Thuwal: Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed a new desalination membrane that improves the efficiency of converting seawater and concentrated brines into freshwater. The research introduces a scalable polymer membrane that operates at ambient temperature and pressure, delivering high salt rejection with substantially lower energy demand than conventional approaches. The technology is now being evaluated at pilot scale at KAUST, bringing it closer to real world use.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the research introduces new subnanoporous hydrophobic thin films for membrane distillation process. These membranes are engineered to allow water vapor to pass while blocking salt and contaminants with high efficiency, maintaining ultrahigh salt rejection even when processing brines that are typically difficult and costly to treat.
'Water and energy are inseparable challenges for Saudi Arabia,' said Professor Noreddine Ghaffour, lead author of the study and a specialist in desalination and water treatment at KAUST. 'This work shows that it is possible to desalinate not only seawater, but even highly concentrated brines, using far less energy than traditional approaches. KAUST provides an environment where fundamental materials science can be translated into practical technologies that respond to real needs.'
Reliable and efficient water production is a long-term strategic priority for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is among the world's largest producers of desalinated water, and demand is expected to increase as populations grow and industrial activity expands. Technologies that improve performance while reducing energy use and operational costs are therefore increasingly important. Unlike many advanced desalination concepts that remain confined to laboratory testing, the KAUST membrane is already being evaluated at pilot scale on campus, with interest from industrial partners exploring pathways toward deployment.
The research supports ongoing efforts to strengthen water sustainability, energy efficiency, and applied innovation. As pilot testing continues, the team will assess scalability and durability under various operational conditions, informing future applications across industrial and municipal water systems.