Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center (EWSERC)
About Us
- Vision
To develop innovative and efficient technologies and strategies that meet the growing energy and water demands of society while addressing pressing environmental challenges and ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Mission
- Conduct innovative and interdisciplinary research addressing challenges related to energy, water resources and the sustainable environment.
- Develop sustainable solutions that meet the growing demand for energy and water while minimizing environmental impact.
- Enhance energy and water efficiency through advanced research and technology.
- Reduce waste generation and promote resource conservation.
- Foster the adoption of clean energy technologies and environmentally responsible practices.
- Objectives
- Develop impactful, locally relevant technologies in energy, water and sustainable environment, with a focus on addressing the UAE’s and Sharjah’s distinct challenges, leading to patents and real-world applications.
- Secure funding from national and regional sources to support cutting-edge research and initiatives.
- Build both international and national recognition as a leading research hub, cementing EWSERC’s role as a key driver of energy, water and environmental solutions tailored to the GCC climate, as well as the evolving needs of the UAE and Sharjah.
- Provide knowledge transfer and strategic collaboration with governmental and private entities, associations and businesses, particularly with the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA), Masdar, Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), to bridge academic research with industry-driven solutions.
- Train high-quality professionals and students in the areas of energy, water and sustainable environment.
- Promote excellence in education by working with stakeholders to provide relevant support for graduate and undergraduate students in emerging and advanced technologies related to energy, water, and sustainable environment
- Offer community services to relevant government and industrial entities in the UAE and the region.
- Foster collaboration with national and international universities and research centers to advance joint research, knowledge exchange, innovation and capacity building, while positioning EWSERC as a global partner in addressing energy, water and sustainability challenges.
Research
Theme 1: Energy Harvesting, Conversion and Storage
Focuses on improving energy harvesting and storage solutions by exploring fuel cells, waste-to-energy and efficient storage methods to support a sustainable energy transition.
- Team
Theme Leader
- Dr. Amani Al-Othman, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering
Steering Committee Member
- Dr. Mehdi Ghommem, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering
Members
- Dr. Paul Nancarrow, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Dr. Mehmet Orhan, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering
- Dr. Yassir Makkawi, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering
Theme 2: Sustainable Energy and Smart Grid
Integrates smart grid technologies and renewable energy sources to enhance energy distribution and grid resilience. It aims to optimize energy systems for sustainability.
- Team
Theme Leader
- Dr. Mostafa Shaaban, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
Members
- Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ali, Professor Emeritus, Computer Science and Engineering
- Dr. Ahmed Osman, Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering
- Dr. Mohammad Hamdan, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Dr. Faisal Alkaabneh, Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering
Theme 3: Natural Water Systems
Concentrates on protecting natural water ecosystems through conservation, pollution control and sustainability measures to ensure long-term water security.
- Team
Theme Leader
- Dr. Fatin Samara, Professor in Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences
Members
- Dr. Sofian Kanan, Professor in Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences
- Dr. Ivonne Bejarano, Assistant Professor in Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences
- Dr. Aaron Bartholomew, Professor in Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences
Theme 4: Sustainable Water in the Built Environment
Addresses efficient water management in urban areas, focusing on infrastructure resilience, pollution reduction and smart water systems.
- Team
Theme Leader
- Dr. Md. Mortula, Professor in Civil Engineering
Members
- Dr. Serter Atabay, Professor in Civil Engineering
- Dr. Taleb Ibrahim, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Dr. Tarig Ali, Professor in Civil Engineering
- Dr. Sameer Al-Asheh, Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Theme 5: Sustainable Cities and Infrastructure
Explores low-carbon materials and smart urban infrastructure to promote sustainable city planning and environmental resilience.
- Team
Theme Leader
- Dr. Mohammad AlHamaydeh, Professor in Civil Engineering
Members
- Dr. Farid Abed, Professor in Civil Engineering
- Dr. Rami Hawileh, Professor in Civil Engineering
Theme 6: Energy Policy and Economics (Launching in January 2026)
Develops and evaluates energy policies and market strategies to balance economic growth with sustainability goals.
- Team
Members to be announced
Projects
Project 1 | Advanced Development of Power systems-Integrated Water Electrolyzers for Green Hydrogen Production and Sustainable Electricity Generation
Enhances the design and integration of water electrolyzers with power systems to enable scalable green hydrogen production and more reliable renewable electricity generation.
