Skoltech President Yulia Gorbunova at the AETLab inauguration ceremony. Source: Timur Sabirov, Skoltech
AETLab’s mission is to accelerate the UAE’s clean energy innovation pipeline by developing technologies optimized for harsh environments. The lab integrates fundamental materials science with multi‑physics modelling to create energy systems with enhanced performance and durability under the UAE’s extreme climatic conditions, ensuring applicability and scalability for the regional energy sector.
The new laboratory will pursue three main research thrusts:
Redox flow batteries for stationary storage — adapting vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) technology to UAE conditions, including the development of an integrated solar photovoltaic and VRFB prototype for small‑scale users.
Electrolysis cell development and process modelling — developing alkaline and PEM electrolysis cells tailored for the UAE’s environmental conditions, alongside digital twin models enabling predictive diagnostics and real‑time performance optimization.
Fuel cell testing and modelling — predicting and improving fuel cell efficiency and durability under high ambient temperatures and dusty air conditions, with scalable diagnostic and prognostic tools for real‑time monitoring.
AETLab follows a vertically integrated approach, covering the entire R&D pipeline from materials synthesis and electrochemical studies to computational modelling, prototype development, and field validation. The lab will apply digital twin simulations to test technologies in real environments, ensuring smooth progression from discovery to industrial application. Pilot demonstration projects will facilitate grid decarbonization and promote coupling across energy sectors. The lab’s activities will be driven by close collaboration with key industrial stakeholders.
AETLab consists of two branches — at Skoltech in Moscow and at the University of Sharjah in the UAE. Assistant Professor Mikhail Pugach from the Skoltech Energy Center serves as a laboratory co-head in Russia, while Professor Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem is a laboratory co-head in the UAE. A joint committee headed by Professor Abdul Ghani Olabi, the Director of Energy and Power Systems Research Center (UoS), and Vice President for Science and Academic Relations Grigory Kabatyansky (Skoltech) is responsible for developing strategic plans and defining research directions.
