| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R53647/01 |
| Title: |
Development of biofouling - resistant membrane |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hilal, Professor N |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemical and Environmental Eng |
| Organisation: |
University of Nottingham |
| Scheme: |
Fast Stream |
| Starts: |
01 October 2001 |
Ends: |
30 September 2004 |
Value (£): |
60,185
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Microbial growth on membranes is a common problem during operation of membrane plants. This results in reduced process productivity and secondary biocontamination of purified water by cells and metabolic products. To prevent or control biofouling a membrane surface should possess a reduced bacterial affinity or intrinsic bacteriostatic properties. The goal of the proposed work is to develop semi-permeable membranes with different surface properties and to exploit AFM capabilities in characterisation of membranes and the study of the adhesion of micro organisms to membrane surfaces at sub-nanometer resolution.Membranes with different chemical nature and morphology of surface will be obtained. Moreover, studies will include membrane development with bonded bactericide substances that are able to suppress a microorganism growth on the membrane surface. Development of new membranes will be based on two approaches; (i) chemical modification of polymeric membranes and (ii) membrane formation using modified polymers. Proposed research will be directed to identify combinations of membrane surface parameters (e.g., roughness, pore size and shape, charge, etc.) that influences the biofouling potentials of the membranes. This is expected to provide a database for the selection of existing membranes and laying the scientific basis for the development of new biofouling - resistant membranes ideally matched to specified separation objectives.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk |