PhD in Materials Science and Engineering (PhD-MSE)
The PhD in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) is designed to equip and motivate future researchers and academics of engineering and sustainable materials with the advanced knowledge and skills they require to address society’s infrastructure needs for today and tomorrow.
The program is delivered by the College of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with the College of Engineering and the College of Architecture, Art and Design, and focuses on four multidisciplinary research areas, including advanced materials, materials for energy and environment, structures, and analytical and computational modeling and simulation.
PhD-MSE students work with AUS faculty who are at the forefront of their fields of science, engineering and design, bringing knowledge and experience from some of the world’s best universities and institutions. Our faculty’s commitment to research, in cooperation with other academic institutions and major industrial and government organizations, creates an ideal environment for candidates to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and cultivate their own research interests.
The program admits both part-time and full-time students. Competitive assistantships are available for qualified full-time students.
Through our direct admission program, bachelor's degree holders who meet the requirements outlined below can be directly admitted to the program without a master of science.
Find our program brochure here.
Admission
Admission to the PhD-MSE program is competitive and only applicants who have a strong alignment between their own research interests and an area of specialization of one of the faculty will be selected. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the available doctoral advisors on this website and identify those who they believe are most closely aligned with their desired areas of research.
The number of students admitted is dependent on the faculty's projected ability to advise additional doctoral students and availability of financial support for those seeking assistantships. The selection is based on the applicants' academic history, maturity in the development of research capabilities, and proficiency in specialized skills demanded by the research area. In particular, candidates must have sufficient prior background to meet the prerequisites of their area of research.
The admission requirements for the PhD-MSE program are as follows.
Full Admission
For full admission to the PhD-MSE degree program at AUS, an applicant must:
- have a master of science degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or a bachelor of science degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 in any of the following fields: materials science, materials engineering, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering or civil engineering. Applicants with a relevant master’s or bachelor’s degree but not in materials science or materials engineering could be required to complete bridging courses unless they provide evidence that they have covered the equivalent of the bridging courses.
- Submit three reference letters, a statement of purpose, and a current curriculum vitae/resume.
Applicants with a degree obtained outside the UAE must submit an equivalency of their degree from the UAE Ministry of Education, Higher Education Affairs Division.
Bridging Courses
Applicants with a relevant master’s or bachelor’s degree but not in materials science or materials engineering could be required to complete the following bridging courses:
- MSE 500 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering
- MSE 510 Thermodynamics in Materials Science and Engineering
Students admitted with a bachelor’s degree are required to complete the following bridging courses:
- NGN 500 Advanced Engineering Mathematics or its equivalent
- NGN 509 Computational Methods for Engineering or its equivalent
The bridging courses do not generate credit hours towards completion of the degree program graduation.
For more information on admission requirements and the application process, please click here.
For more information about graduate assistantships, please click here.
Mission Statement
The mission of the PhD in Materials Science and Engineering (PhD-MSE) program is to prepare future researchers and academics equipped with interdisciplinary cutting-edge knowledge and advanced skills that can be utilized in meeting societal needs and in contributing to promising entrepreneurship in the UAE, the region and globally.
This reinforces AUS’s commitment to the ideals of open intellectual inquiry, ethical behavior, and social and civic responsibility.
