Nanostructured Membranes for Innovations in Liquid Separations
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
This Platform Grant would underpin research in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College into the development and application of nanostructured materials as membranes for separations in organic liquids via Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN). This current research encompasses membrane fabrication, structural and transport characterisation, and applications in chemical and biopharmaceutical synthesis. We will use the platform grant to develop new research in the strategic areas of:(1) Fabrication of ceramic membranes with hexagonally ordered pores (2) Novel fabrication and modification techniques - (i) Atmospheric plasma treatments and; (ii) PolyHIPEs (HIPE = High Internal Phase Emulsion)(3) Nanoporous fluoropolymer composites (4) Characterisation of film properties(5) Oligonucleotide synthesisA highly skilled team of post-doctoral researchers with wide ranging skills and a broad understanding of the whole area is key to taking an internationally leading role, and to developing exciting new research and this platform grant will provide the necessary stability and space to our post-doctoral team. Through a planned programne of research they will gain valuable experience in areas almost completely different from those they have previously worked in, enabling them to establish and broaden their track record. Most importantly, the platform grant will enable us to retain and augment valuable knowledge and expertise in our group. This will provide the continuity necessary to maintain an internationally leading position, and also for the postdocs to build their expertise and multidisciplinary outlook through the planned acquisition of new skills.Finally we wish to exploit our opportunity for expanded international interactions though our partner status in NanoMemPro, an EU Network of Excellence on Membrane Science and Technology. During the five years of Platform funding we would use some of the staff resource from the Platform grant to support our postdocs while they carry out research which supports our portfolio at NanoMemPro partner labs.
Organisations
Publications
Awanis Hashim N
(2012)
Chemistry in spinning solutions: Surface modification of PVDF membranes during phase inversion
in Journal of Membrane Science
Awanis Hashim N
(2011)
Stability of PVDF hollow fibre membranes in sodium hydroxide aqueous solution
in Chemical Engineering Science
Faiz R
(2012)
Polymeric membranes for light olefin/paraffin separation
in Desalination
Faiz R
(2012)
Olefin/paraffin separation using membrane based facilitated transport/chemical absorption techniques
in Chemical Engineering Science
Gorgojo P
(2014)
Membranes: Ultrathin Polymer Films with Intrinsic Microporosity: Anomalous Solvent Permeation and High Flux Membranes (Adv. Funct. Mater. 30/2014)
in Advanced Functional Materials
Hashim N
(2009)
A simplified method for preparation of hydrophilic PVDF membranes from an amphiphilic graft copolymer
in Journal of Membrane Science
Hashim N
(2011)
Preparation of PVDF Hollow Fiber Membranes Using SiO 2 Particles: The Effect of Acid and Alkali Treatment on the Membrane Performances
in Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Ikem V
(2009)
High Internal Phase Emulsions Stabilized Solely by Functionalized Silica Particles
in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Ikem VO
(2010)
Highly permeable macroporous polymers synthesized from pickering medium and high internal phase emulsion templates.
in Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
Ikem VO
(2008)
High internal phase emulsions stabilized solely by functionalized silica particles.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Jiang Q
(2017)
One-pot synthesis of supported hydrogel membranes via emulsion templating
in Reactive and Functional Polymers
Jiang Q
(2016)
Robust macroporous polymers: Using polyurethane diacrylate as property defining crosslinker
in Polymer
Kajetanowicz A
(2013)
Batchwise and continuous nanofiltration of POSS-tagged Grubbs-Hoveyda-type olefin metathesis catalysts.
in ChemSusChem
Liu F
(2011)
Hydrophilic modification of P(VDF-co-CTFE) porous membranes
in Chemical Engineering Science
Liu F
(2011)
Progress in the production and modification of PVDF membranes
in Journal of Membrane Science
Liu F
(2011)
Preparation and characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based ultrafiltration membranes using nano ?-Al2O3
in Journal of Membrane Science
Marchetti P
(2013)
Quality by Design for peptide nanofiltration: Fundamental understanding and process selection
in Chemical Engineering Science
Marchetti P
(2012)
An improved phenomenological model for prediction of solvent permeation through ceramic NF and UF membranes
in Journal of Membrane Science
Sairam M
(2009)
Nanoporous asymmetric polyaniline films for filtration of organic solvents
in Journal of Membrane Science
Sairam M
(2010)
Spiral-wound polyaniline membrane modules for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN)
in Journal of Membrane Science
Shi B
(2015)
Performance of spiral-wound membrane modules in organic solvent nanofiltration - Fluid dynamics and mass transfer characteristics
in Journal of Membrane Science
Siddique H
(2014)
Mixed matrix membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration
in Journal of Membrane Science
Siddique H
(2014)
Pore preserving crosslinkers for polyimide OSN membranes
in Journal of Membrane Science
Soroko I
(2011)
Environmentally friendly route for the preparation of solvent resistant polyimide nanofiltration membranes
in Green Chem.
