Doha: A professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) a member of Qatar Foundation has received the Best Design Paper Award at the 21st ASP Design Automation Conference in Macau China.

Dr Amine Bermak Professor and Programme Coordinator at the Information and Computing Technology Division at HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering presented a paper outlining innovative ways of reducing power consumption for temperature sensors.

The proposed technique was implemented on a silicon chip and demonstrated in a prototype system that can not only accurately measure the temperature of the environment but also wirelessly communicate data to a reader without the use of any battery to power up the system.

The research constitutes a significant contribution to the field of Internet of Thing (IoT) in the form of a new generation of ultra-low power sensing nodes that interact with the environment harvest energy and send data wirelessly while consuming less than 2.3 uW.

The conference one of the leading global events in the field of electronic design automation received 299 papers from experts from 27 countries of which 94 were selected. Twelve papers were shortlisted for best design contest and after a review process Dr Bermak’s paper received the Best University Design Contest Award.

Dr Bermak said: “The process of presenting a paper at a conference as prestigious as this one does not only include explaining your contribution but also showing real-life results and a demonstrator to showcase your research. This can be a particularly intense and sometimes a challenging process but fun.

“This is my first conference paper with my students since joining the college last year and I am very honoured to have received the award.

“I am proud to have the opportunity to showcase HBKU in front of a global audience.”

Dr Bermak joined HBKU last September and will take a leading role in the teaching and research of new innovative programmes planned for launch this Fall including a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering and three Master of Science programmes — in Cybersecurity; Bioengineering; and Data Science and Engineering.

Prior to taking up professorship at HBKU Dr Bermak was a professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

He is an IEEE Fellow conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors in recognition of a high level of demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment.

At HKUST he was the recipient of the Michael G Gale Medal for Distinguished Teaching the highest university-wide teaching award given to a recipient each year. He obtained his master’s and PhD degrees in electrical and electronic engineering from Paul Sabatier University Toulouse France.

Dr Mounir Hamdi Dean of the college said: “Our unique model of providing multidisciplinary education and research in areas that are vital to HBKU’s vision and mission means that the university has attracted and continues to attract exceptional educators researchers and students.

“Dr Bermak is an excellent example of the calibre of the faculty within the college and the students who will enrol in our new graduate programmes will benefit greatly from his commitment to share his expert knowledge with them.

“Dr Bermak’s award is thoroughly deserved and I am delighted that his innovative work has been recognised among his peers on such an important global stage” Hamdi added.

The Peninsula