About This Project

We aim to use 3D printing to fabricate new polymer membranes for high-throughput water treatment applications. Our preliminary data indicates that roughening membrane surfaces increases their water treatment rates. We are seeking funds to purchase a new 3D printer in our lab that will allow for students to explore new surface patterns to develop next-generation membranes for water purification

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Polymer membranes are the #1 technology for purifying water. Huge plants are used to purify ocean water for human consumption. However, these large-scale water-treatment operations are reaching a plateau in their efficiency. We are exploring new polymers and new membrane designs that overcome current challenges in the field. Our main idea in this project is to drastically increase the surface area, and design the surface structuring of new water treatment membranes using 3D printing. We want to impact how materials are designed for water purification, but these concepts may also be applicable to technologies such as fuel cells and batteries.

What is the significance of this project?

This work is critical because water treatment is a major societal need. We think about rising energy prices, but what would happen if our water bills tripled or grew by 10X? What if water was as expensive as gasoline? We can live for a long time without energy, but we cannot live for more than a few days without clean water. Our polymers are designed to lower the energy demands of water purification. Further modification of the membranes through 3D printing will enable a new era of membrane design for this important area.

What are the goals of the project?

Our immediate goal is to buy a new 3D printer for dedicated membrane work by the students in our group. We have some experience 3D printing simple structures, but a new machine will allow us to customize the printer specifically for printing these new types of membranes using our specialized polymers. Graduate students, undergraduates, and other researchers in the lab will have access to this machine and will be able to test their concepts with your support. They will maintain a web page on their progress and report back to the community on their milestones and learnings with the 3D printer we purchase with these funds and the performance of their new membranes.