News

Nidal Hilal, Professor of Engineering and Director of NYUAD Water Research Center has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). Professor Hilal was elected for his outstanding contributions to colloidal science, water treatment, desalination and membrane separation.

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is the largest organization in Europe dedicated to advancing the chemical sciences and the professional body for chemists in the United Kingdom. Founded in London in the 1660s, it is the world’s oldest chemical society.

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Fellowship is a recognition of Professor Hilal’s internationally leading research which resulted in significant breakthroughs and the distinguished achievements throughout his academic and research career. He is ranked globally by Google Scholar as number 1 in the fields of membrane separation, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, membrane distillation; and number 2 in reverse osmosis and number 7 in desalination technologies. Professor Hilal has been the most cited author in Desalination for 55 years (1966- 2021) and because of this, he is the most cited author (lifetime) in Desalination. He is also the most cited author in the Journal of Water Process Engineering. As a testament to his international reputation, he has delivered plenaries and keynote lectures at numerous international conferences and prestigious organizations around the world.

Professor Hilal was awarded a senior doctorate (Doctor of Science) degree from the University of Wales in recognition of his outstanding international research contributions in the fields of colloidal science, membrane technology and desalination. In the same year, he was awarded the prestigious Kuwait Prize of Applied Science by the Emir of Kuwait for his innovative work in desalination and water treatment. In 2020, he received the Menelaus Medal by the Learned Society of Wales; this is one of the highest awards that can be conferred in Wales in the United Kingdom on a scientist, and it is truly a great achievement. In 2022, he was included by Clarivate in the highly cited researchers 2022 (category of Chemistry) to join only 0.1 % scientists selected around the world to be on this list.

In addition to his record of high-quality scholarship, Professor Hilal has impressive experience in university academic administration and cultural adaptability. Professor Hilal has been elected a fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) in 2003 and a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (LSW) in 2012. He has also taken an active and leading role in many leading international conferences, and has been the chairman of quite a number of conferences in the area of desalination and membrane technology. These include the International Conference on Desalination Using membrane Technology (MEMDES 1 in Spain, MEMDES 2 in Singapore, MEMDES3 in the Canary Islands and MEMDES4 in Perth-Australia) and the International Conference on Desalination (ICODE 1 in Abu Dhabi and ICODE2 in Doha).

His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the UAE's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, awarded the Research and Innovation Award for 2022-2023 to the NYUAD Water Research Center in the Water Security and Sustainability category.

Senior Vice Provost for Research Sehamuddin Galadari and Director of the NYUAD Water Research Center Nidal Hilal received the award today in a special ceremony in Dubai.  Feb 27, 2023

PROFESSOR HILAL PUBLISHES A NEW BOOK "OSMOSIS ENGINEERING"

The Osmosis Engineering book (ISBN: 978-0-12-821016-1) by Professor Nidal Hilal et al provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art regarding osmosis based research and industrial/engineering applications. It covers the underpinning theories, technology development and commercial applications, with chapters written by the leading researchers in the relevant fields.

Engineered osmosis (EO) refers to a family of membrane based separation processes, with wide industrial applications, but primarily associated with the production of drinking water from seawater and brackish water, and with the treatment of contaminated and waste water.

BOOK COVER - RELEASE DATE APRIL 23, 2021