Ajman University- Fujairah Campus participates in the 60th International Conference on Optics and Photonics in San Diego, USA
Ajman University of Science & Technology – Fujiarah campus has participated in the 60th International Conference on Optics and Photonics, organized by the Society of Photonic Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) in San Diego, California, USA, with two research papers by Prof. Ali Abou-Elnour Fujairah campus director entitled by:
1. Concentrating PV module output power using a wireless microcontroller based automatic sun tracker
2. Site Suitability Evaluation for Ecotourism Potential Areas Using RS and GIS: A Case Study of Wadi Wurayah, Fujairah, UAE
Prof. Ali Abou-Elnour presented the first research paper in the PV and Hybrid PV-Thermal session in room 17A. Prof. Abou-Elnour was also session chair of Environmental Remote Sensing and GIS session in which the second research paper, which he is a co-authro of, was presented in roon 19.
In the first paper Prof. Abou-Elnour introduced the design and implementation of an efficient wireless two dimensional microcontroller based sun tracker. Prof. AbouElnour explained the three main components of the proposed system namely the controlling unit, the wireless communication system, and the monitoring and recording unit. Prof. Abou-Elnour addressed that controlling features are fully obtained in the poposed system using an efficient microcontroller based programming environment. He also mentioned that the sun tracker continuously calculates the photovoltaic module’s tilt and azimuth angles by using accurate sun movement equations, and the system then generates the motors controlling signals to allocate the photovoltaic module to receive the maximize amount of solar energy on its surface from sunrise to sunset. Then Prof. Abou-Elnour discussed the advantages of wireless techniques which were implemented in the system to allow transmission of data between the controlling unit and the local monitoring and recording unit.where the data are recorded, analyzed, and published.
In Prof. Ali Abou-Elnour second paper presentation, the potential ecotourism sites in Wadi Wurayha, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), are identified and prioritized using Geographic Information System (GIS). Then it was explained that the ecotourism identification criteria are based on landscape or naturalness characteristics, the topography characteristics, the accessibility characteristics, and community characteristics. After developing the list of ecotourism criteria, it was mentioned GIS techniques were used to measure the ranking of different sites according to the set criteria and thus identify those with the best potential. Subsequently, the land suitability map for ecotourism was created and the degree of suitability of each factor was classified as highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and not suitable for ecotourism. Based on the suitability map, the areas of high ecotourism potential are located in protected areas. It was shown that the methodology proposed was useful in identifying ecotourism sites as it links the criteria deemed important with the actual resources of the area. It was then addressed how can the study' results be analyzed to help to identify optimal use of the land for tourism facilities development and ecotourism resource utilization within Wadi Wurayha area in the near future.
It has to be mentioned that the SPIE Optics and Photonics 60th international conference is the largest international, multidisciplinary optical science and technology meething in North American in which 3350 papers where presented, over 4400 attendees, 38 related courses and workshops were conducted, and 180 leading compaies were participated in the conference accombined exhibition to introduce the latest optical devices, components, materials, and technologies.
