Shows
Smart Water Solutions#114 - Prof. Ranil WickramasingheIn this episode, Hakim and cohost Rhea Verbeke talk with Prof. Ranil Wickramasinghe, a membrane expert who takes us from blood oxygenators to advanced water and biotech applications. We explore why polymer membranes still lead, how catalytic ceramic membranes turn vegetable oil into linoleic acid for green products, and the real-world hurdles like fouling and carbon pricing. Curious how membranes can react, separate, and still clog like a throat mid-sentence? Tune in. đ±đ§Ș
2025-08-0755 minSmart Water Solutions#104 - Prof. Jesse NippertProfessor Jesse Nippert discussed how these adaptations, like enzyme activity and water transport, influence how plants, especially woody species, dominate during droughts. The conversation also revealed that afforestation isn't always straightforward and can sometimes negatively impact the climate. Finally, it highlighted the importance of understanding plant physiology to improve climate models and better predict environmental changes.
2024-08-291h 01Smart Water Solutions#103 - Prof. Wim ThieryProfessor Wim Thiery discusses the critical impact of climate change on water resources, particularly in Africa. We explore how climate extremes like droughts and floods, combined with changes in land cover, are reshaping water availability. Professor Thiery emphasizes the need for both global climate action and smart local water management to address these challenges effectively.
2024-08-2253 minSmart Water Solutions#102 - Michael Larsen: EnviroNorMichael A. Larsen, CEO of EnviroNor, discusses their floating desalination vesselsâold ships turned into mobile water treatment plants. These vessels can produce up to 10,000 cubic meters of drinking water per hour. Unlike traditional plants, they can move to the best locations, saving energy and minimizing environmental impact. Their mobility also makes them ideal for helping cities during water shortages, offering a practical solution for unpredictable water needs.
2024-08-1556 minSmart Water Solutions#101 - Quantum Wei: Harmony desaltingQuantum Wei, founder of Harmony Desalting, explained their Batch Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology, which dynamically adjusts pressure to save energy. Using conventional membranes and a unique bladder system, Batch RO handles fluctuating salinity and pressure, making it more efficient and resilient against fouling and scaling. At the Yuma Desalting Plant, Batch RO treated scaling-prone brine from a brackish water RO system, achieving 83% water recovery without additional antiscalants. Harmony Desalting is scaling up Batch RO for industrial use, integrating multiple membrane modules, and testing under higher salinity to make desalination more affordable and accessible. Independent control of process parameters gives...
2024-08-0857 minSmart Water Solutions#100 - Mark Ralph: Axine Water TechnologiesMark Ralph, CEO of Axine Water Technologies, explains how their method enhances conventional electrochemical oxidation by using multiple catalysts in a single reactor to break down tough contaminants like PFAS and pharmaceuticals. Their treatment-as-a-service (TAAS) model provides a complete package, including installation, operation, and maintenance, helping clients meet regulations without technical hassles. Their versatile system serves various industries, including pharmaceuticals and electronics manufacturing. Axine's R&D focuses on improving performance and energy efficiency through advanced materials and machine-learning algorithms, with more innovations on the horizon.
2024-08-0157 minSmart Water Solutions#99 - Pablo Cassorla: Remote WatersPablo Cassorla, founder and CEO of Remote Waters, shared how his team is developing decentralized desalination systems by examining around 400 components and redesigning the system with software. This innovation enables rural communities to access fresh water using renewable energy at an affordable cost.Â
2024-07-2559 minSmart Water Solutions#98 - Akash Singh: Urbanblue TechnologiesAkash Singh, co-founder of Urbanblue Technologies, addresses the inefficiencies of traditional wastewater treatment sensors by using real-time imaging and AI. Their system continuously samples water, captures high-resolution images of microorganisms, and uses AI to provide immediate recommendations for improving water quality. This approach, which is scalable and reduces energy consumption, offers a cost-effective and accurate alternative to outdated BOD and COD sensors. Urbanblue's affordable hardware-as-a-service model emphasizes the long-term benefits of efficient water management, making innovative, data-driven solutions the future of water treatment.
2024-07-181h 01Smart Water Solutions#97 - Sreenath Bolisetty: BluAct TechnologiesSreenath Bolisetty, CTO and Co-founder of BluAct Technologies, explains how protein nanofibers can effectively remove heavy metals and radioactive pollutants from water. These nanofibers, made from whey protein, have a high surface area and binding sites that adsorb multiple metal ions and pollutants. Integrated into activated carbon, they efficiently purify water. The solution operates without electricity, using gravity and sustainable materials. It can recover valuable metals from wastewater and remove contaminants like arsenic, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective.Â
2024-07-111h 01Smart Water Solutions#96 - Karthik Kunjali: Stockholm Water TechnologyKarthik Kunjali, Co-founder & CEO at Stockholm Water Technology (SWT), discusses how their CDI technology stands out from reverse osmosis by attracting and removing contaminants, making it ideal for low-salinity applications and specific pollutant removal like heavy metals and nutrients. This method is energy-efficient and customizable, perfect for aquaculture and municipal wastewater polishing. While many CDI attempts have failed due to unreliability and complexity, SWTâs advanced material design and intelligent software optimize energy use and contaminant removal. Their modular and scalable architecture offers tailored, sustainable water treatment solutions.Â
2024-07-0452 minSmart Water Solutions#95 - Prof. Larry MayerRhea and I hosted Professor Larry Mayer, Director of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire. He discussed the latest advancements in ocean floor mapping, utilizing sophisticated sonar technology to provide essential data on ocean currents and salinity, crucial components of the global water cycle. Comprehensive ocean mapping is vital for predicting changes in marine environments and supporting effective ocean resource management.
2024-06-2757 minSmart Water Solutions#94 - Prof. Martin TrufferMy co-host Rhea Verbeke and I welcomed Professor Martin Truffer, a distinguished glaciologist, who highlighted the critical role glaciers play in maintaining stable water supplies. We explored the alarming rate of glacier retreat due to climate change, noting that while some glaciers may be beyond saving, others can still be preserved if we act quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Professor Truffer emphasized the importance of understanding glacier dynamics and the potential of AI in predicting future changes, advocating for a focus on reducing carbon emissions over technological fixes. This conversation underscores the urgent need to address climate change...
