Scientific

Insights

Periodical Newsletter Published by TRC -April 2019 - Issue 22

Domestic Waste: Turning an

Environmental Problem into
Opportunity
10

Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s More than 300 Publications Extracting Wax from

Pomegranates Investigated for Omani Researcher Palm Fronds
P6 P8 P19
 Editorial

In this Edition
Editorial 3 Household waste is too
precious to be wasted
News Reports 4
As cities expand and populations rise, The main sources of waste are domestic,
Dialogue with a Researcher 6 so does the amount of waste that is commercial, industrial, municipal, and
produced. agricultural. The waste disposal sector
Researcher’s Biography 8 offers hope towards the environmental
A report issued by the World Bank sustainability and potential to generate
(2018) points out that the rapid strong income for the economy. Many
Cover Story 10 expansion of towns and cities,
population growth and economic
countries have created modern methods
for waste disposal by transitioning
development will contribute to an from landfilling and burning waste to
increase of %70 of waste during the establishing strategic projects that
next 30 years, rising to 3.40 billion are built on scientific foundations for
tons annually, which is more than recycling; reducing the quantity of waste,
General Supervision: twice of population growth by 2050. protecting natural resources, preserving
HH Sayyid / Taimur bin Asad Al Said The same report showed that in 2016 the environment, and creating new jobs
the world produced 242 million tons and Oman must strive onward in this
of plastic wastes is equal to 24 trillion
16
Editor: direction.
Hafidh Al Maskari 500ml plastic bottles. A recent statistic on Oman’s household
waste, conducted by Oman Holding
Executive Editor:
Abdullah Al Rashdi
Insight into Innovation 16 Most waste goes to landfills or is
burned. Burning waste is the world’s
Company for Environment Services
(SAOC), shows that the rate of household
largest source of dioxins, which is one waste production in Oman amounted to
Editorial Board:
Ahmed Al Aamri
Research Devices
17 of the most toxic chemicals known 1.5 million tons in 2012 and it is expected
Mohammed Al Balushi to science, which is why effective to increase to 1.89 million tons by 2030,
Scientific Achievements 18 waste management is a vital process
to protect the environment and the
by a rate of 1.2kg per person per day.
The increased numbers of waste threaten
Editing and Content Development: health and safety of the population. people’s lives and health.
Tariq Tahat Scientific Outputs 19 Our waste problem is not going away by
itself. We need to find new ways to solve

20
Photography
Sara bint Ahmed Al Aamriya Article the increasing waste-problem, and in this
issue of Scientific Insights, we explore this
turning this environmental issue into an
Design and Lay-Out:
Suad AL-Mahrezi Information 22 economic resource by implementations
of scientific approaches and methods.

The views in this newsletter do not necessarily

reflect the views of TRC

22305306 \ 342 The online version is accessible through TRC website and e-mail.
News Reports 4 News Reports
Food Safety and Quality Document
Reviewed by International Experts and
Local Stakeholders
A number of international experts and local
stakeholders reviewed the final draft of the
Food Safety and Quality Document. The
workshop, organized by The Research Council
(TRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of
Regional Municipalities and Water Resources,
aimed at assuring that the draft’s set objectives
correspond with the vision of the Strategic
Research Program for Food Safety and Quality,
and the latest international trends. The Strategic
Research Program for Food Safety and Quality
will help set evidence-based policies from the
perspective of food security, conservation of
natural resources, and production and regulation
of safe toxic-free food.
Oman GII LAB 2019: Step Forward Towards
Oman Vision 2040
The Global Innovation Index (GII) has become one
of the key role-players in shaping how Oman will
look in 2040. Taking the Sultanate’s performance
on the recent GII’s into consideration in drafting
the preliminary vision document of Oman Vision
2040 is a major step in the right direction. The
next step is the Oman Global Innovation Index (GII)
LAB 2019, organized by The Research Council
(TRC), in collaboration with the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO). The GII LAB 2019
aims to establish effective relations and integrated
links between the national innovation eco-system
entities, and develop and promote the innovation
infrastructure in the Sultanate, develop the Omani
human capital, diversify the Sultanate’s sources
of income, and innovatively confront the current
national challenges.
5
TRC Board Approves New Strategic Research
Programs and the New Organizational Structure
In its first meeting of 2019, TRC Board approved the
Strategic Research Program for Food Safety and Quality,
and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Strategic
Research Program. During the same meeting, the Board
also approved the new organizational structure of the
Council, which aims to improve employees’ efficiency at
TRC.
Seminar on the Project of Omani Figures
Involved in Trade and Industry
The Research Council, represented by the Omani
Cultural Heritage Strategic Research Program, in
collaboration with Oman National Commission
for Education, Culture and Science, has organized
a seminar for introducing the Project of Omani
Figures Involved in Trade and Industry. A
number of local stakeholders and international
representatives from the UNESCO Office in Doha
attended the seminar.
TRC Signs Agreements for Establishing Technology Transfer Offices at CAS-Sohar
and Al Musanna College of Technology
In January 2019, The Research Council signed two agreements with the College of Applied
Sciences-Sohar and Al Musanna College of Technology for establishing two Technology Transfer
Offices (TTO) at their campuses.
The TTOs are expected to maximize the benefits gained from the research and innovations of the
academic, industrial and government institutions, in addition to providing an enabling environment
for development. Thirteen higher education institutions signed the National Technology Transfer
Network (NTTN) Joining Agreements.
6 Dialogue with a Researcher 7 Dialogue with a Researcher

If you have ever been to the beach at night, you may have noticed that the sand shines
brightly. The source of this light is tiny algae stuck within the grains. This light is emitted
through a chemical reaction, known as ‘chemiluminescence’, and is used by some species
of fish, mosquitos and butterflies to commuinicate and for self defence.
In order to utilize ‘chemiluminescence’ in estimating the amounts of antioxidants in
pomegranate juice, The Research Council (TRC) funded a scientific project, led by Baqia
Ali Al Mughairy, a PhD student at the Chemistry Department of the College of Sciences at
Sultan Qaboos University. Baqia’s project emphasized the abundance of antioxidants in Al-
Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranate.

The Research Idea: Research Findings:

The idea behind this research is to utilize the
chemical reactions of bioluminescence in estimating
the volume of antioxidants in Pomegranate (Punica
granatum). Baqia states that the Chemiluminescence
is produced and activated in labs by using special
chemicals. “We used this technique to calculate
the volume of antioxidants in some foods, such as
pomegranate juice. When the reaction between
the antioxidants in the juice and these chemicals is
“We have noticed that Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s
pomegranates have a large volume of antioxidants,
similar to fruits imported from abroad and offered
in the local markets, which affirms the high
quality of local pomegranates. Concerning the
canned pomegranate juice, there is a noticeable
variation in the level of antioxidant concentration
from one brand to another. In some samples, the
concentration was lower by around tenfold, while

Research Study Highlights the
activated, ‘emitted light’ is released that is directly
proportional to the concentration of antioxidants;
when the concentration goes higher, the light
in others the level was as high as the levels found in
fresh juice. Comparing the volume of antioxidants
in fresh juice made from local pomegranates to

Abundance of Antioxidants becomes stronger and brighter”.

Research Phases:
that in other countries; depending on published
scientific reports, we found that there is hardly
any difference. This confirms that the antioxidants

in Al- Jabal Al-Akhdar`s The research team prepared manganese planktons in locally-marketed pomegranate juice is the same
which activate bioluminescence to estimate the as in the juice marketed in other countries.
volume of antioxidants in different samples of fresh

Pomegranates
and canned pomegranate juices to specify the level Developing the Research Project:
of quality of fruits offered in the local markets, This project can be developed to include detecting
including Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar`s pomegranates. By antioxidants in other foods, such as honey
observing the intensity of the light emitted the team and olive oil. Furthermore, the idea itself can
was able to accurately calculate the volume of the be implemented for detecting materials other
antioxidants concentration. than antioxidants, such as pesticides and their
“These experiments were carried out with the use concentration levels.
of a microelectromechanical systems chip (lab-on-
chip), that pumps microfluidics of specific chemicals Research Project Achievements:
and dilute pomegranate juice into these systems to The project was awarded the National Research
create a chemical reaction in a Nano-volume single Award 2018, under the Cultural, Basic and Social
drop.” Sciences sector (under the Young Researches
Highlighting the significance of this study, she said, Category). Furthermore, the research has been
“It’s the first time that manganese planktons of Nano published in one of the esteemed publications
volume have been used in the lab-on-chip to activate related to chemical sensing devices field.
a chemical reaction inside a Nano-volume drop of
liquid. Research Team:
The outcomes of the study bring emphasis to the The research team comprised of Prof. Haider bin
importance of the antioxidant’s role in strengthening Ahmad Al-Lawati, College of Science, SQU and
the immune system, especially with rapid changes in Prof. Fakhrudin Sulaiman, College of Science,
human diets and the spread of chronic diseases, such SQU.
as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer”.
 8 8 Researcher’s Biography 9 Researcher’s Biography

