UK study aims to improve membrane technology

March 24, 2015

U.K. researchers have received funding to develop advanced membranes that can be used to separate water from particles such as pharmaceuticals or pollutants.

Dr Davide Mattia and Dr Darrell Patterson have been awarded a £1m EPSRC grant to research and develop the next generation of long lasting "immortal membranes." (Photo courtesy University of Bath)

U.K. researchers have received funding to develop advanced membranes that can be used to separate water from particles such as pharmaceuticals or pollutants.

The University of Bath announced on that Dr. Darrell Patterson and Dr. Davide Mattia, from its Department of Chemical Engineering, have been awarded a £1 million ($1.5 million) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant.

They will join a collaborative project involving six U.K. universities, supported by EPSRC funding that amounts to £6 million ($8.8 million) over five years.

The project aims to develop the next generation of long lasting "immortal membranes" to improve membrane performance in energy, manufacturing, water and the pharmaceutical industry. As the University of Bath noted, in these four industries membranes have the potential to, and in some cases already do, provide a lower energy alternative to existing separation technology, requiring significantly smaller capital costs.

There are good reasons why membranes are not yet widely used for some applications. Operating costs can be high because membranes need periodic cleaning and eventually have to be replaced when they lose permeability and/or selectivity. This is caused by aging of the membrane material or a build-up of unwanted material on the surface of the membrane.

The researchers taking part in the project will investigate different aspects of membrane development.

For example, at the University of Bath, Dr. Patterson will look at how to produce membranes on a large scale using 3D printing technology, while Dr. Mattia will focus on creating novel hybrid membranes that combine the best features of organic membranes with those of ceramic membranes.

Sponsored Recommendations

Choosing The Right Partner for CHIPS Act Investments

As the U.S. looks to invest in the semiconductor research and production using CHIPS Act 2022 funding, it's important to choose the right partner.

EMWD Uses Technology to Meet Sustainability Goals

Eastern Municipal Water District pilots artificial intelligence-enabled control and machine learning to help save energy, reduce costs, and improve quality.

Protein Processing Solutions: Automation & Control

For protein processors looking to address industry challenges, improve efficiency, and stay ahead in a competitive market, Rockwell Automation offers tailored automation, control...

Automotive Manufacturing Innovation: Smart Solutions for a Connected Future

Rockwell Automation provides automation and control systems tailored for the automotive and tire industries, supporting electric vehicle production, tire production, battery production...