University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) proudly congratulates its engineering students Nathalie Alomari, Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering, and Abdulla Matar, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, for their outstanding achievement as part of a collaborative team that won second place in the Urban Heat Resilience 48-Hour Innovation Hackathon – a national competition organised by the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) Bahrain, Naseej B.S.C., and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, in partnership with local entities.

The award-winning project, NUMO, was developed by UTB students Nathalie Alomari and Abdulla Matar, together with two students from the University of Bahrain. The team was guided by Dr Dalal Alalaiwat, Programme Head of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering at UTB, who provided mentorship and support throughout the challenge.

Their innovative project, NUMO, is a smart, sustainable walkway prototype that reimagines Manama’s urban landscape into cooler, greener, and energy-generating environments. By integrating piezoelectric tiles that convert footsteps into electricity, alongside shading canopies, reflective pavements, and smart irrigation systems, the design addresses the growing challenge of urban heat islands while fostering a human-centred and sustainable city experience.

Developed under the UN-Habitat Urban Heat Resilience Initiative, the project features a functional prototype that generates clean energy from footsteps through innovative piezoelectric technology. The design has demonstrated the potential to reduce surface temperatures by up to 5°C, contributing to a cooler and more comfortable urban environment. With an estimated payback period of 2.3 years, the system offers both environmental and economic value, and is designed for seamless integration with solar energy, IoT technologies, and smart urban infrastructure – a forward-looking solution that supports Bahrain’s sustainability vision and global smart city goals.

Reflecting on the experience, the students expressed pride in representing UTB and collaborating with Bahrain’s brightest young innovators in contributing to UN-led efforts towards climate-resilient and sustainable cities.

This achievement underscores UTB’s commitment to engineering excellence, sustainability, and innovation, empowering its students to transform ideas into impactful solutions that advance technology and serve communities.

Here’s to all UTB community members building a sustainable future – one smart step at a time.

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