The Cleantech Show #027: New Membrane Technology. Interview with Dr Anita Hill, CSIRO
The Cleantech Show #026 (MP3 - 10MB - 27min)
Interview with Dr Anita Hill, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering
A few weeks ago I blogged briefly on a new membrane technology that mimics pores found in plants allowing more cost and energy effective separation of a range of gas, liquid and ion mixtures.
On this weeks show we have Dr Anita Hill, CSIRO, one of the lead researchers of the technology, which was developed through the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship, in partnership with Hanyang University in Korea and the University of Texas.
CSIRO’s Materials Science and Engineering comprises a multidisciplinary team and Dr Hill and I discuss how important this was in the breakthrough with this most recent membrane technology.
One of the key benefits of the technology is that unlike other membranes that have high separation efficiencies this membrane is made from a highly robust plastic. Meaning that not only can it separate efficiently because of its unique pore structure, but also last longer between replacements, reducing the cost of operation and maintenance.
Through collaborative research the team now has a very good understanding of how to expand the applications of the membrane by custom designing pore size and distribution. Applications include desalination, gas separation (including CO2 separation) and fuel cell membranes. In my view this research is set to become a key platform technology.
Make sure you listen in, and enjoy the show.
cheers
Nick Bruse
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