SusChEM: Collaborative Research: Development of Multifunctional Reactive Electrochemical Membranes for Biomass Recovery with Fouling Reduction, Water Reuse, and Cell Pretreatment

CBET 1603609/1604776/1604886 Zhang，W.;卓别林，B; Shuai，D.标题：多功能电反应膜用于有效的生物质分离这个合作研究项目，涉及新泽西理工学院，伊利诺伊大学芝加哥分校和乔治华盛顿大学，将解决一个关键的研究问题，使燃料和化学产品的生产从生物质资源，如藻类。藻类微生物在发酵罐中培养，通常在水相中以稀浓度培养。生物质或藻类的脱水以及清洁水的回收和再利用是影响商业竞争力的关键基础研究问题。PI将研究和设计高效，可扩展和多功能的反应电化学膜（REM），以收获来自生物质的增值产品（例如，生物燃料和特种化学品）。目前，使用膜过滤的生物质分离的特征在于由于严重的膜污染和需要频繁的反冲洗以去除污垢而导致的高操作成本。拟议的研究将使用混合膜来减轻膜污染，并去除有毒的抑制剂，这将促进水的再利用。研究成果将推进生物质分离的基础科学和工程，并可能导致生物质和食品加工，饮用水处理和制药行业生物分子纯化的关键变革性技术。 该主要研究人员将使用藻类作为生物质生物体模型;并将专注于表征膜污染，水再利用藻类再生和藻类细胞的电化学预处理。研究任务包括：（1）合成和表征一套用于藻类回收的定制整体或纳米纤维REMs;（2）评估REMs的藻类分离效率、渗透水处理和防污性能;（3）使用微流体实验阐明藻类细胞破碎效率和电化学氧化的潜在机制;（4）膜污染和再生策略的实验和理论评估。该项目产生的基础知识将带来变革性的解决方案，以应对能源-水关系方面的重大挑战。首先，本研究将为设计具有优良过滤性能、设计灵活、操作耐久性的REMs提供基本指导。其次，该研究将促进废物流或栽培介质中的水和养分再利用，从而减少可再生能源生产的水和能源足迹。最后，该项目将培养和指导至少三名博士。这些学生和大量的本科生和高中生将从三个合作机构的STEM代表性不足的群体中招募，以获得研究经验。

CBET 1603609/1604776/1604886 Zhang, W.; Chaplin, B; Shuai, D.Title: Multifunctional Electroreactive Membranes for Efficient Biomass SeparationsThis collaborative research project, involving the New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Illinois-Chicago, and George Washington University, will address a key research issue to enable the production of fuels and chemical products from biomass resources such as algae. Alga microorganisms are cultivated in fermenters, often in dilute concentration in an aqueous phase. Dewatering of the biomass or algae and recycle and reuse of the cleaned-up water are key fundamental research issues that impact commercial competitiveness. The PIs will research and design efficient, scalable, and multifunctional reactive electrochemical membranes (REMs) to harvest value-added products derived from the biomass (e.g., biofuels and specialty chemicals) in a sustainable manner. Biomass separation using membrane filtration is currently characterized by high operational cost due to severe membrane fouling and the need for frequent backwashing to remove the foulants. The proposed research will use the hybrid membranes to mitigate membrane fouling and to remove the toxic inhibitors that will promote water reuse. The research outcomes will advance the fundamental science and engineering of biomass separations, and potentially lead to critical, transformative technologies for biomass and food processing, drinking water treatment, and biomolecule purification in the pharmaceutical industries. This principal investigators will use algae as a model biomass organism; and will focus on characterizing membrane fouling, water reuse for algae regrowth, and electrochemical pre-treatment of algal cells. Research tasks will include (1) synthesis and characterization of a suite of tailored monolithic or nanofibrous REMs for algal recovery; (2) evaluation of algae separation efficiency, permeate water treatment, and anti-fouling properties of REMs; (3) elucidation of algae cell disruption efficiency and the underlying mechanisms of electrochemical oxidation using microfluidic experiments; and (4) experimental and theoretical assessment of membrane fouling and regeneration strategies. The fundamental knowledge generated by this project will lead to transformative solutions that address the grand challenges at the energy-water nexus. First, the research will provide fundamental guidelines to the design of REMs with excellent filtration performance, flexible design, and durability of operation. Secondly, the research will promote water and nutrient reuse in waste streams or cultivation media, which reduces the water and energy footprints of renewable energy production. Finally, the project will train and mentor at least three Ph.D. students and a large number of undergraduate and senior high school students that will be recruited from underrepresented groups in STEM at the three collaborating institutions for research experiences.