This was originally posted at my Scientific American blog.

Some of you may have noticed that my recent social media posts have originated from Abu Dhabi in the UAE. I am here for the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East.

This week is jam packed with numerous interesting tours, panels, press conferences and activities of which I will share more about in future posts. Tonight, however, I was in attendance at a very special presentation celebrating innovations in technology from all over the world, held at the glamorous Emirates Palace Hotel

The Zayed Future Energy Prize embodies the vision of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who laid the foundation for renewable energy and sustainability as part of his legacy in pioneering sustainable development in the UAE. An annual award, the Prize is managed by Masdar, on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government and seeks to award achievements and innovation in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability, as well as to educate and inspire future generations.