Menachem Elimelech
Sterling Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and Professor in the School of the EnvironmentCards
About
Research
Publications
Molecular simulations of organic solvent transport in dense polymer membranes: Solution-diffusion or pore-flow mechanism?
He J, Fan H, Elimelech M, Li Y. Molecular simulations of organic solvent transport in dense polymer membranes: Solution-diffusion or pore-flow mechanism? Journal Of Membrane Science 2024, 708: 123055. DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2024.123055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDense polymer membranesPolymer membranesOrganic solventsSolution-diffusion modelHigh-performance polymer membranesSolvent transportFractional free volumeMolecular-level guidanceOrganic solvent nanofiltrationMolecular dynamics simulationsPore flow mechanismNon-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulationsMembrane pore sizeSolvent sizeSolvent permeanceSolvent nanofiltrationSeparation applicationsTransport mechanisms of waterMolecular simulationsFree volumeDynamics simulationsWater transport mechanismSolventReverse osmosisSolution-diffusionThe solution-diffusion model for water transport in reverse osmosis: What went wrong?
Fan H, Heiranian M, Elimelech M. The solution-diffusion model for water transport in reverse osmosis: What went wrong? Desalination 2024, 580: 117575. DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2024.117575.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSolution-diffusion modelRO membranesReverse osmosisWater transport mechanismPore flow modelDesalination membranesDesalination technologiesFrictional interactionTransport mechanismWater transportConcentration gradient of waterFree volumeMembrane poresEnergy efficiencyOsmosisLow costPressure gradientState-of-the-artTheoretical findingsWater flowState-of-the-art desalination technologiesConcentration gradientPorePolyamide reverse osmosis membrane compaction and relaxation: Mechanisms and implications for desalination performance
Wu J, He J, Quezada-Renteria J, Le J, Au K, Guo K, Xiao M, Wang X, Dlamini D, Fan H, Pataroque K, Suleiman Y, Shahbazmohamadi S, Elimelech M, Li Y, Hoek E. Polyamide reverse osmosis membrane compaction and relaxation: Mechanisms and implications for desalination performance. Journal Of Membrane Science 2024, 706: 122893. DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2024.122893.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPA layerCrosslinking degreeNEMD simulationsComposite RO membranePA RO membranesComposite reverse osmosisRelaxation behaviorMechanism of compactionFree volume changesViscous flow of waterDesalination performanceRO membranesReverse osmosisSelective layerInterfacial polymerizationMembrane compactionViscoelastic propertiesViscous flowWater permeationPA filmInitial permeabilityMonomer ratioFlow of waterPermeation experimentsSimulationSalt partitioning and transport in polyamide reverse osmosis membranes at ultrahigh pressures
Pataroque K, Wu J, He J, Fan H, Mahajan S, Guo K, Le J, Au K, Wang L, Li Y, Hoek E, Elimelech M. Salt partitioning and transport in polyamide reverse osmosis membranes at ultrahigh pressures. Journal Of Membrane Science Letters 2024, 100079. DOI: 10.1016/j.memlet.2024.100079.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSalt permeanceSalt partition coefficientReverse osmosisPolyamide reverse osmosis membranesAffecting membrane performancePolyamide layer thicknessFeed salt concentrationReverse osmosis membranesQuartz crystal microbalanceDead-end cellStructure-performance relationshipRO membranesMembrane performancePolyamide layerOsmosis membranesWater transport mechanismFeed salinityOsmotic deswellingFrictional interactionPore sizeFeed concentrationNon-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulationsLayer thicknessPermeanceCrystal microbalanceScalable weaving of resilient membranes with on-demand superwettability for high-performance nanoemulsion separations
Wang Y, Villalobos L, Liang L, Zhu B, Li J, Chen C, Bai Y, Zhang C, Dong L, An Q, Meng H, Zhao Y, Elimelech M. Scalable weaving of resilient membranes with on-demand superwettability for high-performance nanoemulsion separations. Science Advances 2024, 10: eadn3289. PMID: 38924410, PMCID: PMC11204282, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn3289.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe physical basis for solvent flow in organic solvent nanofiltration
