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.

Double Filament Feed Spacers for Enhanced Performance in Reverse Osmosis Modules
Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.124696
Authors: Najat A Amin, Adnan Qamar, Henry J. Tanudjaja, Sarah Kerdi, Ho Kyong Shon, Noreddine Ghaffour
  • Membrane filtration
  • 3D-printed spacer
  • Concentration polarization
  • direct numerical simulations
  • Energy Consumption
  • Reverse osmosis (RO)
Sustainable Antimicrobial Silver@MXene Nanofiber Membranes for Enhanced Photothermal Membrane Distillation Performance
Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c10788
Authors: Khalid Alhamdan, M. Obaid, Jehad K. El-Demellawi, Najat A Amin, Ananda Rao Hari, Yongjiu Lei, Pascal E. Saikaly, Husam N. Alshareef, Noreddine Ghaffour
  • MXene
  • Direct solar desalination
  • Photothermal Materials
  • Nanofiber
  • Electrospinning
Removal of antibiotics from a biologically nitrified human urine using granular activated carbon adsorption for a safe nutrient recovery in a circular economy
Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2025.107516
Authors: Abdulaziz Almuntashiri, Jiaxi Jiang, Ahmad Hosseinzadeh, Umakant Badeti, Amir H. Navidpour, Pema Dorji, Noreddine Ghaffour, Ho Kyong Shon, Sherub Phuntsho
  • Antibiotics
  • Nitrified urine
  • Granular activate carbon
  • Column adsorption
  • Artificial neural network
Thin-film composite membranes enhanced with Ti3C2Tx MXenes for highly selective desalination and water reuse
Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/inf2.70054
Authors: M. Obaid, Jehad K. El-Demellawi, Jaewon Lee, Muhammad Saqib Nawaz, Mrinal K. Hota, Valentina-Elena Musteata, Harun Elcik, Sofiane Soukane, Xiangming Xu, Husam N. Alshareef, Noreddine Ghaffour
  • Desalination
  • Electrospinning
  • Forward osmosis
  • Nanofibe
  • Spray coating
  • Ti 3 C 2 Tx MXene

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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.