Scientific Research at the Faculty of Engineering

Research Areas

Scientific research at the Faculty of Engineering represents a fundamental pillar supporting innovation and technological development. It covers broad fields combining scientific foundations with engineering applications, aiming to provide sustainable solutions to industrial, environmental, and health challenges. Research activities align with Saudi Vision 2030 by developing advanced technologies in energy, infrastructure, health, environment, and space, reflecting the faculty’s leadership in enhancing the knowledge-based economy. These areas include:

1. Mechanical Engineering: Research focuses on mechanical design, applied mechanics, materials and manufacturing technologies, renewable energy, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and water desalination.
2. Aerospace Engineering: Research covers the development of advanced, nano, and polymeric materials and vehicles, fluid and air dynamics, combustion, propulsion, biofuels, control systems, robotics and AI, structural and space systems design, and topics such as high-speed transportation and microgravity.
3. Civil and Environmental Engineering: Research includes smart transportation and infrastructure, sustainable water and environmental resource management, seismic design and structural durability, and the use of AI, GIS, and BIM to enhance efficiency and sustainability in construction projects.
4. Electrical and Computer Engineering: Research covers biomedical engineering, computer engineering (AI, cybersecurity, embedded systems, IoT), electronics and communications (advanced electronic and communication systems), as well as power systems, machines, and sustainable energy.
5. Industrial Engineering: Research focuses on operations research, operations and project management, industrial quality management, safety engineering, human factors, smart manufacturing, big data analytics, energy systems, and healthcare engineering.
6. Mining Engineering: Research includes mine engineering and planning, rock mechanics, tunnel and slope stability, mineral processing and extraction, mine ventilation and safety, mining economics, geomechanics, environmental sustainability, waste management, and application of smart technologies such as AI and automation in mining.
7. Chemical and Materials Engineering: Research covers the utilization of agricultural waste, clean fuels, oil and gas separation, development of nanomaterials, hydrides, MOFs, and ionic liquids for carbon capture, algae and biofuels, pharmaceutical and tissue engineering, desalination, fuel cells and catalysis, water and environmental treatment, process safety, and modern AI applications in material synthesis and self-driving laboratories.
8. Nuclear Engineering: Research focuses on reactor systems development and fuel management using advanced simulation tools, radiation safety issues, radioactive waste, environmental and biological impacts, and nuclear medicine applications for diagnosis and radiotherapy, reflecting integration across energy, environment, and health sectors.

Thus, the scientific research areas at the Faculty of Engineering represent an integrated system combining traditional and modern disciplines, from materials development, sustainable energy, and intelligent control to advanced applications in space, medicine, and industry. This diversity reflects the faculty’s commitment to fostering scientific innovation and applying it to serve national and global development.