In this issue of Scientific Insights, we take a look at the research of Professor Saif Nasser Al-Bahry, • Established various technologies in petroleum • More than 10,000 microbes from oil fields
the Director of the Oil and Gas Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University, Dean of the College of biotechnology and microbial enhanced oil recovery have been identified by metagenomics
Science of Sultan Qaboos University, and the Head of Biology Department. in Oman (MEOR). techniques.
Professor Saif has more than three hundred journal publications, conference participations and
technical reports, along with a lifetime of other significant achievements. • Five different types of bio-surfactants, and two • Isolation of fungus from rainforest soil
biopolymers were identified from Omani microbial and plant debris in Costa Rica. There are
Education: • Supervised more than 100 undergraduate isolates. only five described species, two from
• 1989, USA: MSc in Microbiology and Molecular and graduate projects, environmental and • Able to use microbes in treating oil spills. North America, and two from Europe and
Biology, (Antibiotic Resistance of Salmonella
manufacturing projects in the Sultanate. • Bacillus strains of specific interest to heavy oil have
Species Isolated in Oman). one from Oman.
• 1994, USA: PhD in Microbiology and Molecular • Initiated development ideas for the been isolated in the labs. The strains have been
Biology, (Adherence of Salmonella Typhimurium modern biological sciences by introducing found to bio-transform heavy oil into light oil.
to Murine Peritoneal Macrophages is Mediated by
modern teaching approaches. • The bio-surfactants has potential of transporting
Lipopolysaccharide and Complement Receptors).
• Established the Central Analytical and heavy oil in pipes.
Applied Research Unit (CAARU) at Sultan • Established technology for detection and
Research Interests: Qaboos University. identification of Sulfur Reducing Bacteria (SRB)
Interested in environment and biotechnology areas,
• In the process of establishing the which cause souring of crude oil.
which include the following:
Undergraduate Environmental Science
11. Food and water safety Program in the College of Science, Sultan Scientific Publications:
22. Spread of antibiotic-resistant-bacteria to Some of Professor Saif’s 300 plus publications
Qaboos University.
environment of journals and technical reports are rated by the
33. Heavy metals pollution BioMedNet, USA, as top 10 in the world within the
44. Microbial genomics and bioenergy field of microbes.
55. Crude oil recovery, and bioremediation and crude Research Achievements:
oil souring and mitigation
• Able to document that bacteria from Significant Scientific Outcomes for Oman
Academic contributions: sewage is shaded to the environment,
11. Curriculum development and student research and infect marine and wild life in Oman, • Isolation and characterization of microbial
projects supervising. and that sewage effluent is contaminating
22. A member of undergraduate and graduate enhanced oil recovery aerobic/anaerobic bacteria.
curriculum committees the environment with heavy metals. • The microbial compounds have potential industrial
33. Introduced many courses of applied nature at • Studied the structure of turtle eggshells applications for Oman. These compounds include
undergraduate and graduate levels during the process of microbial bio-pigments, bioplastic, biopolymers and bio-
Academic Achievements: penetration, and discovered a new surfactants and cellulose enzymes.
• Implemented the first biotechnology BSc degree membrane.
offered in the Gulf region initiated in 1997. • Studied environmental stress factors,
• Contributed in establishing MSc programs in 2000, which stimulate stress proteins expression
and PhD programs in 2006 at the Department of in microbes and plants.
Biology, Sultan Qaboos University.

Supervised more than He has more than

100
undergraduate and graduate projects,
300 publications
environmental and manufacturing
projects in the Sultanate.
 Cover Story 11

Domestic waste has become an environmental priority due to the hazardous impact of rubbish on our
health and the environment, if not disposed properly. Recently, awareness of home waste management

:
as a critical issue has become wide-spread all over the Sultanate; with the rise of local and international
specialized conferences and events, whereby experts and researchers from the public and private
sectors, NGOs, civil organizations and societies, and voluntary teams, take part to propose and draft
long-term strategic plans.

an
In this issue of Scientific Insights, we explore how the Sultanate plans to turn this environmental problem
into an economic resource by highlighting the latest advancements of scientific research in waste
recycling and how to turn our daily waste into an economic industry that creates new jobs, and builds an
integrated and comprehensive re-cycling system, committed to international standards, and implements
ethical practices.
Dr. Mohab bin Ali Al Hinai, Head of Environmental
Home Waste Concept Center of Excellence (ECE) at Oman Environmental
Home waste disposal and recycling is a main concern Services Holding Co. SAOC (be`ah) says that the
for many countries all over the world, with the increase concepts and terms of waste disposal and its
of daily waste and the lack of the correct and ethical environmental, social and economic feasibility
mechanisms for disposal resulting in pollution, the occupy public opinion considerably. And because
spread of diseases and other dangerous epidemics the responsibilities have been divided over many
to the planet. Dr. Salim bin Humood Al Rawahi, governmental offices in the past, the Royal

