Keynote Speaker
Prof. Tahar Laoui
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering,College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, The United Arab Emirates
Speech Title: Ceramic Membranes: Pioneering a New Era in Water Treatment Technologies
Abstract: Ceramic membranes are emerging as a sustainable solution for water treatment, offering significant advantages over conventional polymeric alternatives. Their exceptional durability, thermal and chemical stability, and resistance to fouling position them as valuable components in diverse applications ranging from reverse osmosis (RO) pre-treatment to advanced wastewater reuse. The presentation will examine the role of ceramic membranes in municipal, industrial, and desalination systems, highlighting their ability to remove suspended solids, microorganisms, and organics under challenging water conditions. Comparative analysis will highlight lifecycle performance, economic considerations, and operational reliability relative to polymeric membranes. Case studies from global practice, including municipal reuse projects in Europe; treatment of complex industrial effluents; and large-scale seawater desalination in the Middle East, will illustrate practical benefits and operational constraints. The session will conclude with a discussion on future opportunities for integrating ceramic membranes into sustainable water management strategies, emphasizing their potential to extend membrane lifespan, reduce chemical consumption, and enhance system resilience in an era of growing water scarcity.
Biography: Professor Tahar Laoui received his PhD from the University of Washington, Seattle (USA). Keywords describing his research interests include development of advanced and nanostructured materials, nanocomposites, membranes for water treatment/desalination, and additive manufacturing. He has participated in many research projects throughout his academic career. In the area of materials and membranes development, while Professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM, Saudi Arabia) in collaboration with colleagues from Mechanical Engineering Dept. at MIT (USA), he worked on a joint research project related to the development of inorganic membranes for water treatment and desalination by exploring techniques to investigate and understand the transport of water molecules and ions through macro- and nano-structured materials such as zeolites, alumina-based ceramics, carbon nanotubes and graphene. He was Fellow of The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IMMM, UK), member of the editorial board of several journals including Materials Letters, Membranes, npj Clean Water. He has served as a reviewer/member of the review committee for many journals and national/international conferences. He has published over 200 refereed journal/conference papers and conference abstracts and 16 issued patents.