Conventional Membrane vs Elevation membrane with Zwittershield (Source: Zwitterco)

​Organic fouling remains one of the most persistent challenges for industries that rely on reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, driving up maintenance demands, chemical consumption, and costly downtime. ZwitterCo’s newly launched Elevation product line offers a decisive answer to these issues by embedding patented ZwitterShield™ technology directly into the membrane surface. This permanently bonded zwitterionic chemistry creates an exceptionally hydrophilic barrier that repels proteins, oils, and other organic foulants, preventing irreversible fouling even in harsh feed conditions and dramatically improving operational efficiency.
Elevation membranes enable users to switch from expensive proprietary cleaning agents to inexpensive commodity chemicals, cutting per-element cleaning costs from roughly $20–$45 to just $1–$5 and reducing annual chemical expenditures by as much as 75 %. Longer intervals between cleanings (up to 80 % fewer cycles than conventional membranes) further lower operating expenses and minimize downtime. When cleanings are required, they are faster and simpler, restoring full performance quickly and freeing staff for higher-value tasks.
Also, Elevation membranes tolerate feedwater with up to 15 mg/L total organic carbon, 50 mg/L chemical oxygen demand, and 2.5 mg/L oil and grease, maintaining stable operation where standard membranes fail. Their reliability has been proven across sectors ranging from food and beverage processing to chemical refining, heavy industry, and landfill leachate treatment. In one U.S. power plant, deployment of Elevation elements sharply reduced cleaning frequency and membrane replacements while maintaining consistent output during upstream upsets, and similar results have been reported in sugar refineries and landfill operations.
Moreover, Elevation membranes are manufactured in industry-standard sizes and configurations, allowing direct replacement or system upgrades without redesign. By combining durability, easy implementation, and exceptional resistance to organic fouling, ZwitterCo’s Elevation family delivers a step change in RO performance, enabling industries worldwide to cut costs, boost uptime, and meet ambitious sustainability targets.
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Atomic structure of vermiculite membrane (Source: wiley)

Argonne National Laboratory is leading groundbreaking research into securing future lithium supplies. Lithium, the lightest metal on the periodic table, is vital for electric vehicles, mobile devices, laptops, and defense technologies because of its low weight and high energy density. As global demand rises sharply, concerns about supply shortages and vulnerable supply chains are mounting.
 
To address these challenges, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME), have developed an innovative membrane technology that efficiently extracts lithium from water. “The new membrane we have developed offers a potential low-cost and abundant alternative for lithium extraction here at home,” explained Seth Darling, Argonne’s chief science and technology officer for Advanced Energy Technologies and director of the Advanced Materials for Energy-Water Systems (AMEWS) Energy Frontier Research Center.
 
Currently, most lithium is sourced through hard-rock mining and salt lake brines in only a handful of countries, leaving the market vulnerable. Yet the majority of Earth’s lithium exists dissolved in seawater and underground brines, sources that have long been considered too costly and inefficient to exploit. Traditional extraction methods fail largely because lithium, existing as a positively charged cation, is difficult to separate from abundant competing ions like sodium and magnesium.
 
The Argonne team’s breakthrough lies in a new vermiculite-based membrane. Vermiculite, a naturally abundant clay costing about $350 per ton, was exfoliated into ultrathin layers—on the order of a billionth of a meter—and then reassembled into a 2D filter. To overcome the natural instability of clay layers in water, the researchers inserted aluminum oxide pillars between them, creating a stable, high-rise–like structure. This design prevented structural collapse while neutralizing negative surface charges.
 
By doping the structure with sodium ions, the researchers engineered a positively charged membrane surface that repels divalent magnesium ions more strongly than monovalent lithium ions. Further sodium ion modification reduced pore sizes, allowing smaller ions like sodium and potassium to pass through while selectively capturing lithium. “Filtering by both ion size and charge, our membrane can pull lithium out of water with much greater efficiency,” noted first author Yining Liu, a Ph.D. candidate at UChicago and AMEWS researcher.
 
This innovation could not only unlock new domestic lithium reserves but also extend to recovering other critical elements like nickel, cobalt, and rare earths, or even cleaning harmful contaminants from water. “There are many types of this clay material,” Liu added. “We’re exploring how it might help collect critical elements from seawater and brines or even improve drinking water purification.”
 