2024-06-201h 00Smart Water Solutions#93 - Prof. Stephan PfisterProfessor Stephan Pfister from ETH Zurich focuses on integrating water scarcity into life cycle assessments (LCA) to guide sustainable resource management. His research examines the trade-offs between water use, land use, and biodiversity, offering insights for improved environmental policies. Additionally, Professor Pfister highlights the need for global collaboration in agriculture and industry to promote sustainable development and positive environmental impacts.
2024-06-1356 minSmart Water Solutions#92 - Prof. Radha BoyaAtomically Precise Membranes by Professor Radha Boya at the The University of Manchester, is pioneering the development of atomically thin membranes using graphene and other two-dimensional materials. These angstrom-scale channels enable highly selective ion and molecule separation, greatly enhancing water desalination efficiency. Her work focuses on advanced nanofabrication techniques, manipulating the precise dimensions of these channels to optimize filtration performance, potentially revolutionizing water purification technologies.
2024-06-0655 minSmart Water Solutions#91 - Prof. Kim TrevathanProfessor Kim Trevathan narrates his personal journey paddling the Tennessee River, reflecting on environmental changes observed over two decades. His narrative wove together personal anecdotes with environmental insights, illustrating how human interventions like damming have altered river ecosystems. Kimâs stories highlight the importance of direct interaction with nature for understanding environmental impacts and fostering a deeper appreciation for natural waterwaysââ.
2024-05-3055 minSmart Water Solutions#90 - Prof. Menachem ElimelechIn our todayâs podcast episode, Rhea and I have welcomed Sterling Professor Menachem Elimelech from Yale University. He discussed the challenges and advancements in seawater desalination, emphasizing that significant gains lie in optimizing system design and using real-time monitoring and sensor technologies rather than focusing solely on new membrane materials. He also highlighted the potential of electro-dialysis for brackish water desalination and the importance of understanding multi-component transport in membranes.
Professor Elimelech also covered practical aspects of pretreatment and post-treatment in desalination. He noted that current pretreatment technologies are outdated and suggested that developing fouling-resistant membranes coul...
2024-05-2349 minSmart Water Solutions#89 - Carlos GarcĂa BlĂĄzquez: GENAQIn a podcast episode, Carlos Garcia from Genaq details their advanced technology for extracting water from the air. He explains that their machines are designed to efficiently handle variable power inputs from renewable sources like solar panels, eliminating the need for costly batteries and inverters. This significantly reduces both initial investment and operational costs.
Garcia highlights a project in Djiburi, Eastern Africa, where Genaq installed a self-sufficient, 5,000-liter-per-day machine powered solely by solar energy, demonstrating the system's capability in remote areas. He also discusses ongoing innovations aimed at utilizing excess solar energy to extend production into nighttime...
2024-05-161h 03Smart Water Solutions#88 - Gerhard Loots: KalliprGerhard Loots, CEO of Kallipr IoT Technologies, introduces advanced IoT technologies aimed at enhancing agricultural practices. He detailed a new sensor device that simplifies battery replacementâa critical improvement that significantly reduces maintenance time and costs. Gerhard also discussed the company's commitment to environmental sustainability, including a battery recycling program that complements their durable, easy-to-manage IoT devicesââ.
2024-05-091h 04Smart Water Solutions#87 - Ion Padilla: WegawIon Padilla discussed the innovation of using satellite data for environmental monitoring, emphasizing Wegaw's hybrid model which integrates automated and manual data collection. This approach offers cost-effective, accurate environmental assessments, reducing the need for expensive, frequent field campaigns. Ion highlighted the system's ability to provide daily updates on snow depth across the globe, a vital tool for managing water resources in real-timeââ.
2024-05-0256 minSmart Water Solutions#86 - Slava Libman: FTD SolutionsSlava Libman, CEO of FTD Solutions, takes us into the world of digital transformation in water management. Libman explains the development and application of digital twins for water treatment and distribution systems, highlighting how this technology can simulate, predict, and optimize water process flows and treatment outcomes using data analytics and AI. This episode offers an in-depth look at how integrating digital twins into water systems not only improves operational efficiencies but also enhances decision-making and strategic planning for water utilities and industries. The discussion further touches on the potential of these technologies to support sustainable water management practices...
2024-04-2558 minSmart Water Solutions#85 - Gregg Semler: InPipe EnergyIn this episode of Smart Water Solutions, Gregg Semler, CEO of InPine Energy, introduces us to the transformative Hydro XS technology. Semler discusses the engineering behind leveraging the kinetic energy of water flowing through municipal and industrial pipelines to generate renewable energy. This not only provides a sustainable energy solution but also optimizes water infrastructure efficiency. By dividing the mechanics of micro-hydroelectric systems and their integration into existing water systems, this conversation shines a light on the untapped potential of water as a clean energy source, contributing to both energy and water sustainability goals.
2024-04-1855 minSmart Water Solutions#84 - Prof. Peter JafféIn this episode of Smart Water Solutions, co-hosted by Rhea and I, we had the privilege of speaking with Peter Jaffé, a distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University. Professor Jaffé shared insights into his pioneering research on environmental bioremediation, specifically his work on a bacteria strain adept at breaking down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), notorious for their persistence in the environment.
The conversation discusses the bacteria's unique ability to thrive in acidic, iron-rich conditions and its specialized metabolic pathways that facilitate the degradation of these stubborn pollutants (e.g. PFAS). Professor Jaffé det...