Opportunity Chairman of Origo Integrated Projects LLC believes Decree no 46/2009 regulated waste disposal
that within the last few decades, municipal and under a specific establishment that is proposed
home waste has increased in the Sultanate to more to be concerned with developing solid waste
than 3 tons annually, according to initial studies. disposal and optimizing the available resources.
This constitutes significant environmental risks and Furthermore, many initiatives have been
threatens the health of all living creatures. Dumping inaugurated to support the infra structure in Oman
wastes results in critical environmental problems and prepare the required services for operating
as organic waste decomposes in landfills, releasing the municipal waste sector, which is considered
dangerous amounts of methane emissions, which a critical sector in any country. These initiatives
cause damage to the climate. Furthermore, the resulted in many assignments for determining the
liquids formed due to the solubility of waste in soil form and type of waste be`ah is concerned with.
result in the pollution of groundwater. There is the solid municipal waste, including home
garbage which is identified as wastes resulted
from the normal domestic activities; such as food
wastes, wrecked furniture, discarded clothing,
paper, cardboard and cans; in addition to the
industrial, commercial and service establishments
waste resulted from damaged solid materials
which are disposed usually in unorganized ways.
It can be said that, today, countries are built on
a number of infrastructural pillars, with the most
important one being competent facilities for
waste disposal, which has increased annually all
over the world in general, including the Sultanate.
Cover Story 12
Growing Household Waste
According to Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi, Executive
Director of Oman Animal and Plant Genetic
Resources Center, the most significant causes for
the increase in daily waste are:
11. Population growth and urbanization: when
population grows, the waste resulted from
the increased human activities grows with it.
22. The development of the standard of living,
this causes human consumption of food
to increase; as not all purchased foods are
consumed, so considerable quantities turn
into waste.
33. Economic development: the increase of food
production has resulted in the similar increase
of the production of non-reusable plastic and
such as, plates, cutlery, and paper cups.
Dr. Nadiya further highlights that the world
produces around 2.1 billion tonnes of wastes
annually (UNEP 2009) and this amount will
increase to more than 2.2 billion by 2025; which
amounts to an individual increase of 1.2 kg per
day to 1.42kg.
Food waste
represents
27 %
of total domestic
waste in 2018
Dr. Mohab adds that “the rate of household
waste in Oman amounted to 1.5 million tons in
2012 and it’s expected to increase to 1.89 million
tons by 2030, by a rate of 1.2kg per person
per day”. we need to look into these numbers
in order to sustain our resources and build an
economy that depends on recycling the waste
into reusable materials and items. According to
Dr. Mohab, food waste represents 27 % of total
domestic waste which is about OMR 57 million
annually (2018). This is attributed to many causes
including the lack of awareness of the right
methods for storing food and the appropriate
quantity to be purchased for the members of the
family, in addition to not knowing how to recycle
discarded food waste.
Cover Story 13
Research and Development in
the Waste Sector
Research and development plays a vital role in
improving the environmental performance of many
21 sectors; especially in the energy sector, through
the mitigation of the effects of climate on the
environment, which is the most significant pillar
5
of sustainable development. In this regard, waste
6
is seen as a potential economic resource that can
27
be used as a raw material in many commercial
endeavors, such as the production of sustainable
power in the form of bio- fuel, gas and hydrogen,
by using the varied techniques designed for
transforming waste into power. Commenting on
this point, Dr. Mohab Al Hinai says that there are
a number of studies investigating the use of the
organic materials as a source of producing bio-gas
through the bio-decomposition of these materials
1.2% in the absence of oxygen. The biogas is produced
of waste produced by from the waste of agriculture and fertilizers,
each individual per day
municipal waste, sewage and food waste. ‘be`ah’
Dr. Mohab bin Ali Al Hinai, Head of Environmental
tries to reduce the waste quantity as much as
Center of Excellence (ECE) at Oman Environmental
possible with a circular economy, which is interested
Services Holding Co. SAOC (be`ah)
in the rehabilitation and recycling of products and
materials. This direction will contribute to reducing
Commenting on the situation in Oman, Dr. Salim the pressure on the environment, enhancing the
Al-Rawahi attributed the social and economic sustainability of raw materials and increase growth,
developments of recent years as a direct contributor development and diversification of resources.
to the increase of people’s requirements and needs,
Production
and therefore the increase of the diversity and
quantity of daily waste production. Some countries
adopted many methods for waste disposal; some
of these methods were successful, while others Circular
were not. Recently, some countries followed positive Waste Economy Distribution
methods in waste disposal that insure environment
conservation, public health and benefiting from the
wastes.
Consumption
Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi – “ Scientific research can contribute
significantly to optimizing household waste through
many methods, such as waste dumping and
organic fertilizer production, which can be carried
out at houses or schools. The best example for
producing organic fertilizers from household waste
is by dumping vegetable, fruit and tree waste, into
a lined-nylon landfill. Sugary substances should be
added before dumping in order for the waste to turn
