BRITE Synergy: Chemically Resilient, Fouling Resistant Separation Membranes Manufactured Using Aqueous Phase Inversion

BRITE Synergy：采用水相转化技术制造的化学弹性、防污分离膜

• 批准号: 2227307
• 负责人: Jessica Schiffman
• 金额: $ 38.6万
• 依托单位: University of Massachusetts Amherst
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-01-01 至 2024-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2227307&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: BRITE; Synergy; Chemically; Resilient; Fouling

Polymer membranes are the modern technology used to remove particulates and waterborne pathogens from dirty water and wastewater. During operation, membranes get fouled and require regular physical and/or chemical cleaning, which increases process downtime and causes membrane degradation. Additionally, it is unfortunate that the modern process used to manufacture polymer membranes relies heavily on toxic solvents and that the membrane itself does not prevent the accumulation of particulates on its surface. This Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering (BRITE) award supports fundamental research that integrates disaggregated prior results to manufacture polymer membranes that resist fouling. The membranes will feature a new chemistry that will enable an all-aqueous manufacturing process that does not use toxic solvents. Selective polymer membranes that resist fouling are preferred for wastewater treatment and water remediation applications, as well as additional separation applications, such as industrial cleaning, food processing, protein separation, and gene engineering. Therefore, results from this research will benefit the U.S. economy, the environment, and society. This research will educate, provide research experiences, and mentor a diverse workforce at the emerging interface of chemical engineering, polymer science, and microbiology. Since the 1960s, non-solvent induced phase separation has been used to manufacture polymer membranes, which are essential in sustainable separation processes. Unfortunately, the manufacturing process generates more than fifty billion liters of toxic solvent-contaminated wastewater annually. This research provides fundamental insights into the manufacturing of chemically resilient porous polymer membranes processed from all-aqueous solutions of water-soluble charged polymers. Specifically, we will (1) develop a mechanistic understanding of how to manufacture high performance membranes from water soluble charged polymers, water, and salt; and (2) evaluate the stability, performance, and fouling resistance of the porous membranes. By conducting permeance testing in parallel to membrane manufacturing, we will have a feedback loop between the chemistry, morphology, and performance of the membranes. This research will establish an inclusive research team in polymer membranes for water separations and also provide research opportunities for underrepresented students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

聚合物膜是用于去除脏水和废水中的颗粒物和水传播病原体的现代技术。在运行过程中，膜会被污染，需要定期进行物理和/或化学清洁，这会增加工艺停机时间并导致膜降解。此外，不幸的是，用于制造聚合物膜的现代工艺严重依赖有毒溶剂，并且膜本身并不能防止颗粒在其表面积聚。这项促进工程变革和公平进步的研究理念 (BRITE) 奖支持基础研究，整合先前的分类结果来制造抗污染的聚合物膜。该膜将采用新的化学成分，从而实现不使用有毒溶剂的全水制造工艺。抗污染的选择性聚合物膜是废水处理和水修复应用以及其他分离应用的首选，例如工业清洁、食品加工、蛋白质分离和基因工程。因此，这项研究的结果将有利于美国经济、环境和社会。这项研究将在化学工程、聚合物科学和微生物学的新兴领域教育、提供研究经验并指导多元化的劳动力。自 20 世纪 60 年代以来，非溶剂诱导相分离已用于制造聚合物膜，这对于可持续分离过程至关重要。不幸的是，制造过程每年产生超过 500 亿升有毒溶剂污染的废水。这项研究为由水溶性带电聚合物的全水溶液加工而成的化学弹性多孔聚合物膜的制造提供了基本见解。具体来说，我们将（1）深入了解如何用水溶性带电聚合物、水和盐制造高性能膜； (2)评价多孔膜的稳定性、性能和抗污染性。通过在膜制造的同时进行渗透测试，我们将在膜的化学、形态和性能之间建立反馈回路。这项研究将建立一个水分离聚合物膜方面的包容性研究团队，并为代表性不足的学生提供研究机会。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。