Research Highlights - IF

Reconciles two classical model descriptions of membrane transport for swollen non-porous membrane using the Fluid-solid model, a unified mechanical framework to approach solvent transport.

Fundamental ion transport properties in membranes synthesized with either the same charge density or the same water uptake were characterized. These properties were compared to established models to build structure-property relationships.

New synthetic strategies to improve membrane selectivity were identified and fundamental design questions were addressed.

Selective removal of divalent cations (e.g., Ca+2) via electrodialysis prior to nanofiltration reduces membrane fouling, which reduces permeate flux decline and improves boron rejection.

Identifies a hybrid electrodialysis (ED)-Nanofiltration (NF)/reverse osmosis (RO) system and identifies appropriate properties of ion exchange membranes of ED pretreatment for water sources that require little or no desalination but have high NOM concentrations.