News

NAMS 2005 Conference
Providence, Rhode Island 11 – 15th June
Abstracts of Attendees

Scott Kelman’s Abstract

Crosslinking and Stabilization of High Fractional Free Volume Polymers for the Separation of Organic Vapors from Permanent Gases

S. Kelman, University of Texas at Austin
B. Freeman, University of Texas at Austin

High free volume polymer membranes are often very weakly size-sieving and, consequently, can remove large gas or vapor molecules from a gas mixture with smaller molecules. This capability finds application in reverse-selective gas separations such as VOC removal from permanent gas streams and monomer recovery from the exhaust of polymerization reactors. Poly(1-trimethysilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) is a stiff chain, high free volume glassy polymer well known for its very high gas permeability [1]. PTMSP also has outstanding vapor/gas selectivity. For example, the n-C4H10/CH4 mixed gas selectivity at 25oC is 35, which is the highest value ever reported for this gas pair [2]. Such properties make PTMSP an interesting material for vapor/gas separations. However, gas permeabilities in PTMSP are sensitive to processing history and time [3]. PTMSP undergoes significant physical aging, which is the gradual relaxation of non-equilibrium excess free volume in glassy polymers. PTMSP is also soluble in many organic compounds, leading to potential dissolution of the membrane in process streams where its separation properties are of greatest interest. These phenomena compromise the practical utility of PTMSP. [Read more…] about NAMS Conference, Providence, RI. 11 – 15 June 2005

May 2005

Lauren Greenlee and Bryan McCloskey were both recipients of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. These fellowships are awarded to the top 1000 first or second year graduate students in all fields of science and engineering. Keith Ashcraft and Alyson Sagle achieved honorable mention in these awards. Our congratultions goes out to all of them. It is real honor to have such a number of people recognized.

Scott Kelman and Scott Matteucci were both awarded $1000 travel awards from the North American Membrane Society. They intend to use these awards to attend the NAMS 2005 annual meeting in Providence, Rhode Island.

Roy Raharjo is traveling to Kyoto University in Japan in June to spend 1 month in Professor Toshio Masuda’s laboratories. He will be learning about the synthesis of disubstituted polyacetylenes.

AIChE Annual Conference 2004
Austin, Tx, 7th – 12th November
Abstracts of Attendees

Conor Braman’s Abstract

Water Transport and Fouling Properties of Crosslinked Poly(ethylene glycol)

C. Braman, University of Texas
B. Freeman, University of Texas
Teruhiko Kai, University of Texas
Frank Onorato, Pall Corporation
Rich Salinaro, Pall Corporation
Douglass S. Kalika, University of Kentucky
Sumod Kalakkunnath, University of Kentucky

All current ultrafiltration membranes are finely porous and are, therefore, subject to fouling by particulates, organics, and other wastewater components, resulting in a dramatic decline in the water flux (Ho 1999). Our approach to enhancing the severely limited fouling resistance of conventional ultrafiltration membranes is based on coating them with highly water permeable, nonporous, fouling resistant polymers. Crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is used as the base material for the coatings because it is highly hydrophilic and has shown resistance to protein attachment (Ostuni 2001). [Read more…] about AIChE Conference, Austin, TX. 7 – 12 November 2004

ACS 2004 Conference
Philadelphia, Pa, 22 – 26th August
Abstracts of Attendees

Haiqing Lin’s Abstract

Reverse-selective, highly branched polymers for purification of hydrogen and other light gases

H. Lin, University of Texas at Austin
B. Freeman, University of Texas at Austin
L. Toy, Research Triangle Institute
V. Bondar, Research Triangle Institute
R. Gupta, Research Triangle Institute
S. Pas, CSIRO Manufacturing Science and Technology
A. Hill, CSIRO Manufacturing Science and Technology [Read more…] about ACS Conference, Philadelphia, PA. 22 – 26 August 2004

Gordon Research Conference 2004
New London, NH, 1 – 6th August 2004
Abstracts of Attendees

Conor Braman’s Abstract

Water transport and fouling properties of crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol)

C. Braman, University of Texas at Austin
B. Freeman, University of Texas at Austin

All current ultrafiltration membranes are finely porous and are, therefore, subject to fouling by particulates, organics, and other wastewater components, resulting in a dramatic decline in the water flux (Ho 1999). Our approach to enhancing the severely limited fouling resistance of conventional ultrafiltration membranes is based on coating them with highly water permeable, nonporous, fouling resistant polymers. Crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is used as the base material for the coatings because it is highly hydrophilic and has shown resistance to protein attachment (Ostuni 2001). [Read more…] about Gordon Research Conference, New London, NH. 1-6 August 2004

NAMS 2004 Conference
Honolulu, Hawaii 26 – 30th June
Abstracts of Attendees

Conor Braman’s Abstract

Water transport and fouling properties of crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol)

C. Braman, University of Texas at Austin
B. Freeman, University of Texas at Austin

All current ultrafiltration membranes are finely porous and are, therefore, subject to fouling by particulates, organics, and other wastewater components, resulting in a dramatic decline in the water flux (Ho 1999). Our approach to enhancing the severely limited fouling resistance of conventional ultrafiltration membranes is based on coating them with highly water permeable, nonporous, fouling resistant polymers. Crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is used as the base material for the coatings because it is highly hydrophilic and has shown resistance to protein attachment (Ostuni 2001). [Read more…] about NAMS Conference, Honolulu, HI. 26 – 30 June 2004