Stawikowska J
(2013)
Nanoparticle contrast agents to elucidate the structure of thin film composite nanofiltration membranes
in Journal of Membrane Science
| Description | WE HAVE DEVELOPED A RANGE OF NEW MEMBRANE MATERIALS WITH EXQUISITELY CONTROLLED PORE SIZES, SO THAT WE CAN MUCH BETTER SEPARATE MOLECULES THAT ARE PRESENT IN A MIXTURE. THIS IS NEEDED TO GET PURE PRODUCTS, FOR EXAMPLE IN PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURE. |
| Exploitation Route | We have applied for a patent to commercialise results. The new Barrer Centre within Imperial College has been launched involving other experts in the Department of Chemical Engineering to provide a centre for membrane expertise and excellence. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The team has developed thin film composite membranes formed by interfacial polymerisation. These novel membranes and membrane systems may be used in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, nanofiltration, desalination and water treatment, and particularly the nanofiltration of solutes dissolved in organic solvents. Composite membranes for nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a thin polymeric film formed by interfacial polymerisation on a support membrane. The support membrane is further impregnated with a conditioning agent and is stable in polar aprotic solvents. The composite membrane is optionally treated in a quenching medium, where the interfacial polymerisation reaction can be quenched and, in certain embodiments, membrane chemistry can be modified. Finally the composite membrane is treated with an activating solvent prior to nanofiltration. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £616,937 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G070172/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2009 |
| End | 02/2013 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £458,649 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/I010947/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2011 |
| End | 06/2014 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £301,976 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G01244X/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2008 |
| End | 03/2013 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £627,742 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G005648/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2008 |
| End | 11/2012 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £488,378 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G012679/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2009 |
| End | 05/2014 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £627,742 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G005648/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2008 |
| End | 11/2012 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £486,870 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G012679/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2009 |
| End | 05/2014 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £458,649 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/I010947/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2011 |
| End | 06/2014 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £616,937 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G070172/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2009 |
| End | 02/2013 |
| Description | EPSRC |
| Amount | £301,976 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G01244X/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2008 |
| End | 03/2013 |
| Description | European Union Framework 7 |
| Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 238291 FP7-PEOPLE-ITN-2008 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 12/2008 |
| End | 11/2012 |
| Description | European Union Framework 7 |
| Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 214226 FP7-PEOPLE-2007-1-1-ITN |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 09/2007 |
| End | 08/2011 |
| Description | European Union Framework 7 |
| Amount | £1,500,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | PIAP-GA-2008-218068 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 01/2008 |
| End | 01/2012 |
| Description | Industrial - BP |
| Amount | £180,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Lanxess, BP, Halliburton, GSK, Novartis MIT |
| Organisation | BP (British Petroleum) |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2007 |
| Description | Industrial - GSK |
| Amount | £900,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Global |
| Start | 05/2014 |
| End | 04/2017 |
| Description | Industrial - GSK |
| Amount | £180,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Global |
| Start | |
| Description | Industrial - Halliburton |
| Amount | £180,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Halliburton Company |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United States |
| Start | |
| Description | Industrial - Lanxess |
| Amount | £180,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Lanxess |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Germany |
| Start | |
| Description | Industrial - Lanxess |
| Amount | £180,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Lanxess, BP, Halliburton, GSK, Novartis MIT |
| Organisation | Lanxess |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Germany |
| Start | |
| End | 03/2013 |
| Description | Industrial - Novartis-MIT |
| Amount | £737,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Department | The Novartis-MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 11/2010 |
| End | 05/2015 |
| Description | Industrial BP |
| Amount | £180,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | BP (British Petroleum) |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2011 |
| End | 09/2016 |
| Title | ASYMMETRIC MEMBRANES FOR USE IN NANOFILTRATION |
| Description | Improved integrally skinned asymmetric membranes for organic solvent nanofiltration, and their methods of preparation and use are disclosed. Membranes are formed from polybenzimidazoles by phase inversion and are then crosslinked by addition of crosslinking agents. These stabilise the membranes and allow solvent nanofiltration to be maintained even in the solvents from which the membranes were formed by phase inversion, and in strongly acidic and strongly basic solvents. |
| IP Reference | US20130118983 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2010 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Led to PCT/GB2011/051364 licensed to Evonik. |
| Title | MEMBRANE ENHANCED POLYMER SYNTHESIS |
| Description | This invention relates to the synthesis of polymers. More specifically, the present invention relates to the synthesis of heterobifunctional polymers and polymers with narrow and mono-disperse molecular weight distributions, and especially to the application of membranes to the synthesis of these polymers. |
| IP Reference | US20130072691 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2010 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Not known |
| Title | SOLVENT RESISTANT POLYAMIDE NANOFILTRATION MEMBRANES |
| Description | The present invention relates to a composite membrane for nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a thin polymeric film formed by interfacial polymerisation on a support membrane. The support membrane is further impregnated with a conditioning agent and is stable in polar aprotic solvents. The composite membrane is optionally treated in a quenching medium, where the interfacial polymerisation reaction can be quenched and, in certain embodiments, membrane chemistry can be modified. Finally the composite membrane is treated with an activating solvent prior to nanofiltration. |
| IP Reference | US20130112619 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2010 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | Patent led to PCT/GB2011/051364 licensed to Evonik. |
| Description | Imperial Festival 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The College's free annual festival was held on 6th and 7th of May giving the public an opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and explore the latest research at Imperial College. The Festival provided something for all ages to enjoy, from live interactive experiments, new technology demonstrations, in-depth talks, lab tours, musical and dance-based performances, and creative workshops within zones themed around Robots, Superbugs, Health & Body, the Future, and Energy and Environment. The Barrer Centre demonstrated a membrane system used to purify water and compared it directly with a coventional system based on water evaporation (ie boiling) and condensing. The energy requirement for the membrane system was significantly less than for the conventional system. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |