M-LAB

The European Membrane Institute in Montpellier (IEM), a research center on membrane materials and technology, and POLYMEM, a membrane manufacturer SME propose to set-up a Joint Laboratory (M-LAB) with the general topic dealing with the deep understanding of membrane fabrication process. The ultrafiltration membranes on the market are generally made by a phase separation process using dope solutions of hydrophobic polymers (PE, PP, PVC, PAN, PSF, PVDF). Additives are always required to improve the filtration performances of the produced membranes. Thus, the use of hydrophilic additives allows the membrane surface to become hydrophilic and thereby increases the resistance to fouling. POLYMEM that dedicates between 15 to 20% of its turnover to R&D activities to produce hollow fibers, to build filtration modules, to design treatment plants and to ensure validation test on site, would like to extend its knowledge about the fundamental mechanisms taking place in the fabrication and use of membranes as, for instance, the influence of operating conditions during membrane fabrication on the polymer and additive distribution into the membrane structure binging about its nano-structuration and interfacial properties, and the changes occurring depending on the membrane utilization. The in-depth study of the different parameters resulting in an increase of the fundamental knowledge is also one of the objectives of M-LAB for the academic partner. The last point regards the training of POLYMEM engineers and technicians and that of the IEM’s students as well in a mutual benefit coming from a strengthening of relationships between the academic and industrial partners.