2024-04-1158 minSmart Water Solutions#83 - Dr. Elizabeth K. ThomasIn this episode, Rhea and I are joined by Dr. Elizabeth K. Thomas, Associate Professor of Geology at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Thomas employs advanced scientific methods to uncover ancient climate secrets. She analyzes lipid biomarkers found in sediment cores, which are cylindrical samples drilled from the Earth's surface containing layers of accumulated sediment. These biomarkers act as chemical fingerprints, revealing signs about past environmental conditions, including variations in precipitation patterns. Additionally, she examines isotopic signatures within these sediment cores. Isotopes, different forms of an element, with varying numbers of neutrons, provide insights into past climate conditions. By...
2024-04-041h 01Smart Water Solutions#82 - Seth B. Darling: Argonne National LaboratoryIn this podcast episode, Rhea and I host Seth B. Darling, Argonne's Chief Science and Technology Officer, discussing his journey from chemistry to the water sciences, with a special focus on block copolymers. The conversation zeroes in on the critical nexus between water and energy, emphasizing the urgent of water reuse and the untapped potential of wastewater as a source for nutrients and rare earth elements. Darling's insights highlighted the necessity for scientific research to be guided towards real-world applicability, stressing on life cycle analysis to ensure the viability and sustainability of water technologies. Key discussions include advancing membrane...
2024-03-2857 minSmart Water Solutions#81 - Maxime Therrillion: OSMOSUNIn this episode, we welcomed Maxime Therrillion, Head of Business Development at OSMOSUN, to discuss how they integrate solar energy with reverse osmosis for sustainable water desalination. Maxime shared his journey into the water sector, driven by the goal of addressing vital water needs. OSMOSUN, established in 2014, focuses on combating water scarcity without contributing to climate change.
Maxime explained their technology, which enables reverse osmosis systems to run on solar power without needing batteries or grid connections. This approach not only offers a cost-effective solution but also reduces environmental impact. The discussion covered adapting to different geographies...
2024-03-2136 minSmart Water Solutions#80 - Julie Bliss Mullen: AclarityIn this intriguing episode, Julie Bliss, CEO and co-founder of Aclarity, narrates her transformative journey from an academic researcher to an innovative entrepreneur, tackling the global issue of PFAS contamination. PFAS, short for "forever chemicals," are used in everyday items like non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing. These chemicals can seep into water sources, not breaking down and leading to health risks such as cancer and immune system damage. Her discovery during an EPA internship ignited a passion to solve the pressing problem of "forever chemicals" in our environment. Developing a patented electrochemical oxidation technique, Julie's story is one of...
2024-03-1455 minSmart Water Solutions#79 - Mike Dyson: Infinity Water SolutionsIn today's edition: Producing a single barrel of oil might use up anywhere from two to ten barrels of fresh water, depending on different factors. Figuring out the best mix of water technologies and business strategies to treat the wastewater from the oil and gas industry is our discussion with Mike Dyson, CEO of Infinity Water Solutions. The talk emphasizes the importance of rethinking water as a valuable resource rather than a waste product. Just like how the banana industry ensures bananas arrive ripe worldwide, the oil and gas industry are now carefully managing water treatment. This means they're...
2024-03-071h 13Smart Water Solutions#78 - Dr. Peter van Thienen: KWRIn this episode, Rhea and I interviewed Peter Van Thienen, who is the principal scientist at KWR. Peter offers insights into collapsology, defined as the study of how and why societies might decline or collapse due to environmental or economic pressures, and its critical relevance to water infrastructure. With a transition from geosciences to water research, he emphasizes the importance of preparing water systems for the unpredictability of future societal shifts and environmental changes. The discussion emphasizes the necessity for water infrastructure to be resilient and adaptable. Peterâs research field also advocates for proactive strategies to protect water re...
2024-02-2959 minSmart Water Solutions#77 - Adrian Sym: Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)In our episode, we explore the journey and mission of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), as shared by Adrian Sym. Water stewardship involves responsibly managing and conserving water resources to ensure their sustainability and equitable access for present and future generations. AWS brings together businesses, NGOs, and governments to promote sustainable water use and tackle global water challenges. With a focus on collaboration and the AWS Standard, they aim to improve water management worldwide. But what makes their approach unique, and how does it impact areas like the Ica Valley in Peru, where water scarcity and agriculture intertwine?
2024-02-2256 minSmart Water Solutions#76 - Guillaume Valladeau: VORTEX-IOExtreme weather changes, especially severe floods, are now a routine part of our lives. The old ways of tracking water levels in rivers and streams are often too slow, inaccurate, and expensive to maintain. By switching to modern technology, we can get fast, precise information with fewer maintenance demands, improving how we monitor water levels and manage flood risks. In our podcast, I talk with Guillaume Valladeau, the CEO of VORTEX-IO, about how their innovative technology is making a difference in predicting and monitoring water levels. Valladeau highlights the importance of VORTEX-IO's real-time data in responding to flood events...
2024-02-1550 minSmart Water Solutions#75 - Naomi Timmer: H2O PeopleIn this episode, Naomi Timmer, a figure in water management, shares her comprehensive approach to tackling water challenges. As the director of European Junior Water Programme and H2O People, Timmer integrates her expertise in political science and religious studies to emphasize the importance of personal and professional development in water management. One of the central questions in our discussion has been: How can we integrate technical expertise, leadership, and community engagement to address water management challenges in an innovative and comprehensive manner?
2024-02-081h 02Smart Water Solutions#74 - Dr. Newsha AjamiIn this podcast episode, Dr. Newsha Ajami, Chief Strategy and Development Officer for Research at Berkeley Lab, discusses the evolving intersection of water policy and science. Dr. Ajami highlights the need for water management strategies to adapt to climate change and the importance of integrating science, human needs, and environmental considerations into policy-making. She addresses the challenges in developing sustainable urban water systems and the necessity of bridging the gap between science, policy, and community. Traditional water models, which focus on average scenarios like snowfall, precipitation, and flooding levels, are becoming outdated due to climate change's unpredictability. This change...
2024-02-011h 11Smart Water Solutions#73 - Dr. Lidietta GiornoJoin us on our latest podcast episode to explore membrane technology with eminent scientist and researcher Dr. Lidietta Giorno of ITM-CNR, hosted by Rhea and me. Dr. Giorno guides us through her innovative research, a fusion of biology, chemistry, and engineering. She shares her insights, reflecting on the interconnectedness of knowledge: 'the sectorial subdivision of disciplines is something artificial that we have invented in order to educate people. But in the end, the knowledge is very unifiedâ echoing Aristotle's belief that 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'
Ever wondered how the sophisticated de...
2024-01-251h 30Smart Water Solutions#72 - John Matthews: AGWAJoin us in our latest podcast episode where I discuss with John Matthews, Executive Director at AGWA, about effective water management in the era of climate change. He talks about the organization's approach to building resilience and adapting water resources management, a critical need in today's changing climate. Our conversation highlights how AGWA uses its methods to improve how we manage water globally. They bring together water management and climate science expertise, assisting governments, businesses, and communities in making smarter decisions about water use in the face of climate change
One of the key parts of our...
2024-01-181h 18Smart Water Solutions#71 - Prof. Brett BryanJoin Rhea and me on a captivating journey with Prof. Brett Bryan from Deakin University, as we deal with the dynamic world of water sustainability in our latest podcast episode. Ever wondered how water scarcity touches our global food supply, or the role invisible 'virtual water' plays in our daily lives? Prof. Bryan reveals the involved connections between local water bodies and global water trends, with a surprising twist on the impact of small lakes. What does this mean for our planet's health and our future? He brings to light the power of ecosystem service flows and the necessity...
2024-01-111h 06Smart Water Solutions#70 - Prof. Dragan Savic: KWRIn our podcast episode, we explore the world of water management with Professor Dragan Savic, CEO of KWR Water Research Institute. With his extensive background in Hydroinformatics and environmental engineering, Professor Savic shares his journey from academia to leading a prominent water research organization. But what makes KWR stand out in the crowded field of water research? Their unique approach blends scientific inquiry with practical applications, driven by the needs of Dutch and Flemish drinking water companies. How does this collaboration shape their research priorities, and what innovative solutions are they developing for the water sector? Professor Savic discusses...
2024-01-0452 minSmart Water Solutions#69 - Valerie Fehst: PipePredictIn this episode, Valerie Fehst, co-founder of PipePredict, shares her journey from physics to launching a water leak detection system. How did her physics background lead to PipePredict's creation? The company's approach, blending data analysis, digital twin, machine learning, and existing sensors, aims to pinpoint leaks. But how does PipePredict navigate the complexities of diverse sensors and pipe types to ensure accuracy? Their work in leak detection also aids environmental conservation. What environmental impact is PipePredict achieving? Additionally, what future water management innovations is Valerie considering for PipePredict? For newcomers to the water industry, Valerie offers insights. Her story...
2023-12-2150 minSmart Water Solutions#68 - Lyle King: Influx SearchIn this latest podcast episode featuring Lyle King, CEO of Influx Search, as he sheds light on the nuances of recruiting in the water industry. King discusses his journey and the unique challenges in this specialized sector. But what drives a focus solely on water industry recruitment? đ€He then explores the growth and expansion strategies of Influx Search, especially in clean tech and sustainability. Within technological advancements, how does Influx balance tech with the vital human element in recruitment? King emphasizes the importance of a passion for water conservation in candidates, beyond just technical skills. What advice does he offe...
2023-12-0741 minSmart Water Solutions#67 - Dr. Arian Edalat: Active MembranesIn this episode, join Dr. Arian Edalat, Co-Founder and CEO of Active Membranes, as we explore the journey from academic research to real-world industrial applications in water treatment. How has Edalat's team successfully accelerated the commercialization of Active Membranes in the desalination industry? Edalat shares that targeting areas with significant challenges, where people are eager for solutions and the impact is greatest, is key to the successful early adoption of innovative water technologies like Active Membranes. We discuss the challenges of fouling and scaling in desalination plants and how Active Membranes electrically conductive membranes offer a cost-effective and efficient so...
2023-11-231h 01Smart Water Solutions#66 - Dr. André F. van RooyenIn this episode, Rhea and I explore the world of agriculture and water management in Africa with our guest, Dr. André F. van Rooyen, a Principal Scientist at ICRISAT in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We discussed the intricate dance between modern agriculture and age-old farming wisdom. As land areas get smaller, how can we optimize food production in places like Africa? Why, despite the World Bank's massive irrigation projects, do some solutions seem to add more complexity than clarity? Dr. van Rooyen challenges the notion that more water always equals more food and highlights the unintended consequences of over-reliance on f...
2023-11-091h 11Smart Water Solutions#65 - James Ellsmoor: Island InnovationIn this episode, meet James Ellsmoor, the CEO @ Island Innovation. We'll explore the unique water challenges islands face. Consider this: tourism intensifies their water demands. So, how do they adapt? How does Island Innovation platform bridge sustainable island water solutions with water startups, governments, and financial institutions? Dive into our episode as we discuss the relationship between tourism, renewable energy, and island-specific water solutions. Are islands just smaller versions of global challenges or do they need their own solutions? Tune in to find out!
2023-10-2644 minSmart Water Solutions#64 - Dr. Piotr Dlugolecki: Aqua AzureIn this episode, Dr. Piotr Dlugolecki and I discuss water-based energy generation and storage, highlighting the potential of reverse electrodialysis technology and ion exchange membranes. We talk about the challenges and opportunities in hydrogen production, especially in Europe, and look at the future of energy storage solutions, including redox flow batteries. Our guest, Piotr, founder of Aqua-Azure, shares his journey from moving countries to starting a company and offers insights into helping businesses grow faster.
2023-10-121h 03Smart Water Solutions#63 - Karen Schuett: Livestock WaterThis episode features Karen Schuett, Co-Founder and CEO of Livestock Water Recycling (LWR). With her roots in zoology, Karen embarked on a journey from groundwater treatment in the oil and gas sector to forging solutions in livestock manure treatment. A local farmer's challenge with manure lagoons prompted this shift, leading to the development of LWR's specialized system.
Livestock waste is denser than municipal waste, making its treatment a challenge. LWR has developed a system that efficiently separates this waste and recovers nutrients. This approach is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and even allows farmers to sell the extracted nutrients. By...
2023-09-2857 minSmart Water Solutions#57 - Prof. Markus BergerThe water footprint is the water that we consume and pollute in the supply chain of our daily goods. We may use around 125 liters of water/day at home, but in total we are consuming around 7000 liters of water/day via the food we eat and the fashion we buy. To better understand the water footprint, Rhea and I hosted prof Markus Berger from the University of Twente. We learned more about different types of water and, more importantly, about how much our awareness of our daily purchased goods can affect water scarcity. It may sound like an exaggeration...
2022-11-261h 09Smart Water Solutions#56 - Riggs Eckelberry: OriginClearInvesting is oxygen for water techs. One can invest in assets such as oil and gas and real state, but how about investing in water? Apparently, there is not enough financial infrastructure to invest in water beyond a handful of large water OEMâs (Origin Equipment Manufacturing or a company that builds water treatment systems) and few big chemical firms which regularly acquire water tech startups. Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginClear, discusses in this podcast episode the possibility of investing directly in water asset by investing in decentralized water systems. These systems can be outsourced and paid per the am...
2022-11-1749 minSmart Water Solutions#55 - Prof. Stefan WuertzA growing global population causes an increased demand for food, and more specifically for more sustainable protein sources. In this podcast episode, Rhea and I had an inspiring discussion with Stefan Wuertz, Professor of Environmental Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, about microbial community-based protein production from wastewater for animal feed applications. Stefanâs interdisciplinary team is researching and engineering processes that can grow bacteria in wastewater. The bacteria biomass contains proteins that can be used as feed for animals. The water footprint of this process is much lower than that of conventional protein sources, as the water that is us...
2022-11-031h 14Smart Water Solutions#54 - Prof. Ngai Yin YipFinding a niche in academic water research can be challenging for young professors and postdocs. In this episode, Rhea and I hosted Prof. Ngai Yin Yip, professor at Columbia University, who conducts research on membrane-less and non-evaporative desalination of hypersaline brines by temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE). This TSSE desalination is driven by low-grade thermal heat to cost-competitively treat high-salinity waters. He is also developing a cost-competitive and sustainable membrane-based process to remove and recover nitrogen as ammonia and phosphor as phosphate from nutrient-rich wastewaters.
2022-10-202h 13Smart Water Solutions#53 - Greg Newbloom: MembrionCeramic membranes are robust, durable and outperform polymeric membranes in harsh liquid environments. However, their price is still high because of the raw materials and the high temperature of manufacturing. Here is an advanced silica-based (silica is the most abundant elements in Earth's crust) sol-gel ceramic membrane that is synthesized without high temperature processing. In this episode, Greg Newbloom, founder & CEO of Membrion, shares how he scales up an academic lab membrane to an industrial membrane to treat difficult wastewater such as produced water in petroleum industry. The Membrion technology comprises ion exchange membranes that are stacked together to...
2022-09-0852 minSmart Water Solutions#52 - Prof. Wiebe M. de VosProf. Wiebe M. de Vos, leader of the research group Membrane Surface Science at Twente University, tries to solve complex water treatment problems through interdisciplinary and creative research. In this episode, he shares his three research pillars with us: 1- Complex fouling mechanisms occurring when treating e.g. produced water from O&G, 2- Coatings, layer by layer and polyelectrolyte membranes, and 3- A fully aqueous membrane synthesis platform. We also talk about the research edges and opportunities in ion exchange membranes.
2022-08-251h 57Smart Water Solutions#51 - Ole Kristian Sivertsen: Desert ControlImagine whenever you go to the supermarket, you can find the water consumption of any food product on its label! The amount of water that was consumed from its planting to its harvesting. Wouldnât that help you make a sustainable choice? Why food?! because agriculture consumes above 60% of the total water consumption across industries. According to the United Nations, above 12 million hectares are becoming desert every year or as Ole Kristian Sivertsen said, âabout one football field of fertile land disappears every two secondsâ. One nonchemical way to return desert to fertile land has been developed by Desert Contro...
2022-08-1157 minSmart Water Solutions#50 - Bruno Abreu: SCUBICUrban population growth, economic development and change of consumption patterns increase water demand. The challenge is how can water utilities continue using old water infrastructure to maintain the increase of water demand at lower cost? Daily urban water consumption is processed by algorithms to predict the exact needed water amount that should be supplied to the right underground reservoir and at the right time. This water supply via pumps consumes electricity which makes 30-40% of the total tap water cost. Electricity price in Europe and abroad changes every hour of the day for 24 hours. Processing all these data to r...
2022-07-281h 03Smart Water Solutions#49 - Prof. Mathias WesslingProfessor Mathias Wessling from RWTH Aachen University in Germany, winner of the Leibniz 2019 price, is innovating four pillars of membrane technology: 1-hollow fiber NF, 2-layer by layer membranes, 3-AI backward design recipes, and 4-water treatment inverse problems. We (Rhea Verbeke and I) talked about the contributions of his research that have been made it from lab scale to pilot scale to industrial products. Â His membrane innovations are either licensed to companies such as Evonik or transformed into new companies such as Con-vergence, furthr-research, Amovion and Biothrust. Currently, his team is developing a novel membrane for dialysis that has thepotential t...
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Smart Water Solutions#48 - Victor L. Shikoli: HydroIQAccording to HydroIQ, half of the water supplied by utilities in Africa is lost before reaching the consumer due to leakages. Hence, there is a need for an online platform layer between water suppliers and consumers to visualize the exact consumed amount of water and pay for this amount frictionless. Victor L. Shikoli, co-founder of HydroIQ, shares in this podcast episode how HydroIQ assist homes, utilities, businesses and industries to use, manage, report, bill and pay for water efficiently.
