I/UCRC: University of Arkansas Membrane Science, Engineering and Technology (MAST) Center Site Proposal

膜基分离与传统工艺相比具有许多优点。它们通常更节能、更环保、更容易扩大规模，而且更温和。在流程流上。最初加入阿肯色大学膜工程科学与技术I/UCRC的新成员代表了目前尚未使用膜工艺来满足其特定分离需求的一系列行业。新的中心将引领新的膜分离工艺的发展，这些工艺将在现实和具有挑战性的条件下进行测试。所获得的知识将为这些新过程的其他应用提供见解。水是一种非常宝贵的自然资源，开发新的、具有成本效益的方法来处理回收和再利用水具有巨大的社会重要性。拟议选址所进行的研究可能会对工程、经济和健康产生重大影响。阿肯色州面临的主要挑战之一是发展一支训练有素的劳动力队伍，这将有助于吸引新的产业来到该州。NSF I/UCRC项目的使命完全符合这一需求。膜工程科学与技术I/UCRC的新阿肯色州基地将与该地区的其他企业接触，这些企业可以从MAST中心的技术和专业知识中受益。拟议的新址将进行的新研究项目之一将解决水产养殖业的需求，这是阿肯色州经济的主要组成部分。该项目将与HBCU的阿肯色松崖大学（UAPB）合作开发。

Membrane-based separations offer a number of advantages over conventional processes. They are often more energy efficient, more environmentally friendly, easy to scale-up and ?gentle? on the process streams. The new members that have committed to initially join the Membrane Engineering Science and Technology I/UCRC at the University of Arkansas represent a range of industries that currently do not use membrane processes to meet their particular separation needs. The new center Site will lead the development of new membrane separation processes that will be tested under realistic and challenging conditions. The knowledge gained will provide insights into other applications for these new processes.Water is a very valuable natural resource, and the development of new, cost-effective ways to treat recycle and reuse water is of tremendous societal importance. The research undertaken by the proposed site could have significant engineering, economic, and health impact. One of the major challenges in Arkansas is development of a trained workforce that will help attract new industries to the state. The mission of the NSF I/UCRC program is completely aligned with this need. The new Arkansas Site of the Membrane Engineering Science and Technology I/UCRC will reach out to other businesses in the region that could benefit from the technology and expertise within the MAST Center. One of the new research projects that will be undertaken by the proposed new site will address the needs of the aquaculture industry, which is a major component of the Arkansas economy. The project will be developed in collaboration with the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB), a HBCU.