King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has signed an R&D MoU with Aramco. The agreement will see the latter fund up to $100 million in research and development projects with KAUST over the next ten years.
According to the two parties, the funds from Aramco have been earmarked for a wide range of initiatives, from “essential research” to “applied technologies.”
Areas of collaboration include the energy transition, sustainability, materials transition, upstream technologies, and digital solutions, with an emphasis on developing commercially viable outcomes, the two shared.
Topics identified within the energy transition field include liquids-to-chemicals conversion, “future refineries” research, and “low-carbon” aviation fuels.
Its “sustainability research” will include hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, renewables, and energy storage solutions.
Additional projects are expected to focus on advanced carbon materials and geothermal energy, among other things, the two parties announced.
Speaking on the R&D MoU, Tony Chan, KAUST President, commented: “The partnership exemplifies KAUST’s dedication to fostering impactful research that drives technological advancements and addresses real-world challenges.”