2022-06-3046 minSmart Water Solutions#47 - Prof. Mihail BarboiuProfessor Mihail Barboiu belongs to the pioneers of biomimetic membranes. Via supramolecular chemistry, he designs artificial channels, embedded in membranes, through which water or ions can selectively permeate. In this episode, we dive into Prof. Mihailâs journey: his inspiration, the working mechanisms of artificial channels, the upscaling of these membranes, and the impact they can have on society as they can reach  2 LMHbar output. These membranes seem way ahead of the game implying they can cut CAPEX and OPEX of seawater desalination by half! We also touch on other applications such as the selective removal of lithium from sea...
2022-06-161h 45Smart Water Solutions#46 - Prof. Andrea Iris SchÀfer"I have a dream: safe water for all children" professor Andrea Iris SchÀfer, KIT. In this episode, Rhea and I hosted Prof. Andrea Schaefer who develops reliable drinking water systems at an affordable price for several communities in Africa and abroad. These decentralized systems combine membrane technology with renewable energy. Moreover, she is researching and developing low pressure reactive membranes to remove endocrine disrupters from wastewater. It was inspiring to learn how her academic career started and how it developed over the years. Her vision and the key insights she shared with us in this episode can be v...
2022-05-2653 minSmart Water Solutions#45 - Prof. Jeffrey McCutcheonâOur ideas are our art as scientistsâ professor Jeffrey McCutcheon at the University of Connecticut, USA. In this episode, my co-host Rhea Verbeke and I discuss Prof's breakthrough research on additive manufacturing methods for water purification membranes. We talk about the gaps between academia and industry, about the hype cycle of new water technologies and the opportunities that lay in convergence research. He also shares interesting new research directions and talks about what you need to become a good academician.
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Smart Water Solutions#44 - Steve Creech: Wyland Foundation''Thousands have lived without love, not one without water'' W.H.Auden was a poet (1907-1973). Â The Wyland Foundation, a non-profit organization, brings artists, scientists and teachers together to raise environmental awareness through education programs, public arts projects, and community events. Steve Creech, president of The Wyland Foundation, shares in this episode the tools and the key lessons of the US Mayorâs Challenge to save water across the US.
2022-04-1459 minSmart Water Solutions#43 - Jan Post: WetsusIn water, the business of science and engineering is to transfer skills that straddle both academia and industry towards solving urgent firm water challenges. In these regards, Wetsus is a platform coordinating multidisciplinary experts from both industry and academia to skill young water solutionists and deliver innovations applicable to the society. Jan Post, program director at Wetsus, discusses in this episode how Wetsus impacts water sector and what is going on its innovation pipelines focused on four research themes: 1-drought resilience, 2-healthy environment, 3-recovered resources and 4-sustainable water.
2022-03-311h 05Smart Water Solutions#42 - James Dunning: SyrinixWater and wastewater utilities process their network data to secure safe drinking water and ensure treated wastewater discharge to the ecosystem. Displaying worth processed data on the screen to the operators to take the right action at the right time for the right location is vital. Syrinix is one of the key players in developing hardware and software to process and monitor utilities water networks. James Dunning, CEO of Syrinix, speaks in this episode about the value of proceed data to water utilities and how Syrinix adds value in this matter.
2022-03-1746 minSmart Water Solutions#41 - Max Gangestad: GWT algae water solutionThe harvesting cost of algal biofilm is one of the bottleneck of commercialising algae-based product. GWT developed a system that uses vertically oriented conveyor belts that grow algae on their surface. Max Gangestad, COO at GWT, elaborates on GWT solution and how algae can be used to make fertilisers, bioplastics, and biofuels.
2022-03-0350 minSmart Water Solutions#40 - Amanda Siqueira: VAPARAccording to Eureau.org, the total length of the sewer network in EU is 3 million km. Because of the aging, population growth and pandemic situation, the stress is increasing on this network, which leads to leakage and abrupt. One efficient way to assess the sewer network is to record and watch the cleaned pipes via cameras. VAPAR is a platform using AI to process this CCTV (closed-circuit television) files at a fast pace to detect the leakages and increase network exploitation efficiency. Amanda Siqueira, CEO at VAPAR, explains the golden circle: why, how and what is VAPAR solution to...
2022-02-1750 minSmart Water Solutions#39 - Amrit Om Nayak: Indra waterAmrit Om Nayak, Co-Founder & CEO at Indra Water, discusses a novel decentralized Electro-oxidation (EO) system designed to treat two wastewater categories; Blackwater and greywater. This system provides a chemical free alternative to chemical coagulation or Membrane bioreactor (MBR). Among questions in the episode: when and how to use Indra system instead of conventional ones to treat a wide range of COD and harmful chemicals from different industrial wastewater streams.
2022-01-2036 minSmart Water Solutions#38 - Baker Bozeyeh: FlowlessNon-revenue water (NRW) is water that is supplied to the system but doesnât reach the customer. Among the factors behind this phenomena are the lack of knowledge of the network and outdated infrastructures. Baker Bozeyeh, CEO of Flowless, explains in this episode how Flowless can enhance water supply efficiency by deploying emerging technologies for automated faults detection & process optimization.
2022-01-0642 minSmart Water Solutions#37 - Zachary Sadow: KMX TechnologiesGlobal demand for lithium is increasing at a faster clip than it was forecasted. The lithium is manufactured from either the extraction of lithium-containing salts from underground brine reservoirs or the mining of lithium-containing rock. Its concentration in the brine is one of the challenging steps in the mineral processing. Zachary Sadow, Chairman & CEO at KMX Technologies, discusses how KMX membrane technology facilitates a separation of pure water and valuable minerals such as lithium from brine and waste-streams at low temperature and pressure.
2021-12-2355 minSmart Water Solutions#36 - William Janssen: DesolenatorDesolenator uses both solar-generated heat and electricity to power the desalination process. William Janssen, discusses how Desolenator add techno-economic benefits compared to conventional desalination techs combined with renewable energy.
