Professor Nidal Hilal has done various researches and made a major contribution in the application of Atomic Force Microscopy to Chemical and Process Engineering . He was awarded the prestigious degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Wales for his outstanding research contribution to the field of scanning probe microscopy and membrane science & technology . He was also the Director of the Centre for Clean Water Technologies in the University of Nottingham where he has made significant contributions in membrane separation , water desalination and colloid engineering . Prior to this, he was the Senior Professor of Chemical , Environmental and Mining Engineering in the University of Nottingham . Professor Hilal's experience also includes being a Senior Research Fellow , Professor and Senior Researcher in various educational institutions such as the University of Wales , UAE University and Homs University .