems
• Microgrids for transportation electrification
• Power Devices and Driving Circuits for Smart Grid
• Decision Support Systems for Smart Grid
• ICT, IoT, Real-time monitoring and control
• Smart metering, measurement, instrumentation, and control
• Impact of Smart Grid on Distributed Energy Resources
• Self-healing
• Smart homes, cities, communities
• Policies and Strategies for Smart Grid

Energy Markets

• Market structure and operation
• Transmission cost/loss allocation
• Congestion management
• Pricing of energy and ancillary services
• Impact of renewable energy integration on Energy market operation
• Energy audit

Energy Storage

• Modelling aspects of energy storage systems
• Control and planning of centralized and distributed energy storage.
• Grid Scale energy storage
• Management and control of large number of distributed small storage, V2G and similar
• Battery Management Systems

Power electronics and machine drives

• Power electronics for renewable energy systems
• Power electronics applications in electric vehicles
• Power electronics for green power generations
• Power electronics converters applications in smart microgrids
• Power electronics applications in aircraft applications
• Power electronics applications in machine drives applications
• Power electronics applications in High voltage DC applications
• Electrical machines control

Net Zero Carbon Technologies

• Wind energy operation and control
• PV energy operation and control
• Green Energy Sources
• Clean hydrogen
• Electrification of major load sectors, Transportation is the main focus
• Electrical Vehicle

High voltage engineering and applications

• Development of nanocomposites for electrical insulation.
• Condition monitoring and diagnosis of power equipment.
• Aging phenomena of electrical insulating materials.
• Environmentally friendly materials for high voltage applications.
• Superconducting power equipment.