A visit to the 1st Saudi Innovation Exhibition here, which runs up to Thursday, opens up a world of ideas that Saudis are putting forward as part of a national effort to make the country a key global player among knowledge societies. The exhibition, titled “Empower Innovation to Serve Development”, opened Sunday under the auspices of King Abdullah. It is organized by King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation, at the Four Seasons Hotel. A prototype of a firefighting helicopter developed by Prince Naif Bin Mamdou Bin Abdulaziz, a digital electronic meter designed and developed by Advanced Electronic Company (AEC) and other devices using the nano-technology were displayed in the exhibition. Some of the 68 inventions on show are: u A movable hydraulic table, invented by Maj. Mansour Al-Tobaiqi, a mechanical engineer, which can lift up to 2,000 kilograms. u A car prototype with seat belts, speed limit and anti-skidding devices invented by students and technical staff of the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training – Gotevot has several other inventions on display. u A device to enhance solar cells, using silicon nano-particles. Researchers at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) developed the device. They first converted bulk silicon into discrete nano-sized particles, then, by using a patented process, developed a nano-particle solar film. The spectrum of the silicon solar cells so developed enhanced the performance of the solar cell by 60 percent. u Accelerator KACST-E51-1 – developed by KACST, the nano-technology device uses ions to accelerate the coating process of glass and metal plates by 50 KeV. u A robot for multiple use, including industrial applications, developed by Metub Al-Jazzaa, a member of Talent Club, a privately-run club operating under the supervision of King Abdulaziz and his Companions Foundation for the Gifted. Other inventions include small padlocks and keys, an antibiotic formula, a dual capacity window AC unit, networking systems, speed-meter for monitoring the traffic violators, and heat conduction devices. Al-Tobaiqi said it took him two months to develop the movable hydraulic table, which can rise and lift up to 2,000 kilograms to a height of one-meter. The devise is meant for use on stage. “My department head Brig. Asmari inspired me to design a specific table for use in graduation ceremonies for the Border Guards,” he said. He said the device, powered by two 12-volt batteries and equipped with hydraulic pump, a piston, would occupy a small space at the podium and would not hinder the view of spectators, Al-Tobaiqi has registered his device with the Patent Authority at KACST. “The movable hydraulic table can lift up to 2,000 kilograms of weight for a height of one-meter,” he said. He said he has eight other inventions, including a target-shooting gun for training Board Guards. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a United Nations agency, is present at the exhibition. WIPO is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest. __
