Article
Engineering, Chemical
T. Mantel, P. Benne, M. Ernst
Summary: The application of electrical potential and duplex-coating technique on ultrafiltration membranes can significantly improve membrane performance, reduce fouling, increase rejection rates, and simplify module design. This approach enhances efficiency and reliability of water treatment systems by introducing additional electric fields through the membranes themselves.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bongyeon Jung, Shengcun Ma, Chia Miang Khor, Noman Khalid Khanzada, Arezou Anvari, Xinyi Wang, Sungju Im, Jishan Wu, Unnati Rao, Alicia Kyoungjin An, Eric M. V. Hoek, David Jassby
Summary: This study presents electrically-conductive nanofiltration (ECNF) membranes that can inhibit mineral scaling with an external electrical source. By applying electrical potentials to the membrane surface, the formation of scaling can be reduced, protecting the membrane and improving water recovery.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohamad Amin Halali, Melissa Larocque, Charles-Francois de Lannoy
Summary: In this study, electrically conductive membranes (ECMs) were successfully synthesized by coating polyethersulfone membranes with carbon nanotubes and using two different crosslinkers. The stability of ECMs under different conditions was investigated, revealing that ECMs crosslinked with glutaraldehyde showed higher electrochemical stability under cathodic potential. Additionally, PVA as a crosslinker faced challenges in maintaining stability of CNTs under concentration polarization conditions.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengcun Ma, Fan Yang, Xin Chen, Chia Miang Khor, Bongyeon Jung, Arpita Iddya, Gaurav Sant, David Jassby
Summary: This study fabricated highly conducting ultrafiltration membranes for effective rejection of As(III) by oxidizing it to As(V) using hydrogen peroxide produced on the cathode, which also increased the local pH for rejection. The results showed higher rejection rates compared to traditional NF and RO membranes, with the added benefit of high water permeance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tomi Mantel, Elena Jacki, Mathias Ernst
Summary: This study presents a novel approach of applying positive charge to a conductive membrane to induce electrosorption of negatively charged substances. Results show that this method can significantly increase flux and achieve high removal rates of contaminants.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Esperanza M. Garcia-Castello, Antonio D. Rodriguez-Lopez, Sergio Barredo-Damas, Alicia Iborra-Clar, Jairo Pascual-Garrido, Maria Isabel Iborra-Clar
Summary: Consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of incorporating functional and nutritional foods into their diet, leading to a higher demand for protein and peptide-rich food extracts. Soy protein and its derivatives are particularly emphasized in this trend. Ultrafiltration membranes are used for protein fractionation and concentration, but membrane fouling remains a key limitation caused by the accumulation of macromolecules near the membrane surface.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhihao Jin, Yajing Shen, Xianfu Chen, Minghui Qiu, Yiqun Fan
Summary: The introduction of Ce effectively inhibited the phase transformation of TiO2 and prevented cracks, resulting in excellent performance and anti-fouling properties for the Ce-doped TiO2 membrane in protein separation.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kartikeya M. Kekre, Arezou Anvari, Katelyn Kahn, Ying Yao, Avner Ronen
Summary: A novel electrochemically based membrane filtration system was developed for the recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from livestock wastewater, demonstrating high efficiency, low cost, and reduced fouling.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hye-Jin Lee, Nan Zhang, Mohamed A. Ganzoury, Yichen Wu, Charles-Francois de Lannoy
Summary: This study demonstrates the simultaneous chlorine removal and oxidation of organic compounds during filtration using an electrochemically assisted electrically conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) membrane. The efficacy of chlorine removal by CNT membranes depends on the mass of CNTs within the membranes and the applied pressure.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Zixin Zhang, Guohe Huang, Yongping Li, Xiujuan Chen, Yao Yao, Shaojie Ren, Mengna Li, Yuwei Wu, Chunjiang An
Summary: Electrically conductive membranes have been recognized as an effective strategy for water and wastewater treatment, with inorganic membranes attracting much attention due to their inherent merits. This paper provides an overview of recent developments in conductive inorganic membranes, including electrochemical principles, fabrication methods, and major applications in water treatment. It also discusses existing issues and research needs for the future development and application of the electrochemical membrane filtration process based on conductive inorganic membranes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ettore Virga, Mario Alejandro Parra, Wiebe M. de Vos
