KAUST team develops energy-saving membrane for industrial gas separation
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new membrane technology that could reduce industrial gas separation costs by up to 80 percent. The material is designed for large-scale manufacturing and has applications in carbon capture and hydrogen purification.
Why it matters
This innovation offers a more energy-efficient pathway for critical industrial processes, potentially lowering global carbon emissions and operational costs.
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RIYADH: Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have developed a novel membrane technology that could significantly reduce energy consumption in industrial gas separation — a process that currently accounts for roughly 15 percent of global energy use.</p>
The study, published in the journal Nature, describes a high-performance membrane composed of more than 90 percent metal-organic frameworks, which are highly porous materials renowned for their ability to separate gas molecules.</p>
According to KAUST, the new membrane maintains the essential flexibility and durability required for large-scale industrial manufacturing.</p>
Mohamed Eddaoudi, professor of chemical science and corresponding author of the study, emphasized the long-standing engineering hurdle behind scaling up advanced materials.</p>
Eddaoudi said: “The challenge has never been discovering materials capable of performing these separations, but finding ways to manufacture them at the scale industry requires.</p>
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