Najran: Najran University has been granted a new patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for developing an advanced composite material that combines high performance with environmental sustainability.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the patent was supported by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education through its Institutional Funding Program. The innovation is based on the development of a novel composite formulation that integrates epoxy resin with biosilica extracted from rice husk ash after it has been treated with silane. The formulation enhances the material's homogeneity, increases its cohesion, reduces its brittleness, and improves its performance under a wide range of thermal and mechanical conditions.

The innovation contributes to the development of high-performance materials for industrial coatings, insulation, and composite materials used in engineering applications. It also makes use of agricultural waste to produce value-added raw materials, supporting the circular economy and providing more sustainable alternatives to conventional materials.