Dr. Irene Samy

Dr. Irene Samy

Director of Smart Engineering Systems Research Center (SESC)

Faculty Office Ext.

1728

Faculty Building

UB2

Office Number

G40

Biography

Irene S. Fahim (Senior Member, IEEE- EDS chair) an associate Professor, Industrial and Service Engineering and Management department, Nile University Cairo, Egypt and the Director for Smart Engineering systems research center, Nile University. She is a Fulbright alumna. She earned in 2018 a Diploma of development practice, Regis University, Denver, USA. She finished my PhD in Mechanical Engineering, The American University in Cairo (AUC). Egypt in 2015. Before that, she earned her master’s and BSC in Mechanical Engineering, AUC. She won the state encouragement award for women 2020, and Hazem Ezzat Research excellence award, 2021 and Loreal UNESCO for Women in Science 2021 Egypt young talents program. She received a grant for Egypt Higher Education Climate change partnerships Grants in collaboration with Nottingham University and the British council. She received a grant for capacity building for “Women in Science and Engineering" from IEEE Circuits and Systems Society. She also received several grants for gender equality and capacity building in Education from the British council. She was selected in 2019 to be among the members of the first scientific council of the Egyptian Young Academy of Sciences (EYAS) as a part of the Academy of Scientific Research & Technology (ASRT) to empower and encourage young Egyptian scientists in science and technology. She participated in Fulbright Junior Faculty program for renewable energy in 2016. I was also a part of an Entrepreneurship and leadership Program, 1000Women, Goldman Sachs,2016 which was executed at AUC for 6 Months. She won Newton Mosharfa institutional link award for two years in collaboration with Nottingham University, UK. for manufacturing plastic bags from natural materials where She got acknowledged by Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for my work at the 3rd National Youth Conference in Ismailia, April 2017. She is a member in the Power Africa steering committee, volunteer in IEEE Smart Village committee and treasurer of IEEE CIS Chapter, Egypt. Moreover, she was one of the members in the Events Committee of the IEEE Humanitarian Activities, 2018.She was also the technical chair for the first IEEE SIGHT Egypt ideation camp 2018. She is currently a member of the impartial committee of the body for granting certificates of conformity for products, the General Organization for the Control of Exports, and Imports. She is also one of topical advisory panel, in Polymers Journal, MDPI, She is also a member of the Coronavirus Global R&I Collaboration Portal and a member in the Leaders in Innovation alumni society, Royal academy of Engineering and a member in the Egyptian National Network Nanotechnology.

Achievements

1) Irene Samy received the Encourgamnet state award for Financial from ASRT

2) Irene Samy received the Research Excellence award from Nile University

3) Irene Samy received the Excellent Speaker Award from International Conference on Multidisciplinary Sciences and Advanced Technologies (ICMSAT2020), Malaysia.

4) Irene Samy received the 3rd Place Shark Zone Startup Competition from Vested Summit, Egypt.

5) Irene Samy received the Most Active Member in SESC center, Nile University from Smart Engineering Systems Research center, Nile University, Egypt.

6) Irene Samy received the Best Paper Award for Financial from the International Association for Management of Technology (IAMOT2019)

7) Irene Samy received the Zero Plastic-waste Challenge from Next society

8) Irene Samy received the Leadership in Innovation Award (2nd place) for Financial from the Royal Academy of Engineering

9) Irene Samy received the Appreciation Certificate for Efforts in Research from Mr. President Abdelfattah ElSisi, Egypt.

10) Irene Samy received the African Women Intra-trade Capacity Building Program from the School of Business Executive Education, AUC

11) Irene Samy received the Fulbright Junior Faculty Scholarship for Financial from Fulbright

12) Irene Samy received the Entrepreneurship and Leadership Program from Goldman Sachs Women's Program

13) Irene Samy received the “Teaching Women, a Business Education” from the Rotary Club 10th of Ramadan, Egypt.