2021-10-2157 minSmart Water Solutions#35 - Chris Thomas: AQUA4DAQUA4DŸ is a resonance fields technology that solves salinity while decreasing water use and increasing overall productivity. In this 35# episode, Chris Thomas, marketing leader at AQUA4DŸ, discusses the sustainable impacts of this cleantech in the water industry and beyond.
2021-09-2457 minSmart Water Solutions#34 - Qilin Li: Solar Membrane DistillationReverse Osmosis membrane (RO) and thermal (MED, MVC and MSF) desalination are two main types of desalination technologies in the water market. The two solutions cost energy that is not always affordable. One way to reduce the energy cost is to couple renewable energy with these two desalination techs. Another way is to transfer academia breakthrough technologies such as solar membrane distillation to the industry. In this episode Prof Qilin Li at Rice university and the Founder and Chief Scientist at SolMem discusses:
1. Â Engineering one reactor that combines a solar thermal collector with a membrane distillation reactor.
2021-07-2955 minSmart Water Solutions#33 - Peter Christou: SWIRLTEX: a new spin on membrane filtrationPeter Christou, founder and CEO of Swirltex, elaborates the following points:
·  how buoyancy manipulation of solid contaminants is paired with a swirling flow pattern leads to over 100% flux increase of a tubular membrane.
·  50% of air mixed with water pumped through a tubular membrane where water spiraling around the membrane and air creates a surface tension around suspended solids to diminish concentration polarization and overcome building cake layer.
·  value of coupling Swirltex with RO technology to solve water applications such as produced water in O&G.
2021-07-1558 minSmart Water Solutions#32 - Moritz Waldstein: "mitteâ offers a purified and mineralized drinking water.Moritz Waldstein, CEO of "mitteââ, lays out in this episode the key components of how ââmitteââ solution will not only clean water but also enhance its taste and regain its natural mineral composition:
·  Could an ââiPhoneââ moment happens in the drinking water industry? An intuitive home drinking water solution that combines state of the art water techs with an IOT system and respects the product life-cycle sustainability.
·  Instead of only removing substances from water, ââmitteââ adds minerals to water to restore its naturalness and tastiness.
·  Sooner or later existing drinking water techs will be canalized and wiped out of the...
2021-07-0149 minSmart Water Solutions#31 - Michael Gardner: Raising blended capital for water techsMichael Gardner, founder and CEO of AQAIX, discusses the following solutions:
Water industry can mimic the financial infrastructure available for the IT and electronic start-ups to release their product to the market. AQAIX is one promising platform.
Building a strong IT team inside a water tech company will not only enable extracting the values from the data but will also construct a strategic digital infrastructure.
2021-06-171h 00Smart Water Solutions#30 - Christoph Kellenberger: Micro- to Nanofiltration flat sheet membranes made from almost any polymerChristoph Kellenberger is the founder and CEO of Novamem, elucidates the possibility of making a polymeric micro- to nanofiltration membrane from almost any polymer designed for specific water and solvent applications.
2021-06-0342 minSmart Water Solutions#29 - Wolfgang Vogl: Online water bacteria analyserWolfgang Vogl, CEO-Founder at VWMs GmbH, talks about his rapid microbiology analyser, how does it work, its techno-economical values and the ability of this technology to change the design of wastewater treatment plant configuration.
2021-05-201h 10Smart Water Solutions#28 - Piotr Dlugolecki: The digital ecosystem of Berghofâs membranesPiotr Dlugolecki, head of technology, discusses three points in this episode: 1- the techno-economical values of Berghofâs tubular UF, 2- B-smart ecosystem to run B-UF in a reliable and optimised way, 3- B-care service to develop a solution from an idea or technical challenges till the realization of an industrial water solution.
2020-11-261h 00Smart Water Solutions#27 - Maarten Ter Keurst: Investing in water disruptive techsMaarten Ter Keurst, director of Investments at PureTerra Ventures, shares why, how and when water start-ups can consider investors such as capital ventures. Meanwhile, he elucidates the key mistakes that young water start-up leaders can circumvent.
2020-09-2447 minSmart Water Solutions#26 - Hassan Aboelnga: Urban Water SecurityHassan Aboelnga, vice president of the Middle East Water Forum, explains that securing urban water is like solving rubik's cube. The solution is based on a developing and implementing water security indexes which takes into consideration the climate change, urban population growth, the water resources stress and the aging of tap water, rain water and wastewater infrastructures.
2020-08-2739 minSmart Water Solutions#25 - William T. Guiney: The breakthrough XCPC solar thermal technology for water treatmentWilliam T. Guiney, founder of Artic Solar, expounds the uniqueness and values of the XCPC (External Concentrating Parabolic Collector) technology as well as its implantation in the solar-thermal desalination (STD).
2020-07-2326 minSmart Water Solutions#24 - Jeroen De Lathouwer: Digitalization unlocks the efficiency of wastewater treatment plantsJeroen De Lathouwer, VP business development, discusses how to increase the capacity of a wastewater treatment plant via only software upgrade!
2020-07-0941 minSmart Water Solutions#23 - Elango Thevar: AI and machine learning to detect and predict water infrastructure leakageElango Thevar, CEO of NEER digital platform, elucidates how this platform uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to identify leaks and predict water, sewer and stormwater collection systems failures.
2020-06-2538 minSmart Water Solutions#22 - Howie Honeyman: The solutions of Forward Water TechnologiesHowie Honeyman, CEO of Forward Water Technologies, reveals how custom made Forward Osmosis solutions enable accessing values in the wastewater treatment sector.
2020-06-1133 minSmart Water Solutions#21 - Markus Multhauf: Pharmaceutical waters by means of advanced purification techsSubmit your feedback!
Markus Multhauf shares a technical overview on how advanced purification techs produce pharmaceutical waters.
2020-05-2852 minSmart Water Solutions#20 - Rachel Major & Ari Ochoa: NuLeaf solution to treat and recycle wastewaterFeedback!
Rachel Major and Ari Ochoa talk in this episode about the innovative NuLeaf-tech solutions as compact ecosystems for smarter off-grid water.