into organic fertilizer over time. The second method
of waste treatment is through the production of
methane in factories. Household waste is burnt in
Dr. Nadiya Al Sadi, Executive Director thermal ovens, raising the temperature to 1000 C
of Oman Animal and Plant Genetic to heat the water inside special pipes, creating the
Resources Center steam that powers a generator. This process can be
used in Oman for desalination.
Cover Story 14
TRC Support to Research
Projects Addressing Waste
As of now, there have been 5 TRC-funded research
projects in environment and bio-resources. Funded
at a cost of OMR 647917, these research projects
have contributed to building specialized cadres. For
example, three PhD students and master’s degree
students have been awarded their scientific degrees
under these research projects.
A TRC funded study titled ‘The End Composition
of Municipal Solid Waste in the City of Muscat’, by
Dr. Mahad bin Said Ba Ouwain from the College
of Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University,
recommends the need to transform waste into
power, as one kilogram of domestic solid wastecan
produce 15.000 KJ of energy. Furthermore, the
chemical formula of the domestic solid waste, with
and without sulfur has been determined. The study
showed that more than 43 % of the landfilled waste
consists of biodegradable organic compounds.
Furthermore, the findings showed that the main
compounds waste were plastic 24 % cardboard 14
%, and food wastes 8 %.
Another TRC study carried out in 2015 (under
the Adapting Towards Sustainable Development
Program) is titled ‘The Sustainable Development
Methodology for Building Added Value’. Headed by
Professor. Steph Halls, the principal investigator.the
study concluded with three main recommendations:
• 1 : Analytical and research studies must be
conducted in the Sultanate, and solid municipal
waste must be inspected and categorized based
on the best internationally followed practices.
That is in addition to carrying out a high-level
analysis of the costs of the current waste
disposal system, and studying the economic
tools relating the possible implementation in
the Sultanate. Also, it is necessary to study the
non-official local markets operating in resources
recovery and their complexities, while taking into
consideration the requirements of SMEs. All of
this can be followed and controlled by drafting
partnerships and programs for wide-spreading
technology among the Omani entrepreneurs
and the international companies operating in
this field.
• 2 : Emphasis should be given to carrying out
pilot projects in resource recovery for waste
separation in each big city in Oman.
Cover Story 15
• 3 : A comprehensive national strategy for waste Examples of Local and Regional
disposal needs to be drafted as an important Institutional and Community
economic resource. International and regional
Initiatives
experts should collaborate with the competent
personnel in Oman to specify an applicable Be`ah provided support to the companies and
methodology. SMEs that recycle plastic from household and civil
The study concluded that the waste in Oman is organization waste, such as Ibn Sarhan United
characterized by having a high percentage of Projects LLC (Plasbin). Established in 2013 at
recyclable substances; the Sultanate produces the Wilayat of Samail, in the Governorate of Al-
about 1,700,000 tons of solid waste annually, with Dakhiliyah, the company collects the empty plastic
the highest being paper waste, then plastic, metals bottles from houses and civil organizations collected
and glass. 33 tons of HDPE, 38 tons PET (monthly), and 10-20
tons of PP monthly in 2018. Plasbin recycles HDPE
TRC-funded waste into small balls which are sold to local factories for
commercial uses.
related research Additionally, there is a civil initiative at the Wilayat
of Al Buraimi supported by be`ah. The initiative is
projects supported represented by Al Buraimi Voluntary Team which
carried out a campaign titled “Dawam Al-Ni`ma” that
three students to aims at reducing food waste produced in houses,
receive their PhD celebration halls, residential and tourist facilities.
The leftovers are collected to be used as animal feed
degrees and four in farms. So far, the initiative has managed to feed
5 main farms with a total of more than 500 cattle Dr. Salim bin Humood Al Rawahi,
students to obtain their from the leftovers in what amounts to OMR 2700 Chairman of Origo Integrated Projects LLC
master’s monthly.
Regionally, 62 tons of solid waste is produced in
India annually, out of which food waste represents
50 % Around 75-80 % of solid waste is collected, 242 million tons of
while only 22-28 % is treated. With regard to food
waste recycling, the city of Alappuzha in India plastic waste produced
introduced radical improvements in organic waste
disposal by installing and operating a fertilization in 2016
unit; as fertilization is a complex interaction between
waste and living microorganisms to produce organic
fertilizers for agriculture use.
HIGHLIGHTS
• A report issued by the World Bank (2018) points out that the rapid expansion of towns
and cities, population growth and economic development will contribute to an increase of
70 % of waste during the next 30 years, rising to 3.40 billion tons annually, which is more
than twice of population growth by 2050.
• The same report showed that in 2016 the world produced 242 million tons of plastic
wastes, which is equal to 24 trillion 500ml plastic bottles.
Waste in Oman has The waste disposal sector offers hope towards the environmental sustainability and potential
to generate strong income for the economy. Many countries have created modern methods
a high percentage of for waste disposal by transitioning from landfilling and burning waste to establishing strategic
recyclable substances projects that are built on scientific foundations for recycling, reducing the quantity of waste,
protecting natural resources, preserving the environment, and creating new jobs and Oman
must strive onward in this direction.
16 Insight into Innovation 17 Research Devices

