Macrocyclic sorbents for environmental remediation
Leveraging synthetic chemistry, our group has advanced the application of macrocyclic sorbents for groundwater remediation, targeting both legacy and emerging contaminants—including chlorinated solvents, 1,4-dioxane, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This research has been supported by NIH, DoD SERDP, NSF, and EPA. A key outcome is the development of a series of highly efficient, cationic, and fluorinated macrocyclic sorbents, from both experimental and simulation approaches. One of these sorbents has demonstrated outstanding performance in capturing both short- and long-chain anionic PFAS. In diluted aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) matrices, it has also outperformed commercial products in removing short-chain, nonionic, and zwitterionic PFAS. We are currently advancing scalable, column-based studies as part of our ongoing research. Specifically for PFAS, we are integrating sorbent-based capture with thermal treatment technologies to enhance the degradation and minimization of these recalcitrant compounds
Mineral recovery from brine resources
Our group has expanded its research into the oil and gas sector in Texas, with a focus on mineral recovery from water resources using both membrane and sorbent technologies. We collaborate closely with Prof. Mahdi Malmali (Chemical Engineering) and Prof. Amrika Deonarine (Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering). In 2021, our team was selected as a Phase 1 winner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Lithium Extraction Prize, which led to two major DOE-funded projects. These efforts aim to recover critical elements from produced water, further establishing our research leadership in the rapidly growing field of mineral recovery in the United States.
Fundamental membrane morphology studies
Our group have led a series of groundbreaking studies in 3D tomography-based membrane characterization. In 2023, we were the first to integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to accelerate tomogram data processing, published in EST Engineering in 2023. This was followed by a comprehensive review article in Environ. Sci. Technol. Most recently, our team achieved a major milestone by visualizing reverse osmosis membranes at the nanoscale under hydrated conditions using cryo-electron tomography—marking the first time this technique has been applied in this context. This pioneering work was published in Science Advances in 2025.
Biomimetic materials for separation
Nature offers remarkable examples of selective transport and binding mechanisms, which inspire the design of advanced separation materials. Building on the PI’s Ph.D. research on biological water channel proteins and artificial water channels, our group continues to explore the use of nature-inspired biological molecules for highly selective separation applications. These biomimetic systems offer promising pathways for achieving exceptional selectivity and efficiency in separation processes.
