Najran University has secured a new patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for developing an advanced composite material that combines high performance with environmental sustainability, marking a significant milestone in the university’s research and innovation efforts.
The patented material is expected to support a wide range of industrial applications while advancing sustainable manufacturing and environmentally friendly technologies. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education supported the patent through its Institutional Funding Program.
The innovation is based on the development of a novel composite formulation that integrates epoxy resin with biosilica extracted from rice husk ash after it has been treated with silane. The formulation enhances the material’s homogeneity, increases its cohesion, reduces its brittleness, and improves its performance under a wide range of thermal and mechanical conditions.
The innovation contributes to the development of high-performance materials for industrial coatings, insulation, and composite materials used in engineering applications.
It also uses agricultural waste to produce value-added raw materials, supporting the circular economy and offering more sustainable alternatives to conventional materials.
Najran University
Najran University is a state-funded public research university located in Najran, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 2006 by a royal decree from King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines such as engineering, medicine, business, education, social sciences, and humanities.
The university features an administrative building, supporting deanships, a university hospital, a medical city, research centers, sports and entertainment facilities, and residential units for faculty members, students, and staff.
