News

Saudi Scientists From KAUST Find New Way To Store CO2

The new method for storing and transporting carbon dioxide in solid form could have a huge impact in fighting climate change.

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2023

Nour Nasir

KAUST

Scientists from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have discovered a novel way to store and transport CO2 in the form of a powder.

The breakthrough discovery was made by a team of scientists led by Professor Cafer T. Yavuz of KAUST. The researchers created a mesh-like clathrate structure, which can physically trap molecules of one component within the crystal structure of another.

This clathrate structure proved to be a more energy-efficient way to trap and store greenhouse gasses, as it requires no refrigeration, making it much more energy efficient than current systems.

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“Our team made it possible to carry CO2 in a solid form without the need for refrigeration or pressure. You will be able to literally shovel CO2-loaded solids from now on,” explained Professor Yavuz. “The impact is wide and strong, as the global fuel industry and the kingdom entities are actively looking for ways to capture, store and transport CO2 without significant energy penalties”.

News

Oracle Is Planning To Build Two New Cloud Regions In Morocco

The data centers will be situated in Casablanca and Settat, bringing the global tech company’s number of MENA facilities to eight.

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2024

Nour Nasir

oracle is planning to build two new cloud regions in morocco

Oracle is planning to open two new data centers in Morocco, which are expected to boost one of North Africa’s fastest-growing IT ecosystems and add to the influx of investments in the MENA technology scene.

The facilities are to be built in the capital, Casablanca, and the southern city of Settat. They will support digital transformation in Morocco and across North Africa while bringing the number of Oracle’s global cloud regions to 72. The company will offer dedicated, public, hybrid, and multi-cloud services to both enterprises and start-ups, as well as universities and government agencies.

“As one of the largest economies in Africa […] Morocco offers unique growth opportunities for businesses that are aiming to accelerate their expansion by deploying the latest digital technologies,” explained Richard Smith, executive vice president for technology in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Oracle.

The rate of adoption for cloud services in the Middle East continues to grow, driven by a technology-savvy young consumer base and a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The technology sector in Morocco is one of Africa’s fastest-growing and is now a vital component of its economy.

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Overall, Morocco’s economy continued to strengthen last year, with real gross domestic growth expected to reach around 3.5% in the medium term.

“Oracle’s strategic investment marks a significant milestone in North Africa’s digital transformation journey,” noted Jyoti Lalchandani, regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and India at market intelligence firm IDC.

Including the latest news about Morocco, Oracle’s MENA cloud regions have now increased to eight. In South Africa, the company has data centers in Johannesburg, and another is planned for Kenya. Meanwhile, the Middle East has centers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Jeddah, with two additional facilities planned for the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the high-tech city of Neom.