Bridging fundamental research and applied engineering to develop next-generation treatment materials. 

Applied Membrane Materials and Manufacturing Processes

My graduate studies were focused in material science and engineering, specifically nanomaterials but I was able to work with membrane materials and engineering. I worked to integrate these two fields, published, and subsequently patented a novel membrane technology utilizing graphene oxide to improve fouling severity, the chemical stability, and reduced energy consumption1 2. My developments came from studying structure, performance, and property relationships in tandem with real world applications. My work as a postdoctoral fellow and as a research assistant professor primarily focused on the application of a variety of membrane processes 3. At UTHealth Houston, I focus on collaborations in fundamental research areas involving material science, evaluation, and research and development in conjunction with applied research at various scales from bench top to full pilot for membrane technologies. There is also just general nanomaterials and material science, but we like to use applied engineering to solve problems at population scales.

Processes which contribute to improving freshwater sustainability, protecting environmental flows, improving recycling of industrial process streams, and municipal wastewater reuse

While membrane materials perform according to structure, processes optimize the economical use and thus, the application of these materials can be researched in systems and further optimized. My research focus as an assistant professor includes not only membrane materials and characterization but the study of water treatment processes with respect to the techno economic evaluation (CapEX, O&M life cycles) and energy consumption (OpEx). While many researchers focus on improving the performance of membrane materials, we try to go beyond a bench scale study to demonstrate viable treatment options that have potential to displace technology and processes that are conventional. The goal of my research is defining performance in terms of contaminant removal, energy consumption, and engineering systems to increase the source and quality of freshwater supplies by assess technology readiness levels (TRLs) for novel materials and applications in desalination and selective separation, as well as provide benchmark testing with real waters for collaborators and industry partners to investigate real-world scenarios and define scientific impact for future engineering professionals.

Evaluating and designing Electrochemical processes in industrial processes and recovery applications 

In contrast to desalination with Reverse Osmosis, electro-driven separation processes rely on an electric field to drive ions and may employ electrostatically-selective ion exchange membranes (IEMs) to separate water and ions.  Electro-driven processes can require less chemical use and reduce energy inputs. They are well-suited for selective separation of target constituents and in many applications, these electro-driven separation processes operate at lower cross-flow velocities, reducing energy wasted on hydraulic head loss. My research interests as an Assistant Professor expand into Electrodialysis (ED), Electrodionization (EDI), Selectrodialysis (SED) and Electrodialysis Metathesis (EDM) for extractions and zero discharge desalination4 but I will be able explore more applications like CO2 electrolysis, Fuel Cells and Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) with the same membrane materials for future collaboration areas that are positioned to solve sustainability issues. 

References:

1. EM Deemer, T Capt, O Owoseni, T Akter, WS Walker. Hypochlorite Resistant Graphene Oxide Incorporated Ultrafiltration Membranes with High Sustainable Flux. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2019) 58 (27), 11964-11975\

2. EM Deemer, WS Walker, T Capt. COMPOSITION AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE ANTI-FOULING PROPERTIES OF POLYETHERSULFONE MEMBRANES US20170326505A1 (Granted: 2019)

3. Kuichang Zuo, Kunpeng Wang, Ryan M. DuChanois, Qiyi Fang, Eva M. Deemer, Xiaochuan Huang, Ruikun Xin, Ibrahim A. Said, Ze He, Yuren Feng, W. Shane Walker, Jun Lou, Menachem Elimelech, Xia Huang, Qilin Li, Selective membranes in water and wastewater treatment: Role of advanced materials, Materials Today, (2021) Volume 50, Pages 516-532

4. Eva M Deemer, Pei Xu, Rafael Verduzco, William Shane Walker. Challenges and opportunities for electro-driven desalination processes in sustainable applications. Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering (2023) 42, 100972