In addition to its annual lectures, ChBE hosts a weekly seminar throughout the year with invited lecturers who are prominent in their fields. Unless otherwise noted, all seminars are held on Wednesdays in the Molecular Science and Engineering Building ("M" Building) in G011 (Cherry Logan Emerson Lecture Theater) at 4:00 p.m. Refreshments are served at 3:30 p.m. in the Emerson-Lewis Reception Salon.

February 22
Dr. Menachem Elimelech
Director, Environmental Engineering Program and Roberto Goizueta Professor of Environmental and Chemical Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering
Yale University 
High Performance Membranes for Energy-Efficient Desalination and Wastewater Reuse

Abstract
Water scarcity is one of the greatest global crises that we currently face. Several measures to alleviate the stresses on water supply should be implemented, including water conservation, repair of infrastructure, and improved catchment and distribution systems. However, while these measures are important, they can only improve the use of existing water resources, not increase them. The only methods to increase water supply beyond what is available from the hydrological cycle are desalination and wastewater reuse. Highly effective, low-cost, robust technologies for desalination and wastewater reuse are needed, with minimal impact on the environment. Recent advances in the science and technology of desalination and wastewater reuse will be presented, focusing on membrane-based processes. Major developments in these technologies are possible due to recent advances in materials science, nanotechnology, and the fundamental understanding of the solid-water interface. In this presentation, it will be shown that we can exploit novel nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, block copolymers, and engineered nanoparticles to develop better approaches to design and fabricate membrane materials. By integrating the facile processability, light-weight, and low-cost features of organic polymers with functionality provided by inorganic nanostructures we can develop a new membrane materials platform with applications in desalination and wastewater reuse. Among the examples that will be discussed in this presentation are the development of fouling-resistant reverse osmosis and forward osmosis membranes, biofouling-resistant membranes, and triblock terpolymer-based ultrafiltration membranes.