IDE Technologies partners with Rice University on water treatment innovation

IDE Technologies has announced a strategic collaboration with Rice University’s Water Technologies Entrepreneurship and Research (WaTER) Institute to advance water treatment and desalination technologies.

The partnership brings together IDE Technologies’ commercial expertise in desalination and wastewater treatment with Rice University’s research capabilities to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation water solutions. The collaboration will focus on key areas including desalination, brine management, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) treatment and destruction, and resource recovery.

According to IDE Technologies, the alliance is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and commercial-scale implementation. The two organizations plan to conduct joint research, share technical knowledge, and support the commercialization of emerging technologies through coordinated efforts in techno-economic analysis, laboratory testing, and market development.

The initial phase of the collaboration will center on advancing IDE Technologies’ wastewater treatment systems, including the Max H2O Desalter and PFRO platforms. Research efforts will also explore new desalination processes, improved brine management methods, and technologies for recovering critical materials from waste streams.

Rice University’s WaTER Institute will contribute research support and testing capabilities, including the development of an integrated test bed system to evaluate new technologies and generate performance data. The system is expected to support both academic research and industrial validation efforts.

The partnership also includes workforce development initiatives, such as student placements, research exchanges, and internship opportunities between the two organizations. IDE Technologies will engage with Rice University’s ARC Innovation District and collaborate on grant funding opportunities aligned with water technology advancement.

Company and university leaders said the collaboration aims to accelerate the deployment of scalable water treatment solutions that address industrial demand, environmental challenges, and water scarcity.