As access to clean water and secure supplies of strategic materials become defining global challenges, Argonne’s research underscores how advanced material science can power the technological empowerment and mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
Kindly learn more about the work here
Source: Agonne National Laboratory

​Ultrahigh-charge-density Membrane (Image credit: Springer Nature)    

​Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new class of charged membranes that could dramatically reduce the waste and energy demands of desalination, offering a more sustainable approach to freshwater production.
Desalination plants, essential for supplying drinking water in arid regions, generate vast amounts of brine waste (approximately 1.5 liters for every liter of clean water), posing serious environmental risks, particularly to marine life and groundwater. Traditional methods of managing this brine involve energy-intensive evaporation or environmentally harmful disposal into oceans or underground.
The new membranes, detailed in a study published in Nature Chemical Engineering, overcome long-standing salinity limitations in electrodialysis—a low-energy method that uses electricity to separate salt from water. By packing the membranes with an unprecedented density of charged molecules, the researchers achieved enhanced ion rejection and conductivity, making it feasible to concentrate salt brine to the point of crystallization. This paves the way for recovering both fresh water and valuable minerals like lithium, magnesium, and potassium from seawater. The innovation comes from linking the charged molecules with carbon-based connectors that prevent swelling, a problem that dilutes charge density in conventional membranes. This customization allows the membrane's performance to be tuned for different applications, balancing ion selectivity and conductivity.
“Our technology could help desalination plants be more sustainable by reducing waste while using less energy,” said lead researcher Dr. Jovan Kamcev, assistant professor of chemical engineering. Postdoctoral fellow David Kitto added, “Water is such an important resource—it would be amazing to help make desalination a sustainable solution to our global water crisis.”
The work was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and supported by the NSF through facilities at the University of Pennsylvania.
To access the published article, kindly click here 

Braskem, the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, and Ardent Process Technologies have announced the successful completion of a multi-year joint development program focused on advancing Optiperm™ Olefins, a cutting-edge membrane-based olefin-paraffin separation technology. This development marks a significant breakthrough in improving efficiency and sustainability in polyolefin production.
The collaboration began in November 2020 and involved installing a dedicated demonstration unit at Braskem’s facilities, where the Optiperm™ system underwent rigorous field testing. Over 10,000 hours of testing validated the membrane’s performance across critical metrics, including separation efficiency, durability, and operational stability.
Unlike conventional processes that often require full splitter upgrades, the modular membrane system enables olefin recovery from purge gas streams without extensive infrastructure modifications—making it a more flexible and cost-effective solution for industrial plants.
Based on the success of the pilot phase, Braskem has confirmed its commitment to moving forward with commercial-scale implementation of the technology. Engineering and design work for the first commercial installation is already underway.
Leaders from both companies emphasized the technology’s potential to transform olefin-paraffin separation, reduce energy consumption, and align with sustainability goals, particularly Braskem’s aim to lead innovation in the chemical and plastics industry while advancing toward carbon neutrality.
This milestone not only positions Optiperm™ as a high-impact solution for the petrochemical sector but also strengthens the broader membrane platform developed by Ardent for other industrial applications.
For more about the product, kindly click here 

LG Chem presents the LG NF9, an advanced nanofiltration membrane engineered to meet the demanding needs of both municipal and industrial water treatment systems. Specifically designed for applications requiring selective removal of contaminants, LG NF9 delivers high rejection performance while operating at low energy consumption levels.
This membrane effectively removes a broad range of organic pollutants and emerging contaminants, including PFAS and trihalomethanes (THMs), while demonstrating strong resistance to fouling and ensuring long-term operational durability. These features make LG NF9 a reliable choice for high-performance treatment systems focused on water quality and sustainability.
LG NF9 enhances overall system efficiency by operating at lower feed pressures, which reduces energy use without compromising on water quality. Its superior rejection of multivalent ions and organic compounds contributes to consistently high-quality output. In addition, its robust fouling resistance supports stable, long-term operation and extends membrane life.
By integrating LG NF9 into water treatment systems, operators can expect lower operational and maintenance costs, reduced downtime, and improved membrane longevity, ultimately achieving sustained performance and value.
For more about the product specification and inquiry, visit the company website.
Source: LG Chem

​The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Kanpur-based laboratory DMSRDE, has successfully developed a nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane designed for high-pressure seawater desalination. This innovation addresses the challenge of membrane stability in saline environments, particularly against chloride ion exposure, making it highly suitable for deployment in Indian Coast Guard (ICG) vessels. The membrane development was completed in a notably short period of eight months, reflecting the urgency and effectiveness of the project.
Collaborating closely with the Indian Coast Guard, initial technical and safety trials of the membrane were conducted aboard an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV). These preliminary tests demonstrated satisfactory performance. Final operational clearance is contingent upon 500 hours of successful operational testing, which is currently underway. Once fully approved, this membrane is expected to play a transformative role in coastal seawater desalination, with potential applications beyond military use after further customization.
This achievement is a testament to DRDO's commitment to advancing indigenous technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. As the research and development wing of India’s Ministry of Defence, DRDO plays a crucial role in equipping the nation’s armed forces with cutting-edge systems. Its track record includes the successful indigenous development of strategic defence platforms such as the Agni and Prithvi missile series, Tejas light combat aircraft, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, and Akash air defence system, among others.
DRDO operates a vast network of 41 specialized laboratories and 5 Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs), each focused on diverse fields such as aeronautics, electronics, missiles, naval systems, special materials, and life sciences. This extensive infrastructure supports its vision of technological empowerment and mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies.

