US water technology startup Aqua Membranes was awarded the grand prize of the Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination (GPID) in an award ceremony in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah, organizers said in a statement on Sunday. The company was awarded the top prize for their project titled “Changing reverse osmosis through 3D printed spacers” during the GDIP, which awarded prizes worth a combined USD 10 mn.

About the company: Aqua Membranes manufactures spiral wound membrane elements through its printed spacer technology to print directly on the membrane surface. Such spacers allow for a significant increase in square footage in the same size element in comparison with the conventional mesh feed spacers used in reverse osmosis. This allows for an open design, reduced fouling and lower capital and operating costs in membrane plant operations.

About the technology: Aqua Membranes’ Chief Operat­ing Officer Syeh Shah told Arab News that his company has decided to take the “conventional and outdated RO membrane technology and introduce a groundbreaking printing approach to it.” The technology focuses on addressing the plastic mesh feed spacer available in all reverse osmosis elements. “Our breakthrough came in the form of an innovative 3D spacer technology, augmented by artificial intelligence to determine various patterns that could be directly printed onto the membrane,” he said. An elimination of the plastic mesh has led to lower energy consumption, improved water recovery and membrane durability, among other benefits, he said.

And some others went home with prizes: Five other startups also earned prizes at the GDIP, which saw competition from 105 innovators from 27 countries. These include the US’ Active Membranes, Harmony Desalting, and Mega Vessels Water. Winning entries from other nations include the Netherland’s Desolenator and France’s Schneider Electric.