Advanced Membrane Technology Conference

Engineering Conferences International, Inc., New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

PI: Escobar, Isabel C. Proposal: 1607899 This proposal requests $49,000 to partially defray conference costs for up to 30 graduate and post-doctoral students to participate in the Engineering Conferences International Meeting on Advanced Membrane Technology VII in September 2016. The meeting will have 13-14 technical sessions covering recent advances in membrane research, development and applications. Some examples include the nexus of nanotechnology, biotechnology and membrane separations, as well as wastewater reclamation, gas and liquid separations and purifications, and energy issues. A poster session is also an integral part of the meeting. Supported students will be asked to present at the poster session. The meeting will feature a number of internationally renowned and up and coming researchers. The anticipated attendance for the meeting is 100 membrane researchers from all parts of the world representing industry, government and academic facilities. Membrane technology is an important part of the separation technology. Topics were selected based on providing an update from the previous meeting, marking specific areas for special attention, and showcasing recent advancements related to water production, the environment and special needs. The conference will highlight the following four topics: (1) Environmental engineering through sessions that will highlight the use of membranes to remove emerging contaminants, such as endocrine disruptors and algal toxins (e.g. microcystin, as the issues facing Lake Erie and numerous world countries). Another session will have presentations on lowering membrane fouling. (2) Sustainability through two sessions that will discuss sustainable water treatment, such as water reclamation and recycling; and will discuss membranes for energy applications, such saline water gradient. (3) Advances in nanotechnology for membranes, which will highlight the use of metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, graphene and other nanomaterials for the improvement of membrane operation. (4) Scalable nanomanufacturing of membranes, which will highlight the mechanisms that can lead to failure during the scale up of nanocomposite membranes. Given the scope of this meeting, its more intimate meeting structure and diverse internationally renowned attendees, the ECI Advanced Membrane Technology VII Conference provides an exceptional intellectual training opportunity for graduate students and young faculty. The potential to improve advanced membrane technology rests on our continuing ability to harness results from basic science and engineering, of the kind supported by