The synthesis of metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films has garnered significant attention during the past decade. By better understanding the parameters governing the nucleation and growth of such thin films, their properties can be rationally tuned, empowering their application as (reactive) membranes. Here, a combined AFM-vibrational spectroscopy research strategy is employed to detail the...

Thin film composite membranes of polyamide prepared by vapour phase interfacial polymerization between a diamine and an acyl chloride are applied to nanofiltration.

The goal of this project was to develop a novel technology that may be used to eventually manufacture a new generation of inorganic membranes and sensors with oriented, uni-directional monosized pores. The premise is that very thin membranes with oriented channels as pores will have a high flux in addition to being highly selective. Applications include: 1) gas separation membranes for oxygen e...

Recent studies show that osmotically driven membrane processes may be a viable technology for desalination, water and wastewater treatment, and power generation. However, the absence of a membrane designed for such processes is a significant obstacle hindering further advancements of this technology. This work presents the development of a high performance thin-film composite membrane for forwa...

Thin-film mirrors are attractive for large apertures, lightweight optical systems and microwave antennas operating in micro-gravity environments. The surface shape of these deployable thin film structures requires control to a precision range that depends on the specific applications. For optical systems, such surfaces need to be deployed and refined in the range of sub-microns. Electroactive p...

This study focuses on the preparation and modification of a thin-film composite (TFC) hollow fiber polyamide membrane fabricated by the interfacial polymerization of Piperazine (PIP) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on a porous polysulfone substrate. The effects of triethylenetetramine (TETA) and silica nanoparticles (SiO2) contents in the aqueous phase (as the additives) on the morphology and perf...

this study focuses on the preparation and modification of a thin-film composite (tfc) hollow fiber polyamide membrane fabricated by the interfacial polymerization of piperazine (pip) and trimesoyl chloride (tmc) on a porous polysulfone substrate. the effects of triethylenetetramine (teta) and silica nanoparticles (sio2) contents in the aqueous phase (as the additives) on the morphology and perf...

A novel scheme is presented for the synthesis of graded materials by electrodeposition in porous insulating templates. Lateral control of copper electrodeposition in nanoporous alumina membranes is achieved by application of a lateral potential gradient on a thin Au film evaporated on the membrane, used as the cathode. Formation of metal gradients in the membranes is shown to occur under condit...

AbstmctMembranes supported by posts are used as vibrating elements of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs). The residual stress built up during the fabrication process determines the transducer properties such as resonance frequency, collapse voltage, and gap distance. Hence, it is important t o evaluate and control the stress in thin film CMUT membranes. The residual stress ...

Ultra-thin oxide films are of interest in energy conversion technologies such as low temperature solid oxide fuel cells and permeation membranes. Understanding their thermo-mechanical stability is an important problem. Edge clamped, self-supported thin film membranes show hierarchical wrinkles; with the largest wavelengths in the center, while smaller ones arise near the clamped boundary; corre...