Evidence-based Synthesis and Advanced Modeling towards Next Generation of Membrane Science and Technology

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Membrane technology is currently the most effective method for diversified water and wastewater treatment as well as numerous industrial and biomedical applications. The major drawback of membrane technology is fouling, which causes a decline in permeation flux, change in rejection selectivity, increase in energy consumption and operating costs, and reduction in lifetime. Membrane performance can be enhanced by improving membrane hydrophilicity through inserting nanofillers (NFs) or undertaking surface modification by trial-and-error methodologies. However, these approaches have limited success and create additional problems; specifically, they face multiple challenges and drawbacks related to the dispersion mechanisms of NFs that negatively affect physical, chemical, and mechanical stability. As such, a substantial knowledge gap exists in terms of understanding the controls on membrane stability, performance, and lifetime. Furthermore, the absence of advanced research on visualization of water transport and solute interactions inside membrane matrices, and associated fouling mechanisms, prevents us from controlling membrane morphology and exploiting their tunable chemistry, which in turn affects performance and lifetime. Knowledge with respect to accurate mechanistic aspects and their translation into mathematical concepts and model descriptions to predict membrane performance and longevity is also lacking. The overall goal of this research program is to develop and synthesize innovative membranes with improved stability, performance, antifouling properties, and lifetimes. Towards this goal, the short-term (5-year) objectives are to: (1) develop and optimize membrane designs with tuned chemistry to enhance membrane hydrophilicity and reduce contaminant interactions; (2) conduct a series of in situ investigations and data validations to optimize the operating conditions and dispersion mechanisms of NFs for optimal chemical, physical, and mechanical stabilities for improved performance and lifetimes; and (3) investigate in situ water transport, interactions, and fouling mechanisms inside membrane matrices and develop comprehensive models that effectively evaluate membrane performance. The long-term goal of this research program is to create optimal membrane technologies for multiple usage scenarios and a variety of applications. The knowledge gained will be critical for developing advanced membrane technologies for separation processes in industrial applications that address water and wastewater treatment sustainability, safeguarding of environmental health, and industrial concerns in Canada and globally. The potential users of the results include a wide range of industries, environmental protection agencies, and governmental decision makers. This program will strengthen Canada's economic competitiveness in sustainability sectors and train HQP with skills necessary to move into future positions in industry, consulting, academia, or government.