KAUST researchers have developed an ultrathin polymer-based membrane for water desalination with high water flux and salt rejection. The membrane utilizes two-dimensional porous carbonaceous materials with subnanometer-sized molecular transport channels. The membrane outperformed existing desalination systems using carbon nanotubes and graphene in forward and reverse osmosis. Why it matters: This innovation offers a promising alternative for efficient and cost-effective desalination, addressing critical water scarcity challenges in the region and beyond.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new polymer membrane for desalination that operates at ambient temperature and pressure. The membrane achieves high salt rejection with lower energy demand compared to conventional methods. It is currently being tested at pilot scale at KAUST. Why it matters: This technology could improve water sustainability and reduce energy consumption in desalination, addressing critical water challenges in arid regions like Saudi Arabia.
KAUST researchers are developing innovative solutions for water treatment and desalination in Saudi Arabia. A pilot anaerobic membrane bioreactor in Jeddah treats 50,000 liters of wastewater daily at zero energy cost, producing water suitable for reuse and liquid fertilizer. Another KAUST team focuses on advancing desalination technologies by integrating renewable energy and reducing energy consumption and brine discharge. Why it matters: These advancements can significantly contribute to Saudi Arabia's water security and sustainability goals by reducing reliance on non-renewable groundwater and fossil fuels for desalination.
KAUST researchers have developed a new solar distillation device that prevents salt accumulation by using a centimeter-scale plastic cube containing glass fiber membranes and carbon nanotubes. The design incorporates vertically oriented membranes with hydrophilic microchannels to transport seawater to the top solar layer for distillation. This elevated design doubles the freshwater production rate compared to existing salt-rejection solar stills. Why it matters: This innovation improves the efficiency and longevity of solar-powered desalination, offering a sustainable solution for water purification in emergency situations and remote areas.
KAUST's Salt Lab, led by Professor Mark Tester, is researching how salt-tolerant plants survive in harsh environments. The lab aims to improve plant yields in suboptimal conditions, focusing on naturally occurring variability in plants to enhance salinity tolerance. With 70% of global water used for agriculture and increasing water scarcity, the research seeks to unlock the potential of seawater for irrigation. Why it matters: Enhancing the salinity tolerance of crops is crucial for addressing food security challenges exacerbated by climate change and the growing global population, particularly in arid regions like the Middle East.
A KAUST project on "Hybrid Multi-Effect Adsorption Desalination" won the Global Technology Challenge at the Saudi Water & Power Forum. The competition, launched by Aramco Entrepreneurship and GE ecomagination, focused on seawater desalination using renewable energy. KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) is partnering with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to bring this technology to Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This award highlights innovation in desalination, a critical area for Saudi Arabia given its high salinity seawater and need for sustainable water solutions.
KAUST researchers led by Mark Tester are developing new irrigation technology to enable crop production using semi-saline water, aiming to reduce freshwater reliance to 10% in greenhouse systems. The technology is eco-friendly and intends to cut agricultural costs by utilizing seawater, targeting a cost of 10 U.S. cents per cubic meter. A new company named Red Sea Farms is being developed to grow salt-tolerant tomatoes in diluted seawater in a greenhouse cooled with undiluted seawater. Why it matters: This research could significantly reduce pressure on freshwater resources in arid regions and offers a sustainable approach to increase food production using available seawater.
KAUST's Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) is developing solar-powered seawater desalination technologies, including the MEDAD cycle which combines adsorption desalination (AD) and multi-effect distillation (MED). The MEDAD cycle, developed by Professor Kim Choon Ng, doubles water production at the same temperature, reducing costs to $0.48/m3 compared to $1.201/m3 for multi-stage flash distillation. A 100 m3/day commercial-scale MEDAD project was commissioned in Riyadh in 2017 in collaboration with KACST, and a larger 2,000 m3/day project is planned for Yanbu. Why it matters: This highlights Saudi Arabia's move towards sustainable energy and the role of research institutions like KAUST in developing cost-effective desalination technologies suitable for the region.