Knowledge-based membrane development

Knowledge-Based Membrane Development Prediction of Separation Behavior of Zeolite and MOF Molecular Sieve Membranes... 

Most important macroscopic transport properties (i.e., permeabilities, solubilities, constants of diffusion) of polymer-based membranes have their foundation in microscopic features (e.g., free-volume distribution, segmental dynamics, distribution of polar groups, etc.) which are not sufficiently accessible to experimental characterization. Here, the simulation of reasonably equilibrated and validated atomistic models provides great opportunities to gain a deeper insight into these microscopic features that in turn will help to develop more knowledge-based approaches in membrane development. 

Modelling methodologies are contributing significantly to the knowledge-based development of membrane materials and engineering. 

As a rough estimate, the permeation through a molecular sieve membrane can be described by the permeation model for organic polymer membranes the membrane selectivity is the product of adsorption selectivity and diffusion selectivity. This means that a knowledge-based molecular sieve membrane development based on independent adsorption and diffusion data is possible. 

My knowledge grew at Bend Research, Inc. under Harry Lonsdale, another membrane pioneer who was involved in the theoretical and practical side of membranes since the early 1960 s at Gulf General Atomic (predecessor of Fluid Systems, now Koch Membrane Systems), Alza, and later Bend Research, which he co-founded with Richard Baker. At Bend Research, I had the opportunity to develop novel membranes and membrane-based separation processes, including leading several membrane-based projects for water recovery and reuse aboard the International Space Station. 

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