Project 2 | Waste-to-Energy Technologies
Focuses on biomass conversion into hydrogen and sustainable fuels, reducing waste and promoting alternative energy sources.
Project 3 | Clean Energy Transition Systems Optimization
Targets optimizing multi-energy systems for the UAE’s Clean Energy Transition.
Project 4 | Resilient Natural Water Ecosystems
Investigates conservation methods, pollution mitigation and strategies to improve the resilience of natural water ecosystems.
Project 5 | Sustainable Water Infrastructure in Urban Environments
Develops innovative technologies for sustainable water infrastructure and pollution control in urban environments.
Project 6 | Low-Carbon Materials for Sustainable Cities
Explores low-carbon concrete materials and smart urban infrastructure to support sustainable city development.
Publications and Patents
EWSERC consistently advances knowledge in energy, water and sustainability through high-impact research publications and innovative patents. Our researchers contribute regularly to leading peer-reviewed journals and engage with the global community by presenting at international conferences, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Research Collaborations
EWSERC is committed to creating a lasting impact through:
- strategic partnerships with government, industry and academic institutions, including SNOC, Masdar, SEWA, BEEAH, TII UAE and SRTIP
- educational excellence, providing research opportunities and mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students
- community engagement, offering expert consultation to government and industry stakeholders
Advisory Board
- Dr. Diana Aga, Director, UB RENEW Institute, and Henry M. Woodburn Professor of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, NY, USA (Specialty: Water Quality)
- Eng. Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Electricity, Water and Future Energy Sector; Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI)
- Dr. Ibraheem Sultan Al Mansouri, an electrical engineering alumnus (2008) and Head of Engineering, Masdar
- Eng. Hatem Al Mosa, CEO and Advisor to SNOC's President at Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Secretary General, Energy Council, Sharjah Government
- Dr. Hassan Alzaroni, Head of Research and Innovation, SEWA
- Dr. Phil Hart, Chief Researcher, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute (TII)
- Dr. Hui-Ming, Director, Carbon Neutrality Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, China (Specialty: Energy and Carbon Reduction)
- Dr. Alenka Temeljotov Salaj, Vice Dean for Innovation and Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Specialty: Environmental Engineering)
Facilities
EWSERC operates with cutting-edge research labs and state-of-the-art equipment, supporting breakthrough developments in energy, water and sustainability technologies. Our facilities include:
- 6 kW PV farm with smart monitoring
- Bomb Calorimeter
- Pulsed Laser Deposition to fabricate thin films
- Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS): Analysis of organic pollutants in the aquatic environment
- Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS): Analysis of heavy and trace metals in the aquatic environment
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) System: Analysis of organic pollutants in the aquatic environment
- FTIR Spectrophotometer—ATR: Identification of the plastic type, for microplastic assessments
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES): AED 150k–250k (cost estimate)
- Davis Vantage Pro2 Wireless Weather Station
- Raman Spectroscopy: Identification of the plastic type, for microplastic assessments
- Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM): High-resolution imaging of material surfaces, elemental analysis (with EDX), and microstructure characterization
- X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD): Crystallographic analysis, phase identification, and residual stress measurement
- Atomic Force Microscope (AFM): Surface topography, mechanical properties (e.g., hardness, elasticity), and nanoscale imaging
- Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA): Mechanical properties (e.g., viscoelastic behavior, modulus and damping) as a function of temperature and frequency
- BET Surface Area Analyzer: Surface area, pore size and porosity analysis
- 3D Printer (Advanced Materials): Prototyping and fabrication of complex structures
- Non-Destructive Testing Laboratory Instrumentations
Events
SEWA and AUS: Current & Future Challenges and Research Direction.
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UNESCO “Greening with STI” Bootcamp.
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Global Sustainability Roadshow.
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Guardians of Our Green: Youth Empowerment through Renewable Energy.
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Opportunities
EWSERC offers exciting opportunities for talented individuals to contribute to cutting-edge research in sustainable energy, water and infrastructure. We are actively seeking Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Assistants (RAs) and Student Interns to join our research team.
Interested candidates may check the latest vacancies here or email [email protected] for inquiries.
Contact
EWSERC welcomes collaboration with researchers, industry partners and students who are passionate about energy, water, and sustainability. For inquiries about our research, projects and opportunities please contact us at:
EWSERC Director | Dr. Mostafa Shaaban, Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering
Location | Energy, Water, and Sustainable Environment Research Center (EWSERC), American University of Sharjah, University City, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, UAE
Tel | : +971 6 515 4912 Email | [email protected]
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