Biodiesel From Date-seeds Powers Bus Transport Initiative
Oman's significant consumption of dates led to a surplus of waste generated from the seeds. Traditionally used for coffee, an innovative idea sparked a determined seven-year research and development process, resulting in successful biodiesel production from date kernels. The biofuel revolution in Oman stands as a shining example of innovation, collaboration, and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. Dr. Al Haj's pioneering work exemplifies the transformative power of research and development in addressing pressing environmental issues and shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
Oman Observer | Business Economy
Oman Observer | Business Economy: Date-seeds powers bus transport initiative
Oman's significant consumption of dates led to a surplus of waste generated from the seeds. Traditionally used for coffee, an innovative idea sparked a determined seven-year research and development process, resulting in successful biodiesel production from date kernels.
The biofuel revolution in Oman stands as a shining example of innovation, collaboration, and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. Dr. Al Haj's pioneering work exemplifies the transformative power of research and development in addressing pressing environmental issues and shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
A Mwasalat bus in Oman is powered entirely by biodiesel derived from waste date Kernels.
Jomar Mendoza for Oman Observer | Business Economy | MUSCAT, MAY 13A groundbreaking initiative is revolutionizing the way people think about energy production and waste management. Dr. Lamya al-Haj, an Associate Professor at the College of Science at Sultan Qaboos University, has spearheaded a remarkable project to transform waste date seeds into biodiesel, paving the way for a more sustainable future for the Middle East region.
Gaining traction, the World Economic Forum (WEF) recently featured a video of Dr. Al Haj’s work. In the featured video, the journey toward biofuel production from date kernels began in 2015 when Dr. Al Haj and her team recognized the vast potential of utilizing the oil content in date seeds to create biodiesel.
With Oman being a significant consumer of dates, there was an abundance of waste generated from the seeds, which were traditionally used for coffee. This innovative idea sparked a seven-year-long research and development process, culminating in successful biodiesel production from date kernels.
"The date seeds were used for coffee as coffee beans. We thought, can we utilize the oil content in the seeds to convert that into biodiesel because it has about 9 to 15% of oil in the seeds? And that's what sparked the idea in the very beginning," Dr. Al Haj explained.
The first tangible outcome of this groundbreaking research was the launch of a Mwasalat bus in Oman powered entirely by biodiesel derived from waste date kernels. This achievement marked a significant milestone, showcasing the potential for renewable energy solutions to replace traditional fossil fuels in the transportation sector.
"For me, it was a personal achievement because I wanted to drive home the point that research can go from the lab to the road, and it's a very strong message to send to our youth, to our students, to our society, that research should be focused on real problems in our countries and the world," Dr. Al Haj expressed.
Beyond the environmental benefits of reducing waste and carbon emissions, the biofuel production project in Oman carries wide-ranging social and economic implications. By creating a demand for date kernels as a raw material for biodiesel production, the project has the potential to generate new sources of income for farmers and create job opportunities in the agricultural sector.
"So this is going to create jobs for the farmers because instead of them throwing the seeds on in the farming industry, now they're going to be part of the solution for the collection," Dr Al Haj highlighted.
The biofuel revolution in Oman stands as a shining example of innovation, collaboration, and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. Dr Al Haj's pioneering work exemplifies the transformative power of research and development in addressing pressing environmental issues and shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
Banking, Real Estate & Technology, Headquartered in Rwanda
Mara’s technology ventures capitalizes on the rapidly growing smartphone and internet markets creating a suite of platforms that are tailored locally.
Why Africa? “The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa’s Economic Miracle” by Ashish J. Thakkar is the true story of today’s Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the “Silicon Savannahs” of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists.
Mara Group & Mara Foundation
Africa Reach – An African company with investments and operations in 25 countries across the continent
Established in 1996, Mara has grown from a small computer hardware trading firm in East Africa to a multi-sector group with investments and operations spanning 25 African countries and 3 continents.
Why Africa? “The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa’s Economic Miracle” by Ashish J. Thakkar is the true story of today’s Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the “Silicon Savannahs” of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists.
Mara’s technology ventures capitalizes on the rapidly growing smartphone and internet markets creating a suite of platforms that are tailored locally.
“The rise of the African Middle Class is expected to fuel consumption growth. This will provide a considerable opportunity to invest and meet the burgeoning demand. McKinsey projects that, by the year 2030, the top 18 cities in sub-Saharan Africa will have a combined spending power of $1.3 trillion. Africa’s retail banking sector is projected to grow 40 percent by 2020” ~The Realities of Africa. Learn More.
The Future of Wearables
Technological advancements continue to transform every aspect of society. Skillful utilization of data is importantly critical for success in the evolving world of science. To be data-driven involves extensive involvement of automation, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Providing invaluable insights into the habits and preferences are perhaps the most personal tech device we own – Smart devices. Growing access to these devices such as smartphones and smartwatches enables people to be online virtually anywhere, and at any time exploring endless entertainment among other things of digital distribution and creative opportunities.
Last November, Apple announced it would partner with researchers from Stanford University to run the Apple Heart Study to investigate Atrial Fibrillation (afib) a type of heart rhythm disorder. Normal heartbeat, contracts and relaxes to a regular beat, so our body gets oxygen and food it needs. Certain cells in our heart make electric signals that cause the heart to contract and pump blood. These electrical signals show up on an electrocardiogram (ECG) recording. In afib, the heart’s two small upper chambers the atria don’t beat the way they should instead the atria beat irregularly and too fast.
Today at a special event at Apple’s headquarters, Apple’s COO Jeff Williams unveiled the next generation Apple Watch with ECG app and fall detection sensor. Say hello to the future of wearables. The new Apple Watch Series 4 Heart Monitor now basically is our 24*7*365 wrist doctor capable of measuring and recording our heart's electrical activity in wavelengths. It monitors heart rate using green LED lights embedded in the device, and all the health data is encrypted on the device and in the cloud, Williams said.
So why an Apple Watch with EKG? ECG on smartwatch detects afib accurately according to research. Although one may detect an abnormal heart rhythm by checking the pulse or listening to the heart, the only way to confirm an atrial fibrillation diagnosis is to get an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Newly designed wristband and corresponding app that works with a smartwatch accurately display the heart's electrical activity and notify people with afib if their heart is beating normally or not, according to new data. Meaning the watch can be used as a medical device, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the EKG feature. For Apple, EKG feature is serious business and the next step as a health company. The EKG feature of the Watch itself will pave the way for medical clearance of even more Apple features.