Recruits Contribute to RIC-2D’s Water Purification and 2D Materials Research听
A total of four National Service and Reserve Authority (NSRA) recruits from Khalifa University’s Al Nokhba Program have played a vital role in advancing research at Research and Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D). Their six-month placements have focused on innovative projects aimed at enhancing water purification and wastewater reclamation technologies and exploring the applications of 2D materials.听
The four NSRA recruits including Abdelrahman AlHammadi, Abdulla Alblooshi, Dr. Ahmad Bin Thaneya, and Mohamed AlMeraikhi, worked under Chemical and Petroleum Engineering faculty advisors Dr. Faisal Al Marzooqi, Deputy Director, Center of Membrane and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), and Professor Enas Nashef. Their projects included developing functional membranes for wastewater treatment, utilizing environmentally friendly materials, and investigating the potential of 2D materials in various fields, including defense, industrial applications, and innovative research avenues in graphene technology.听
The project titled 鈥�2D Enabled Functional Membranes for Water Treatment and Desalination鈥� involved AlHammadi, Process Engineer, AkzoNobel UAE Paints; Mohamed AlMeraikhi, who manages business projects with Ernst & Young in the MENA region, and Abdulla Alblooshi, Investments Analyst, Mubadala. They created membranes designed for water purification with significant defense implications, utilizing deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to enhance the filtration process, aiming to provide clean water in remote environments. Additionally, they studied unique properties of 2D materials, gaining insights into advanced nanotechnology techniques and material manipulation at the atomic scale.听
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The 鈥楧evelopment of Multimodal Sensory Modules for Scale-up Smart Membrane Distillation鈥� project included National Service Recruit Dr. Ahmad Bin Thaneya who focused on creating a Python-based program that controls a source meter connected to the membrane, allowing for real-time monitoring of temperature variations. This project aims to develop systems that provide immediate feedback for improved efficiency and effectiveness of the distillation process.听
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Established in 2019 in collaboration with the NSRA, Khalifa University鈥檚 Al Nokhba Program enables UAE nationals in national service to engage in impactful research placements at the university, equipping them with hands-on experience and skills in science and technology fields.听
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
