DESAL RESEARCH GROUP

Sustainable technologies for a water-secure future

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KEY VALUES

Committed to excellence

We aim to be at the forefront of global efforts to contribute to a water-secure future. We envision a world where sustainable desalination technologies and water treatment solutions are pivotal in providing clean and safe water to communities and fostering economic growth. Through continuous innovation and collaboration, we aspire to set new standards for excellence in the field, leaving a long-lasting effect on the well-being of societies and the health of our planet.

About
DESAL team at the lab
RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

Driven by innovation, recognized by impact

The DESAL Research Group pioneers advancements in desalination and wastewater treatment, prioritizing excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Our focus on cutting-edge research and efficiency aims to address global water challenges and support sustainable development goals.

NEWS & UPDATES 

Discover the latest breakthroughs from our team

15 February, 2026

DESAL summer intern Imran Alturkistani wins national awards at Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair

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02 February, 2026

New DESAL research published in Nature Communications advances energy-efficient desalination

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28 January, 2026

DESAL and ACWA Power advance AI-based research for early membrane fouling detection

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ADVANCING SCIENCE

Scientific Contributions

Through research papers, patents, and PhD dissertations, we push the boundaries of knowledge, driving innovation in desalination and water treatment.

Evaluating dye recovery and reusability potential from dyebath effluent using forward osmosis membranes for minimum liquid discharge
Year: 2023 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139433
Authors: Maria Yasmeen, Sher Jamal Khan
  • Textile dyebath effluent
  • Forward Osmosis
  • Dye reconcentration
  • Surfactants driven FO
  • Zero discharge of hazardous chemicals (ZDHC)
Combination of advanced coagulation Fe(VI) and UF membrane to effectively remove organic compounds and mitigate biofouling during harmful algal blooms
Year: 2023 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2023.116882
Authors: Abdullah H. Alshahri, Thomas M. Missimer, Muhammad Ali
  • Ultrafiltration (UF) membrane
  • Pretreatment
  • Harmful algal blooms
  • Membrane
  • Desalination
  • Coagulation
  • Ferrate
Understanding the evolution of organic fouling in membrane distillation through driving force and resistance analysis
Year: 2023 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2023.121993
Authors: Bastiaan Blankert, Luigi Ranieri, Cristian Picioreanu
  • Membrane Distillation
  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
  • Organic fouling
  • Fouling evolution
  • Driving force
  • Resistance
Machine learning and computational approaches for designing membrane distillation modules
Year: 2023 DOI:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383586623015356
Authors: Sarah Almahfoodh, Adnan Qamar, Sarah Kerdi
  • Hollow fiber
  • Module design
  • Multiscale Modeling
  • Deep neural network
  • Artificial Intelligence

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Be part of our journey towards cleaner, safer water, reduced environmental impact, and economic growth. Whether you're a researcher, industry expert, or passionate advocate, let's collaborate to set new standards in desalination and wastewater treatment.