14) Irene Samy received the Appreciation Award, Employee week, from German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Recent Publications

Optimization of lactic acid production from agro-industrial wastes produced by Kosakonia cowanii

Lactic acid is used for the preparation of poly-lactic acid. The objective of this research was to produce lactic acid from agro-industrial wastes as cheap, renewable substrates, and also reduce the pollution burden on the environment. Sixteen bacterial isolates were isolated from agro-industrial wastes. The chemical hydrolysis of agro-industrial wastes was achieved with hydrochloric acid

Healthcare
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness

FlexSim Simulation to Enhance Productivity of a Production Cell : A Case Study

The use of modelling and simulation as a decision-making tool has increasingly been recognized to solve industrial problems. Modeling and simulation are utilized in this study to assess, analyze, and provide recommendations for improving the performance of an existing production cell in a manufacturing plant. To analyze the performance of the assembly line under investigation, multiple key

Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness

Effect of thickness and temperature on flexible organic P3HT:PCBM solar cell performance

A blend of poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and [6, 6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is used as a photoactive layer for simulating a bulk heterojunction organic solar using general-purpose photovoltaic device model (GPVDM) software. The optical and electrical performance of the cell had been analyzed by changing the thickness of each layer and substrate material over a range of operating

Software and Communications
Mechanical Design

Enhancing barrier properties of chitosan extracted from shrimp shells as a sustainable material for active packaging using natural wastes

Due to the environmental concerns, much responsiveness has been paid to natural polymers and recycle wastes. Disposal of wastes like marine wastes and domestic wastes end up in landfills and open areas which cause environmental crisis. The development of biodegradable active packaging materials is one of the alternatives to reduce the using of synthetic petroleum-based plastics. Biodegradable

Mechanical Design

Review organic solar cells parameters extraction and characterization techniques

Organic photovoltaic research is continuing in order to improve the efficiency and stability of the products. Organic devices have recently demonstrated excellent efficiency, bringing them closer to the market. Understanding the relationship between the microscopic parameters of the device and the conditions under which it is prepared and operated is essential for improving performance at the

Software and Communications

Production of fuel from plastic waste: A feasible business

This paper aims to conduct a feasibility study of producing fuel from plastic waste. It is a suggested approach to deal with the huge production of synthetic plastic around the world, so as to avoid its accumulation in landfills and the depletion of resources. Several types of research have addressed the conversion of plastic waste into energy, and in this study the authors focused on using

Mechanical Design

Production of Single-Use Tableware Products from Bagasse

This study aims to utilize bagasse waste produced from the sugar cane industry to manufacture single-use tableware such as plates and cups as a potential alternative to Styrofoam and plastic cups and containers. This will reduce the environmental hazardous results from packaging products. Unlike traditional plastics and Styrofoam which can take hundreds of years and require high temperature to

Mechanical Design

A critical review on green corrosion inhibitors based on plant extracts: Advances and potential presence in the market

Corrosion occurs in all sectors including oil pipelines, drinking water and sewerage in the majority of cases linked to corrosion of steel. Good corrosion management includes optimising corrosion control actions and minimising lifecycle corrosion costs whilst meeting environmental goals. The toxicity of commonly used synthetic inhibitors are the subject of recent legislations (REACH and PARCOM)

Healthcare
Energy and Water
Agriculture and Crops
Mechanical Design

A Heterogeneous Vehicle Routing Problem with Soft Time Windows for 3PL Company's Deliveries: A Case Study

Route optimization is tactically important for companies that must fulfill the demands of different customers with fleet of vehicles, considering multiple factors like: The cost of the resources (vehicles) involved and the operating costs of the entire process. As a case study, a third-party logistics service provider, ABC Company, is introduced to implement optimization on. Furthermore, ABC

Mechanical Design
Research Tracks
  • Smart sustainable homes
  • Digital Agriculture solutions
  • Circular Product Development and Innovation in Egypt

 

Projects
Research Project

Telecom Towers Structure Profiler (TTSP)

Objective/Contributions: The primary objective of this project is to allow the best and most advanced sensing technologies to become an integral part of the tower structure and implement SHM into tower structural design with respect to maintenance cost reduction, increased structural stability and significant weight savings. In addition, the objective includes applying the usage of construction
Research Project

Integrated Artificial Intelligence and Design Expert to Forecast Spread of Corona Virus in Egypt

The main aim of this project is to use artificial intelligence and control modeling to study the COVID-19 spread in Egypt and some African countries. This study will also reveal how long COVID-19 remains infectious and the trajectory of its transmission according to the input data offered to the mathematical models. Objective/Contributions: The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus is associated with
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Research Project

