Biographical note

Dr. Sarper Sarp is a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at College of Engineering, Swansea University (United Kingdom). Dr. Sarp also a member of internationally acclaimed Centre for Water Advanced Technologies and Environmental Research (CWATER) at Swansea University. His research interests include salinity gradient systems, micro-plastics in water sources, advanced oxidation processes, seawater pre-treatment, and solar desalination. Dr. Sarp is the author/co-author of over 25 peer-reviewed articles and 5 intellectual properties. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of Desalination Journal (Elsevier) and edited two special issues: Pressure Retarded Osmosis, and Desalination and Environment published by Desalination Journal, in early 2016. Dr. Nidal Hilal is a Professor of Engineering and Director of NYU Abu Dhabi Water Research Center. He is a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom (CEng), a registered European Engineer (Euro Ing), an elected Fellow of both the Institution of Chemical Engineers (FIChemE), and the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW). He received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1981 followed by a master's degree in advanced chemical engineering from Swansea University in 1986. He received his PhD degree from Swansea University in 1988. In 2005 he was awarded a Senior Doctorate, Doctor of Science degree (DSc), from the University of Wales in recognition of an outstanding research contribution in the fields Water Processing including Desalination and Membrane Science and Technology. He was also awarded, by the Emir of Kuwait, the prestigious Kuwait Prize (Kuwait Medal) of Applied Science for the year 2005 and Menelaus Medal 2020, by the Learned Society of Wales, for excellence in engineering and technology. His research interests lie broadly in the identification of innovative and cost-effective solutions within the fields of nano-water, membrane technology, and water treatment, including desalination, colloid engineering and the nano-engineering applications of AFM. He has published 8 handbooks, 82 invited book chapters, and around 500 articles in the refereed scientific literature. He has chaired and delivered lectures at numerous international conferences and prestigious organizations around the world. Nidal sits on the editorial boards of a number of international journals, is an advisory board member of several multinational organizations, and has served on/consulted for industry, government departments, research councils, and universities on an international basis.