This section of the Scientific Insights presents the research devices that have been
funded by The Research Council .

Gas Chromatograph (GC)

Auto Cleaning System for Dirty Barn
Auto Cleaning System for Dirty Barn is an innovation by Sara Al Batraniya, a student from the
University of Nizwa, who achieved the second place in the Falling Walls Lab Oman 2018, organized
by The Research Council, in collaboration with the German Falling Walls Foundation, with the aim
of supporting science and humanities.
A Gas Chromatograph (GC) is an analytical instrument that measures the content
of the various components in a sample. It allows precise measurements of the
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) based on the manometric principle.
Funded Institution: Sohar University
Cost: OMR 27 ,596

Overview:
This system is designed to carry out automatic cleaning that reduces the effort
and time used by poultry farmers. Due to its innovative technology, this project
is able to remove odors and microbes that cause many diseases.
The automatic barn operates through a solar panel system, and is equipped
with an automatic food transfer pump. It is powered by a temperature regulation
system designed to maintain a suitable environment for poultry.

Project’s Objectives:
11. Save effort and time.
22. Prevent many infectious animal diseases.
33. Provide a clean and safe environment for poultry.
44. Provide continuous and clean food supply for animals in the barn.
55. Increase poultry productivity.

Project’s Components:
The innovative project contains three systems:
Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA)
11. Automatic cleaning system, which automatically cleans the floor.
Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA) is used for a wide range of applications, including
22. Automatic food transfer system, which provides proper feeding for poultry.
33. Temperature regulation system, which regulates the temperature to create a the testing of optical systems, light source evaluation, measurement of power, and
suitable environment for poultry. It is a solar-powered system that controls waveform analysis of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) systems.
the poultry environment remotely, using a smart phone.
Funded Institution: Sohar University
The project participated in the global Falling Walls Lab competition in the German
capital, Berlin, in November 2018, and received impressions from academics,
Cost: OMR 14 ,600
innovators and entrepreneurs from across the different fields who attended
the competition from around the world.
18 Research Achievements
The various science and technology fields are experiencing accelerating
developments. The following are some of the most important scientific
achievements that have contributed to the development of human life.
Apple Patents Dual Screen
MacBook with Glass
Keyboard
Apple may be about to ditch
the traditional keyboard for
something more versatile. A
patent application published
recently describes a laptop
with a glass keyboard and
second screen, a move that
could enable Apple to offer a
dynamically changing set of
keys without sacrificing the
feedback from a traditional
layout. The application, filed
with the United States Patent
and Trademark Office, is the
latest patent that could chart a
new course for the MacBook.
Source: Russia Today (RT)
Russia Tests High
Technologies for Electric
Planes
Russia’s National Research
Center has announced that
its experts have successfully
tested electric motors that
will be installed on aircrafts in
the future.
According to a statement
issued by the Center,
the latest experiments
conducted by the experts
included unprecedented
electric motors equipped with
high-power transmission
technologies, and can
withstand the highest
temperatures caused by a
power supply of 500 kW.
The experts concerned with
these tests showed that the
use of these technologies
would significantly reduce
the weight of aircrafts
engines. In the future, these
technologies would enable
the launch of electric planes
with a much greater capacity
than those that currently
exist.
Source: Russia Today (RT)
Swedish Woman Gets the
First Industrial Hand Capable
of Feeling
A Swedish woman with an
amputated hand received
the latest robotic hand that
is controlled by electrodes
connected to the nerves and
muscles of her body’s trunk.
The signals convey ‘tactile
sensations’ to the nerves, while
allowing the body to control a
range of movements similar
to real hand movements. The
British researchers involved in
this project, which is funded by
the European Union, said that
this battery-powered robotic
hand could be available in the
British national health centers
within a few years
Source: Russia Today (RT)
19 Research Outputs
Omani Research Study Reveals
Promising Economic Project for
Local Farmers by Extracting Wax
from Palm Fronds
A study titled ‘An Economic Assessment of Extracting Wax from Palm Fronds
Residues and Adjusting the Appropriate Conditions by Supercritical Carbon
Dioxide (scCO2) Technique’ and carried out by Karimah Al-Balushi and her,
research team, made up of Thomas Attard, Michael North and Andrew Hunt.
The study, carried out in Sultan Qaboos University, confirmed the possibility
of using these residues as resources for extracting value-added substances
which contribute to increasing the farmers’ income and reducing the pollution
by burning the waste; as the wax (waxy substances) are among the natural
extracts that can be obtained from these residues.
The team extracted the wax from palm fronds by using scCO2; a green
