PODCAST · technology
Smart Water Solutions
by Hakim El Fadil
Weekly discussions on the latest in water science, technology, and investment. Hosted by Abdelhakim El Fadil , an industrial expert with a decade of expertise at Dow Chemical, DuPont, KU Leuven, and Aquadviser, specialising in membrane technologies for advanced water solutions.
Episodes
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#114 - Prof. Ranil Wickramasinghe
In 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...
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#113 - Brian Sheng: Aquaria
Brian Sheng, CEO of Aquaria, explains how their system captures clean water from air using a fast, energy-efficient setup. We cover how it works, where it performs best, and how clients can adopt it with flexible financing.
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#112 - Prof. Robert Nicholls
Professor Robert Nicholls from the University of East Anglia explains how sea levels are rising due to ocean warming, melting glaciers, and ice sheet loss. He also highlights how human activities like groundwater extraction cause land to sink in many coastal cities. Even if emissions stop today,...
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#111 - Prof. Sera L. Young
Professor Sera Young explains that water security depends on availability, accessibility, quality, and reliability. A household may have water, but if access is restricted, unsafe, or unreliable, they still face water insecurity. To measure this, she developed the Household Water Insecurity...
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#110 - Prof. Marc Bierkens
Professor Bierkens explains his work on water safety. He uses mathematical models with satellite and socioeconomic data to track water movement and storage in soil and groundwater. He shows that while overall water will be enough, some areas may face short-term shortages or quality issues. He…
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#109 - Prof. Heidi Richards
Professor Heidi Richards shares her journey from biochemistry to membrane research, tackling wastewater treatment and acid mine drainage (AMD) in South Africa. She reveals promising results from testing membrane distillation on highly saline AMD, achieving near-complete sulfate removal and...
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#108 - Ramón Rubio de Castro: The Water MBA
Ramón Rubio de Castro, founder of The Water MBA, explains how his platform helps water professionals gain practical knowledge. He shares how it offers structured content on desalination, wastewater treatment, and project management, making learning accessible and clear. He also highlights the...
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#107 - Prof. João Crespo
Professor João Crespo explains how placing energy where it matters in membrane separation, such as at the surface instead of the bulk, can significantly improve filtration by reducing mass transfer limitations and combating concentration polarization. He shares insights into the challenges of...
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#106 - Prof. Mathias Ulbricht
Prof. Dr. Mathias Ulbricht joins Rhea and me to share his journey in membrane technology, discussing his "toolbox" approach to customizing membranes, solutions for fouling resistance and recycling, and the importance of collaboration and mentorship in transforming research into real-world impact.
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#105 - Prof. Jeroen Warner
Dr. Jeroen Warner from Wageningen University discusses the complexities of transboundary water governance, highlighting how international frameworks like the UN Watercourses Convention offer principles for cooperation but often lack enforcement. Using examples like the Nile Basin, he explains how...
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#104 - Prof. Jesse Nippert
Professor 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...
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#103 - Prof. Wim Thiery
Professor 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...
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#102 - Michael Larsen: EnviroNor
Michael A. Larsen, CEO of EnviroNor, discusses their floating desalination vessels—old 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...
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#101 - Quantum Wei: Harmony desalting
Quantum 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...
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#100 - Mark Ralph: Axine Water Technologies
Mark 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...
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#99 - Pablo Cassorla: Remote Waters
Pablo 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…
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#98 - Akash Singh: Urbanblue Technologies
Akash 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…
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#97 - Sreenath Bolisetty: BluAct Technologies
Sreenath 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...
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#96 - Karthik Kunjali: Stockholm Water Technology
Karthik 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...
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#95 - Prof. Larry Mayer
Rhea 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...
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#94 - Prof. Martin Truffer
My 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…
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#93 - Prof. Stephan Pfister
Professor 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....
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#92 - Prof. Radha Boya
Atomically 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...
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#91 - Prof. Kim Trevathan
Professor 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...
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#90 - Prof. Menachem Elimelech
In our today’s 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...
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#89 - Carlos García Blázquez: GENAQ
In 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...
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#88 - Gerhard Loots: Kallipr
Gerhard Loots, CEO of Kallipr IoT Technologies, introduces advanced IoT technologies aimed at enhancing agricultural practices. He detailed a new sensor device that simplifies battery replacement—a critical improvement that significantly reduces maintenance time and costs. Gerhard also discussed...
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#87 - Ion Padilla: Wegaw
Ion 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…
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#86 - Slava Libman: FTD Solutions
Slava 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...
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#85 - Gregg Semler: InPipe Energy
In 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.…
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#84 - Prof. Peter Jaffé
In 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...
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#83 - Dr. Elizabeth K. Thomas
In 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...
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#82 - Seth B. Darling: Argonne National Laboratory
In 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…
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#81 - Maxime Therrillion: OSMOSUN
In 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.…
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#80 - Julie Bliss Mullen: Aclarity
In 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...
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#79 - Mike Dyson: Infinity Water Solutions
In 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...
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#78 - Dr. Peter van Thienen: KWR
In 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...
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#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…
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#76 - Guillaume Valladeau: VORTEX-IO
Extreme 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...
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#75 - Naomi Timmer: H2O People
In 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...
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#74 - Dr. Newsha Ajami
In 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…
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#73 - Dr. Lidietta Giorno
Join 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,...
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#72 - John Matthews: AGWA
Join 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…
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#71 - Prof. Brett Bryan
Join 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…
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#70 - Prof. Dragan Savic: KWR
In 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…
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#69 - Valerie Fehst: PipePredict
In 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…
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#68 - Lyle King: Influx Search
In 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? 🤔He then...
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#67 - Dr. Arian Edalat: Active Membranes
In 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...
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#66 - Dr. André F. van Rooyen
In 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...
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#65 - James Ellsmoor: Island Innovation
In 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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Weekly discussions on the latest in water science, technology, and investment. Hosted by Abdelhakim El Fadil , an industrial expert with a decade of expertise at Dow Chemical, DuPont, KU Leuven, and Aquadviser, specialising in membrane technologies for advanced water solutions.
HOSTED BY
Hakim El Fadil
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Smart Water Solutions have?
Smart Water Solutions currently has 114 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Smart Water Solutions about?
Weekly discussions on the latest in water science, technology, and investment. Hosted by Abdelhakim El Fadil , an industrial expert with a decade of expertise at Dow Chemical, DuPont, KU Leuven, and Aquadviser, specialising in membrane technologies for advanced water solutions.
How often does Smart Water Solutions release new episodes?
Smart Water Solutions publishes regularly with 114 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Smart Water Solutions?
You can listen to Smart Water Solutions on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Smart Water Solutions?
Smart Water Solutions is created and hosted by Hakim El Fadil.
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