Fan H, He J, Heiranian M, Pan W, Li Y, Elimelech M. The physical basis for solvent flow in organic solvent nanofiltration. Science Advances 2024, 10: eado4332. PMID: 38875330, PMCID: PMC11177934, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado4332.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOrganic solvent nanofiltrationOrganic solvent nanofiltration membranesMembrane pore structureSolvent nanofiltrationNonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulationsMolecular dynamics simulationsPore structureSolvent transport mechanismsSolvent moleculesSolvent flowSolvent permeanceSolvent affinityOSN membranesFlory-Rehner theoryDynamics simulationsSolvent transportMembrane technologyChemical separationNanofiltrationPressure gradientPermeanceStructureTransport mechanismMoleculesExtended Donnan model for ion partitioning in charged nanopores: Application to ion-exchange membranes
Wang R, Biesheuvel P, Elimelech M. Extended Donnan model for ion partitioning in charged nanopores: Application to ion-exchange membranes. Journal Of Membrane Science 2024, 705: 122921. DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2024.122921.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIon-exchange membranesExchange membraneInteraction of ionsCoulomb interaction of ionsIon partitioningCharged pore wallsElectrostatic modelChemical potential of ionsArrangement of ionsPore solutionPotentials of ionsDonnan modelDonnan equationPore sizeCylindrical poresPore wallsDistribution of ionsPolymer chargeEffect of ionsAqueous solutionPoreIon activity coefficientsSalt concentrationIonsGeometric factorsInhibition of silica scaling with functional polymers: Role of ionic strength, divalent ions, and temperature
Kaneda M, Cao T, Dong D, Zhang X, Chen Y, Zhang J, Bryantsev V, Zhong M, Elimelech M. Inhibition of silica scaling with functional polymers: Role of ionic strength, divalent ions, and temperature. Water Research 2024, 258: 121705. PMID: 38776744, DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121705.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInhibition efficiencySilicic acid solutionAcid solutionPolymerization inhibitorIonic strengthMolecular dynamics simulationsDivalent ionsFunctional polymersAmmonium groupsSodium ionsInorganic cationsDynamics simulationsDivalent inorganic cationsInhibition performanceIonsSolution conditionsCationsPolymerSolution temperatureEffective stabilizationElevated temperaturesSilicaSilica scale formationSilica scaleSaline industrial wastewaterMore resilient polyester membranes for high-performance reverse osmosis desalination
Yao Y, Zhang P, Sun F, Zhang W, Li M, Sha G, Teng L, Wang X, Huo M, DuChanois R, Cao T, Boo C, Zhang X, Elimelech M. More resilient polyester membranes for high-performance reverse osmosis desalination. Science 2024, 384: 333-338. PMID: 38669571, DOI: 10.1126/science.adk0632.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThin-film composite reverse osmosis membranesComposite reverse osmosis membranesReverse osmosis membranesOsmosis membranesPolyamide membranesPoor chlorine resistanceExcellent water permeabilityReverse osmosis desalinationWater-salt selectivityWater permeabilityPolyester membraneBoron rejectionSalt rejectionFouling propensityTrimesoyl chlorideOsmosis desalinationInterfacial polymerizationHigh rejectionLow-energy surfacesPolyamide filmsChlorine resistancePrevent foulingWater purificationDesalinationFoulingIntensifying electrified flow-through water treatment technologies via local environment modification
Huo Z, Wang X, Huang X, Elimelech M. Intensifying electrified flow-through water treatment technologies via local environment modification. Frontiers Of Environmental Science & Engineering 2024, 18: 69. DOI: 10.1007/s11783-024-1829-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFlow-through electrodeFlow-through technologyEnhanced local electric fieldEfficient contaminant removalWater treatment applicationsComplex water matricesLocal electric fieldInduced spatial confinementNear-complete removalReaction kineticsTreatment technologiesMass transportContaminant removalWater treatmentWater matricesPersistent contaminantsGeometry adjustmentModification approachReaction rateElectric fieldStructural optimizationTreatment applicationsElectrodeEnvironment modificationSpatial confinement
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
Links & Media
News
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