KAUST Unveils Breakthrough Low-Energy Membrane to Revolutionize Desalination

In a groundbreaking development, researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed a groundbreaking desalination membrane to transform water production. This innovative polymer membrane improves the efficiency of converting seawater and concentrated brines into freshwater at ambient temperatures. Consequently, the technology delivers high salt rejection with substantially lower energy demand than conventional industrial approaches used today.

The research introduces subnanoporous hydrophobic thin films specifically engineered for the membrane distillation process. These advanced films allow water vapor to pass through while blocking salts and contaminants with exceptionally high efficiency levels. Crucially, the system maintains ultrahigh salt rejection even when processing hyper-saline brines that usually prove too costly to treat.

“Water and energy are inseparable challenges for Saudi Arabia,” stated Professor Noreddine Ghaffour, the lead author of the study. “This work shows that it is possible to desalinate not only seawater, but even highly concentrated brines, using far less energy than traditional approaches.” He further noted that KAUST provides an environment where fundamental science translates into practical technologies for real needs.

Strategic Water Security

Reliable water production remains a long-term strategic priority for the Kingdom as population growth drives higher demand for resources. Since Saudi Arabia is a global leader in desalination, reducing the environmental footprint of these operations supports national sustainability. This new technology addresses these goals by lowering operational costs and cutting the energy required for large-scale water extraction.

Unlike many experimental concepts, this membrane has already progressed to pilot-scale testing on the university’s campus in Thuwal. The research team currently assesses the durability and scalability of the polymer under various demanding and real-world operational conditions. Furthermore, industrial partners have expressed significant interest in exploring pathways toward full-scale deployment across the Kingdom’s municipal water systems.

By bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial application, KAUST scientists are securing the Kingdom’s future water supply. This innovation ultimately accelerates the transition toward sustainable water management while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for innovation.