An Optimization Model for Green Supply Chain Management Using Powersim Simulation Software

Objective/Contributions: The term sustainable or green supply chain refers to the idea of integrating sustainable environmental processes into the traditional supply chain. This can include processes such as supplier selection and purchasing material, product design, product manufacturing, and assembling, distribution, and end-of-life management. Instead of mitigating the harmful impact of
1
Research Project

Parabolic Trough Collector for Home Applications

One of the challenges results from climate change is the shortage in electricity networks. The crises result from the climate change along with the repercussions of Covid-19 make it important to rely more on clean energy sources such as Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTCs- are parabolic shape reflectors that reflects the sun energy into a central tube in the focal point), Solar (Photovoltaic) cells
111
Research Project

High Efficiency Solar Cells Using Wide Bandgap Organic Materials

Objective/Contributions: Egypt faces a major problem in providing adequate amounts of energy from oil and natural gas. These two non-renewable sources of energy contribute to 95% of the total energy resources needed for generating electricity. Although Egypt has a reserve in these primary sources, there is a shortage in demand due to fast utilization and the increased cost of extraction. According
Research Project

Mechanical, Physical Testing and Optimization of Bioplastic Membranes from Agricultural and Food Waste

Objective/Contributions: The effects of plastic pollution on land and marine plastic are magnified by the lack of adequate waste management systems and non-biodegradable plastics pose significant risks to human health and the environment. The proposed project will be based on a comparative study between oxo-degradable, and biodegradable composites. The study will include mechanical testing
Research Project

Application of Bioplastic Composites in Wastewater Treatment

Objective/Contributions: Due to rapid urbanization, a huge amount of industrial waste has been discharged into the Aqua systems without any conventional treatment causing serious contamination problems affecting not only the environment but also human health. Industrial discharges include pharmaceutical waste, heavy metals, dyes, and toxic pollutants waste that are not efficiently removed by
Research Project

Experimental Study on Sustainable Production of Concrete with Treated Alum Sludge

Objectives: A huge amount of unwanted sludge is produced daily from water and wastewater treatment plants and disposed into landfills which causes numerous environmental challenges. This study aims to investigate the effect of replacing cement by alum sludge on the performance of normal concrete. Incorporating alum sludge in concrete production could be useful in protecting the environment by
Research Project

Multi-stage Low-cost Treatment of Dyes and Paints Wastewater by Coagulation, Adsorption, and Filtration for Reuse in Several Application

Objective/Contributions: Designing and constructing a low-cost, efficient, rapid environmentally friendly treatment system for textile and paint industries' recycling and treatment. Conducting a comprehensive literature database of all the reuse and treatment methods, in paints wastewater treatment and all the pilot plants, and treatment plants used success stories that successfully reduce the
000
Research Project

Next Generation Manufacturing for Sustainable Biomaterial Design

Objective: The objective of the proposed project is to accelerate the path to the industrialization of the sustainable bioplastics developed in the previous research through capacity building for the youth community. This is an efficient way to reduce the production and consumption of non-sustainable plastics and decrease the negative effects of climate change.
Research Project

Turning Shrimp Shells into Eco-friendly Plastic

Egypt produces 20 million tons of solid waste annually, some of which is recycled or buried in landfills, much of which is piled up on roads, in water drains, or may even lie at the bottom of the sea. This is in short the garbage and plastic waste disaster that requires years to decompose under the sun. The results are usually smaller pieces of microplastic particles eaten by fish and marine
Research Project

Unblocking the Equality Pipeline in Mechanical Engineering

This partnership between a globally connected university in Scotland (North Britain), and a new, rapidly-growing and well-respected university in Egypt (North Africa) will focus entirely on empowering women in the area of mechanical engineering. Objective/Contributions: We wish to establish a paradigm for tackling the barriers to gender equality in the “difficult” area of mechanical engineering
Research Project

UK/Egypt Trans-national Education Partnerships Grants

Objective/Contributions: All three partners are strongly interested in the development of TNE in the field of Environmental Management and Sustainability. This is an area of significant global concern and one where mutual collaboration can lead to opportunities for new curricula in the future. However, formal TNE in the short term faces many institutional challenges; therefore our approach is to
Research Project

Replacing the Virgin Materials in Concrete with Waste Materials (Rubble, Plastics, Sludge, etc.)

