Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has announced a new partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology’s Centre for Membranes & Advanced Water Technology (CMAT) this week, centred on water treatment and resource management research in the UAE.
According to a statement, the MoU between the two outlines a framework to explore and evaluate advanced membrane technologies, improve water quality, and optimise desalination operations through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies.
“By integrating advanced membrane technologies with AI-driven optimisation, we can unlock new levels of efficiency and sustainability in desalination processes, ensuring a secure water future for the UAE,” said Dr Shadi W Hasan, Director of the Centre for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology at Khalifa University.
The MoU formalises the intent to develop pilot projects for testing water desalination technologies and deploying AI-driven models to improve the efficiency and sustainability of desalination processes, it was shared.
Knowledge exchange will be another key facet of the partnership, with educational modules, workshops, and competitions focused on advanced water technologies, including provisions for internships and research opportunities.
Through the MoU, Khalifa University’s research will be directly integrated into EtihadWE’s live projects, which, the company said, will allow for real-world testing and scaling of new solutions.
CMAT’s projects include UAE-tailored solar-powered desalination systems, electrified membranes using advanced nanomaterials like graphene for enhanced pollutant removal, and smart stimuli-responsive membranes for optimising water purification.
According to the centre, it is also pushing the commercialisation of “eco-friendly” nanocomposite membranes and graphene-based biosensors for rapid virus detection.
“This MoU perfectly aligns with our ambition to enhance operational efficiency and ensure water security in the UAE’s northern emirates. By combining Khalifa University’s research capabilities with EtihadWE’s practical experience, we will advance sustainable water management,” commented Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE.