Graphene startup from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 wins global innovation prize for water sustainability
A pioneering graphene-based technology developed at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has won a major international award for tackling global water challenges. , a startup from the , has been named a winner of the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) 2025, launched by the Saudi Water Authority to celebrate breakthroughs in sustainable water solutions.
The GPIW is an international initiative that recognises pioneering contributions to water desalination and celebrates innovators driving progress towards sustainable global water solutions. Winning this award places Hollowgraf Ltd among the most influential emerging innovators in the global water sector.
Hollowgraf originates from the graphene membrane research group led by , internationally recognised for its work on graphene-based membranes for separation and filtration. Building on this foundation, the team has filed a patent for an innovative desalination and value-recovery process powered by atmospheric CO鈧� or flue gas. To accelerate real-world deployment, the team established Hollowgraf Ltd to commercialise the technology.
With water scarcity affecting billions worldwide, Hollowgraf鈥檚 technology offers a radical new approach: turning seawater into drinking water using carbon dioxide and advanced graphene membranes. This innovation could transform desalination into a near-zero-waste process.
Hollowgraf stood out among 2,570 entries from 119 countries, securing $50,000 in prize money and $250,000 in prototype and piloting support, fuelling the next stage of development and scale-up.
鈥淭his recognition is a huge step toward turning cutting-edge graphene research into real-world solutions for water scarcity. With this support, we can move from the lab to large-scale pilot projects in partnership with the Saudi Water Authority,鈥� said , Research Fellow at the National Graphene Institute and CEO of Hollowgraf Ltd.
Prof. Rahul Raveendran Nair, Professor and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and CTO of Hollowgraf Ltd, said:
鈥淭his award highlights our commitment to turning world-class research into solutions for global challenges. Hollowgraf鈥檚 breakthrough could redefine sustainable desalination, and we鈥檙e proud to see 黑料网吃瓜爆料 innovation recognised worldwide.鈥�
The patent-pending process, developed at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, uses graphene membranes and carbon dioxide to produce clean water and valuable by-products, all at ambient pressure thus making it more sustainable and cost-effective than traditional methods.
This achievement reinforces 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 position as a global leader in graphene innovation and sustainability, making a tangible impact on one of the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges.
The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.