Construction wastes have become the largest source of different solid wastes in Egypt as construction and demolition processes generate millions of tons of construction and demolishing wastes every year. The increasing generation of construction and demolishing wastes have caused huge impacts on the environment and agitated growing public concern in the local community. Therefore, the minimization
Research Project

Post Occupancy Evaluation – From Architecture to Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions: The Case Study of Nile University

Sustainability has been one of the major overarching topics across industries over the past few years. Sustainability in the built environment is no exception and given the recent focus on climate change, it cannot be seen as a luxury anymore. However, sustainability should never come at the expense of the convenience of the building users or the architectural aesthetics. Accordingly, this
Research Project

Characterization, Development, and Life Cycle Analysis of EPS Geofoam for Use under Roadways Embankments

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) or geofoam blocks have long been used as a lightweight, durable, geosynthetic alternative for soil backfills in several infrastructure facilities and geotechnical applications. Recently, EPS was utilized for roadway embankments after assuring safety against acting loads in addition to hydrostatic and buoyancy stability. While satisfying these considerations, the design
Research Project

Cost-Effective Desalination by Falling-Film Freeze-Concentration with Minimal Environmental Impact

Water resource management is critical for sustainable social development in Egypt amid growing consumption and limited resource options. Recent national water plans have emphasized the strategic rule of nonconventional water supply through desalination. On the other hand, conventional desalination methods have a severe environmental impact due to increases in the temperature and salinity of the
4
Research Project

Managing and Recycling Water Hyacinth: Challenges, Methods, and Benefits

Abstract Water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, poses significant challenges to water bodies worldwide. Control methods include mechanical removal, biological suppression using naturalenemies, and chemical use of targeted herbicides. Integrated approaches that combine multiple methods have proven successful in managing water hyacinth infestations. Benefits include restoring water flow
6
Research Project

Sugarcane Bagasse Recycling for Wood-Based Panels

Abstract The project explores the recycling and reuse of organic waste fibers sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The project investigates the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of SCB, its production percentage in Egypt, and particle board production from SCB. The project investigates the mechanical properties of a composite material made from sugar cane and epoxy. The addition of epoxy resin
7
Research Project

Activated carbon- from agricultural waste for removal of industrial dyes and heavy metals

Abstract The production of activated carbon from bagasse and coffee waste is a promising approach for sustainable waste management and the production of a valuable material. Bagasse, the fibrous residue from sugarcane processing, and coffee waste, such as coffee grounds or husks, are abundant agricultural by-products with high carbon content. The resulting activated carbon exhibits excellent
11
Research Project

Activated Carbon Nanoparticles for Enhanced Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration

Abstract Activated carbon nanoparticles (ACNPs) are novel antimicrobial materials being explored for wound healing and tissue regeneration. ACNPs can be coated on fabrics to provide antibacterial protection. Porous ACNPs can absorb impurities and toxins from wounds, acting as effective wound dressings. To evaluate their effectiveness and safety, antimicrobial testing and cytotoxicity assays are
22
Research Project

Enrichment of biological activity of zinc doped borate glasses by nano second laser irradiation

Abstract The project explores the use of Nd: YAG laser irradiation to synthesize nano bioactive glass for bone replacement. The technique involves precipitating nanoparticles in a glassy matrix, such as borate glasses, doped with zinc oxide (ZnO) using a melt quenching technique. The effects of different concentrations of ZnO on the glasses' structural and optical properties were studied using
77
Research Project

Bio-Mimetic Locomotion of Soft Turtle Robot

Abstract Amphibious robots have great potential for a variety of applications, but their design can be complex and expensive. Bio-inspired soft robotics offers a promising solution, as their actuators can perform evenly on land and underwater. Our robot takes inspiration from turtle locomotion as it bridges the gap between traditional four-legged robots and swimming robots. The robot can be
99
Research Project

Fungus-Based Wood Composites: Mitigating Climate Change through Sustainable Utilization of Agricultural Waste

