and, one day, could be made on-site to respond to specific
contamination problems.
"We think that shaped membranes could help reduce
fouling and increase the area of the membrane that can
be used in a typical membrane plant," said Patterson.
"Additionally, the on-site production of membranes that are
tailored to the separations needed would also be possible,
allowing a quicker response and unprecedented changes in
water and wastewater composition."
There are, however, still limitations on the use of this
technology to build treatment membranes. Primarily, 3D
printers aren't yet equipped to produce them.
"3D-printed membranes are currently limited by the
resolution and build size of the current 3D printers,"
said Patterson. "We really are waiting for the 3D printing
technology to catch up with our ambitions to allow 3D
printing to become a realistic and cost-effective membrane
production technology."
That being said, the researchers are so enthusiastic about
the potential for 3D printers to revolutionize water and
wastewater treatment that they don't want their thinking to
be stunted by what's currently possible. Patterson mentioned
the possibility of one day printing the membrane and module
all in one piece, but out of different materials, creating
a membrane with a range of different pores and surface
structures to optimize flux. The membrane then becomes
capable of selectively removing and recovering the molecules
and particles that cause fouling and utilizing materials that
don't age, to increase the lifespan of a membrane.
"We don't want to be limited to what is currently available
in the membrane market," said Patterson. "We want to be able
to do things that are not currently possible. … If these can be
realized, then 3D printing could potentially become the go-to
technology for membrane fabrication in the future. Given the
rate of development of 3D printers, we would estimate that
at least some of this will be possible within the next five to
10 years." n
wateronline.com
n
Water Innovations
21
FILTRATION
Peter Chawaga is the associate editor for Water Online. He creates
and manages engaging and relevant content on a variety of water
and wastewater industry topics. Chawaga has worked as a reporter
and editor in newsrooms throughout the country and holds a bach-
elor's degree in English and a minor in journalism. He can be reached
at pchawaga@wateronline.com.
About The Author