JEDDAH: Researchers at Taibah University have registered two new innovative technologies: an advanced dental implant system and a low-cost organic solar cell that also functions as a self-powered infrared sensor, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The dental implant, for which the university registered an industrial design, features an implant abutment with an internal locking mechanism that eliminates the need for a conventional fixation screw.
It was developed by student Jumana Al-Rashidi, in collaboration with Dr. Shadia El-Sayed.
The design aims to better replicate the natural movement of teeth during chewing while improving the long-term performance of dental implants.
Unlike conventional systems, the design provides high stability while allowing controlled flexibility that mimics the function of the tooth’s natural periodontal ligament.
The mechanism helps distribute chewing forces more evenly, reducing stress on the surrounding bone and improving the implant’s durability and efficiency over time.
The university’s research team has also received a patent for developing a low-cost organic solar cell capable of generating electricity while simultaneously functioning as an infrared sensor.
The university reported that the technology serves as a self-powered infrared detector that operates without an external power source, offering a cost-effective solution for smart sensing applications while lowering operating costs.
The device is manufactured using inexpensive organic materials and is highly responsive to infrared radiation, thermal changes and vibrations.
It can also be produced in different sizes to suit a range of applications, including wearable devices, security and surveillance systems, thermal imaging, smart agriculture, industrial monitoring, and advanced sensing technologies.
The innovation was developed by faculty members Dr. Huda Abdulrazzaq Mahmoud and Dr. Mona Saad Khushaim, in collaboration with Dr. Yasser Abdulradi Ismail of the Islamic University.