Abstract This project focuses on addressing the significant contribution of agricultural waste burning to - global warming and climate change. By utilizing fungus as a binding element, a sustainable wood composite is being developed. The chosen fungus for this project is Aspergillus niger, which is grown and applied to cotton stalks and pulverized wood under specific conditions that induce
101
Research Project

AI-Driven technologies for plastic waste management in marine environments: Biodegradation of PET and advanced detection technologies

Abstract Plastic waste is a major global environmental challenge, particularly in marine habitats. This project focuses on two critical aspects: the biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for detecting marine plastics. It explores the microbial breakdown of PET and waste management options. The project also highlights the
122
Research Project

Assessing Environmental Sustainability: Life Cycle Assessment of Cotton Stalk Utilization for Wood Composites, Bioethanol, and Biogas Production

Abstract The project employs rigorous life cycle assessment methodologies, including Ecological Footprint, Impact 2002+, Global Warming Damage Potential, and more, to evaluate the environmental impact of each process. This project compares the utilization of cotton stalks for wood composites, bioethanol, and biogas production. Through life cycle assessment, the project shows that bioethanol has a
200
Research Project

Advancing Sustainable Construction: Exploring Alternative Adhesives for Environmentally Friendly Building Materials

Abstract This project project focuses on the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable construction materials, with a specific emphasis on exploring alternative options for synthetic formaldehyde adhesives. By replacing conventional adhesives with eco-friendly alternatives, the project aims to mitigate the adverse environmental effects associated with construction activities. The
77
Research Project

Bio-inspired Soft Robot for Monitoring Coral Reefs

Abstract Coral reefs play a crucial role in supporting a quarter of all aquatic life, but their existence is now threatened by ongoing climate changes. Our project aims to develop an underwater soft robot that can mimic the morphology and shape of actual marine creatures and to imitate their swimming motion. This robot can play a critical role as monitoring platform to understand the reefs
969
Research Project

Harnessing Coffee Waste for Green Corrosion Prevention and Circular Economy

Abstract The project focuses on reusing coffee waste to create a sustainable solution for corrosion prevention. Through advanced extraction methods, we harness the natural properties of coffee waste to develop a green corrosion inhibitor, offering a renewable and eco-friendly alternative for industries worldwide. By transforming coffee waste into a valuable resource, we aim to reduce environmental
2
Research Project

Multi-Stage Low-Cost Treatment of Dyes and Paints Wastewater for Reuse: A Comprehensive Approach

Abstract This project proposes a multi-stage treatment approach to effectively treat dyes and paints wastewater from industries, involving coagulation, adsorption, and filtration. The goal is to mitigate environmental pollution, conserve water resources, and promote sustainable industrial practices. The comprehensive treatment method offers a cost-effective solution that can be implemented across
3
Research Project

Pharmaceuticals Wastewater Treatment

Abstract This wastewater treatment project focuses on removing pharmaceutical compounds, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, from water bodies using agricultural waste materials and membrane technology. Bagasse and coffee waste are evaluated as sustainable adsorbents due to their high adsorption capacities. Membrane filtration processes, including ultrafiltration and nanofiltration
Sustainable Solutions for Single-Use Plates
Research Project

Sustainable Solutions for Single-Use Plates

Abstract Transforming bagasse, the fibrous residue of sugarcane processing, into eco-friendly single-use plates, this project innovatively addresses both environmental concerns and agricultural waste management. By harnessing advanced technologies, the project aims to produce durable and biodegradable plates, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic tableware. Fund STDF Prototypes
1
Research Project

Transforming Olive leaves waste into Sustainable Corrosion Inhibitors for a Greener Future

Abstract The project aims to address the environmental impact of olive leaf waste by converting it into a sustainable and eco-friendly solution. By utilizing advanced techniques, we extract natural compounds from olive leaves and transform them into a green corrosion inhibitor, offering an effective and renewable alternative for various industries while reducing waste and promoting a greener
Shrimps
Research Project

Valorization of Shrimp shells and Agricultural Wastes for Sustainable Biopolymer-Based Packaging Solutions

Abstract This research project focused on the valorization of shrimp shell and agricultural waste materials, such as rice straw, for the development of sustainable biopolymer-based packaging solutions. The key objectives were to extract and optimize chitosan and other biopolymers from shrimp shells, and to reinforce these materials with chitin fibers and whiskers for enhanced mechanical and