UNS:High-performance membranes for engineered osmosis

未来一种可能的能源是低盐度水与高盐度水混合时释放的能量，例如河流流入海洋时释放的能量。这种“梯度能量”可以通过一种称为压力延迟渗透(PRO)的过程来获取。PRO工艺涉及将水从低盐度来源通过半透膜输送到高盐度引水溶液。这一多学科研究和教育计划的目标是开发和研究为PRO设计的先进薄膜复合材料(TFC)膜。这项拟议的研究具有变革性，因为它将提供高水通量、低反盐通量、高表观功率密度的TFC PRO膜，以及能够承受在高渗透压下运行时产生的机械应力的整体结构。这些性能和结构特征将通过在膜结构中加入独特的、以前未经测试的纳米材料来实现。研究将检验这样一种假设，即将特定的纳米材料直接结合到薄膜活性层中并作为单独的超薄支撑层将产生具有无与伦比的性能特征的新型坚固的亲膜。这项研究将深入了解膜和纳米材料添加剂的化学官能化对其机械性能和性能的影响。研究将考察纳米材料的负载和功能化程度对膜压缩模数和强度的作用。性能测量将使用标准化的协议和模型来确定水和盐的渗透系数、结构参数和表观功率密度。有了这些知识，团队将能够设计出具有所需性能的TFC PRO膜。该项目将整合旨在提高居住在南卡罗来纳州北部和北卡罗来纳州西部的个人的公共科学素养的教育和研究，方法是利用娱乐媒体教育和创建促进科学新闻讨论的社交媒体论坛。与一个服务于全国80多万家庭的地方电视节目合作？S排名第36位的市场将确保直播科学演示和基于网络的科学视频接触到大量和高度多样化的观众。预计通过电视向当地学区宣传演示和视频将使观看地区的学生受益，因为它说明了科学的相关性，并支持科学学习。

1510790ClemsonHussonOne future possible source of energy is the energy released when low-salinity waters mix with high-salinity waters, such as when rivers reach the ocean. This "gradient energy" can be harvested through a process called pressure retarded osmosis (PRO). The PRO process involves water transport from a low-salinity source through a semipermeable membrane to a high-salinity draw solution. The objective of this multidisciplinary research and education program is to develop and study advanced thin-film composite (TFC) membranes that are designed for PRO. The proposed research is transformational because it will deliver TFC PRO membranes with high water flux, low reverse salt flux, high apparent power density, and an overall structure that can withstand mechanical stresses generated during operation under high osmotic pressures. These performance and structural characteristics will be achieved by incorporating unique, previously untested nanomaterials into the membrane structure.Studies will test the hypothesis that incorporation of specific nanomaterials directly into the thin film active layer and as a separate, ultrathin supporting layer will yield a new class of robust PRO membranes with unmatched performance characteristics. The research will provide deep understanding of how chemical functionalization of the membranes and nanomaterial additives impacts their mechanical properties and performance. Investigations will examine the roles of loading and degree of functionalization of nanomaterials on membrane compressive modulus and strength. Performance measurements will use standardized protocols and models to determine water and salt permeability coefficients, structural parameters, and apparent power densities. With this knowledge, the team will be able to design TFC PRO membranes with the desired performance. The project will integrate education and research aimed at improving public science literacy among individuals living in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina by using entertainment media education and creating social media forums that facilitate discussion of science news. Partnership with a local television program that serves over 800,000 households in the nation?s 36th largest market will ensure that on-air science demonstrations and web-based science videos reach a large and highly diverse audience. It is expected that television promotion of the demonstrations and videos to local school districts will benefit students in the viewing area by illustrating the relevance of science and supporting science learning.