and environmentally friendly technique. After studying and adjusting the
appropriate conditions for extraction, it has been found that it is possible to
extract 3.49 % of wax from palm fronds under high pressures of 400 bars and
high temperatures of 100 C. This percentage is three times higher compared
to the extraction from other agricultural residues making extracting wax from
palm fronds a promising economic project for farmers.
Furthermore, the researchers have studied the chemical composition of
these waxy substances in terms of quantity and quality. It has been found
that they contain hydrocarbons, saturated acids and esters characterized by
a long carbon chain. The physical properties were also examined, including
the degree of solubility, which was 35 to 78 C and is appropriate for many
economic implantations.
In carrying out the economic assessment of the extraction, the study
concluded that the lowest cost of extracting the waxy substances is around
3.78 Euros per one kilogram. This makes extracting wax from palm fronds
residues have definitive economic feasibility.
Furthermore, the study compared the sensitivity and selectivity of the
chemiluminescence systems resulting from the planktons of manganese (IV)
oxide to the system resulted from the widely-used potassium permanganate,
in detecting phenolic acids and phenols. This comparison concluded that
the noncolloidal is higher than potassium permanganate in sensitivity and
selectivity properties.
17 Article
Role of The Research Council in
Innovation and Capacity Building
Article 21
The Research Council was established in 2005,
pursuant to the Royal Decree number 54/2005,
and was assigned to formulate a national
comprehensive and integrated plan for research.
Moreover, to facilitate The National Research
Strategy’s main objectives by promoting scientific
research in Oman, and by focusing on knowledge
and innovation development. In addition to forming
a team of local experts, representing government
entities, academic establishments and the private
sector in order to ensure the strategy is consistent
with the local circumstance, and aspirations.
The National Research Strategy pillars stands
for research capacity in diverse areas of national
interest, especially faculty and R&D infrastructure.
When it comes to scientific innovation within capacity
building, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) defines innovation as the
implementation of a new or significantly improved
product, or process, a new marketing method, or
a new organisational method in business practices,
workplace organisation or external relations. In
addition, the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) has determined
the elements of national innovation within four
groups: Teaching and training, R&D Sector
Development, Create Appropriate Organizational
Frame for Innovation, and Innovators Support.
TRC’s National Innovation Strategy, executed in
cooperation with the concerned authorities, includes
four pillars: Institutional and Community Integration,
Human Capital, Intellectual Property, and Economic
Diversification.
All these pillars and objectives support innovation
and sustainable development in the Sultanate,
and have influenced a series of related activities
at TRC, through the formation of committees and
technical teams put in place to build on these pillars.
The overall results show that the pillars and other
objectives can be employed to build and develop the
professional skills and the scientific competencies
through the enhancement of education and training.
Meanwhile, the regularity framework for innovation
needs to be promoted through streamlining the
procedure of businesses and promoting economic
integration. In addition, frameworks and intellectual
property legislations; including patenting, ensuring
the intellectual property rights and fair competition,
must be strengthened.
Expert at the Oman Animal and Plant Genetic
21 Article
The abilities of innovators can be utilized to
serve the national economy effectively by
developing human engineering skills, which
is the base of building a scientific capacity
system.
In order to develop the educational process,
research and innovation, international
standards must be applied in different
educational stages through cultural
conventions. The Sultanate would benefit
from a Science and technology academy in
cooperation with national and international
institutions, to build abilities in the field
of technological innovation, increase the
awareness of entrepreneurship in the field of
technology, and to stimulate new commercial
projects.
The new generations must be taught the
mechanisms of development to create an
environment capable to produce knowledge
from an early age, and young people must
be encouraged to provide creative ideas, as
there are indeed many great achievements
and initiatives in this field that will encourage
the youth to gain knowledge. These initiatives
are, Oman Eco-house Design Competition,
Muscat Innovation Park (IPM), Manafa’a
Ideathon (by Oman Animal and Plant Genetic
Resources Center), Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (OCCI) Innovation
Award , Falling Walls Lab, and other initiatives
that will eventually support the sustainable
development in the Sultanate within the
appropriate time frame.
To conclude, a great effort is exerted by
TRC to build a national economy based on
innovation and added value, and achieve a
sustainable development while preserving
the natural resources to ensure a better
future for the Sultanate.
Dr. Hamid Ghaloub Ali
Resources Centre
The Research Council
 Information 22

