Development of functionalized electrospun nanocomposite membrane using dendritic polymers

The availability of safe drinking water has emerged as one of the most serious problems facing the global economy in the twenty-first century. Removing heavy metals from drinking water, industrial waste and soil are important environmental engineering tasks to reduce pollution and water scarcity around the world. Biomimetic designs help engineers to produce new technologies and materials for optimum applications in above exemplified applications. In this MITACS project, a novel incorporation of dendritic polymers in electrospun nanocomposite membranes will allow improved efficiency for separation/adsorption wastewater, due to the distinctive features such as high porosity and large specific surface area. The word ‘dendritic’ comes from roots of tree. Similar to the tree roots adsorbing water, dendritic polymers can adsorb and entrap contaminant from wastewater. Next to membranes, application of the new targeted functionalized dendritics will also be explored in other areas e.g. to potentially enhance the resin processing properties during manufacturing.

Faculty Supervisor:

Abbas Sadeghzadeh Milani;Frank Ko

Student:

Partner:

Hytec Plumbing Products - Division of Kohler Canada Co;Delta-Dolsk

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program: