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.

Boosting all-weather atmospheric water vapor harvesting with a solar-driven membrane system

by Yong Jin
Year: 2023 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3285251/v2

Abstract


Atmospheric water vapor harvesting (AVH) is vital to supply fresh water in arid regions. Sorbent-based harvesting stands out because it can adapt to weather conditions and utilize lowgrade energy. Current harvesting research focuses on sorbent material preparation (especially solid sorbents, such as MOFs) without integrating them into advanced water production systems. Moreover, solid sorbents show poor adaptability to changing relative humidities and temperatures in real-world applications. Here, we propose a novel AVH membrane system (AVH-MS) driven by solar energy to address these challenges. Liquid hygroscopic solutions were utilized as the working fluid in the AVH-MS to avoid the solid sorbents’ limitations. The advanced design of the AVH-MS helped boost water production and adapt to all weather conditions simultaneously. The feasibility of the system was demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. The system could produce 6.27, 2.41, and 0.82 kg freshwater/m2/day at relative humidities of 69%, 35%, and 19% at 25 °C, respectively, using solar energy. The production improved by almost 700% compared with the reported study under the same weather condition. Our system's converted water production capacity (kg/J) is also the highest under various relative humidities compared with the reported studies.

Keywords

Atmospheric water vapor harvesting (AVH) Solar-driven membrane system Liquid hygroscopic solutions All-weather adaptability Water production efficiency

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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.