The American University in Dubai (AUD) has been awarded a Research, Development, and Innovation grant from the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) for its project titled “Physics and AI-Driven Additive Manufacturing of Cool Materials for Cognitive Cities.”

The project is led by Dr. Mason Marzbali, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at AUD, serving as Principal Investigator, in collaboration with Dr. Moussa Tembely, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Concordia University, who joins as co-Principal Investigator.

Focused on addressing the challenges of hot-arid urban environments such as Dubai, the research aims to develop advanced passive cooling materials that can significantly reduce urban heat, lower building cooling demand, and enhance overall energy efficiency.

By integrating physics-based modeling with artificial intelligence, the project seeks to advance scalable solutions for climate-resilient and intelligent cities. The research aligns closely with Dubai’s broader vision for sustainable urban development and next-generation manufacturing.

This milestone highlights the impactful work of Dr. Marzbali and reinforces AUD’s commitment to driving research that supports sustainable cities and innovation in the UAE.