Developing new water treatment technologies, optimising smart monitoring tools or validating the sustainability of solutions: In CORNERSTONE, many young professionals are doing their part to achieve the goals of the project. One thing they all have in common: They are highly motivated and passionate about their work. One of our "CORNERSTONE Young Professionals" is Hussein Fairousha Sulaiman. He is a PhD Researcher in the Department of Chemistry & Bioscience at Aalborg University.
Currently, he investigates membrane distillation for industrial wastewater treatment, targeting at least 90% water recovery with high purity. His work also includes simulations to predict large-scale system behavior and identify configurations that minimize energy consumption while maintaining high treatment efficiency.
My primary motivation stems from the urgent global need for sustainable water management. What excites me most is the "bridge" between theory and reality, where seeing a contaminated industrial byproduct transform into high-purity water through Membrane Distillation makes the abstract science feel incredibly tangible. I am driven by the challenge of making "Zero Liquid Discharge" a practical reality rather than just a theoretical goal.
I believe my research will provide a blueprint for energy-efficient industrial water reuse. By optimizing Membrane Distillation, I hope to lower the entry barrier for industries to adopt circular water economies. My goal is to demonstrate that achieving at least 90% water recovery is not only technically feasible but also economically viable through smart system configurations. Ultimately, I hope this work contributes to a future where industrial growth no longer compromises freshwater resources, directly supporting UN SDGs 6 and 12 by turning wastewater from a liability into a valuable resource.
CORNERSTONE provides an invaluable multidisciplinary platform that is rare for early-career researchers. It allows me to collaborate with experts across different fields, broadening my perspective beyond just chemistry and bioscience. The project offers access to state-of-the-art facilities and a network of peers that fosters both technical growth and professional skills. Being part of such a high-level initiative gives my work immediate relevance and visibility, helping me build a foundation as a specialist in sustainable separation technologies while learning how to manage complex, goal-oriented research.
Hussein Fairousha Sulaiman, PhD researcher at Aalborg University.
The most rewarding part of my role is the sense of purpose; it is incredibly fulfilling to know that my daily efforts in CORNERSTONE project are directly contributing to real-world sustainable solutions. It makes the hard work feel meaningful. An interesting part of daily research is how unpredictable the lab can be. I once spent hours trying to figure out why my data looked strange, thinking I had discovered a new phenomenon, only to realize I had simply swapped two tubes by mistake during the morning. It was a funny reminder that even when you are working on advanced technology, the simplest human errors are usually the first thing you should check.
Find Hussein on LinkedIn!