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

30 June, 2026

Professor Noreddine Ghaffour Receives the 2025 Kuwait Prize in Applied Sciences

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27 March, 2026

DESAL spotlighted in Filtration + Separation for breakthrough in low‑energy desalination

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15 February, 2026

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

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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.

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
In-situ heat-activated peroxymonosulfate pretreatment for effective biofouling mitigation strategies in seawater membrane distillation
Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2025.119148
Authors: Jaewon Lee, M. Obaid, Najat A Amin, Weilong Yang, Jieun Kim, Taegeun Park, Seonkyu Lee, Seunghwan Woo, Youngjin Kim, Min Zhan, Noreddine Ghaffour, Seungkwan Hong
  • Peroxymonosulfate
  • seawater desalination pretreatment
  • Membrane distillation
  • biofouling
  • Pretreatment
Natural products-based Janus hydrophilic/hydrophobic membrane for efficient scaling-resistance and photothermal membrane distillation
Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2025.124100
Authors: Min Li, Nan Shang, Jinheng Lei, Xun Zhou, Peiqing Zhang, Noreddine Ghaffour, Quan Feng, Zhenyu Li
  • Photothermal membrane distillation
  • Scaling resistance
  • Janus hydrophilic/hydrophobic
  • Melanin NPs
  • Sodium alginate

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