Summary: Large volumes of water become contaminated with various chemical agents during Oil & Gas exploration activities, resulting in a complex wastewater stream known as produced water (PW). Nanofiltration (NF) membranes are a promising alternative for the treatment of PW to facilitate its re-use, but membrane fouling remains a major obstacle. The study found that fouling of PEM-based NF membranes during the treatment of artificial produced water is mainly caused by surfactant uptake inside of the PEM coating.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zixiao Ren, Haiyan Cao, Peter Desmond, Bingsheng Liu, Huu Hao Ngo, Xu He, Guibai Li, Jun Ma, An Ding
Summary: The retention of viruses during the UF process can be predicted based on our study results.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
V Loboda, A. Sheveleva, F. Chapelle, Y. Lapusta
Summary: This paper considers the plane problem of multiple collinear cracks between two piezoelectric semi-infinite spaces. The cracks can have arbitrary lengths and distances between each other and are assumed to be electrically conductive. The Riemann-Hilbert problems of linear relationship are formulated and solved analytically, and the expressions for stresses, electric field and displacement jumps are obtained. The energy release rate is determined and numerical illustrations are presented. The variations of stresses, electric field and crack opening along the interface are demonstrated. The importance of the interaction effect is discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Marielle DuToit, Edgard Ngaboyamahina, Mark Wiesner
Summary: In this study, protein fouling within a polymeric microfiltration membrane was characterized in real time using nonFaradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. By modeling the electrochemical system with equivalent circuit components, both qualitative and quantitative monitoring of protein fouling was achieved, marking the first attempt to deploy a conductive polymeric membrane as an active electrode in an EIS setup.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammed Al Namazi, Sheng Li, Noreddine Ghaffour, TorOve Leiknes, Gary Amy
Summary: This study compares three types of organic matter (AOM, BOM, and HOM) in terms of their content, fouling behavior, and removal efficiency in ceramic UF filtration. It found that the 5 kDa membrane removed more transparent exopolymer particles (TEP)/organics than the 50 kDa membrane, but had less fouling formation for all three types of organic matter. The study also revealed that AOM had the highest MFI-UF and TMP values among the three organics and exhibited high fouling potential.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Unnati Rao, Arpita Iddya, Bongyeon Jung, Chia Miang Khor, Zachary Hendren, Craig Turchi, Tzahi Cath, Eric M. Hoek, Guy Z. Ramon, David Jassby
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Physics, Applied
Tom Brustin, Avshalom Offner, Guy Z. Ramon
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Mechanics
Asaf Dana, Gunnar G. Peng, Howard A. Stone, Herbert E. Huppert, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: This study investigates the leakage from a fracture network to a surrounding medium during drainage, driven by elastic relaxation. The effects of permeable boundaries on the leakage process are considered, with results showing that the dominance of leakage over parallel flow depends on the aperture size of the channel. When the aperture is large, parallel flow is greater than permeation through the wall, while for small apertures the channel thickness decreases exponentially over time. An asymptotic investigation of the solution for a single fracture is performed and extended to network systems, providing insights into the influence of leakage on squeezing-induced flows in natural and engineering systems.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Avshalom Offner, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: The study investigates the effect of a polymer brush coating on foulant particles in membrane filtration. The analysis demonstrates that the brush properties can impact particle deposition, system permeance, and energy consumption. The research sheds light on how a polymer brush affects the forces acting on foulant particles, providing quantitative measures for assessing the potential efficacy of brush coatings.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tamar Itzhak, Naama Segev-Mark, Assaf Simon, Volker Abetz, Guy Z. Ramon, Tamar Segal-Peretz
Summary: ALD has been found to be an effective technique for growing Al2O3 on polymeric membranes, with control over depth gradient and membrane properties achieved by tuning the exposure time and cycles of Al2O3. The surface modification of Al2O3 was shown to reduce oil droplet coverage on membranes, as revealed by in situ confocal imaging.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Avshalom Offner, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: Imparting a temperature gradient on droplet aerosols may induce acoustic instability and promote coalescence of droplets within the aerosol, potentially enhancing the operation of thermoacoustic engines. This phenomenon could naturally occur in atmospheric clouds due to uneven solar irradiation, suggesting potential applications in various engineering and environmental fields.
