In all living cells, channels transporting water – aquaporins – exist. Aquaporins are proteins, which only transport water i.e. pure H2O molecules. They have a unique selectivity and are extremely efficient being nature’s own water transporting systems.
The goal of the MEMBAQ project is to investigate a possibility to industrially exploit these unique features. This is done by incorporating recombinant aquaporin molecules in different types of industrial membranes for water filtration. By this, the nature will be used as a model for the development of a novel nanobiotechnological water membrane technology.
The consortium is composed of SMEs, universities, research institutes, and private companies. The participant organisations represent molecular biology, biotechnology, computational chemistry, membrane science and engineering, water purification and water management. The research project is organised in five work packages with the following tasks:
1. Production of recombinant aquaporin. Production of purified aquaporins is essential input for developing stable membrane films.
2. Design of new nanobiotechnological membrane materials by means of computer simulations (e.g. atomistic molecular dynamics). Simulation results are imperative for optimising stable membrane films and for initial characterisation.
3. Building of aquaporins into a stable membrane film, and incorporation of this layer into a composite (integral) membrane system. Samples of novel ultra thin membrane on a support with sufficient strength, permeability, durability, etc. are the output.
4. Characterisation and testing of the membranes towards critical parameters such as pressure, temperature, ph, fouling and fouling prevention etc. Documentation in terms of laboratory test results of the membrane samples is the output.
5. Application tests of small-scale membrane systems in water purification and salinity power production. Documentation from three different applications (water purification, energy production and wastewater reclamation and re-use) under realistic conditions is the output.
The goal of the project is to explore the possibilities to incorporate recombinant aquaporin molecules in different types of industrial membranes for water filtration. By this, the nature will be used as a model for the development of a novel nanobiotechnological water membrane technology. Tests of pilot membrane systems will be developed for three applications: A water purification application, an ocean energy application (salinity gradient energy) and an application for industrial wastewater reclamation and reuse. The applications will demonstrate the revolutionary industrial breakthrough in separation and filtration techniques using natural processes.
For accomplishing the overall targeted objective to incorporate aquaporin into industrial membranes, the following specific objectives (scientific and technical) are defined:
The multi-disciplinary and cross-organisational expertises required for accomplishing the objectives are:
For further information see the Background page or contact:
Project Co-ordinator:
Hans G. Enggrob, DHI Water & Environment
Telephone: +45 45 16 92 00
Fax: +45 45 16 92 92
Postal Address:
DHI Water & EnvironmentE-mail:
hge@dhigroup.com