Winners Announced for the First Global Hackathon for 
Sustainable Water Desalination and Reuse 

December 12, 2024, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates –The inaugural Global Hackathon for Sustainable Water Desalination concluded with an awards ceremony during the World Congress 2024 closing luncheon in Abu Dhabi. Organized by ACWA Power in collaboration with IDRA and hosted by the Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT) at Khalifa University, the event showcased groundbreaking innovations addressing the global water crisis. 

The hackathon culminated in a full-day ideation session, where participants collaborated to develop new ideas and innovative solutions to advance sustainability in desalination and water reuse. This immersive session fostered creativity, cross-disciplinary thinking, and practical strategies to tackle the challenges of water scarcity on a global scale. 

The Hackathon culminated in the recognition of three standout ideas that demonstrated ingenuity, feasibility, and potential for real-world application. 

1st Place: PureDrop – Portable Photothermal Membrane Desalination System 

This team introduced a portable system using advanced photothermal membrane technology for efficient water desalination. 

Team Members 

• Mr. Ahmad Saud Jawed 
• Mr. Asaad Mohamad Matouk 
• Subject Matter Expert: Dr. Jehad Kharraz 

2nd Place: Closed Loop GAC Adsorption Systems for PACs Removal 

Aimed at removing persistent organic pollutants, this innovative system employs a closed-loop granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption mechanism. 

Team Members 

• Ms. Yasmina Kamal Gomaa Alseksek 
• Ms. Anjali Goyal 
• Mr. Mujeeb Kareem 
• Ms. Malak Abu Zaid 
• Subject Matter Expert: Dr. Ravi Pandey 

3rd Place: AI-driven Efficiency Optimization for Sustainable Water Desalination Harnessing artificial intelligence, this solution optimizes water desalination processes to enhance efficiency and sustainability. 

Team Members 

• Ms. Athba Alshehhi 
• Ms. Shamma Almheiri 
• Mr. Ahmad Alblooshi 
• Subject Matter Expert: Eng. Abdul Hai 

The hackathon reflects ACWA Power and Khalifa University’s commitment to fostering innovation for global water sustainability. “The success of this event underlines the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in solving pressing global challenges and IDRA was very proud to support it as part of the IDRA World Congress 2024 Pre-Congress Programs,” said Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General, IDRA. 

As the world grapples with increasing water scarcity, these innovative solutions represent a significant step forward in sustainable water management, offering hope for a future with clean and accessible water for all. 

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About IDRA 

IDRA is a global organization connecting the desalination and water reuse community since 1973. With members in over 60 countries, we serve as a platform for professionals from various sectors, including science, engineering, government, and academia. As a recognized NGO by the United Nations, IDRA plays a vital role in promoting sustainable water solutions worldwide.