Dr. Yassir Makkawi (Group leader)

Dr. Makkawi is a certified Chemical Engineer with over 25 years of academic and industrial experiences. He earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Heriot-Watt Univerisy (UK). He also holds MSc and BSc degrees in the same field. Prior to joining the AUS in Aug 2015, Dr Makkawi held various academic positions for 12 years with leading universities in the UK (Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Aston). During the early years of his career, he spent around 8 years serving the oil/gas industry in the Middle East. His current research interest is focused on energy recovery from waste, computational fluid dynamic modeling of multiphase systems, hydrogen production, solar thermochemical conversion, applications of fluidized bed reactors and biofuels from algae and halophytes. Dr Makkawi is and an active member/fellow of several UK’s professional bodies.  

Dr. Rawan Hakawati (Postdoctoral researcher)

Dr. Hakawati completed a PhD in Chemical Engineering (2018) at Queen’s University Belfast (UK) and a BSc in Chemistry as well as a BE in Chemical engineering from the American University of Beirut (Lebanon). Her PhD thesis was entitled “Biogas Utilization: a techno economic analysis of liquid fuel production”. Prior to joining the AUS in Sep 2018, she worked as Early Stage Researcher for the European Union at Queen’s University Belfast (UK) investigating the applications of biogas in chemical energy storage and liquid fuel production. Dr Rawan’s current interest is focused on energy conversion, waste to energy, energy management, energy policy, Fischer tropsch and biomass pyrolysis.

Research project: Production of acidic biochar from UAE waste biomass

The main objective of the research, which is funded by Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA), is to carry out experimental work biochar production from various UAE waste biomass. The project will generate data, for the first time in the UAE, correlating the selected biomass feedstocks, the pyrolysis operating conditions and the biochar quality.

Mihad Ibrahim (Research Assistant)

Ms. Mihad completed an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (2016) at the American University of Sharjah (UAE) and a B.Sc. in the same filed (2011) at the University of Khartoum (Sudan). Prior to joining the group, she held the positions of a Visiting Scholar and Graduate teaching/lab assistant at AUS (2014-2018). Ms. Mihad’s current research interest includes nanotechnology, anti-cancer drug delivery systems, Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and renewable energies.

Research project: Sustainable production of bio-fuels from the Arabian Gulf Algae

This research project is purely experimental and involves using advanced algae cultivation and analysis techniques in addition to a state of the art biomass thermal conversion (pyrolysis/gasification) reactor in order to assess the potentials of selected strains of the Arabian Gulf algae for biofuels production. The project will investigate algal cell division at conditions relevant to the desert climate in the UAE, with a particular focus on the impact of temperature and water salinity on the characteristics of the produced algae and biofuels (bio-oil and gas).

Hamza Alnoman (Research Assistant)

Mr. Hamza completed an M.Sc. in Energy (2017) at Heriot-Watt University (UAE) and a B.Eng. in Aerospace Engineering, (2012) at Coventry University (UAE). Prior to joining the group, He held the positions of a Research Assistant at UAEU (2013-2017) worked in the area of Phase Change Materials, Photovoltaics, and Energy Efficiency Enhancement. Mr. Hamza current research interest includes modeling and simulation of a novel process for the conversion of paper waste into energy. ​

Research project: Modeling and simulation of a novel process for the conversion of paper recycle waste into energy

The overall project objectives is to carry out modeling and simulation of a novel waste to the energy system, involving thermochemical conversion of paper recycle waste into fuels using a dual fluidized bed reactor. Focus will be made on implementing new concept of tar cracking and carbon capture during gasification process.

Muhammed Khan (M.Sc. student)

Mr. Khan completed a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering at the American University of Sharjah (UAE) in 2017. His research interest includes renewable energies, thermo-chemical conversion, fluidized bed and auger reactors, biomass pyrolysis and waste to energy. 

Research project: Commissioning and Optimization of an Auger reactor for the Pyrolysis of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) waste

The research objective is two-fold. Firstly, test and optimize a new auger reactor to ensure that all system components and instrumentation are functional. Secondly, investigate the production of biofuels from the pyrolysis of date palm waste and assess the products quality.

Fatemeh Hassan Pour (M.Sc. student)

Ms. Fatemeh completed a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering at the American University of Sharjah in 2014. Her research interest includes environmental studies, green processes, biomass thermal conversion and renewable energies. Outside of academic, Ms. Fatemeh love music and performed in music ensembles as Daf (percussion) player.

Research project: Production of biofuels from food waste and halophytes

The research examines the potential of local food waste and halophytes (salt-tolerant plants that grows in in saline semi-deserts environment) for the production of bio-oil and char through pyrolysis process. The project is also investigating the effect of biomass pretreatment and the reactor operating conditions (temperature, heating rate, residence time, etc.) on the products quality.

Ms Rania Ahmed (M.Sc. student)  

Rania completed a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering at the American University of Sharjah in 2014. Her research interest includes sustainability, green processes, biomass thermal conversion and renewable energies

Research project: CFD modeling of biomass thermal conversion in a novel solar-thermal reactor

The overall goal of this project is to provide a proof of concept for a cost effective and technically feasible future technology of a hybrid biomass solar thermal conversion process to produce bio-fuels. The research will focus on developing a novel solar reactor using advanced computational modeling. The predicted flow hydrodynamics will be validated with PIV measurements in cold flow model.

Mr Mohamed Nour (M.Sc. student)

Mr. Mohamed completed a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering at the American University of Sharjah in 2018. His research interests include renewable energies, drug delivery, biomass conversion, and sustainable systems.

Research project: CFD modeling of biomass pyrolysis in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor.

The main objectives of this study is to carry out experimental and theoretical analysis (CFD modeling) of pyrolytic conversion of biomass in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. The ultimate goal is identify the range of operating conditions for enhanced hydrogen yield in the product gas. Computational fluid dynamic model will be developed to aid in future design and scale-up of the process.

Mr Omar Moussa (M.Sc. student)

Mr. Omar completed a Bachelor's of Science degree in Chemical Engineering at the American University of Sharjah in 2018. His research interests include thermal (conversion of biomass into bio-char) and non-thermal (fermentation of date palm waste into bio-fuels) conversion of biomass into value-added products. 

Research project: Experimental investigation of thermal conversion of sewage sludge pyrolysis in an auger reactor.

The project is focused on experimental study of sewage sludge thermal conversion to biofuel and char. Various types of feedstocks (different treatment methods) will be collected from local water treatment plants and subjected to chemical and physical analysis before pyrolysis in an auger reactor. The effect of variety in feedstocks on the products yield and quality will be investigated.