Block Funding Program

The National Research Award (NRA) Submission Announcement

TRC Board approved the proposal on the restructuring of the Block Funding (ORG) Program,
drawing on the accumulated experience of TRC. The proposal aims to help research institutions
develop and manage their own research programs.
(Sixth Cycle /2019)
The Research Council is pleased to invite qualified researchers to apply for the National Research Award 2019. The
Award aims to encourage researchers to conduct high quality and relevant research in areas of national interest,
with application starting from Sunday 2019 /03 /17 until Monday 2019 /06 /17.
The NRA is divided into two categories

Category I: Category 2:
Objectives behind the Development of the Program: Best published research led by a PhD Best published research led by a young
11. To help institutions develop and manage their research programs independently. holder or equivalent (Senior Specialist or researcher (a non-PhD holder).
higher in the medical field) at the time of
22. To grant research institutions the authority to evaluate and follow up with the implementation
the article’s publication.
of research proposals within their own institutions.
33. To focus on supporting research that contributes to the implementation of the national Research Fields:
priorities in the scientific research area.

The development of the ORG program aimed to improve TRC’s efficiency in funding research
through three programs, as follows: Environmental Energy Cultural, Social, Information Education
Health and Systems and
and Biological and and Basic Community and Human
Resources Industry Sciences Communication Resources
Service Technologies
Program Time Period Support Amount General Conditions:
11. The applicant must be the first author, whose name appears first in the published article.
22. The research article must be of relevance to the Sultanate of Oman and falls under one of the six
Open Research Grants Does not exceed 2 years OMR 20 ,000 research fields of the award.
33. The published research must not have won any other award nationally or internationally.
(ORG) 44. The research must have been published after the 30th of June, 2016, in a refereed journal, indexed
Graduate Research in Scopus or Web of Science, or in one of the Arabic periodicals listed on the award’s page on TRC’s
Does not exceed 2 years OMR 3 ,000 website.
Support Program 55. The award is limited only to original research studies and articles. Other publications such as review
(GRSP) articles, historical articles, book chapters or medical case reports are not accepted.
Faculty Mentored 66. Only one application per cycle is allowed. If the applicant submits more than one application, then all
Undergraduate Research Does not exceed one year OMR 1 ,500 of them will be excluded.
77. TRC has the right to request any additional information.
Award Program (FURAP
88. The award’s evaluation committee members are neither allowed to compete for the award nor to be
members of any research team competing for the award.
Funding and Support Mechanism: 99. The applicant must provide written consent from each team member to prove his or her agreement
to participate in the competition. The Award winners must be willing to attend and present their
11. Funding for the program will be in the form of a financial support package. research at TRC’s Annual Research Forum.
22. Institutions will evaluate their research proposals and sort based on a set of regulations for 1010Only complete applications for the award, submitted electronically on TRC’s website, and supplemented
each program. with all the required documents as attachments, will be considered for evaluation.
1111 The evaluation committee’s decisions are final and no objection in this regard will ever be entertained.
33. TRC will determine the number of research proposals to-be-funded for each institution,
1212 The application cycle will end at 02.00 pm on Monday June 17th, 2019.
based on the availability of the financial resources.
44. The updated program provides more flexibility for institutions, in terms of management and Specific Conditions (at the time of publication):
allocation of the financial resources. • The applicant for Category I must be a PhD holder or equivalent (Senior Specialist or higher in the medical
field)
55. TRC's efforts will be focused on the strategic research programs. • The applicant for Category II must be a non-PhD holder
If you have any enquiries, please contact us at nra@trc.gov.om
Website: www.trc.gov.om
Tel: 22305450 ,22305353
 Annual Report
20 1 8

The online version is accessible through TRC website and e-mail.

www.trc.gov.om

The online version is accessible through TRC website and e-mail.

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