Monitoring Desalination Membrane Fouling using Sodium Magnetic Resonance. Seawater desalination using membrane modules is critical technology for potable water access, however it faces significant challenges due to fouling. Sodium magnetic resonance techniques will be developed to non-invasively detect and image salt accumulation in these opaque membrane modules due to fouling. These data will first be used to improve our understanding of the unexplored interplay between fouling and detrimental ....Monitoring Desalination Membrane Fouling using Sodium Magnetic Resonance. Seawater desalination using membrane modules is critical technology for potable water access, however it faces significant challenges due to fouling. Sodium magnetic resonance techniques will be developed to non-invasively detect and image salt accumulation in these opaque membrane modules due to fouling. These data will first be used to improve our understanding of the unexplored interplay between fouling and detrimental salt accumulation in the modules (known as cake-enhanced concentration polarisation) and thus validate 3D simulations of this phenomenon. The ability to unambiguously detect salt accumulation in membrane modules will then be extrapolated to a non-invasive monitoring tool for membrane fouling in desalination facilities.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100147
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,154.00
Summary
Glassy metal-organic framework membranes for CO2 separation and conversion. This project aims to develop a new class of glassy metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes for CO2 separation and conversion. By constructing membrane reactors, it is expected to simultaneously separate CO2 from gas mixture and subsequently convert it into value-added chemicals in a continuous single operating unit. The expected outcomes include fabrication techniques for ultrathin MOF glass membranes, cutting-edge knowl ....Glassy metal-organic framework membranes for CO2 separation and conversion. This project aims to develop a new class of glassy metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes for CO2 separation and conversion. By constructing membrane reactors, it is expected to simultaneously separate CO2 from gas mixture and subsequently convert it into value-added chemicals in a continuous single operating unit. The expected outcomes include fabrication techniques for ultrathin MOF glass membranes, cutting-edge knowledge in advanced MOF membrane design, a new generation of MOF devices, and efficient membrane reactors for CO2 conversion with mixed gas feed. This project expects to accelerate the development of low-carbon technologies and provide significant benefits in mitigating the adverse effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions.Read moreRead less
A novel ion-selective membrane for efficient lithium recovery . This project aims to fabricate a novel membrane that display selective lithium recovery from brine in a renewable energy driven electrochemical membrane technology. The fabrication of lithium selective membranes embedded with nanomaterials and metal organic framework will create new knowledge on the dynamics of ion-size sieving and accelerating lithium transportation. This project will provide significant environmental and economic ....A novel ion-selective membrane for efficient lithium recovery . This project aims to fabricate a novel membrane that display selective lithium recovery from brine in a renewable energy driven electrochemical membrane technology. The fabrication of lithium selective membranes embedded with nanomaterials and metal organic framework will create new knowledge on the dynamics of ion-size sieving and accelerating lithium transportation. This project will provide significant environmental and economic benefit by establishing a rapid and chemical free method to recover lithium affordably and orders of magnitude more efficiently than hard rock extraction. This project will bring significant commercial benefits to Australian mining industry, desalination and water treatment sectors.Read moreRead less
Interfacial engineering of multilayered metal organic framework membranes . Metal-organic frameworks are a popular class of microporous materials with tunable structural properties and functionalities. This project aims to investigate the designed synthesis of thin, hierarchically structured films of this material on membranes, which displays extraordinary ion selectivity and ion rectification properties. A better understanding of the interfacial properties will be gained through advanced charac ....Interfacial engineering of multilayered metal organic framework membranes . Metal-organic frameworks are a popular class of microporous materials with tunable structural properties and functionalities. This project aims to investigate the designed synthesis of thin, hierarchically structured films of this material on membranes, which displays extraordinary ion selectivity and ion rectification properties. A better understanding of the interfacial properties will be gained through advanced characterisation, and with proper design and tuning of the film, will ultimately lead to the development of high performing ion-selective membranes that will be applied for energy storage and separation applications. This project is expected to benefit Australia’s renewable energy and resource sectors.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230100114
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$429,554.00
Summary
Novel interlayered membrane for highly efficient separation processes. The project aims to develop high-performance membranes with excellent permeability and selectivity to allow efficient separation processes with reduced energy consumption and products with high purities that cannot be achieved by conventional membranes. By introducing the functionalized interlayer, the novel membrane can achieve up to an order of magnitude higher solvent permeance with significantly enhanced solvent-solute se ....Novel interlayered membrane for highly efficient separation processes. The project aims to develop high-performance membranes with excellent permeability and selectivity to allow efficient separation processes with reduced energy consumption and products with high purities that cannot be achieved by conventional membranes. By introducing the functionalized interlayer, the novel membrane can achieve up to an order of magnitude higher solvent permeance with significantly enhanced solvent-solute selectivity. Machine learning algorithms will be applied to search for the ideal interlayer based on a newly-launched online and comprehensive database. This project will contribute to accelerating Australia’s progress towards net-zero carbon emission and allowing a sustainable environment.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101306
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,154.00
Summary
Metal organic framework-based membrane for nanoplastics removal . The aim of this project is to understand the fundamental science governing the removal of nanoplastics from wastewater by developing an innovative dually charged metal organic framework based nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane. The project expects to lead to a breakthrough in our scientific understanding of how nanoplastics and other pollutants can be efficiently removed from wastewater using membranes. The expected outcome is ....Metal organic framework-based membrane for nanoplastics removal . The aim of this project is to understand the fundamental science governing the removal of nanoplastics from wastewater by developing an innovative dually charged metal organic framework based nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane. The project expects to lead to a breakthrough in our scientific understanding of how nanoplastics and other pollutants can be efficiently removed from wastewater using membranes. The expected outcome is a process that can be used to convert wastewater into freshwater suitable for household, industrial and agricultural use. Such removal could also be of significant environmental benefit, as secondary effluent is a significant source of nanoplastics entering the aquatic environment.Read moreRead less
A unifying model for ion exchange membranes – towards a low carbon future. Polymeric ion exchange membranes are key to emerging renewable energy systems and bioprocessing applications. Advances in this field are currently impeded by a focus on their performance in idealised pure solutions and siloed research. This project aims to draw together fundamental and applied research to develop an innovative, unifying model for the transport of both charged ions and uncharged molecules through these mem ....A unifying model for ion exchange membranes – towards a low carbon future. Polymeric ion exchange membranes are key to emerging renewable energy systems and bioprocessing applications. Advances in this field are currently impeded by a focus on their performance in idealised pure solutions and siloed research. This project aims to draw together fundamental and applied research to develop an innovative, unifying model for the transport of both charged ions and uncharged molecules through these membranes within complex, multicomponent mixtures. The team will build on strong collaborations to drive uptake of the new model within the clean energy and CO2 reduction sectors to advance the abatement of Australian emissions; and will prepare young researchers for a role within these emerging fields.Read moreRead less