Polymer Membranes for Water Purification
This project develops measurement methods to understand how the structure of polymer membranes affects water purification, aiming for better, more efficient materials.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $82,764/year with $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship to develop quantitative measurement methods for polymer membranes used in water purification, aiming to improve membrane performance and energy efficiency.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; research conducted onsite at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD; requires prior contact with research advisers.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing polymer membrane technologies for water purification, a critical global challenge. The project aims to develop and refine quantitative measurement methods to characterize the structure and dynamics of polymer membranes, particularly polyamide membranes fabricated via a molecular layer-by-layer approach. These methods include x-ray and neutron reflectivity, dielectric spectroscopy, advanced chemical spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy.
The research will investigate how membrane structure and dynamics influence transport properties such as water flux and fouling resistance. Understanding these structure-property-performance relationships will enable targeted development of membranes with higher water flux and lower energy consumption, benefiting industrial applications and environmental sustainability.
