Valomer: Ultra-Charged Crustacean Waste-Based Fibrous Filters for Phosphate Removal from Seafood Processing Wastewater

During the 4-month internship, postdoctoral fellow Ruby Liu will (1) fabricate fibrous filter plugs from the amine-functionalized chitosan and cellulose materials; (2) characterize their surface charge and adsorption performance toward model anionic surfactants; and (3) perform filtration experiments at Merinov’s facility. The outcomes will provide proof-of-concept for integrating bio-based, renewable nanomaterials into industrial water-treatment systems.

This collaboration will benefit Merinov by establishing a new class of sustainable, locally sourced filtration materials derived from marine and forestry biomass. Socially and economically, the project supports cleaner production practices, reduction of environmental discharge from Québec’s seafood industry, and advancement toward circular, low-carbon biotechnologies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Audrey Moores

Student:

Partner:

Merinov

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University

Program: