Water Treatment, Desalination, and Fouling

  • Electrically conductive nanocomposite membrane surfaces to prevent long-term biofouling and scaling
  • Catalytically and electro-catalytically active surfaces for environmental contaminant degradation
  • Tailored chemical, mechanical, and structural properties, for desired application in microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), or reverse osmosis (RO)
  • Electrochemical membrane-based desalination technology

CO2 Capture, Gas Separation, and Thin Films

  • Techno-economic analysis of proprietary CO2 direct air capture (DAC) technologies
  • Group V and VI (Molybdenum, Tantalum, Vanadium, Niobium-Ruthenium alloy)  thin film membranes used to catalyze N2 dissociation in extreme (high temperature, high pressure) environments with potential flue gas and ammonia synthesis applications
  • Polymer superphobic membranes for water-CO2 separation

Nanocomposite Membrane Materials

  • Microfiltration (MF) and Ultrafiltration (UF) polymer-carbon nanotube (CNT) composite membranes optimized for tensile strength, surface hydrophobicity, and high flux
  • Covalently bonded functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polymer chains to form stable electrically conductive thin films​
  • Ceramic-Metal thin film interfaces and crystal structure for optimal resistance to extreme temperatures
  • Pilot scale studies on the scale-up potential for production of hollow fiber polymer-CNT membranes with applications in water filtration

Nanomaterial Sorbents

  • Nanocellulose composites for environmental contaminant adsorption and degradation
  • CNT-nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) composite nanoparticles for use in electro-catalytic contaminant degradation
  • X-ray microtomography studies on micron-sized particles distributed in environmental matrices
  • ​Column studies of chemically modified activated carbon and nanocellulose sorbents for use in environmental remediation including extreme environments such as simulated flue gas 

Environmental Implications of Nanomaterials

  • Environmental implications of nanomaterials incorporated into water filtration membranes.    
  • Evaluation of critical environmental risk factors, especially nanoparticle stability, of nanocomposites with high environmental exposures
  • Measuring leakages during entire life cycle including production, use, and disposal
  • Developing chemical methods to limit environmental exposure and increase nanoparticle stability