Magazine

Interview | Winners of anasr.org’s 2013 Algerian Paper of the Year Award in Chemical Sciences

Prof. Yacine Rezgui is Professor of Chemical Engineering and a member of the Laboratory of Applied Chemistry and Materials Technology at the University of Oum El Bouaghi since 2001. His research interests include catalysis in the petroleum field as well as hydrocarbons combustion. Inspire Magazine spoke with Dr. Rezgui to find out more about his work which won him and his coauthors the prize of the 2013 Algerian Paper of the Year Award in the category of Chemical Sciences. The winning paper is entitled Reduction of PAH and Soot Precursors in Benzene Flames by Addition of Ethanol and can be accessed here. Read More

Interview | Winners of anasr.org’s 2013 Algerian Paper of the Year Award in Computer Science & Engineering

Dr. Nabil Belkhir is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Ferhat Abbas Setif 1, working in the area of surface treatment of optical components. He received a Bachelor degree in 1989, then obtained an engineering diploma in 1994 and a Master’s degree (Magistère) in 1997 in optics an precision mechanics from the same university. He successfully defended his PhD in 2008. Inspire Magazine spoke with Dr. Belkhir to find out more about his work which won him and his coauthors the prize of the 2013 Algerian Paper of the Year Award in the category of Computer Science & Engineering. The winning paper is entitled “Morphological behavior and wear of polyurethane pads used in glass polishing process” and can be accessed here.   Read More

Interview | Winners of anasr.org’s 2013 Algerian Paper of the Year Award in Physical Sciences & Mathematics

Dr. Boumaiza Ahcene is Associate Professor at the Department of Physics, University of Jijel with research interests in the properties of physical materials. He received the high studies degree (D.E.S), a Master degree (Magistère) and a Ph.D degree in Physics in 1992, 1995 and 2008, respectively, all from the University of Constantine. Inspire Magazine spoke with Dr. Boumaiza to find out more about his work which won him and his coauthors the prize of the 2013 Algerian of the Year Award in the category of Physical Sciences & Mathematics. The winning paper, published in the journal of Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics is entitled “XRD peak broadening characterization of deformed microstructures and heterogeneous behavior of carbon steel” and can be accessed here. Read More

Feature | Renewable energy development in Algeria

Renewable energy comes from natural resources such as the sun, in contrast to energy derived from finite resources based on fossil fuels like coal and oil that sooner or later will run out. Serious interest in renewable energy was sparked following the Arab oil embargo of 1973 and since then much progress has been made towards exploiting a variety of renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biofuels, biomass, and ocean waves and tides. Put together, these are often referred to as the ‘renewable energy mix’. Read More

Event Report | The making of the 2013 Algerian Paper of the Year Awards

As any researcher will know, producing scientific work that pushes the boundaries of science is an intensive process that requires rigorous planning, hard work, commitment and creativity as well as a scientific culture and a working environment that supports these efforts. Recognising contributions that advance scientific knowledge is therefore essential to nurturing and maintaining successful research environments. With this in mind, anasr.org [1] launched the first edition of the Algerian Paper of the Year Awards in January 2013. Our aim is to establish these awards as an annual event to recognise and celebrate the achievements of Algerian scientists through a process of nomination, shortlisting and peer review that fully engage the wider community of Algerian scientists and researchers in and out of the country. Read More

Opinion | Prospects for an Algerian academy of science and technology by 2014

There is no doubt that science is a crucial driver of social and economic development. Scientists therefore have a duty to both inform the general public about how findings from science can benefit day to day activities, and to direct the best of their efforts towards addressing national and international problems. Science academies can play an important role in empowering scientists to help them realise this duty because they provide a framework through which scientists can corroborate and channel their efforts. They act as collective hubs to organise scientific endeavour as well as motivate, support and reward excellence in scientific research. Read More

Interview | Artificial antibodies for self-testing technologies

Each year, MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators under 35 recognises the achievements of young innovators from both industry and academia whose work show potential to influence or profoundly transform their fields. In this year’s edition, Dr. Abdennour Abbas received an Honourable Mention for his research on artificial anti-bodies. Inspire Magazine spoke with Dr. Abbas about his invention and how it influences the field of diagnosis technology as well as its potential for contributing towards improving future healthcare systems. Read More

Feature | The potential of a solar powered irrigation system to support Algerian farmers

In a sunny North African country like Algeria, the potential of solar power is yet to be fully explored. To secure power resources needed for their daily activities, Algerian farmers currently have to resort to two basic options. The first is to use free power that is supplied by the government as part of the various schemes deployed around the country for this purpose. Algeria has a well-established network of electricity reaching the majority of towns and villages, but unfortunately when it comes to agricultural lands, it only covers a small portion of farming instalments. Additionally, this option is not ideal since not all farmers within the reach of the network receive their supply of free power during adequate times of the day. Read More

Feature | Signal and Image Multiresolution Analysis

Multiresolution analysis has received considerable attention in recent years from researchers in various fields. It is considered to be a powerful tool for efficiently representing signals and images at multiple levels of detail with many inherent advantages including compression, level-of-detail display and editing, as well as for practical applications such as pattern recognition, data mining and transmission. Read More