CORA

Centre for Osmosis Research and Applications (CORA)

The original breakthrough in the "manipulated osmosis" technique was made by Professor Adel Sharif and Mr Abdulsalam Al-Mayahi at the University of Surrey's Centre for Osmosis Research and Applications (CORA).

CORA was set up in 2003 to address the global problems of fresh water availability and the treatment and disposal of wastewater. Since then, the Centre’s research activities have resulted in a number of new inventions in the areas of desalination, water treatment and renewable energy. Manipulated Osmosis Technology can be used in the construction of new desalination plants and integrated into both existing thermal desalination and reverse osmosis desalination plants, significantly reducing their carbon footprint, and reducing capital costs, power consumption and other operating costs. The MO technology also offers applications in water treatment for cooling towers, secondary oil recovery and renewable power generation; namely Hydro Osmotic Power (HOP).

The technology reduces the energy consumption involved in desalination - and the costs associated with the process. It provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional desalination methods by significantly reducing energy, chemical consumption and salt brine discharge. There are also a range of additional benefits including significantly lower levels of boron.

CORA has as its long-term mission to become the pre-eminent centre of excellence worldwide in the area of low cost desalination, water treatment and osmosis applications.