Membranes and Electrochemistry

  • Electrically conductive membranes to control biofouling, organic fouling, scaling
  • Membranes and their interactions within treatment trains (e.g. potable reuse, desalination)
  • Tailored chemical, mechanical, and structural properties, for desired application in microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), or reverse osmosis (RO)
  • Catalytically and electro-catalytically active surfaces for environmental contaminant degradation
  • Membrane coating, fabrication, and pilot scale studies on the scale-up potential
  • Metallic Membranes and metallic porous thin films
  • Membranes coupled with sensing systems, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

First Nations and their Water             

  • Co-developing solutions to the First Nations Water Crisis through mutual respect, true partnerships, and collaboration
  • Co-creating and re-imaging water and wastewater infrastructure in First Nations communities that reflect cultural differences
  • Western Science and Indigenous Knowledge understanding
  • Sensors for remote, continuous water quality monitoring
  • anti-fouling surfaces

Aerosol Filtration and Facemasks

  • Particle Filtration Efficiency and breathability measurements
  • Aerosol dynamics and transport
  • Cloth facemasks as alternatives to non-reusable polymer facemasks and respirators
  • Cleaning studies on facemasks
  • Inventing the next generation of washable, sustainable, and highly breathable facemasks

Sorbents and Nanomaterials            

  • CNT- and graphene- based nanocomposites for use in electro-catalytic contaminant degradation
  • organic-metallic nanocomposites for enhanced contaminant adsorption
  • Nanocellulose composites for environmental contaminant adsorption​
  • Sustainable biomaterials as alternative activated carbons (ACs), porous carbons, and reusable sorbents
  • 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 and Micropollutants

  • Environmental implications of nanomaterials incorporated into environmental technologies
  • Evaluation of critical environmental risk factors, nanoparticle stability
  • Leaching of contaminants from built and natural systems
  • Developing chemical methods to limit environmental exposure