Within the activities of Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) Grant for funding scientific research in the Arab world, sponsored by ALJ community services program, and managed by the Arab Science and Technology Foundation since July 2005 according to international standards with the aim of implementing applied research projects that result in technologies serving development programs and improve lives of poor communities. This is the first initiative in the Arab World offered by the private sector to fund scientific research and technological development in the Arab countries. This initiative represents clearly the role that can be played by the Arab businessmen in the technological, economical and social development of their communities.
In this context, 42 applied research projects for Arab researchers from different Arab countries are currently being funded. These projects include several disciplines. One project is being carried out by an Arab research team to prepare and produce polymer quick setting concrete of high qualities and made of local raw materials. This kind of concrete has multiple uses such as: maintenance works of airports runways, dams, heritage buildings, etc. This type of concrete is mainly characterized by the short period it takes to reach the highest strength; it takes no longer than two hours.
The current research has found a new product that depends upon high efficient chemical reactions occurring at normal or even low temperatures that are less than zero Celsius degree. This is completely different from the reactions occurring in the normal concrete. The new product can be manufactured using raw materials available in the Arab countries. This kind of concrete is unpoisonous and resistant to chemicals and temperature. Moreover, it can be produced using simple technology; hence it is very feasible both economically and technologically as compared to the currently used kinds. High prices of similar kinds of concrete used at the present are a result of using polymer compounds such as epoxy resins which are mixed with concrete and some costly cement derivatives.
