Saudi Arabia has announced the establishment of a new International Water Research Center in partnership between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and KAUST. The center will serve as a global platform for applied water research, addressing water economics, security, pollution, and digital monitoring. Headquartered at KAUST, the center seeks to foster national and international cooperation, leveraging KAUST's resources to develop sustainable solutions for water challenges. Why it matters: This initiative signals Saudi Arabia's commitment to addressing critical water challenges and solidifying its leadership in water research and technology within the region.
Red Sea Farms, a KAUST startup, is advancing its saltwater greenhouse technology with a new 21,000 square foot pilot facility at the KAUST Research & Technology Park. Their greenhouse technology allows for growing crops on marginal land, using 90% less freshwater than traditional methods. The system uses saltwater in greenhouse-cooling and climate control, resulting in a lower environmental footprint. Why it matters: This technology addresses critical food and water security challenges in arid regions by enabling local food production with minimal freshwater resources and reduced energy consumption.
The Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) received a US$1.5 million grant from the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP). The grant was awarded at the UAEREP's 5th Cycle Awarding Ceremony in Abu Dhabi. DERC was recognized for its research on laser-induced rain and the development of a mobile high-power pulsed laser using remote sensing. Why it matters: This funding supports the development of sustainable, chemical-free rain enhancement technologies, addressing critical water security challenges in arid regions.
Matthew McCabe, a leader in Earth observation and water security, has been appointed as the new dean of KAUST's Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division. McCabe aims to deepen stakeholder collaborations, strengthen cross-disciplinary exchange, and accelerate the application of research into real-world solutions. He will also prioritize attracting and training young Saudi talent to lead in science and research. Why it matters: The appointment signals KAUST's continued focus on addressing critical regional challenges in water, food security, and climate change through scientific innovation and talent development.
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's Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security (CoE-SFS) has launched 12 translation projects focused on plant growth and water security, establishing partnerships with public and private entities to scale up research. Mark Tester's team developed stress-tolerant rootstocks, grafted onto crops like tomatoes, that thrive in hot, dry conditions with increased yields. Through his start-up Iyris, Tester is conducting commercial field trials in over 12 countries. Why it matters: These efforts to adapt agriculture to environmental change are crucial for ensuring food security in Saudi Arabia, the region, and globally, especially in the face of climate change and limited water resources.
QualSens, a KAUST startup, is developing a smart sensor for monitoring and enhancing process control in water desalination systems. The sensor uses fluorescent enzymatic sensing to detect bacterial activity and fouling at an early stage. The system alerts operators to start cleaning the system based on the sensor feedbacks, helping to decrease energy demand for drinking water production. Why it matters: This technology could significantly improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of desalination, a critical process for water security in the Middle East.
KAUST student Zain Ahmad won a best poster award at the 45th International Conference on Micro & Nano Engineering in Rhodes, Greece. Ahmad's poster, titled "Hydrophobic Desalination Membranes from Common Hydrophilic Materials," presented research co-authored by Ratul Das, Sankara Arunachalam, Ulrich Buttner, and Himanshu Mishra. The poster presented the first-ever membranes for water desalination using membrane distillation processes derived from water-loving materials, addressing the limitations of traditional water-repellent materials. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's contribution to innovative desalination technologies, crucial for water security in arid regions.