Advancing the Future of Sustainable Water Desalination: The WeRECOVER! Project

Access to clean water is becoming one of the defining global challenges of the 21st century. Rising water scarcity, increasing climate pressures and growing demand for freshwater are accelerating the need for more sustainable and energy-efficient desalination technologies.

Supported by the FAM Foundation, the WeRECOVER! project, lead by Ana Sofia Mestre developed by the CQE – Centro de Química Estrutural at the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, aims to contribute to this challenge through the development of next-generation desalination technologies based on engineered nanoporous carbon electrodes.

The project combines advanced chemistry, material science and environmental engineering to explore innovative solutions capable of improving the efficiency and sustainability of water treatment systems.

Addressing the Challenges of Conventional Desalination

Current desalination technologies play an essential role in supplying freshwater to many regions worldwide. However, they are often associated with high energy consumption, operational costs and environmental impacts.

The WeRECOVER! project seeks to address these limitations by investigating alternative electrochemical approaches for water desalination. By developing advanced nanoporous carbon materials, the project aims to improve ion removal efficiency while reducing energy requirements and increasing the sustainability of desalination processes.

This research contributes to the growing global effort to develop cleaner and more resilient water technologies capable of supporting future water security.

Engineering Next-Generation Nanoporous Carbon Electrodes

At the core of the project is the design and optimization of engineered nanoporous carbon electrodes with enhanced electrochemical properties. These materials are being developed to improve ion adsorption and separation processes, enabling more efficient desalination systems.

The project explores how advanced porous structures and tailored material properties can contribute to better performance, durability and operational efficiency. Through laboratory testing and material characterization, researchers aim to evaluate the potential of these electrodes for future scalable applications.

By combining innovation in material science with sustainable engineering approaches, the project contributes to the advancement of next-generation water treatment technologies.

Science, Sustainability and Water Resilience

Beyond technological innovation, the WeRECOVER! project also contributes to broader sustainability objectives related to water resilience and resource management.

The development of more efficient desalination solutions may help reduce environmental pressures associated with freshwater scarcity while supporting sustainable water access in regions increasingly affected by climate change and water stress.

The initiative reflects the importance of interdisciplinary scientific research in addressing complex environmental challenges and demonstrates how chemistry and engineering can contribute to practical solutions with global relevance.

Supporting Innovation for a Sustainable Future

For the FAM Foundation, supporting the WeRECOVER! project reflects a commitment to science-driven innovation capable of generating long-term environmental and societal impact.

By advancing new approaches for water desalination and sustainable resource management, WeRECOVER! contributes to the development of innovative solutions designed to respond to one of the world’s most critical environmental challenges: access to clean and sustainable water.

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Aligned with broader sustainability goals and the protection of marine and water ecosystems, the project highlights the role of scientific research in building more resilient and sustainable futures.