Prof. Zuruzi Abu Samah, Chairman of Mechanical Engineering Department, Alfaisal University, delivered a seminar titled “Developing Materials for Sustainability” on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, on Mechanical Engineering Department.

The seminar centered on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are considered as the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. He presented his work to improve the mechanical performance of banana leaves by an oil-based treatment. He, also,  showed that morphological changes to leaf structure result in enhanced mechanical properties and suggest a route to developing more robust leaves. Also, CNT is widely used as a conducting filler for sensor. Here, he presented the use of biochar which are the by-product of extraction of biofuel from rice-husk as conducting fillers for sensors. Response of sensors to pressure was modulated by shape and treatment of the biochar. In addition, he presented his work in developing bamboo fibers as an alternative sustainable material with potential applications for construction and textiles.