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.

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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.

Sustainable energy production from domestic wastewater via bioelectrochemical reactors using MXene efficient electrodes decorated with transition metal nanoparticles

by Pewee D. Kolubah, Hend Omar Mohamed, Mohamed N. Hedhili, Mohamed Ben Hassine, Rubén Díaz-Rúa, Daniela I. Drautz-Moses, M. Obaid, Noreddine Ghaffour, Pascal Saikaly, Pedro Castaño
Year: 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.113793

Abstract

This study investigates the role of iron oxide (Fe2O3)-MXene (Ti3C2) based anode on microbial growth to generate clean energy from wastewater using a mediator less MFCs. We combine physical, chemical, and biological methods (microbe metabarcoding) to elucidate the engineered anode structure and the impact of Fe2O3 /Mxene on the growth of microbes, the electron transfer process, and generated power. The results demonstrate that Fe2O3 in the engineered anode facilitates the microbes-anode interaction that improves the attachment of a biofilm predominantly consisting of Acidomonas methanolica (75 % of read counts), which engages in extracellular electron transfer by leveraging the Fe redox cycle during MFC operations, achieving a power density of 2.7 W m–2 and a notable current density of 15 A m–2. The results open perspectives for understanding the role of transition metal oxide in the rational design of anodes targeting specific microbe populations for the practical application of MFCs.

Keywords

Microbial fuel cells Biofilm attachment Iron oxide Power generation Anode modification

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