2020-05-1435 minSmart Water Solutions#19 - Gaëtane Suzenet: EU value chain for water tech start-upGaëtane Suzenet, Managing Partner, enlighten us on how policy makers and investors in EU are fortifying the water innovation and building an ecosystem to the market uptake.
2020-04-3042 minSmart Water Solutions#18 - Peter Holme Jensen: Aquaporin solutionsDr. Peter Holme Jensen, CEO of Aquaporin, elucidates how Aquaporin brings advanced sustainable values into the water market vs the conventional polymeric membrane.
2020-04-161h 06Smart Water Solutions#17 - Grégoire Landel: Prepaid potable waterGrégoire Landel, CEO & Founder of CityTaps, emphasizes the transparency and the values of prepaid with smart metrics potable solution towards the potable water consumers as well as the providers.
2020-02-2046 minSmart Water Solutions#16 - Grant Gibbs: Hippo RollerGrant Gibbs, director of Hippo Roller, shares the south African genuine solution that saves time and effort for rural area communities and return the time to African kids to play and study.
2020-02-1319 minSmart Water Solutions#15 - Wim Audenaert: Starting a business in the water industryDr. Wim Audenaert shared his entrepreneurial experience in the water industry and how he leveraged his academic knowledge.
2020-02-061h 04Smart Water Solutions#14 - Patrick Kiely: Decentralised intelligent wastewater treatment systemDr. Patrick Kiely team has developed an innovative bio-electrode sensor and engineered an intelligent decentralized wastewater system which they powered with renewable energy.
2020-01-2957 minSmart Water Solutions#13 - George Habib: Finding the right process parameters for your membrane applicationsDr. George Habib explains how to select the right membrane and the right process parameters to solve a wide range of water and process applications.
2020-01-231h 00Smart Water Solutions#12 - Kai Uwe: Second-hand membranes can also process Zero Liquid DischargeSubmit your feedback here!
In this episode, Kai-Uwe Hoehn sheds light on the technologies used to achieve zero liquid discharge in the water industry including the option of using second-hand RO membrane.
2020-01-161h 08Smart Water Solutions#11 - Trever Andrew: Tap water could kill you!Submit your feedback!
Trever Andrew explains how his software innovation tool  could be used as another safety layer to warn us from getting sick in case tape water is contaminated.
2019-10-091h 15Smart Water Solutions#10 - Anna Poberezhna: Blockchain for water industryYour feedback matters!
Anna Poberezhna sheds light on how can blockchain technology save the water. Moreover, how it could disrupt the water industry.
2019-09-261h 05Smart Water Solutions#9 - Peter Aerts: How will the first fully back washable flat sheet membrane shift the MBR industry?Your feedback matters!
Dr Peter Aerts shared his vision on how the world first back washable membrane could shift the wastewater treatment industry.
2019-09-1955 minSmart Water Solutions#8 - Steven Pease: Sugars in Coca Cola & other daily foods are prepared by IXR technologyYour feedback matters!
Steve Pease explains how and why Ion Exchange Resin is the key solutions to separate and purify the sugar and starch industries. He elucidates how idea are shaped from the customer needs to launching a new product. The current trend of healthy sugar is an emerging market for IXR.
2019-09-1249 minSmart Water Solutions#7 - Bob Goltz: Multi-tech solutions to treat produced waterYour feedback matters!
Dr. Bob Goltz shed light on how contemporary produced water management practices have shifted their focus from discharge and re-injection to reducing, reusing, and recycling.
2019-09-0546 minSmart Water Solutions#6 - Andi Gorenflo: Marketing navigates the water industry into new solutionsYour feedback matters!
Dr. Andi Gorenflo shared how marketing navigates water business like Dow Water & DuPont water biz into untapped markets as well as guide the R&D team to develop innovation based on the market needs. Moreover, you will learn about his new developed water tech portfolio that add values to untapped water applications.
2019-08-2959 minSmart Water Solutions#5 - Jan Hoinkis: The challenges of decentralizing water treatment unit supplied with renewable energyYour feedback matters!
In this episode we will learn how renewable energy combined with membrane technology solves groundwater fluoric and arsenic contamination. In addition, Prof. Jan Hoinkis shed light on how wastewater treatment can be tailored for each type of corps irrigation.
2019-08-221h 01Smart Water Solutions#4 - Fredrick Royan: Tech giants like IBM, Cisco and Microsoft are inaugurating a new era of smart water gridYour feedback matters!
The clock is ticking for the day zero water in metropolis like Cape Town, Bangalore and Dubai.Â
Water desalination is not enough. The current water management is not yet operating in an efficient way. How could smart water grid solve or delay the day zero water? IT infrastructures combined with advanced sensory are looked-for to play a vital role here.Â
2019-08-1452 minSmart Water Solutions#3 - Jorgen Wagner: Milk contains 87% water processed by means of MembranesYour feedback matters!
In this episode, we shed light on the following key points:
âą Â brief history development of Reverse Osmosis membrane
âą Â what water engineers should know while designing RO & NF for dairy applicationsÂ
âą Â how to operate RO & NF in efficient way for dairy applications
*NF: Nanofiltration membrane * RO: Reverse Osmosis membrane
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2019-08-1046 minSmart Water Solutions#2 - Jochen Henkel: Efficient ways to design brackish water Reverse Osmosis plantYour feedback matters!
A controlled pretreatment connected with a well-designed Reverse Osmosis plant will enable you to run RO membrane plant for more than a decade. Dr Jochen Henkel has more than 7 yearsâ experience in designing Ultrafiltration, Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration membranes units for brackish water treatment. He has shared valuable technical insights from his experiences within this episode.Â
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2019-08-101h 09Smart Water Solutions#1 - Markus Kyburz: How to operate efficiently RO & NF membranes in process applicationsYour feedback matters!
In this episode, we discussed:
âą Â what water engineers should know while using RO & NF in process applicationsÂ
âą Â how to operate RO & NF in efficient way in process applications
âą Â key technical hints that will save you money while designing RO/NF plant for process apps
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2019-08-1045 min