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Ramkarn Patne, Guy Z. Ramon, Yehuda Agnon, Alexander Oron
Summary: This study investigates the temporal stability of a two-layer plane Couette flow with an interfacial heat source/sink. It predicts unstable streamwise and spanwise perturbations caused by viscosity stratification. The presence of a heat source (sink) at the interface has a stabilizing (destabilizing) effect on the flow, but if the heat release rate exceeds a threshold, an explosive instability emerges. The viscosity stratification, thermocapillarity, and inertia interact to create a new mode of streamwise instability called the "interaction" instability. Spanwise perturbations have higher growth rates than streamwise perturbations when inertia stabilizes the flow with a heat sink, and vice versa. The thermocapillary effect leads to the suppression of instabilities in the presence of a heat source by increasing the temperature of the interface and creating a positive temperature gradient across the fluids.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jose A. Epstein, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: This study demonstrates in-situ measurements of the micro-scale rheology of foulant layer deposited at a membrane surface, revealing the elastic gel characteristics and variations in storage and loss moduli upon flux increase. The observed increase in complex viscosity coincides with an increase in hydraulic resistance, indicating micro-scale 'stiffening' of the material. The foulant properties exhibit clear depth variations, with a greater apparent 'stiffness' closer to the membrane surface.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Ariel Vardi-Chouchana, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in global cooling demand driven by economic growth and climate change. In order to reduce strain on electric grids, heat-driven technologies must be developed. The study examines an acoustic driven sorption cooling device that uses environmentally benign working fluids and has the potential to achieve high efficiencies.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ines Nulens, Adi Ben Zvi, Ivo F. J. Vankelecom, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: The article proposes a method that links synthesis and morphology to study the relationship of thin-film polyamide selective layers prepared via interfacial polymerization (IP), focusing on the interfacial stability of the system and the morphological shift of the film. By analyzing the correlation between PA morphology and the defined parameter space, a better understanding of the physical phenomena and potential issues in the IP process can be achieved.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Rui Yang, Nathan Blanc, Ariel Vardi-Chouchana, Noam Ouzana, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: Thermoacoustic technology is an efficient, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly method for electricity production and applications. Phase-change thermoacoustic conversion is a recent development that improves the performance of thermoacoustic systems. PC-TAS is a tool that simulates both phase-change and classical thermoacoustic systems, providing insights into their steady-state operation.
Article
Thermodynamics
Rui Yang, Avishai Meir, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: Phase-change thermoacoustic engine can work with high mean pressure and large amplitudes, overcoming the issue of liquid replenishment within the stack. Experimental results show that phase change significantly decreases the required temperature difference while maintaining a high pressure amplitude. This design provides a promising pathway for advancing practical phase-change thermoacoustic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jose A. Epstein, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: The nearest-neighbor algorithm (N-N) is widely used for studying deformation and flow in soft materials and microfluidic systems. However, it may not work well for directed or oscillatory motion. This study presents an improved method that applies a change-of-basis matrix to enhance the performance of NN-SPT algorithms in analyzing directed and oscillatory motions.
Article
Physics, Applied
Nathan Blanc, Guy Z. Ramon
Summary: The article reports high-amplitude photo-acoustic oscillations induced by irradiation of a water film on the wall of an acoustic loop resonator. The introduction of phase change significantly amplifies the oscillations, potentially leading to improved solar-driven acoustic energy conversion devices.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Nathan Blanc, Rui Yang, Guy Z. Ramon, Ercang Luo
Summary: Thermoacoustic engines convert heat into acoustic oscillations to mimic mechanical motion cycles. This study extends the working fluid to examine thermoacoustic conversion near the critical point. Results show that near-critical conditions enhance conversion but increase acoustic dissipation, resulting in a trade-off between output power and efficiency.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)