Program Objectives
The PhD-MSE program aims to:
- prepare students to meet the high challenges of scholarship, and become profilic researchers in academia and industry
- provide a research-based learning environment that is conducive to acquiring and analyzing data, developing experimental approaches in materials science and engineering, and practicing the proper scientific research methods
- provide students with knowledge of the latest developments and techniques in the field through a dynamic curriculum that reflects the evolving needs of the region and the world
- prepare students for careers in the governmental, industrial and academic sectors, and train them to lead in creating strategies and developing operations for research and development in corporate organizations as well as government agencies
Degree Plan
To qualify for graduation with a PhD-MSE degree, students must successfully complete a minimum of 54 credit hours for students admitted with a master’s degree and a minimum of 60 credit hours for students admitted with a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00, as follows:
Students admitted with a bachelor’s degree:
- a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework (10 courses), inclusive of a zero-credit hours seminar (MSE 795)
- a minimum of 30 credit hours of research work (MSE 799)
Students admitted with a master’s degree:
- a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework (8 courses), inclusive of a zero- credit hours seminar (MSE 795)
- a minimum of 30 credit hours of research work (MSE 799)
Required Courses for Students with a Bachelor’s Degree (minimum of 33 credit hours)
Students must successfully complete the following required courses:
- MSE 700 Research Methods in Materials Science and Engineering (three credit hours)
- MSE 795 Doctoral Seminar (zero credit hours)
- MSE 799 Dissertation (for a minimum of 30 credit hours)
Required Courses for Students with Master’s Degree (minimum of 30 credit hours)
Students must successfully complete the following required courses:
- MSE 795 Doctoral Seminar (zero credit hours)
- MSE 799 Dissertation (for a minimum of 30 credit hours)
Elective Courses (minimum of 27 credit hours for students admitted with a bachelor’s degree and minimum of 24 credit hours for students admitted with a master’s degree)
Students must successfully complete a required minimum number of elective courses selected from the following. The choice of courses must be approved by the program coordinator:
- MSE 700 Research Methods in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3)
- MSE 705 Diffraction and Crystallography (3-0-3)
- MSE 707 Magnetic Materials and Devices (3-0-3)
- MSE 708 Electronic Properties of Materials (3-0-3)
- MSE 710 Advanced Thermodynamics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3)
- MSE 711 Kinetics of Materials (3-0-3)
- MSE 718 Materials for Energy Production and Storage (3-0-3)
- MSE 720 Advanced Characterization and Analytical Techniques (3-0-3)
- MSE 721 Surface Science and Technology (3-0-3)
- MSE 730 Advanced Mechanics of Materials (3-0-3)
- MSE 731 Plasticity (3-0-3)
- MSE 732 Fatigue of Materials and Structures (3-0-3)
- MSE 733 Mechanics of Laminated Composite Structures (3-0-3)
- MSE 734 Physical Metallurgy (3-0-3)
- MSE 740 Computational Methods in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3)
- MSE 741 Advanced Finite Element Method in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3)
- MSE 750 Nanomaterials Science and Applications (3-0-3)
- MSE 760 Advanced Corrosion (3-0-3)
- MSE 761 Advanced Polymers and Composite Materials (3-0-3)
- MSE 794 Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3)
PhD-MSE Proposed Sequence of Study for Full-Time Students Admitted with a Master’s Degree
|
Year |
Term |
Courses |
|
1 |
Fall |
3 courses (9 credits) |
|
Spring |
3 courses (9 credits) |
|
|
Summer |
MSE 790 Qualifying Examination (0 credit) |
|
|
2 |
Fall |
2 courses (6 credits) MSE 795 Doctoral Seminar (0 credit) |
|
Spring |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits) |
|
|
3 |
Fall |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits) (Dissertation Proposal Defense) |
|
Spring |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits ) |
|
|
4 |
Fall |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits ) |
|
Spring |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits ) |
PhD-MSE Proposed Sequence of Study for Full-Time Students Admitted with a Bachelor’s Degree
|
Year |
Term |
Course(s) |
|
1 |
Fall |
2 courses (6 credits) (including NGN 500 and/or NGN 509) |
|
Spring |
3 courses (9 credits) (including NGN 500 and/or NGN 509) |
|
|
2 |
Fall |
3 courses (9 credits) Doctoral Seminar (0 credit) |
|
Winter |
Qualifying examination |
|
|
Spring |
2 courses (6 credits) |
|
|
3 |
Fall |
2 courses (6 credits) |
|
Spring |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits) |
|
|
4 |
Fall |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits) (Dissertation Proposal Defense) |
|
Spring |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits) |
|
|
5 |
Fall |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits) |
|
Spring |
MSE 799 Dissertation (6 credits) |
Course Descriptions
MSE 500 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Provides an advanced description of structure of different materials including metals, ceramics and polymers. Examines material defects, and the fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, magnetic and optical properties. Covers the connection between material properties, structure and function. Addresses different modes of material failure such as fracture, creep and fatigue. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE.
MSE 510 Thermodynamics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Covers the basic concepts and laws of thermodynamics and their applications. Focuses on the use of internal energy, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy; Maxwell relations; ideal and real cycles and processes; chemical equilibrium; phases and solutions, phase equilibrium and other applications. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE.
MSE 700 Research Methods in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Covers qualitative and quantitative methods employed in materials science and engineering research. Introduces the basic tenets of research, knowledge, methods, and success in research. Covers problem formulation, literature review, hypotheses formulation and proposal preparation. Explores open-source databases and software libraries developed for materials, programming for data analysis, modeling, instrument design and control, and statistical methods. Prerequisites: Approval of the program coordinator.
MSE 705 Diffraction and Crystallography (3-0-3). Introduces the fundamentals of X-ray crystallography and diffraction. Provides knowledge on how X-ray diffraction can be used to determine the crystal structure for both single and poly crystalline materials. Covers reciprocal lattices, space groups, Ewald sphere construction, elements of diffraction measurements and instrumentation; and the interpretation of diffraction data. Discusses diffraction studies using synchrotron radiation and neutrons sources. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and knowledge of differential equations analysis techniques.
MSE 707 Magnetic Materials and Devices (3-0-3). Introduces basic concepts of magnetism, experimental methods and applications of magnetic materials. Describes magnetic order and excitations in magnetic materials using quantum mechanics. Covers magnetic moment, types of magnetic materials and their properties, domains and effects of nanostructuring, soft and hard magnetic materials, magnetoresistance, spintronics, and magnetic superconductors. Explores applications in magnetic memories and magnetic data storage devices. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and knowledge of differential equations analysis techniques.
MSE 708 Electronic Properties of Materials (3-0-3). Provides deep insights into the electronic properties of functional materials. Covers the concepts of energy bands and electrons behaviors in crystals. Introduces various transport mechanisms for a large spectrum of materials including metals, semiconductors and polymers. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE and background in quantum mechanics.
MSE 710 Advanced Thermodynamics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Explores applications of the laws of thermodynamics in materials science and engineering. Covers chemical reactions, magnetism, polarizability, models and properties of solutions; thermodynamic analysis of the phase diagrams of different materials; thermodynamic activities in solid and liquid systems; equilibrium constant; and phase equilibria. Prerequisites: MSE 510.
MSE 711 Kinetics of Materials (3-0-3). Covers topics related to analysis of kinetic processes in materials including irreversible thermodynamics and diffusion. Explores mechanisms of materials processing, microstructural behavior and phase transformations. Introduces equations for diffusion, reaction rates and rate theories. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.
MSE 718 Materials for Energy Production and Storage (3-0-3). Provides comprehensive knowledge about the importance of the physical and chemical properties of materials as applied in energy generation and storage. Describes the effects of materials structure, chemistry, and defects on performance and efficiency in energy production, conversion, storage and utilization. Covers topics related to materials used in solar cells and solar heat, batteries, hydrogen technology and fuel cells. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.
MSE 720 Advanced Characterization and Analytical Techniques (3-0-3). Focuses on advanced characterization and analytical techniques in materials science and engineering research analysis. Explores the operating principles and applications of electron microscopes and their spectroscopical tools. Covers X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and Raman spectroscopy. Addresses the utility and the limitation of each analytical tool. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and advanced undergraduate laboratory in physical sciences or engineering.
MSE 721 Surface Science and Technology (3-0-3). Provides advanced knowledge of the properties of surfaces and interfaces, with focus on their structure, electronic and chemical properties. Covers surface fabrication and modification methods, surface characterization techniques, adsorption/desorption isotherms, and surface reactions for catalytic applications. Discusses a range of applications including the shape of nanostructures, hydrophylic surfaces, electrochromic and thermochromic coatings, self-cleaning, self-healing and bio-inspired surfaces. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.
MSE 730 Advanced Mechanics of Materials (3-0-3). Covers fundamental concepts of solid mechanics with focus on elastic deformable bodies. Covers tensor algebra, kinematics, strain-displacement relationship, compatibility, stress and traction, equilibrium equations, constitutive relationships, linear elasticity, and solutions to selective boundary value problems. Explores the necessary mechanics background needed for other specific areas of solid mechanics, including plasticity, fatigue and fracture mechanics. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and background in the mechanics of materials.
MSE 731 Plasticity (3-0-3). Focuses on constitutive laws of plasticity, yield criteria, stress-strain relations, flow rules and formulation for rate-dependent and rate-independent plasticity. Covers basic numerical implementation of constitutive models and solutions for boundary value problems. Introduces advanced topics including crystal plasticity and applications of plasticity concepts in materials science and engineering. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and background in the mechanics of materials.
MSE 732 Fatigue of Materials and Structures (3-0-3). Covers materials response under cyclic loading with focus on predicting the fatigue life of materials and structural components. Focuses on stress-life, strain-life and fracture mechanics approaches to fatigue life. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and background in the mechanics of materials.
MSE 733 Mechanics of Laminated Composite Structures (3-0-3). Introduces the continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials with emphasis on equations of anisotropic elasticity, environmentally induced stresses, and constitutive equations of a lamina. Covers micromechanics of stiffness and expansional coefficients. Discusses transformation of stresses, strains and material coefficients. Explores the classical and first-order theories of laminated composite plates, bending and buckling; and the vibrations of composite plates using selected analytical solutions. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and background in the mechanics of materials.
MSE 734 Physical Metallurgy (3-0-3). Focuses on structure-property relationship of metals and alloys based on composition and processing. Covers types of solid solutions, ferrous and non-ferrous phase diagrams with focus on cooling curve and heat treatment. Examines Fe-C phase diagrams, steel and its types, and the microstructure associated with the individual phases. Explores design of alloys and the effect of alloying element and heat treatment in different applications. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.
MSE 740 Computational Methods in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Covers advanced computational methods and simulation in materials science and engineering. Focuses on modeling techniques from the microscopic up to the macroscopic structural scale. Explores molecular dynamics, classical mechanics, potentials for solids, Monte-Carlo simulation for atomic systems, and finite element method applications in materials and solids. Introduces computer-aided design and simulation software. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE and knowledge of differential equations or numerical analysis.
MSE 741 Advanced Finite Element Method in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Covers different finite element methods in materials science and engineering. Emphasizes on formulation and assembly of finite elements using shell and solid elements. Covers materials and geometric nonlinearities, heat transfer and structural dynamics and vibrations. Focuses on practical considerations and software use in materials and structures. Prerequisites: Admission to PhD-MSE and background in finite element methods.
MSE 750 Nanomaterials: Science and Applications (3-0-3). Provides detailed knowledge of the physical phenomena, theoretical concepts and experimental techniques to fabricate and manipulate nanostructures. Covers the preparation, testing and physical properties (mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical) of nanomaterials. Explores a wide spectrum of applications such as catalysis, adsorption, sensors, high wear resistant and corrosion resistant coatings, nanophotonics and nanoelectronics. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510.
MSE 760 Advanced Corrosion (3-0-3). Provides a strong foundation in electrochemical thermodynamics and kinetics related to corrosion processes. Covers the principles behind corrosion and methods for prevention and control. Addresses materials selection, testing, design consideration practical high-temperature corrosion problems. Prerequisites: Admission to PhD-MSE and background in physical chemistry or electrochemistry.
MSE 761 Advanced Polymers and Composite Materials (3-0-3). Provides an overview about polymers, polymer composites, plastics, elastomers and fibers with concentration on specialty polymeric materials and hybrid polymer composites and their applications. Discusses the processing, fabrication and characterization techniques of polymers and polymer composites. Explores the characteristics, composition, adhesion and morphology of polymers and polymer composites. Prerequisites: MSE 500 and MSE 510 .
MSE 790 Qualifying Examination (0-0-0). Includes written and/or oral parts to test the student’s breadth of knowledge, understanding of fundamentals, and ability to perform independent research work in one of the research areas in materials science and engineering. Prerequisites: successful completion of at least 12 credits of coursework at the 700 level from the PhD-MSE program. Approval of the program director is required.
MSE 794 Special Topics in Materials Science and Engineering (3-0-3). Presents a theoretical or practical topic proposed by the faculty beyond what is offered in existing courses. Courses are made available during registration. Can be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: topic specific. Lab/tech fee may apply.
MSE 795 Doctoral Seminar (1-0-0). Provides a unique discussion forum for all doctoral students to interact with a diverse group of faculty from different departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Architecture, Art and Design, as well as outside presenters. Encompasses a wide variety of pertinent topics from different MSE research areas. Prerequisites: Admission to the PhD-MSE program.
MSE 799 Dissertation (minimum of 30 credits). Includes the preparation, presentation and defense of the research proposal, as well as the write-up, presentation and defense of the dissertation. Prerequisites: passing the Qualifying Exam and consent of the PhD-MSE Program Director.
Faculty
Faculty members contributing to the PhD-MSE program have obtained their PhD/terminal degrees from leading international universities and reside in different departments within the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and College of Architecture, Art and Design. This select group of faculty have research interests and publication records aligned with the program’s research areas.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
|
Name |
Area of Specialization |
|
Department of Physics |
|
|
|
Laser-matter interactions, nanophotonics, light-materials interaction, electronic properties of materials, experimental techniques |
|
|
Physics of materials, thin films and micro/nano fabrication, device materials, spintronics, microscopy and diffraction, superconductivity, electronic transport |
|
|
Condensed matter physics |
|
|
Solid state physics, photovoltaics, high Tc superconductivity, X-ray spectroscopy including synchrotron radiation, non-destructive testing, environmental science |
|
|
Condensed matter physics, fractional quantum Hall effect, superconductivity, Josephson Junction arrays, topological insulators/superconductors, quantum phase transitions |
|
Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
|
Chemical sensors, fluorescent sensors, nanomaterials, functional polymers, conductive polymers, biomaterials |
|
|
Nanoporous polymers, energy, environments, thin film fabrications, catalysis |
|
|
Nanomaterials, surface chemistry, spectroscopy, photocatalysis, semiconducting metal oxide and luminescent sensors, environmental decontamination |
|
|
Wastewater treatment technologies, novel adsorbents for the removal of pollutants from the environment, wastewater reuse in agriculture, chemical kinetics and thermodynamics in solution phase |
|
Department of Mathematics |
|
|
|
Mathematical modeling, numerical simulation, finite element method, numerical modeling of phase change problems, numerical modeling of cardiac electrophysiology |
COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, ART AND DESIGN
|
Name |
Area of Specialization |
|
Department of Architecture |
|
|
Digital fabrication, furniture design and robotic fabrication |
|
|
|
Digital fabrication, computation and digital visualization, responsive environments, architectural design |
|
|
Digital fabrication, computational design methodologies and alternative sustainable approaches |
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
|
Faculty Member |
Area of Specialization |
|
Department of Chemical Engineering |
|
|
|
Biomaterials, nanomedicine, drug delivery, liposomes, micelles, ultrasound |
|
|
Interfacial phenomena/surface, colloidal science, materials science, corrosion, separation processes and thermodynamics, polymers, composite materials, pharmaceutical products, environmental issues and corrosion |
|
|
Ionic liquid technology, nanoparticle synthesis, composite polymer-IL materials for gas separation and fuel cells |
|
|
Metal Organic Framewoks (MOFs) and their application in drug delivery and wastewater treatment |
|
|
Polymer electrolyte membranes, fuel cells, bioimplantable electrodes, catalysis for fuel cells, nano-composite membranes, proton conductors |
|
Department of Civil Engineering |
|
|
|
Strengthening and retrofitting of structures, earthquake engineering and structural dynamics, materials and computational mechanics |
|
|
Computational solids mechanics, constitutive modeling, nonlinear FEA, plasticity/viscoplasticity, damage mechanics, mechanics of concrete and composites |
|
|
Nonlinear structural dynamic response analysis and modeling, passive control and supplemental damping devices, computer-aided design and simulation, nonlinear finite element methods, soil-structure-interaction, structural optimization, experimental analysis of full-scale structures as well as components and materials, development of new materials in seismic design and retrofit, fiber-reinforced concrete |
|
|
Structural and computational mechanics, finite element analysis, strengthening and rehabilitation of structures, fire resistance |
|
|
Mechanics of reinforced concrete, structural safety and reliability, finite element analysis, and large-scale experimental testing |
|
|
Sustainable materials, high-performance concrete, green buildings, composite materials, nano-materials, 3D concrete printing, energy in building |
|
|
Behavior of reinforced and prestressed concrete, composite structures, special concrete, and infrastructure management systems |
|
Department of Electrical Engineering |
|
|
|
Semiconductor physics, semiconductor device modelling, radio frequency and analog integrated circuit design |
|
Department of Industrial Engineering |
|
|
|
Design of experiments, quality and reliability engineering |
|
|
Material modeling, predicting failure behavior using numerical or experimental techniques, developing functionally graded/composite/nano materials, optimizing manufacturing process, automation, improving system’s performance, specifically manufacturing |
|
Department of Mechanical Engineering |
|
|
|
Nondestructive evaluation (NDE), ultrasonics NDE, eddy current NDE, thermography NDE /elasticity, computational solid mechanics, engineering measurements |
|
|
Experimental solid mechanics, fatigue, smart materials, shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers |
|
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Mechanics of composite materials, computational mechanics, experimental mechanics, high-strain-rate behavior of materials, impact and crash mitigation, viscoelastic and hyperelastic materials, damage mechanics, cellular and porous media, smart materials |
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Advanced materials processing, materials characterization and modeling, sustainable manufacturing |
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Nonlinear dynamics and vibration, nonlinear mechanics of metal and composite structures, nanomechanics, buckling and postbuckling
|
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Thermodynamics, energy systems, thermal stability of materials, hybridization of power plants, UAVs, HVAC systems design, nanofluids and nanoparticles, and energy management systems |
|
|
Solid mechanics, finite element modeling, advanced materials processing |
|
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Nonlinear dynamics, modeling and simulation of micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), fluid-structure interactions, model reduction of large dynamic/energy systems |
|
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Magnesium metal syntactic foams, aluminium and titanium-based nanocomposites, material and mechanical characterization, tribocorrosion studies, tribology |
|
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Renewable energy; hydrogen and fuel cell systems; energy, exergy, exergoeconomy and sustainability analysis |
Contact
For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or +971 6 515 2538.