Muscat Gases Company, a key player in Oman’s industrial landscape, has partnered with IonClear, a California-based technology firm, to launch an advanced membrane manufacturing facility in Al Rusayl Industrial City. This groundbreaking collaboration will introduce Oman’s first local production site for Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) membranes, which are crucial for water desalination and treatment across various industrial applications.
The new plant, spanning 3,000 square meters, represents a major step toward enhancing Oman’s water treatment infrastructure and supporting national efforts to address long-term water security. The initiative is also aligned with the country’s broader sustainability goals, including reducing environmental impact and supporting carbon neutrality through the development of cleaner, more efficient technologies.
The partnership will not only bring cutting-edge membrane technology to Oman but also contribute to building local capacity in high-tech manufacturing. By fostering technology transfer, the project is expected to stimulate local innovation, reduce dependence on imports, and create skilled employment opportunities for Omani professionals, especially in the areas of environmental and process engineering.
As part of Oman’s vision to diversify its economy and strengthen its industrial base, this venture supports the goals outlined in Oman Vision 2040—particularly those related to increasing In-Country Value (ICV) and promoting private-sector-driven growth in strategic sectors. The facility is expected to serve not just local demand but also open up export opportunities across the Gulf region.

Product Launch Overview
Toray Industries, Inc. has announced its new PTC.SLV household water purifier cartridge, which is released alongside the Torayvino™ PT307SLV water filter pitcher, specially designed to accommodate the new cartridge. Notably, the PTC.SLV cartridge is also compatible with other models in the Torayvino pitcher series, offering users greater flexibility and convenience.
Key Innovations and Performance
The PTC.SLV cartridge represents a major advancement in household water purification. It is engineered to filter up to 600 liters of water, effectively tripling the lifespan of conventional cartridges. When used to purify approximately three liters of water per day, the cartridge lasts for up to six months, significantly reducing the frequency and cost of replacements.
Toray’s proprietary filtration technology allows the PTC.SLV cartridge to swiftly and effectively remove 16 substances designated by the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), including perfluorooctanesulfonic acids (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA)—chemicals of growing concern in water safety.
In terms of speed, the cartridge delivers one liter of filtered water in just three minutes, ensuring a steady supply of clean water for drinking, cooking, and other household uses.

Torayvino™ PT307SLV Pitcher Features
The newly launched PT307SLV water filter pitcher is designed to work seamlessly with the PTC.SLV cartridge. It offers:

• Compact design that fits comfortably in both the front and back rows of standard refrigerator door pockets, including smaller units
• A transparent blue cartridge replacement indicator dial that allows users to set and monitor cartridge change dates at a glance

This thoughtful design ensures both practical storage and ease of use, making it an ideal solution for individuals, small families, and people living alone.

Product Specifications
PT307SLV Water Filter Pitcher

• Model Number: PT307SLV
• Filter Flow Rate: 300 mL/min
• Filter Capacity: 600 liters (approx. 6 months at 3 L/day)
• Substances Removed: 16 JIS-designated substances
• Retail Price: Determined by retailers
• Availability: Early April, across mass merchandisers, home centers, and appliance stores in Japan

PTC.SLV Household Water Purifier Cartridge

• Model Number: PTC.SLV
• Filter Flow Rate: 300–400 mL/min (depending on pitcher type)
• Filter Capacity: 600 liters
• Compatibility: Works with multiple Torayvino pitcher models
• Retail Price: Determined by retailers
• Availability: Early April, nationwide

​For more about the product click here

Water purification has become a crucial priority as the global demand for clean water rises amid growing scarcity. The United Nations has highlighted the urgent need to address water pollution, leading researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) to develop an innovative, microwave-assisted approach for synthesizing a new type of membrane that efficiently filters contaminants. This technique, one of the fastest available, creates covalent organic framework (COF) membranes within minutes—an advancement that is vital for effective wastewater treatment. The membrane’s dual-surface design, featuring one superhydrophilic and one near-hydrophobic side, enables highly effective removal of pollutants such as oils and dyes, while its antibacterial properties contribute to durability and long-term functionality.
The study, titled "Tunable Wettability of a Dual-Faced COF Membrane for Enhanced Water Filtration" and published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, was led by Professor Ali Trabolsi with researchers Farah Benyettou and Asmaa Jrad. Their method allows precise control over membrane thickness and surface characteristics, optimizing it for a variety of water contaminants without additional modifications.
These COF membranes outperform traditional polymer membranes by delivering higher water flow rates, effective oil removal, and resistance to organic fouling. This breakthrough offers a more accessible, efficient solution for water purification, representing a significant advancement in sustainable water treatment technology.
Source: New York University Abu Dhabi