Summary:
The global demand for water is projected to increase by more than 50% over the next 30 years as a result of population growth, urbanization, economic development, and climate change. The growing need to provide a safe drinking water supply from complex sources and environmental concerns about conventional water treatment methods have motivated the development of novel membrane technologies in recent decades. Pressure-driven nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) are the most commonly used membrane processes for drinking water treatment because they offer an effective single-step process to physically remove pathogens along with organic and inorganic contaminants. Despite their advantages and recent technical advances, the high cost of energy and membrane operational problems associated with fouling and fouling control strategies have restricted widespread implementation of these technologies. In addition, the polyamide chemistry used for most commercially available NF and RO membrane limits the range of water permeability and solute selectivity, both of which are key material properties. This presentation will discuss state-of-the art technology for NF and RO as well as the potential for innovative membrane materials to combat the issues associated with fouling, compaction, and chemical degradation and help alleviate the global water crisis.

Biography:
Lauren Valentino is a Ph.D. student in the Environmental Engineering and Science program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a minor in Chemistry in 2011 and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering in 2013, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her current research focuses on the development of novel membrane materials for water treatment applications. Lauren also works with the Safe Global Water Institute, participating in projects that aim to provide safe drinking water and sanitation solutions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda where there is little or no access to safe water and adequate sanitation services.